The following work is the result of my bachelor thesis, titeled “Real-time implementation of a tube preamplifier in order to distort discrete audio signals” (original title in German: “Echtzeit-Implementierung einer Röhrenvorstufe zur Verzerrung diskreter Audiosignale”). I wrote the thesis in cooperation with d&b audiotechnik GmbH in summer 2012. The unauthorised use, reproduction, or passing on of individual content items or the complete page is not permitted.

If someone is interested in reading the whole thesis (German only), just drop me an email and I’ll send you the .pdf file.

Abstract

Since the sound of an analogue tube amplifier has always exerted a strong fascination, electrical circuits with tubes play a certain role in the world of audio engineering up to now. On the other hand, audio technology becomes more and more digitised. In many cases, digital models emulate real devices in such a way that differences in sound are hardly audible. In this work a model is developed which is able to emulate the typical sound of a tube amplifier on digital devices. Here the main focus is on preamplifiers with triodes, since they have a particular influence to the sound.

Based on the physical properties of real tubes, a tube model is developed first. This mathematical model includes results of theoretical studies as well as analysis of data sheets. The model is then used to implement an entire amplifier circuit. In addition to the tube itself amplifier circuits contain several passive elements. In the domain of digital signal processing the latter are described by finite difference equations, which are solved recursively.

The resulting algorithm is finally implemented as a VST plugin in order to examine its tonal properties. The behavior of the digital model corresponds satisfactorily to real amplifier circuits. Important sound effects of analogue tube amplifiers can also be attested to the digital model. The VST plugin can be downloaded at the end of this page.

Triode Model

The first step was to develop a triode model, based on the characteristic curves of real tubes. In theory, the characteristic curve of a vacuum tube is described by Langmuir-Child’s law. However, it was quickly realised that compared to real tubes, this law is not accurate enough. So a new model has been developed. This model describes a triode as a mathematical function. With the model, it is possible to compute the plate voltage (Upc) as a function of the grid voltage (Ugc), depending on the working resistor (Ra) and the supply voltage (Ub).

The following graph shows this function for a 12AU7 triode with Ra = 10k and Ub = 250V:

Circuit Modeling

Based on this model, a plate follower stage was implemented.

Cathode Biasing

In this circuit, cathode biasing is used to adjust the bias point of the tube. This is realised by a resistor (Rc) and a capacitor (Cc), placed between the cathode and ground. The effect of cathode biasing can then be modeled by a simple first order RC low pass filter, with Ic*Rc being the input of the filter, and the cathode voltage (Uc) being the output.

If the input signal jumps for example from 0 V to 5 V, the cathode voltage follows quite similar to the step response of a RC-low pass filter:

Signal Limiting

There are two reasons for signal clipping in this circuit. The first one is caused by the tube itself. If there is a high peak at the negative half-wave of the input signal, the tube can’t amplify the signal anymore since the flow of current is completely cut-off. Thus, the positive half-wave of the output is clipped. This effect can be intensified by a more negative bias point.

Here the bias point of an 12AU7 is at around -12 V:

The second reason for clipping is caused by grid current. High peaks of the positive half-wave of the input signal make the grid voltage positive compared to the cathode voltage. In this case electrons are attracted by the grid. The grid current causes a voltage drop at the internal resistance of the previous stage, which limits the input signal. The following figure shows the effect. The grid voltage is obtained by shifting down the input signal (Uin) by the cathode voltage (Uc). In the upper picture the maximum grid voltage (Ugc) is ~ 0 V compared to the cathode. Hence, there is no grid current. In the lower picture the input signal has an amplitude of 10 V. At the positive peaks of the input signal the grid voltage rises above 0 V (compared to the cathode). The grid current begins to flow and clips the grid voltage.

Block Diagram

The block diagram of the algorithm that implements one single preamp stage, is displayed in the picture below.

VST plugin

Finally, two plate follower stages connected in series were implemented as a VST plugin. The following figure shows input and output of the algorithm:

The input signal (green) has an amplitude of 1 V. The first stage amplifies the signal almost linear (red). Since the input amplitude of the second stage is already very high, this stage is no longer able to amplify the signal linear. As a consequence, there are strong distortions in the output signal caused by tube cut-off and grid current (blue).

The distortions can also be seen in the FFT spectrum:

To get a constant amplification factor in the digital domain, the VST plugin has a drive and a gain knob:

The VST plugin can be downloaded here. On Windows copy the .dll file to the VST folder of your DAW. On Mac follow the instructions in the text file “vst”. Win 32-bit: Win 64-bit: OS X:

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