Blue Tube 2 questions

Amplifiers, effects, pickups, electronic components, wiring, etc.

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Bob Snelgrove
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Post by Bob Snelgrove »

Mike Wheeler wrote:Bob, here's a link to the User Manual. It describes all the controls.

BT2 Manual
Thanks for that.

So there is no mid adj for the clean channel (2)?

CHANNEL 2 CONTROLS
VOLUME — Signal gain level. This control functions only with the single Green LED lit. As
channel 2 is primarily a clean channel, there is no dedicated master volume control; it is like an
old 4-input “Marshall”.
STACK MASTER — This control is operational only in the "Stack'“ mode. It is functional only
when BOTH LEDs are lit. This is the overall Master Volume control in the "Stack" mode.
HI CONTROL — Adjusts high-end. Set at 1500 Hz and higher.
LOW CONTROL — Shelves off lower frequencies from 100 Hz down. NOTE: In the “Stack”
mode, BOTH EQ sections are active. Channel 1's EQ is between the tube output in Channel 1
and before the tube in Channel 2. Channel 2's EQ section therefore becomes the overall output
EQ controls.



That's strange.


thx

bob
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Mike Wheeler
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Post by Mike Wheeler »

Well, not really strange when you consider it's an preamp designed for 6 string electrics. Of course, that won't mean it doesn't sound good for steel.

I've never used one of these, but I have used guitar amps that sounded great for steel...and they were designed for 6 stringers as well. You never know until you try it yourself. I always take opinions with a grain of salt...sometimes they're right, and sometimes not.
Best regards,
Mike
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Bob Snelgrove
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Post by Bob Snelgrove »

Mike Wheeler wrote:Well, not really strange when you consider it's an preamp designed for 6 string electrics. Of course, that won't mean it doesn't sound good for steel.

I've never used one of these, but I have used guitar amps that sounded great for steel...and they were designed for 6 stringers as well. You never know until you try it yourself. I always take opinions with a grain of salt...sometimes they're right, and sometimes not.

Yeah but why a Mid control for one channel and not the other? Oh, well......


bob
Ray DeVoe
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Blue Tube

Post by Ray DeVoe »

Hey guys.

I'm currently away from all of my equipment but I can tell you that the 2nd or clean channel does have a mid control. I was running it around 3/4 of the way up to get the sound I wanted.

Hope this helps clear up that issue

Ray DeVoe
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Bob Snelgrove
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Re: Blue Tube

Post by Bob Snelgrove »

Ray DeVoe wrote:Hey guys.

I'm currently away from all of my equipment but I can tell you that the 2nd or clean channel does have a mid control. I was running it around 3/4 of the way up to get the sound I wanted.

Hope this helps clear up that issue

Ray DeVoe
\
It does but kinda scary the manual missed it :)

bob
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Mike Wheeler
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Post by Mike Wheeler »

Bob, the manual didn't miss it.....
CHANNEL 1 CONTROLS
DRIVE CONTROL — Sets the amount of signal gain at the first stage of the tube for Channel
1. Increasing the setting of this control results in more sensitivity and sustain. This, as well as
the next control listed will have a great affect on the quality of the actual overdrive texture obtained
as BOTH "Drive” and “Contour” are PRE TUBE controls.
CONTOUR CONTROL — Adjusts the amount of low frequencies or "bottom end” driven into
the tube. Some players prefer a fatter, “Boogie" or "Fender" texture to their overdrive, while others
prefer the more high-ended “Marshall” type edge. Moving the control toward “10” gives a
fatter sound, while toward “0” will give a thinner, more biting tone. It is usually advisable to use
thinner (lower numerical settings) for playing chords in overdrive, while single string leads may
sound better with higher settings. (More bottom-end).
MASTER CONTROL — Sets the over-all output level of Channel 1. In the "Stack” mode, this
control becomes a “Drive” control for the second tube Channel as well.
HI CONTROL — Adjusts high-end. Set at 1500 Hz and higher.
MID CONTROL — Midrange frequencies. Center is 500-800 Hz.
LOW CONTROL — Shelves off lower frequencies from 100 Hz down.

CHANNEL 2 CONTROLS
VOLUME — Signal gain level. This control functions only with the single Green LED lit. As
channel 2 is primarily a clean channel, there is no dedicated master volume control; it is like an
old 4-input “Marshall”.
STACK MASTER — This control is operational only in the "Stack'“ mode. It is functional only
when BOTH LEDs are lit. This is the overall Master Volume control in the "Stack" mode.
HI CONTROL — Adjusts high-end. Set at 1500 Hz and higher.
LOW CONTROL — Shelves off lower frequencies from 100 Hz down. NOTE: In the “Stack”
mode, BOTH EQ sections are active. Channel 1's EQ is between the tube output in Channel 1
and before the tube in Channel 2. Channel 2's EQ section therefore becomes the overall output
EQ controls.
Best regards,
Mike
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Bob Snelgrove
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Location: san jose, ca

Post by Bob Snelgrove »

Mike Wheeler wrote:Bob, the manual didn't miss it.....
CHANNEL 1 CONTROLS
DRIVE CONTROL — Sets the amount of signal gain at the first stage of the tube for Channel
1. Increasing the setting of this control results in more sensitivity and sustain. This, as well as
the next control listed will have a great affect on the quality of the actual overdrive texture obtained
as BOTH "Drive” and “Contour” are PRE TUBE controls.
CONTOUR CONTROL — Adjusts the amount of low frequencies or "bottom end” driven into
the tube. Some players prefer a fatter, “Boogie" or "Fender" texture to their overdrive, while others
prefer the more high-ended “Marshall” type edge. Moving the control toward “10” gives a
fatter sound, while toward “0” will give a thinner, more biting tone. It is usually advisable to use
thinner (lower numerical settings) for playing chords in overdrive, while single string leads may
sound better with higher settings. (More bottom-end).
MASTER CONTROL — Sets the over-all output level of Channel 1. In the "Stack” mode, this
control becomes a “Drive” control for the second tube Channel as well.
HI CONTROL — Adjusts high-end. Set at 1500 Hz and higher.
MID CONTROL — Midrange frequencies. Center is 500-800 Hz.
LOW CONTROL — Shelves off lower frequencies from 100 Hz down.

CHANNEL 2 CONTROLS
VOLUME — Signal gain level. This control functions only with the single Green LED lit. As
channel 2 is primarily a clean channel, there is no dedicated master volume control; it is like an
old 4-input “Marshall”.
STACK MASTER — This control is operational only in the "Stack'“ mode. It is functional only
when BOTH LEDs are lit. This is the overall Master Volume control in the "Stack" mode.
HI CONTROL — Adjusts high-end. Set at 1500 Hz and higher.
LOW CONTROL — Shelves off lower frequencies from 100 Hz down. NOTE: In the “Stack”
mode, BOTH EQ sections are active. Channel 1's EQ is between the tube output in Channel 1
and before the tube in Channel 2. Channel 2's EQ section therefore becomes the overall output
EQ controls.
I thought channel 2 is the clean channel and I still don't see MID in channel 2, only in channel 1??

bob
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Jerry Overstreet
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Post by Jerry Overstreet »

Yes Bob, channel 2 [green]is the clean channel. The info from the BT2 manual link above is indeed missing mention of the MID control for channel 2.

It is listed in the little blue manual that came with my unit and I can assure you, as Ray previously stated, that there is a mid knob on both sets of channel controls. In Kevin's pic, it is the next to last knob on the right for the clean channel.

So, channel 2 controls are: Vol, [Stack Master] Hi, Mid, Lo. The Stack pot is on the same panel, but is only active with the channel stack switch engaged routing the Drive channel through the clean and has no function for the green channel alone.
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Bob Snelgrove
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Location: san jose, ca

Post by Bob Snelgrove »

Jerry Overstreet wrote:Yes Bob, channel 2 [green]is the clean channel. The info from the BT2 manual link above is indeed missing mention of the MID control for channel 2.

It is listed in the little blue manual that came with my unit and I can assure you, as Ray previously stated, that there is a mid knob on both sets of channel controls. In Kevin's pic, it is the next to last knob on the right for the clean channel.

So, channel 2 controls are: Vol, [Stack Master] Hi, Mid, Lo. The Stack pot is on the same panel, but is only active with the channel stack switch engaged routing the Drive channel through the clean and has no function for the green channel alone.
Thanks!


bob
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Bob Snelgrove
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Help With Effects Loop?

Post by Bob Snelgrove »

Guys

I can't figure out the loop on this thing. The volume on the clean channel drastically affects the input level of my effects processor (acts like the send). The returns?(REC A&B) only affect the total volume of the output sound, not mixing in the effects from the processor.

Shouldn't the return act as a mix control?

There is no way to blend the dry and wet signal.

thx

bob

bob
Ray DeVoe
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Blue Tube

Post by Ray DeVoe »

HI Bob

I beleive that the effects send and returns are only signal level controls. I would guess that the more you turn up the input levels, it then sends a hotter signal to the effects loop.

I can only run mine at 1/3 on the send and 1/3 on both receives or else it adds hum to the signal. The unit has a very hot signal and I have to keep the output level low in order to give the power amp enough room to work.

I have a TC M 300 in the effects loop and I have to use the controls on the M 300 to adjust the mix level.

I think this is one of the nice points of Brads Revelation. I beleive that the Rev splits the feed and runs a non processed signal through itself as well as sends a signal through the loop which comes back 100 percent wet. Thats why he has the return mix built into the preamp. The Rev has a lot more control of tone and signal.

Hope this helps. I have a limited amount of expertise here.

I use my Revelation / Mosvalve 500 rack rig for playing out. The Blue Tube is just a neat little preamp to have around to use with a spare Mosvalve power amp that I have. I certainly could use the Blue Tube 2 rack setup if push came to shove, but I have enough equipment that I take the best out.

Brad needs to chime in on this as he is the wiz.!

Ray DeVoe
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Bob Snelgrove
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Re: Blue Tube

Post by Bob Snelgrove »

Thanks, Ray

I'm using a Korg A2 processor that doesn't have a wet/dry mix control. Maybe that's the problem?

I was hoping the BT loop would be in parallel but it appears to be in series? That's Brad's department. The A2 has some really high quality time based effects but I don't think I can use this combination live.

bob

Ray DeVoe wrote:HI Bob

I beleive that the effects send and returns are only signal level controls. I would guess that the more you turn up the input levels, it then sends a hotter signal to the effects loop.

I can only run mine at 1/3 on the send and 1/3 on both receives or else it adds hum to the signal. The unit has a very hot signal and I have to keep the output level low in order to give the power amp enough room to work.

I have a TC M 300 in the effects loop and I have to use the controls on the M 300 to adjust the mix level.

I think this is one of the nice points of Brads Revelation. I beleive that the Rev splits the feed and runs a non processed signal through itself as well as sends a signal through the loop which comes back 100 percent wet. Thats why he has the return mix built into the preamp. The Rev has a lot more control of tone and signal.

Hope this helps. I have a limited amount of expertise here.

I use my Revelation / Mosvalve 500 rack rig for playing out. The Blue Tube is just a neat little preamp to have around to use with a spare Mosvalve power amp that I have. I certainly could use the Blue Tube 2 rack setup if push came to shove, but I have enough equipment that I take the best out.

Brad needs to chime in on this as he is the wiz.!

Ray DeVoe
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Erv Niehaus
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Post by Erv Niehaus »

I use a MPX 200 Lexicon effects unit with my Blue Tube II and it has a wet/dry mix knob on it. I set it at 50/50. I have a Tube Works 921 spring reverb tied into the effects loop also. I have tried several different setups but this arrangement sounds the best to me.
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