Thank you!!! I have a Dynaco tube amp that my father built in the 60s and now I understand how it works. I am also interested in triode tube based overdrive effects for guitar. When you explained the Class A amplification you said that you need to keep the negative side of the sine wave above zero. In an overdrive effect, does the bottom of the wave just get clipped? If so, is that what causes the "fuzzy" distortion?
@44433391 Yes, bias current is a must for all tube amplifiers both pentode and triode. To determine the amount of bias you need to use the tube curves, or the curve of the specific tube that you are going to use.
@44433391 This is a very complex question and unfortunately cannot be answered in a few words. The best way to deal with it, is to try to understand the tube curves. When you plot your bias point and the voltage swing (based on the limit power), you will see it better. The same is also valid for the preamp stage (voltage amplification).
I've been trying to find information on the operation of a penode in class a. Specifically, how does the difference in voltage between the screen grid and plate effect the operation of the amplifier. Also what roll does screen grid current play. I understand the purpose of the screen grid, just not what happens when the screen grid voltage differs from the plate voltage. Note I am asking about the screen grid in a penode, not the control grid in a triode. Thanks in advance.
@CanticlesInProgress The current is between the Plate and the Cathode, the Grid is controlling the flow amount of this current. The rule is to have the Grid's potential below the Cathode's potential. If the Cathode is 0V, then Grid has to have minus values. If the Cathode is say 100V, then the Grid can be 40V (just an example). These videos are made to explain the functioning of the tube without entering in too much detail. All these values are derived from the tube curves, try to look at them.
I understand why there would be flow from the -70V plate to the +300V anode, but then why would there be flow from 0V cathode up through the -70V plate? Should it not be a consistent gradient? Say; 0V cathode, +50V plate and +300V anode?
Best video covering tube operation on youtube! So clear and concise. I do hope you continue making videos because you are gifted in explaining things at the right moment and in setting up analogies.
Wonderful job! I would really love to see another video explaining how a class A/B or Push/Pull amp works and the difference between a pentode and triode. You mention at the end how a pure Class A amp is the best, but it would be very interesting to understand why. Thanks!
@claus11212 That's a very kind comment!!! Thank you very much! I'm thinking to make another video about "how to use the tube curves", this will probably answer some specific questions on the subject.
A very excellent presentation. I have a very basic question. In the absence of a bias voltage, would amplification still occur when the grid signal is of the same polarity as the plate. If so, since there are no "free lunches" what is the trade-off for this amplification? I realize this question may not make sense.
@jklove41 Thank you! That's a very specific question which involves the understanding of the "tube curves" and I'm planning to make a video about tube curves in the near future.
great explanation...very good method...one suggestion though would be to discuss electrical potential...meaning the buildup of electrons (i.e. on the grid) and how it acts the same as two south pole magnets being pushed together...by adjusting the potential on the grid (from the incoming signal) your either allowing more or less electrons to flow to the anode by adjusting the grids negative force or electrical potential...either way i think people for the most part will get it
Wow, very nicely put and made a lot of sense. I thank you for your excellent presentation and thoughtful teaching. I am a musician and a electronic hobbyist and I am thankful for this. Keep up the great work and look forward to more if you so desire. Thanks again Adnan.
Excellent explanation but you never mention wiring...
as i understand it, yo have + and - (- / ground) for the heater / filiment. then you have the + anode and the - cathode, then you have your audio signal + and - (-/ground)
is this correct???
and i have one major question
i cant explain my question but ill have a go
do all the - / ground pins / terminals touch? like is the 300v - /ground the same pin as the audio signal ground and also the same as the heat element ground???
Fantastic teachings. I thoroughly enjoyed and understood what you were explaining. Nothing I've ever read or been told has been quite that clear! Very very good! Thank you!
Thanks Adnan for taking the time to do this video series. I now understand the basic principles involved in vacuum tube operation. I am new to the world of valve amplifiers and this has made a good starting point in my research.
I"m a amateur radio operator and I am looking to build a 1500w class A linear amplifier with 2 3-500z tubes and I had no idea how a tube worked. Now i know a lot more about tubes and how they work. This series of videos helped me a lot about how tubes work. Thanks ALOT!
Is there a very simple tube pre-amp schematic that you can suggest? I have always wanted to make a tube amp but all the amps looked way to complex. Fantastic video!
@fingerboy18 I had desinged and built (still using it) a simple preamp that I called FLUENCE. It performs very well too. You may find its schematic on my personal web site: arduman.com
So saturation happens when your "pump" runs out capacity. I have overloaded tube voltages and I am having great luck with tone shaping. It is like shaping the plates with your "water". Higher the power, more the slope - (shape). Thanks for another perspective-People learn in different ways, I can see how this could help. Remember all, when working with vacuum tubes you can have voltages of 500+. Be careful- learn proper methods before exploring.
So saturation happens when your "pump" runs out capacity. I have overloaded tube voltages and I am having great luck with tone shaping. It is like shaping the plates with your "water". Higher the power, more the slope - (shape). Thanks for another perspective-People learn in different ways, I can see how this could help. Remember all, when working with vacuum tubes you can have voltages of 500+. Be careful- learn proper methods before exploring.
So saturation happens when your "pump" runs out capacity. I have overloaded tube voltages and I am having great luck with tone shaping. It is like shaping the plates with your "water". Higher the power, more the slope - (shape). Thanks for another perspective-People learn in different ways, I can see how this could help. Remember all, when working with vacuum tubes you can have voltages of 500+. Be careful- learn proper methods before exploring.
Thank you!!! Please consider making more videos. Hydraulic tone stacks? Transformer? Would really like to see a walkthrough of a simple tube guitar amp.
Thank you Adnan. you are good teacher. i hope to hand craft my own tube guitar one day. i own a VOX guitar amp and its a hybrid between solid state and tube... wonder how they do that!
Excellent. In part one when he said it would be for non technical people I was afraid it would be dumbed down too much. Not at all. I have a technical background and this explained the basics very well.
I like the transition from the water (hydraulic) analogy to the actual tube and electrical flow, relating both. Well done.
Great! I am an amater musician, electrotechnic and handmade lover. But I don't understand why are some vacuum tubes microphonics. And I also don't understand why are vacuum tube so noisy when they operate on hi gain conditions.
Thank you so much! I just got a tube amp for my guitar, and I just had to know how it worked. Your analogy was perfect! I'm so glad someone put up a video that I can understand!
I can't thank you enough for your wonderful presentation on the workings of a triode vacuum tube. This is the first time it's ever been presented so that I fully understand it. I would very much like to see you do more presentations on electronics.
There is a standby current, yes. It ranges between fractions of a mA and several mA, up to 6 or 7. However, this current is negligible in tube amplifier circuits because there is a shunning resistor and a bypass cap.
DC current passes through the resistor to ground, and is nullified while the AC signal passes through the bypass capacitor unimpeded.
I will message you with a highly recommended information source. I learned everything i know about tubes from it, great place to start.
Wow I've been trying to understand the basic operation of a vacuum tube for awhile now. I tried reading all the technical writings online but failed to comprehend! I was hoping someone would make a video and explain it to me! This really helped me understand exactly what I wanted to know. I know see why some people call them valves. Thanks for this video!
Thank you!!! I have a Dynaco tube amp that my father built in the 60s and now I understand how it works. I am also interested in triode tube based overdrive effects for guitar. When you explained the Class A amplification you said that you need to keep the negative side of the sine wave above zero. In an overdrive effect, does the bottom of the wave just get clipped? If so, is that what causes the "fuzzy" distortion?
jdansti 1 week ago
Great tutorial! Thank you very much!
nickdrivinby 3 weeks ago
great vid Adnan. i enjoyed it thoroughly :)
latestsaint 1 month ago
@latestsaint Thank you very much.
improvised440 1 month ago
Very clear explination. Thank you.
samlongman1 1 month ago
The best tutorial on vacuum tubes ever, thanks!
Mrluke1308 2 months ago
@Mrluke1308 Thank you very much!
improvised440 2 months ago
@44433391 Thank you for your concern. Being on the west side of Turkey, we were fortunate this time.
improvised440 4 months ago
@44433391 Yes, bias current is a must for all tube amplifiers both pentode and triode. To determine the amount of bias you need to use the tube curves, or the curve of the specific tube that you are going to use.
improvised440 4 months ago
@44433391 This is a very complex question and unfortunately cannot be answered in a few words. The best way to deal with it, is to try to understand the tube curves. When you plot your bias point and the voltage swing (based on the limit power), you will see it better. The same is also valid for the preamp stage (voltage amplification).
improvised440 4 months ago
very nice work. I really wish you were my physics teacher. I hope you post more videos. Good luck for the future.
nicholasgonzalez 4 months ago
@nicholasgonzalez Thank you very much!
improvised440 4 months ago
Hi, great video,
I've been trying to find information on the operation of a penode in class a. Specifically, how does the difference in voltage between the screen grid and plate effect the operation of the amplifier. Also what roll does screen grid current play. I understand the purpose of the screen grid, just not what happens when the screen grid voltage differs from the plate voltage. Note I am asking about the screen grid in a penode, not the control grid in a triode. Thanks in advance.
erikz32 4 months ago
whoopsy, scratch "plate" and replace with "grid" in my question below. Thanks!
CanticlesInProgress 5 months ago
@CanticlesInProgress The current is between the Plate and the Cathode, the Grid is controlling the flow amount of this current. The rule is to have the Grid's potential below the Cathode's potential. If the Cathode is 0V, then Grid has to have minus values. If the Cathode is say 100V, then the Grid can be 40V (just an example). These videos are made to explain the functioning of the tube without entering in too much detail. All these values are derived from the tube curves, try to look at them.
improvised440 5 months ago
I understand why there would be flow from the -70V plate to the +300V anode, but then why would there be flow from 0V cathode up through the -70V plate? Should it not be a consistent gradient? Say; 0V cathode, +50V plate and +300V anode?
CanticlesInProgress 5 months ago
Best video covering tube operation on youtube! So clear and concise. I do hope you continue making videos because you are gifted in explaining things at the right moment and in setting up analogies.
DIYGuitarMods 5 months ago
@DIYGuitarMods Thank you very much.
improvised440 5 months ago
Wonderful job! I would really love to see another video explaining how a class A/B or Push/Pull amp works and the difference between a pentode and triode. You mention at the end how a pure Class A amp is the best, but it would be very interesting to understand why. Thanks!
frysauceband 6 months ago
Excellent presentation! we need more people like Adnan in this world!
Thank you!
Make more presentations covering other topics - I'm sure you'd be a good teacher in other topics as well.
claus11212 8 months ago 2
@claus11212 That's a very kind comment!!! Thank you very much! I'm thinking to make another video about "how to use the tube curves", this will probably answer some specific questions on the subject.
improvised440 8 months ago
@claus11212 agreed!
are you a prof? which field are you in?
fobbywillie 8 months ago
@fobbywillie I'm not a prof unfortunately. I'm mechanical engineer but tube electronics and music systems are my hobby and my business.
improvised440 5 months ago
A very excellent presentation. I have a very basic question. In the absence of a bias voltage, would amplification still occur when the grid signal is of the same polarity as the plate. If so, since there are no "free lunches" what is the trade-off for this amplification? I realize this question may not make sense.
Thank you.
jklove41 8 months ago
@jklove41 Thank you! That's a very specific question which involves the understanding of the "tube curves" and I'm planning to make a video about tube curves in the near future.
improvised440 8 months ago
You make an excellent lecturer. No lecturers that have thought me explained the science of an electronic better than you did. Thank you!
julihulije 8 months ago
@julihulije Thank you very much!
improvised440 8 months ago
great explanation...very good method...one suggestion though would be to discuss electrical potential...meaning the buildup of electrons (i.e. on the grid) and how it acts the same as two south pole magnets being pushed together...by adjusting the potential on the grid (from the incoming signal) your either allowing more or less electrons to flow to the anode by adjusting the grids negative force or electrical potential...either way i think people for the most part will get it
stratdude83 9 months ago
Fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
soundiscomforting 10 months ago
The only thing I don't quite understand is the grid....
But a beatiful analoq analogy !
BeavisNacho 10 months ago
Wow, very nicely put and made a lot of sense. I thank you for your excellent presentation and thoughtful teaching. I am a musician and a electronic hobbyist and I am thankful for this. Keep up the great work and look forward to more if you so desire. Thanks again Adnan.
mountainmovin 11 months ago
@mountainmovin Thank you very much.
improvised440 11 months ago
Very nice and easy to understand. Much appreciated, thank you
Triole666 1 year ago
Excellent explanation but you never mention wiring...
as i understand it, yo have + and - (- / ground) for the heater / filiment. then you have the + anode and the - cathode, then you have your audio signal + and - (-/ground)
is this correct???
and i have one major question
i cant explain my question but ill have a go
do all the - / ground pins / terminals touch? like is the 300v - /ground the same pin as the audio signal ground and also the same as the heat element ground???
thanks anyway...
xcsorg 1 year ago
Awsome, teachings! Thanks
I wonder what would happen if ran in zero gravity? Or near strong magnetic poles?
Surely that would disrupt the flow flow of current ???
Silverporsche59 1 year ago
I wish I could hire this guy to just walk around and explain everything I come across. "hey, how does that work?"
"vold on, I get my drawing pad"
Airshipidyship 1 year ago
Fantastic teachings. I thoroughly enjoyed and understood what you were explaining. Nothing I've ever read or been told has been quite that clear! Very very good! Thank you!
748ducky 1 year ago 5
@748ducky That's such a nice comment! Thank you very much.
improvised440 1 year ago
Wow, I wish that I had teachers like you back in the day. I would have learned a lot more than.
hydrolisk1792 1 year ago 4
@hydrolisk1792 What a great compliment! Thank you very much.
improvised440 1 year ago
Great series of videos ,keep it up.
Neraxia 1 year ago
@Neraxia Thank you very much.
improvised440 1 year ago
Very Very Very nice explaination. Never seen someone explain the tube this well!
Thank you very much, learned a lot with your vids. Hope to see more of those like about kathode capicitors/resistors and its effect etc
Many thanks
sebastiaan88music 1 year ago
@sebastiaan88music Thank you so much!
improvised440 1 year ago
Thank you very much , I was changing my 6L6 power tubes on my guitar amplifier and wondering how they worked .... this explanation is fantastic .... !
Amazing whoever worked out how to do that... your flow analogy is great
tpmbe 1 year ago
Questions; How does the Bias flow move the axis of a class A amp and why is class A more desirable than others if they run hot.....
mayito714 1 year ago
Thanks Adnan for taking the time to do this video series. I now understand the basic principles involved in vacuum tube operation. I am new to the world of valve amplifiers and this has made a good starting point in my research.
exacyzm 1 year ago
Great series, thanks!
What about class A/B?
Fendervana 1 year ago
I"m a amateur radio operator and I am looking to build a 1500w class A linear amplifier with 2 3-500z tubes and I had no idea how a tube worked. Now i know a lot more about tubes and how they work. This series of videos helped me a lot about how tubes work. Thanks ALOT!
KC9RXB 1 year ago
Excellent description of Class A operation.
ElectronicsIsFun 1 year ago
Is there a very simple tube pre-amp schematic that you can suggest? I have always wanted to make a tube amp but all the amps looked way to complex. Fantastic video!
fingerboy18 1 year ago
@fingerboy18 I had desinged and built (still using it) a simple preamp that I called FLUENCE. It performs very well too. You may find its schematic on my personal web site: arduman.com
improvised440 1 year ago
@improvised440 Thank you!
fingerboy18 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Great video! Nice illustrations!
So saturation happens when your "pump" runs out capacity. I have overloaded tube voltages and I am having great luck with tone shaping. It is like shaping the plates with your "water". Higher the power, more the slope - (shape). Thanks for another perspective-People learn in different ways, I can see how this could help. Remember all, when working with vacuum tubes you can have voltages of 500+. Be careful- learn proper methods before exploring.
leasecleaning 1 year ago
Great video! Nice illustrations!
So saturation happens when your "pump" runs out capacity. I have overloaded tube voltages and I am having great luck with tone shaping. It is like shaping the plates with your "water". Higher the power, more the slope - (shape). Thanks for another perspective-People learn in different ways, I can see how this could help. Remember all, when working with vacuum tubes you can have voltages of 500+. Be careful- learn proper methods before exploring.
leasecleaning 1 year ago
Great video! Nice illustrations!
So saturation happens when your "pump" runs out capacity. I have overloaded tube voltages and I am having great luck with tone shaping. It is like shaping the plates with your "water". Higher the power, more the slope - (shape). Thanks for another perspective-People learn in different ways, I can see how this could help. Remember all, when working with vacuum tubes you can have voltages of 500+. Be careful- learn proper methods before exploring.
leasecleaning 1 year ago
Thank you!!! Please consider making more videos. Hydraulic tone stacks? Transformer? Would really like to see a walkthrough of a simple tube guitar amp.
joostmee 1 year ago
That was very nicely done! I learned a lot.
Apache Junction, Arizona
themainproblem 1 year ago
Thank you Adnan. you are good teacher. i hope to hand craft my own tube guitar one day. i own a VOX guitar amp and its a hybrid between solid state and tube... wonder how they do that!
sajidwaikhom 1 year ago
Excellent! I get it now - I never really understood. Excellent! Thank you!
mgroseva 1 year ago
Thank you so much. Simple and without unnecessary information. Appreciated ;-)
SkitaEkul 1 year ago
Thank you for the excellent educational videos. I always wanted to know how a vacuum tube works, and now I can say that I have a basic understanding.
speedstream001 2 years ago
Thanks.
kreloses 2 years ago
Excellent. In part one when he said it would be for non technical people I was afraid it would be dumbed down too much. Not at all. I have a technical background and this explained the basics very well.
I like the transition from the water (hydraulic) analogy to the actual tube and electrical flow, relating both. Well done.
gmcjetpilot 2 years ago
now this was brilliant. i now understand valves yay.
scaleop4 2 years ago
Incredible video! To make something like this simple enough for me to understand in one viewing takes true genius. Thanks for sharing!
parrotheadlasvegas 2 years ago
Nice video, thanks for making and sharing
tgauperaa 2 years ago
Very excellent series. Please consider doing more videos on tubes and amplifiers.
GlobalAntennaWorks 2 years ago
Thank you very much, it was very helpful
InnocenceGhost 2 years ago
Great! I am an amater musician, electrotechnic and handmade lover. But I don't understand why are some vacuum tubes microphonics. And I also don't understand why are vacuum tube so noisy when they operate on hi gain conditions.
cortkatanakx1q 3 years ago
Thank you so much! I just got a tube amp for my guitar, and I just had to know how it worked. Your analogy was perfect! I'm so glad someone put up a video that I can understand!
TheCymbalMonkey 3 years ago
I can't thank you enough for your wonderful presentation on the workings of a triode vacuum tube. This is the first time it's ever been presented so that I fully understand it. I would very much like to see you do more presentations on electronics.
wavelength994 3 years ago
When there is no signal input to the grid, is there any standby current going through it? If so, is it AC or DC?
wavelength994 3 years ago
There is a standby current, yes. It ranges between fractions of a mA and several mA, up to 6 or 7. However, this current is negligible in tube amplifier circuits because there is a shunning resistor and a bypass cap.
DC current passes through the resistor to ground, and is nullified while the AC signal passes through the bypass capacitor unimpeded.
I will message you with a highly recommended information source. I learned everything i know about tubes from it, great place to start.
sandcrab132 3 years ago
send me too please :D
zezimashock 3 years ago
So the plate output is actually a fluctuating
DC voltage, or signal?
wavelength994 3 years ago
Wow I've been trying to understand the basic operation of a vacuum tube for awhile now. I tried reading all the technical writings online but failed to comprehend! I was hoping someone would make a video and explain it to me! This really helped me understand exactly what I wanted to know. I know see why some people call them valves. Thanks for this video!
MN12BIRD 3 years ago
This is such a nice comment! That's exactly what I was aiming to do with this video: make tube functioning easy to understand. Thank you so much!
improvised440 3 years ago
Thank you for your rating and kind comments. I am always looking for new topics to talk about and will look into your request.
Regards
improvised440 3 years ago
great Vid!thx for help in understanding triode tubes!are you going to make vid about pentode as well?that would be great!
thed3m0n 3 years ago