Dual Rec Tube Pops

[WillP]

A couple of months ago I bought a Dual Rec, but for a long time I've been trying to find the sound I want. Here recently I've started playing with each channel's master and I've found that I can find a great sound by cranking the master way up on the individual channel.

My problem is, that today I was going to record some stuff and had unhooked my cab. I was playing through nothing but the head with just my normal settings and found that I could hear what I was playing throught the tubes, but it sounded way funny (obviously). Then while I was playing, still amazed at what I was hearing, one of the tubes pops and a white spark (I guess it was really an arc) shoots out.

All of my tubes are still glowing, and everything looks fine, but I need to know if me turning up the master really high is harming the amp, and if it is normal to hear things like that out of these tubes. Thanks.

 

[jbird]

You could be in for some serious damage by not running a load on your head while playing through it! It's a major no-no with tube amps! Are you getting anything out of it with the cab plugged back in?

 

[WillP]

Well shoot! I would have loved it if someone had told me that a long time ago! Which this is the first time I've ever played it without a cab, but still.

And yes, everything sounds fine with the cab plugged back in, or at least for now. I hate to see what kind of damage I've done to it now.

And alse, while we're on the subject, I want to record my amp, but without miking it. I know better than to run it out of the speaker outs, but can I record my amp direct?

 

[Platypus]

Well shoot! I would have loved it if someone had told me that a long time ago! Which this is the first time I've ever played it without a cab, but still.

And yes, everything sounds fine with the cab plugged back in, or at least for now. I hate to see what kind of damage I've done to it now.

And alse, while we're on the subject, I want to record my amp, but without miking it. I know better than to run it out of the speaker outs, but can I record my amp direct?

Not to bust your balls but that's why your amp came with a manual..

"WARNING: Always make certain proper load is connected before operating the amplifier. Failure to do so could pose a shock hazard and may result in damage to the amplifier."

first page :\

Hope everything works out for you

 

[Red Barchetta]

Woo...you're lucky you didn't detonate that amp like a hand grenade!

I'm sorry dooood....I gotta agree with Platypus...it's in the manual. Read that (sometimes boring) sucker cover to cover.


I hope all turns out well and you did no lasting damage.


RB

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

I agreee....definitely a must know with any tube amp.....hope it's all fine. Maybe you should get it checked by a tech?

 

[tele_jas]

Yeah, I've done that too with my Old Deluxe too...... I tried recording like that and even listening to it with headphones like that and even hooked it up to my Sound-design home stereo speaker when I was 13 to make it louder.

I did a lot of crap to that amp and it's still going strong today, but I also did it to my step-dads old Harmony tube amp and when I gave it back to him later that week, it didn't work anymore (I fried it). So I think (I hope) you'll probably be OK if it still powers up and doesn't make any weired noises, but it might not be a bad idea to get it checked when you get a few extra $$$$'s.

 

[tele_jas]

And alse, while we're on the subject, I want to record my amp, but without miking it. I know better than to run it out of the speaker outs, but can I record my amp direct?

To answer that question, there are some attenuaters that puts a dummy load on your amp let you do a direct out, but I'm not sure which one. You might Google it and see what you get.

 

[Platypus]

Gibson has a rebranded THD hotplate with a balanced XLR output on the back.

 

[Lespaulstandard]

I believe weber makes one with a 1/4" out.

 

[WillP]

Thanks for the recording tips.

Oh yeah, and thanks for making me feel like an idiot.

 

[Lespaulstandard]

I dont think that any of the guys meant to make you feel like an idiot. But they are right, you should have read the manual.