- #1
Jon.G
- 45
- 0
I've been reading up about vacuum tubes and (more specifically) the Audion, and how they were used for instruments/amplifiers. This isn't anything I'm learning about on my degree, just things I'm reading up on myself so forgive me if I'm a little slow to grasp some parts.
I understand how the vacuum tube converts an AC signal to a DC signal, and how the Audion amplifies the signal but I've come across a few things which I'm finding a little bit confusing.
1. Does an Audion also convert the AC signal to DC or does it simply amplify it? I have found some sources which say different things :/
2. I read that the Audion was, among other things, used to create an electronic oscillator, but when I read up on the electronic oscillator circuits I am seeing that they convert DC from a power supply to an AC signal, not AC to DC as I thought the vacuum tube does.
3. How would these be applied to synthesizers? (This is what I'm reading about, the early development of synths) I've grasped how the Telharmonium and tone wheel organs (Hammond organ etc.) work, but I'm a little unsure with this. I think there would be an oscillator, which can have its frequency altered by playing. The original signal would not need to be too great as the Audion could amplify it. If this is right can you help me understand how the frequency would be altered.
My ideas from looking around are that playing would alter the capacitance of the system (capacitor & inductor), so that the AC current flips more/ less often, altering the frequency. But if this is right how exactly would the keys works? would there be multiple oscillators?
Sorry if this isn't very clear.
Any information on any of these would be greatly appreciated :)
I understand how the vacuum tube converts an AC signal to a DC signal, and how the Audion amplifies the signal but I've come across a few things which I'm finding a little bit confusing.
1. Does an Audion also convert the AC signal to DC or does it simply amplify it? I have found some sources which say different things :/
2. I read that the Audion was, among other things, used to create an electronic oscillator, but when I read up on the electronic oscillator circuits I am seeing that they convert DC from a power supply to an AC signal, not AC to DC as I thought the vacuum tube does.
3. How would these be applied to synthesizers? (This is what I'm reading about, the early development of synths) I've grasped how the Telharmonium and tone wheel organs (Hammond organ etc.) work, but I'm a little unsure with this. I think there would be an oscillator, which can have its frequency altered by playing. The original signal would not need to be too great as the Audion could amplify it. If this is right can you help me understand how the frequency would be altered.
My ideas from looking around are that playing would alter the capacitance of the system (capacitor & inductor), so that the AC current flips more/ less often, altering the frequency. But if this is right how exactly would the keys works? would there be multiple oscillators?
Sorry if this isn't very clear.
Any information on any of these would be greatly appreciated :)