Kevin O'Connor's *four* books on amp design
Cybermonk
books page. I wish more books had such detailed descriptions and a
dedicated web page. I don't know if it's just because of the detailed
descriptions, but these books look like some of the best, especially the
most recent one: The Ultimate Tone, Vol. 2. I hope Kevin applies his
knowledge to providing inexpensive, very-low wattage tube power amps. I
hope that designers such as Kevin collaborate with other companies such as
the modelling amp companies and multifx companies, to integrate a
great-sounding, milliwatt-level tube power amp.
The Ultimate Tone, Vol. 1: Modifying and Custom Building Tube
Guitar Amps. Kevin O'Connor. 1995. Power Press Publishing. ISBN
0-9698-6080-3. 368 pages. 8" x 11", spiral-bound with clear protective
covers. 395 figures (schematic diagrams). $55. This volume is about
guitar amplifier modifications. Sonic perceptions and stage setups, to
demonstrate how optimal sound can be obtained from existing
equipment. Survey of amp brands with regard to ease of modification
and servicing. Basic vacuum tube operation. Power supply principles.
Preamp circuits and master volumes, along with guitar sustain and
interactions, for clean and distorted tones. Power amplifiers and power
tubes, choice of tubes, relative reliabilities of tube types, tube matching,
sonic impact of each tube type. Improving reliability. Tube and
solid-state effects loops and reverb loops, and performance issues.
Switching methods. Channel, reverb, effects, lead boost, mute and
speaker switching. Foot-switch controllers with and without LEDS, and
multiple controllers for larger stages. Tube data for common types.
Hammond transformer data. London Power official book page.
Available at STF Electronics Available at Mojo Musical Supply
Available at Music Books Plus.
The Ultimate Tone, Vol. 2: Systems Approach to Stage Sound
Nirvana. Kevin O'Connor. 1997. Power Press Publishing. ISBN
0-9698-6083-8. 252 pages. 8" x 11", spiral-bound with clear protective
covers. 283 figures (schematic diagrams). $40. This volume is about
designing and building an amp from scratch. Builds on Vol. 1, adding
new depth to previously explored topics while introducing new subjects.
The role of the sound man is explored with an eye to the evolution of PA
and monitoring systems. Modular monitoring systems and local vocal
PAs are examined, allowing the singer to explore the use of tube
equipment and effects. Extensive "Power Supply Tricks" chapter.
Transformers, rectifiers, capacitive and choke filters, regulation issues.
Inherent regulation of transformers and active tube, mosfet and bipolar
regulators. Variable, tracking, fixed and proportional regulators, and
their consequences in live situations, comparing AC and DC controlled
circuitry. Variacs, boost/buck transformer connections, zener diode and
variable impedance rectification, with their impact on performance and
tone. Bias supplies of all types. Common bias procedures and issues.
Bias "fixes" for many popular amplifier models. The Importance of
screen supplies and stand-bys. A variety of DC heater circuits bring to
light both old and new ideas. Design rules for the five output stage
topologies, with pointers regarding power output and tone.
Cathode-bias to fixed-bias switching options, and less-well-known
power amp master volume circuits. Opening up feedback loops,
single-ended to push-pull panning, and solutions to "re-issue" amp model
problems. Overview of solid-state power amps, highlight ease of
assembly, range of tone, and circuit options including push-pull, mosfet,
BJT, SRPP, cascade, multi-tier, bridges (grounded-floating-balanced),
and non-feedback. Reliability. Thermal design and the solid-state power
amplifier's intimate relationship to the power supply. Design examples
from 20W to 1,250W. Hybrid power amplifiers incorporating both tube
and solid-state elements provide options of tone, size and economy. The
Nelson Pass Zen amp and John Linsley-Hood's simple class-A amp,
and alternative amps such as the circlotron, OTL and SRPP. True
triodes, which are becoming popular in both single-ended and push-pull
formats. Triode and pentode gain stages, with the use of power tubes
and large-geometry tube types for voltage amplification. High-gain
preamps, split-rail designs, passive EQ and frequency shaping.
Multi-band EQ with active tube stages and tube cross-over units. Mono
and stereo reverb using tubes Tremolo circuits with bias- and
audio-modulators. Compressor circuits using both tube and solid-state
approaches are offered in low-distortion balanced and toneful
unbalanced formats. Line Out and Direct Out circuits. Speaker
selection, design, and enhancement. Acoustic instrument considerations.
Adaptations for tube vocal preamps and monitor systems, and the
evolution of tubed bass amplification. Simple switching techniques for
both low-level and speaker control, demonstrating the capabilities of
modern devices. London Power official book page. "vol 2" Available at
Music Books Plus. Available at STF Electronics. Available at Mojo
Musical Supply.
Principles of Power: A Practical Guide to Tube Power Amplifier
Design. Kevin O'Connor. 1996. Power Press Publishing. ISBN
0-9698-6081-1. 221 pages. 8½" x 11", spiral-bound with clear
protective covers. 210 figures (schematic diagrams). $35. Designing
tube power amplifiers for audio use; traditional graphic approaches are
synthesized into a few simple equations that allow the direct use of
tabled tube data. Vacuum tube operation and circuit principles. Class A,
Class B, cathode-bias and fixed-bias. Push-pull and single-ended
designs. Front-end circuits. Differential, concertina, paraphase and
transformer drivers and splitters, along with long-lost methods. Circuit
adjustments for linearizing audio reproduction amplifiers and for
maximizing power output for musical instrument use. Includes complete
designs, incorporating off-the-shelf transformers and current-production
vacuum tubes. Power outputs from 15 watts to over 400 watts, using
pentodes and true triodes. Conservative designs allow reliable use of
lower quality or "non-optimal" tubes. Output-transformerless (OTL)
designs are studied and up-to-date hybrid tube/solid-state circuits.
Complete design method for any output power level; circuits are
included up to 200W. Toroidal output transformers and special
precautions. DC balancing and transformer protection. Power supply
design, from traditional filtering to new-technology regulation methods.
Impact of power supply on audio signal, selection of capacitors. Tube
data for common types. New ultra-wide-bandwidth audio output
transformers from Plitron Mfg., and matching power transformers.
Hammond transformer data for tube use. London Power official book
page. available at STF Electronics available at Mojo Musical Supply
Available at Music Books Plus.
Tonnes of Tone - Electronic Projects for Guitar and Bass. Kevin
O'Connor. 1996. Power Press Publishing. ISBN 0-9698-6082-X. 105
pages. 8½" x 11". spiral bound with clear protective covers; 65 figures
(layouts & schematics). $25. Operational information and construction
guidelines for a number of useful musical instrument projects. The
"Mandatory Project" which will prevent future projects from "going up in
smoke." Tips on setting up a convenient workspace. Acoustic preamps.
Experimenter's Power Supply - for any preamp up to six 12AX7s, or
for a small 15W tube amp. Electric Guitar Preamp - using two 12AX7s,
includes a clean and a dirty channel, with separate EQ for each. Bass
Preamps - with an explanation of what is unique to a tube preamp for
bass, and how modern techniques can improve tonal flexibility. Small
Tube Power Amp - build a 10W-15W power amp and learn the
principles of tube amplification. Class-A Solid-State Power Amp - a
simple circuit designed for hi-fi is adapted to guitar use. Reverb Unit -
build a stand-alone reverb using readily available parts for a classic tube
sound. Wide-Range Tremolo Circuit - can be used as a pedal or
incorporated into an existing amp. Each project utilizes off-the-shelf
parts that are inexpensive and easily to find. Background information,
assembly and testing tips are provided for each circuit, to enhance
understanding. Includes theory. Projects have parts lists, schematic
diagrams, and pictorial diagrams. STF Electronics offers parts kits for
several of the projects. London Power official book page. Available at
STF Electronics. Available at Music Books Plus.
http://www.cybtrans.com/guitar/g057.htm -- Books about Guitar Amplifiers,
Effects, Signal Processing, and Recording
http://www.cybtrans.com/guitar/g059.htm -- Kevin O'Connor (London Power)
Studio: 0-10 watt rackmount tube amp
Jack A. Zucker
--
Jack A. Zucker (Jaz)
Cleveland, OH USA
E-mail: j...@gwis.com
Check out my jazz guitar webpage:
Web: http://w3.gwis.com/~jaz
Cybermonk
I didn't realize, until I went over these descriptions, how much of a writer
Kevin is, not only a product designer. He must be on speed to write all
those books in a short time period, while making new products. I wonder
what other audio-gear design books are in his library, and how many of those
are listed in my guitar-gear books page.
Gil Ayan
>I didn't realize, until I went over these descriptions, how much of a
writer
>Kevin is, not only a product designer.
I think Kevin is a very nice guy, who also takes the time to answer
questions form strangers. One thing, however, these books have been written
in the course of a few years, so it's not like he put out 4 books in the
last month or so.
But even it he had, look at the amount of stuff that some poeple write here
on the Usenet. Do a Deja News search on some of the heavey posters, and
will find that there would be enough words (not content, more than likely)
to put out an encyclopedia, from A-Z... Kevin probably uses his time
wisely.
>He must be on speed to write all those books in a short time period, while
making new products.
Again, it was't that short a period of time. I think Kevin is a very clever
man, I doubt he needs to be on speed to write.
Gil
Mark Garvin
>making new products.
In <758ppn$42c$1...@nnrp02.primenet.com> "Gil Ayan" <ai...@lafn.org> writes:
>Again, it was't that short a period of time. I think Kevin is a very clever
>man, I doubt he needs to be on speed to write.
I've always wondered if Kevin actually makes any money at it.
I guess he makes more than we do <g>.
MG
