That is a really good idea! However, a surefire way to know if a tube needs to be replaced is to check the getter on the top of the tube. If the getter is silver, then it's fine. If it's a translucent miky white, it means that the tube is cracked, or has otherwise lost its vacuum, so it will naturally sound worse than it did before.
Thank you very much Paul, sometimes the simplest advice is the best, I'm serious: so this weekend I'm going to record samples of my tube equipment. A hug, good weekend
Literally this happened to me this week after owning my pair of STA Levels for four years. I’ll be doing a first ever tube swap when the replacements arrive today. What a coincidence.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio It was pretty obvious since I had a pair, I was able to compare this “shorting out” sound of one to the other, upon increasing gain reduction. I reached out to the manufacturer with a video and they confirmed my suspicions.
Awesome advice. I’m looking at getting an Iron this year but considering used since the prices are upwards of half MSRP. Unrelated do you have any advice for a useful 1U multifunction unit? I have 1U with nothing in it.
@ryanyates8090 the iron is a solid unit that should be good used. Only thing that will go over time is the tubes. Will cost you around £350 plus fitting to replace. Not as simple as buying a box of tubes and replacing them yourself. A 1u unit that would be good to buy is something like a SPL Gemini. This will give you mid side if you don't already have it in your chain.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio Awesome I’ll look into the Gemini. I was watching one of your older videos earlier and you mentioned the IGS Bison so I was looking into that. I have a Neve R10, would the Gemini be a better buy than the Bison? Nevermind I just looked into the Gemini. Looks worth it just for the solo and sub mono.
@ryanyates8090 the bison 500 is good. No issues with it. If you have space in your 500 series rack it's a cheaper option. The Gemini will give you elliptical filter (mono maker), stereo width, trim for centre image as well as mid side.
Do tubes deteriorate when you don't use the gear? I have an avalon sp737 for 15 years but only used it to make a couple albums and few singles so not many hours of usage. Do you think not using it still changes the way they sound?
What about when you buy a tube compressor or preamp used?. Or if you inherit one that has been sitting in storage for a while? How do you know tube status at that point? What would you do in these situations?
In these kinds of situations, I'd always have the gear serviced before purchase or after purchase. Generally test everything make sure it is working as it should be. Then do this same test of creating a reference of your gear when you bought it. You still have a reference point to know if it gets any worse.
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That is a really good idea! However, a surefire way to know if a tube needs to be replaced is to check the getter on the top of the tube. If the getter is silver, then it's fine. If it's a translucent miky white, it means that the tube is cracked, or has otherwise lost its vacuum, so it will naturally sound worse than it did before.
Thank you very much Paul, sometimes the simplest advice is the best, I'm serious: so this weekend I'm going to record samples of my tube equipment. A hug, good weekend
@@patricioandres2562 great to hear this helped.
Wonderful tip. I very much appreciate how you do that. The problem is that I did not run a recorded test when I first got some of my gear. Sigh.
@@braxal6983 you could always start now. And also going forward do it.
I wish I had this idea years ago but I have it now so great tip.
@migibeats104 this is why I feel it's important to create this kind of content. We can all learn and grow together.
Excellent advice!
Smart as hell 💯💯💯
Solid advice!
Literally this happened to me this week after owning my pair of STA Levels for four years. I’ll be doing a first ever tube swap when the replacements arrive today. What a coincidence.
@@Sance21 it happens. And often people don't know as they aren't looking out for something going wrong.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio It was pretty obvious since I had a pair, I was able to compare this “shorting out” sound of one to the other, upon increasing gain reduction. I reached out to the manufacturer with a video and they confirmed my suspicions.
Good idea
just get the rightmark sofware and measure THD ,crossover and so on and store it , and you can compare it after sometime
Good tip 👍🏼
Take them down to the drugstore and test them on the tube tester. Have a nice day.
Awesome advice. I’m looking at getting an Iron this year but considering used since the prices are upwards of half MSRP. Unrelated do you have any advice for a useful 1U multifunction unit? I have 1U with nothing in it.
@ryanyates8090 the iron is a solid unit that should be good used. Only thing that will go over time is the tubes. Will cost you around £350 plus fitting to replace. Not as simple as buying a box of tubes and replacing them yourself.
A 1u unit that would be good to buy is something like a SPL Gemini. This will give you mid side if you don't already have it in your chain.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio Awesome I’ll look into the Gemini. I was watching one of your older videos earlier and you mentioned the IGS Bison so I was looking into that. I have a Neve R10, would the Gemini be a better buy than the Bison?
Nevermind I just looked into the Gemini. Looks worth it just for the solo and sub mono.
@ryanyates8090 the bison 500 is good. No issues with it. If you have space in your 500 series rack it's a cheaper option. The Gemini will give you elliptical filter (mono maker), stereo width, trim for centre image as well as mid side.
Do tubes deteriorate when you don't use the gear? I have an avalon sp737 for 15 years but only used it to make a couple albums and few singles so not many hours of usage. Do you think not using it still changes the way they sound?
What about when you buy a tube compressor or preamp used?. Or if you inherit one that has been sitting in storage for a while? How do you know tube status at that point? What would you do in these situations?
In these kinds of situations, I'd always have the gear serviced before purchase or after purchase. Generally test everything make sure it is working as it should be. Then do this same test of creating a reference of your gear when you bought it. You still have a reference point to know if it gets any worse.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio Brilliant! Thank you!
I have a good tip before you buy expensive equipment, call the company service department and see if you can get a technician on the phone 😊
Do you do this only for tube gear?
@Rhuggins all gear. Even something that with never break like the Rupert Neve MBT.
First!! now to watch the video... :)