Groove tubes Ecc83 ... they came at last ......

11hz · Post by **11hz** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 4:39 pm

I recorded a few songs after putting the new tubes in and in the process of mastering I noticed that the left channnel was being limited more than the right. So I tested with a mono Kick sample placed perfectly in the center and sure enough one channel was louder than the other. I took the plate protecting the tubes off and while recording (to get a visual with the vu meters) adjusted the levels using the little plastic screws next to each tube. And now its pretty damn near perfect. I can't here a difference and the vu meters read just about the same. I'll really fine tune it later with a vu meter that is more precise.

Thanks for that tip Redone.

reddone · Post by **reddone** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:56 pm

no problem , it kinda seems a little daunting tweaking these screws , but for maximum juice ( meaning qaulity of sound

) fine tweaking is advised .

I noticed a difference in how the tube gain knob affects the tubes differently at different settings .

some setting gave the machine a more open/clean sound and others a more dense fizzly qaulity . i was surprised at how much difference this made to my new tubes over what it did to the old ones.

11hz · Post by **11hz** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:40 pm

For now I'm happy with the right and left levels balanced. I'll tweak those bottons later to see how they affect the sound.

Now, if i can just figure out how to get rid of those nasty pops when changing patterns in song mode, I'll be a happy camper. I think it has to do with the delay because I know for sure the samples are not poping when triggered I check them in an audio editor.

reddone · Post by **reddone** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:01 pm

sorry dude , ive used the mx right from when it came out and feel i know it inside-out .. or as close to it , and there are only ways around that clipping issue , and it requires close examination and clever programming to get round this .

issue that cause this are : changing from one osc type to another when the pattern changes , and also of course when the fx from pattern to pattern is changed ( but oddly not always ) . also i think when pattern changes occur the synth waves re-start their osc movement so a clip can happen .
And lastly the drums cut off at the end when changing patterns .

hav trust in that i produce ALL my music on an mx and in song mode 99% of the time , and after years of frustration i now know that the bugs CAN be beat ... if u can find out how

Im sure with a little thought after what ive just written and a fresh ear as to whats causing the problem at the time , you'll hav song mode singing sweetly . go for it , i LOVE songmode !!

wrong1 · Post by **wrong1** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:56 am

Got my J&Js in today... and installed...incredible difference!!!!!
Im ordering another pair for my sx!!

also new tracks up on beatport...search Wrong Design

11hz · Post by **11hz** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:30 am

I'm all about song mode too. And I think I have it figured out. Busted out the old manual and found a couple of things, work arounds, that solved the problem. At least for the song that was giving me a headache this morning. Transitions from pattern to pattern are smooth, now. No clicks or pops. Heee heee heee!

islandstyle · Post by **islandstyle** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:23 am

I just threw a pair of eurotubes JJ ECC83S tubes in and I can't say I'm so excited.Clean all the way up ,but is that because my max output gain has dropped 3db?
Also my bass diminished from big and bouncy to...
And then the worst of it is the 1db volume difference from left to right that the balancing pots seems to have no effect on.

You guys should do a before and after recording in a wave editor for a more direct comparison.I'd like to see a more specific comparison between stock tubes and the ECC803S....

[edit: ok,my previous test was with just a two part synth.I just tried on a full arrangement and I have to concede that the original tubes sound like too bassy overdriven crap at all settings and the JJ ECC83S are punchy and well defined with smooth clear highs despite being a little l/R unbalanced.It should also be mentioned that I did not buy matched tubes]

11hz · Post by **11hz** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:44 am

you can adjust the L R balance. Just monitor in something with VU meters, I used soundforge, then with a little screwdriver, adjust the plastic buttons on either side of the tubes.

anselmi · Post by **anselmi** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 6:37 am

what´s the differe (if any) between the groove tubes and the JJ tubes?

did anybody try them both?

reddone · Post by **reddone** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:05 am

I dunno about the difference although im thinkin of getting jj's for when i want a really clean sound .

The groove tubes are quite fizzly at around half-way in , and still are clear enough for to allow alot to be going on .

Here's what we can do tho .... Someone with jj's could record some simple samples from default "dual-osc" , "unison" ... and so on .
post em on filefront or whatever clearly stating the osc waveform .
If fx are added just say , but DONT eq anything as it defeats the purpose of comparing for those who dont hav any of the tubes talke about .

I'll do some of the same . Those with original tubes could do the same if they like cos the oldskool one can still rip nicely in certain areas , but my ax7's are done.

Those with esx posting could just state sample and settings i guess .

anselmi · Post by **anselmi** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:45 pm

I think the better way to do this comparison is just using the same file

1. somebody with an standard EMX write something on it, record it on a wav, then post both the audio and the data file

2. then people with GT and JJ tribes load the file (one or 2 patterns) and record it with their machines

that way we can hear the differences between the 3 tube sets

Tyler_raine · Post by **Tyler_raine** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:29 pm

Anybody tried any Svetlana tubes?
ive heard alot about them and that there not russian made anymore which is apparently bad? :s

I'm looking for some really decent tubes for my ESX and i know price isnt always an indication of quality but these can be quite pricey tubes but then theres also groove tube and JJ's and then so many different tube within each brand, tough decision.
Anyone with any suggestions?
cheers

11hz · Post by **11hz** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 7:51 am

i think you just have to try out a few different sets. I have the jj ec803s and like them. I'm probably going to try some mullards and maybe the groovetube ec83s. And that is about it.

Sarrova-Q · Post by **Sarrova-Q** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:02 am

Hi
I'm new here (but I was a visitor for a long time

)

I want to buy the groove tubes ECC-83 (same as Reddone) but my store has different types of them:
http://www.tonefactory.nl/shop2/index.php?cPath=1_2_339

The choices are:
GT 12AX7C - ECC83 19.95EUR
GT 12AX7R - ECC83 19.95EUR
GT 12AX7R2 - ECC83 27EUR
GT 12AX7R3 - ECC83 27EUR

Can someone let me now wich set I'm after? Thx

reddone · Post by **reddone** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:13 am

Mmmm .. Im not sure which is which because its in foreign language to me , but as far as i knew my ones are simply ecc83s tubes .. check where i bought them from to see for youself if u can work out form the description which is the set u need .

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop ... t_id/30822

Im at work just now so i'll check my tubes n packaging tonite n see what i can find . Good choice of tubes tho as the sub-bass offered is excellant , and the fizzly sound is really cool when the gain is up a bit .
I'll get back to you