TUBE FACTOR
User’s Manual
Safety Guidelines
1.
Introduction
2.
Jacks and Cable Connections
3.
Switches and Control Features
4.
Technical Data
5.
Recommended Settings
Important Safety Guidelines
Please keep in mind that the tube installed in the TUBE FACTOR is a high-voltage powered
component. For
service
or repairs, never open the chassis of the TUBE FACTOR on your own;
always have the device
service
by a qualified,
certified
technician.
1. Welcome
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Hughes
&
Kettner TUBE FACTOR. With this new tube device, you will find your
guitar sound is much fatter, the dynamics of your playing
style
are substantially improved and the enhanced performance of
your amp will astound you.
2. Jacks and Cable Connections
2.1,
IN: Connect your TUBE FACTOR’S input jack to the output of your guitar.
2.2. OUT: Connect your TUBE FACTOR’S output jack to the input of your amp.
2.3.
REMOTE Jack: If you choose to switch the TUBE FACTOR via a MIDI switcher, use this jack to activate the two switching
functions remotely. (Tip = Factor 1/2: Ring = On/Off).
2.4. A/C power pack connector
3. Switches and Control Features
3.1.
ON/OFF Switch: Use this control feature to switch the TUBE FACTOR on or set it to bypass.
3.2. ON/OFF LED: This LED illuminates to indicate the TUBE FACTOR is processing your signal.
3.3. FACTOR
1/2
Switch: Use this switch to flip between the two TUBE FACTOR operating modes.
FACTOR 1 activates the tube circuit that fine-tunes the dynamics and response generated by the interplay between your
guitar and amp. It primarily boosts those elements of the sound spectrum that are responsible for making your tone fat.
Factor 1 delivers bluesy, singing lead tone and loud, tight clean sound.
FACTOR 2 activates the Drive mode. The frequency spectrum is boosted in the low and high ends and the amp delivers
more attack. In this mode TUBE FACTOR delivers big high-gain lead tone and heavy-duty rhythm crunch with loads of punch
and attack, much like the trademark guitar sound of AC/DC.
34 FACTOR LED: When you set the TUBE FACTOR to Factor 2 mode, this LED illuminates (red).
3.5. VOICING Control: The voicing knob is an active sound-shaping element that does not influence a specific frequency
bandwidth. What it actually does is boost different sound characteristics throughout the control range. Use this pot to fine-tune
the tonal spectrum of your guitar to your amp’s current
setting
Experiment with different settings to spice up the sound to your
taste. Refer to the section “Recommended Settings” in this manual for more helpful tips.
3.6. OUTPUT Control: Use this pot to dial in the desired TUBE FACTOR output level. If you set the Drive pot to a relatively low
value, you can use the TUBE FACTOR as a neutral preamp to increase the signal being sent to your amp’s input. The higher the
input level, the more you can exploit the headroom of your amp. Once the maximum threshold of headroom is exhausted,
the amp can no longer amplify the signal to higher level. At this point the boosted input signal adds to the compression and
distortion of the output signal.
3.7. DRIVE Control: Use this pot to dial in the desired level of distortion for the TUBE FACTOR tube. The more you turn the pot up,
the higher the gain The Drive pot is designed to interact with the Voicing pot, which is why you will only hear marginal deviations
in tone when you adjust the Voicing pot at low or extremely low Drive pot settings. Please keep in mind that too much of a
good thing is not much good at all. You should be especially careful with the Drive pot when you are feeding the signal to the
lead channel of your amp. If you go overboard on the gain, your sound will end up muddy and the enormous amount of
compression will generate feedback.
5. Technical Data
Input Impedance: 1 M ohm Max. current consumption:
480
mA
at 13.4 V
Min. input level:
-
40
dB
Max. power draw: 6.5 VA
Nominal input level:
-26dB
Tube type:
ECC83 or
12AX7A
Max. input level:
+
17dB
Width: 160 mm
Output Impedance: 2 K ohms Height: 80 mm
Max. output level preamp on:
+
6
dB
Depth: 215 mm
Max. Output level preamp off:
+ 12
dB
Weight with power pack: 1.55 kg (3 Ibs)
