|
|
Post by jacobamerritt on Jul 27, 2024 10:58:52 GMT -6
So I have a tube compressor that when you touch or tap the knobs, push in a button, etc... you can actually hear it in the DAW!
Pretty noticeable. Certainly would ruin a track. Like the resonant sound of tapping on a metal pipe or something. Sensitive enough that even grabbing the knob to turn it makes a sound. What's the deal?? Anyone ever had this happen?
Could it just be extremely microphonic tubes??
EDIT: I don't have the gain cranked or anything. Ive never had this issue before and I have plenty of tube gear.
|
|
|
|
Post by jmoose on Jul 27, 2024 12:59:16 GMT -6
Yes more then likely a bad tube... they do have a lifespan!
What compressor is it? Most of the time changing a tube is as easy as changing a light bulb...
With the unit on & patched, take the lid off grab a pencil or bamboo skewer... tap all the tubes gently. All the tubes are going to make noise, the microphonic tube is going to make A LOT of noise. Switch things off, 5-10 minutes to cool... insert new tube get back to work.
Now depending on the box, and where in the audio path that tube is... if its a stereo compressor you might want to replace tubes on both sides so the channels stay matched.
|
|
|
|
Post by jacobamerritt on Jul 27, 2024 14:53:52 GMT -6
Yes more then likely a bad tube... they do have a lifespan! What compressor is it? Most of the time changing a tube is as easy as changing a light bulb... With the unit on & patched, take the lid off grab a pencil or bamboo skewer... tap all the tubes gently. All the tubes are going to make noise, the microphonic tube is going to make A LOT of noise. Switch things off, 5-10 minutes to cool... insert new tube get back to work. Now depending on the box, and where in the audio path that tube is... if its a stereo compressor you might want to replace tubes on both sides so the channels stay matched. Its a Manley Nu Mu. I'm the second owner, but this is the first time I've used it more seriously than a quick test when I received it earlier this week. I wonder if something got weird in shipping... |
|
|
|
Post by ironinthepath on Jul 27, 2024 14:57:59 GMT -6
I’d contact Manley directly, they’ve been very responsive for my questions and I’ve only had second hand units.
|
|
|
|
Post by jacobamerritt on Jul 27, 2024 16:20:31 GMT -6
I’d contact Manley directly, they’ve been very responsive for my questions and I’ve only had second hand units. Yeah I contacted the seller and Manley. I have a hunch the tubes got a bit jostled in delivery or something. It was recently re-tubed less than a year ago and the unit looks brand new, original packaging, plastic wrap, etc. |
|
|
|
Post by ironinthepath on Jul 27, 2024 17:33:11 GMT -6
If you try one channel at a time, do they both behave the same way? It seems unlikely that they’d share a tube between the two channels (but not impossible if it’s a dual) and I’ve not experienced two different tubes going microphonic at exactly the same time (again, possible but seemingly unlikely).
If you’re brave, you could consider opening up the unit and gently trying the “tap test”. At your own risk, of course! 😀
|
|
|
|
Post by rowmat on Jul 27, 2024 17:45:43 GMT -6
No, no!
Don’t fix it whatever you do.
Just rent it out for a ridiculously high price.
|
|
|
|
Post by doubledog on Jul 28, 2024 7:56:33 GMT -6
I’d contact Manley directly, they’ve been very responsive for my questions and I’ve only had second hand units. Yeah I contacted the seller and Manley. I have a hunch the tubes got a bit jostled in delivery or something. It was recently re-tubed less than a year ago and the unit looks brand new, original packaging, plastic wrap, etc. a tube that is only 1 year old or looks new tells you really nothing about whether it is microphonic or not (Ok they are probably all microphonic, but some worse than others). A brand new tube can be microphonic (and some places will actually test them for you to find a "low microphonics" tube). The tap test is probably the easiest way - I've done it with guitar amps many times too |
|
|
|
Post by jacobamerritt on Jul 28, 2024 12:22:58 GMT -6
Yeah I contacted the seller and Manley. I have a hunch the tubes got a bit jostled in delivery or something. It was recently re-tubed less than a year ago and the unit looks brand new, original packaging, plastic wrap, etc. a tube that is only 1 year old or looks new tells you really nothing about whether it is microphonic or not (Ok they are probably all microphonic, but some worse than others). A brand new tube can be microphonic (and some places will actually test them for you to find a "low microphonics" tube). The tap test is probably the easiest way - I've done it with guitar amps many times too These were new and matched from Manley. Wouldn't be shocked if something got weird with them in transit though |
|
|
|
Post by doubledog on Jul 28, 2024 13:37:57 GMT -6
a tube that is only 1 year old or looks new tells you really nothing about whether it is microphonic or not (Ok they are probably all microphonic, but some worse than others). A brand new tube can be microphonic (and some places will actually test them for you to find a "low microphonics" tube). The tap test is probably the easiest way - I've done it with guitar amps many times too These were new and matched from Manley. Wouldn't be shocked if something got weird with them in transit though sure, they can get damaged by vibration/shock, or they can just go bad (not very often but it can happen). it's pretty easy to narrow down the offending tube, and if you have a compatible replacement, swap it out to confirm. |
|
|
|
Post by svart on Jul 29, 2024 7:00:25 GMT -6
Some tubes just become microphonic. It's not necessarily from age or use. Some just do it for no reason.
|
|
|
|
Post by EmRR on Jul 29, 2024 8:22:47 GMT -6
Yep. I’ve turned on a thing one day to find massive hum in a new tube that was silent the first several weeks of use. Once. Ever. It can happen.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dan on Jul 29, 2024 9:08:28 GMT -6
a tube that is only 1 year old or looks new tells you really nothing about whether it is microphonic or not (Ok they are probably all microphonic, but some worse than others). A brand new tube can be microphonic (and some places will actually test them for you to find a "low microphonics" tube). The tap test is probably the easiest way - I've done it with guitar amps many times too These were new and matched from Manley. Wouldn't be shocked if something got weird with them in transit though Matched when Manley matched them, not after months of use. Tubes can go bad quickly and modern small signal tubes are made with decades old machinery in formerly communist countries. Take from that what you will. |
|
