..::VIDEO::.. Brown Sound = Low Voltage? 120 vs 90 Volts!

[Del Rei]

Hey, guys.

Just recorded this video some days ago.
I heard a lot of things about VH's Brown Sound being achieved by lower voltage settings. So, I tried it and compared the 120 to 90 volts (using a Variac).

I noticed that the volume goes down in 90V, so I kept the original tracks to compare and then adjusted the 90V tracks to the same volume as 120V tracks (by Reaper) to get a fair comparison.

There must be a lot of others things to consider when talking about brown sound.

 

[Mattfig]

INteresting vid and I've never heard the 90V theory.....Pretty cool stuff....Thanks!

 

[Zachman]

There's no substitute for experience, so a BIG salute to you for checking it out for yourself. I've tried to aim for various permutations of the brown sound for YEARS, using different amps, tubes, pedals, speakers, attenuators etc., and combinations.

I got pretty close w/ the Mojave Peacemaker, using a THD Hotplate in a w/d/w rig. Currently using a Cameron Atomica for my favorite Marshallesque tones.

VH 1 tone attempt starts at 1:45 https://m.soundcloud.com/mentoneman/zachrack-10-30-16

 

[blackba]

I have concerns for the heaters not having enough voltage at below 100V. Did you rebias at 90V?

I run my vintage amps at 115VAC and have them biased for that voltage. I find they run cooler and sound less strident at lower voltages.

 

[paulyc]

Ed cranked the bias all the way up and went down to 89 volts actually, with Sylvania 6CA7 tubed

 

[CP5150]

Ed cranked the bias all the way up and went down to 89 volts actually, with Sylvania 6CA7 tubed

Ed biased his amps to match the voltage. If it's 90 volts the bias was adjusted for 90 volts.

 

[paulyc]

Bias would never be 90 volts, he said he turned the bias all the way up, which is why it ran in Sylvainia 6CA7s, they were the only tubes that would take the high bias voltage, but not 90 volts, bias voltage is usually high 30s to high 40 volts (and negative).

 

[sahlomonic]

I have concerns for the heaters not having enough voltage at below 100V. Did you rebias at 90V?

I run my vintage amps at 115VAC and have them biased for that voltage. I find they run cooler and sound less strident at lower voltages.

This. I've tried my 2204 and JTM45 clones at 90V for a few minutes (because I didn't adjust bias and didn't want to risk low heater current) but the result wasn't anything magical. Depending on the amp it may have a bigger impact.

 

[PatF]

The variac is for finding a sweet spot, not just cranking it down to 90V.

 

[Del Rei]

Hey, guys.
Thanks for all comments.

Well.. I didnt set the bias. Does it changes the tone?

 

[paulyc]

Yes, cold bias sucks. Bias Hot will sound better. I've tried all of this, it doesn't work, just makes the amp quieter.