6BN6-24

This is meant for processing VCO waveforms to create new waveforms or it can be an audio source by itself with no input. Recommended patch is VCO>6BN6-24>RK6 or R52 or favorite resonant squeally filter>tube VCA(right channel of TVM23). Or whatever you wan

7/16/24 Release: 6BN6-24
Unread post by zerosum » Mon Jul 15, 2024 11:18 pm

Alright here we are. The euro module for 2024 is finally here.
I spent all my energy making it happen that I'm too tired to explain it.

I have been wanting to get back to the 6BN6 tube for a long time.
I like the way it magnifies and enlarges audio signals.
The 6BN6 needs to be driven with a heavy gain stage so I went to the pulser circuit in the wretch machine for inspiration.
With all the knobs cranked clockwise, the sound is rich tube saturated enlargement of the audio signal.
When the input level is down and counterclockwise the input signal blends with the pulser signal creating a second voice
that locks onto the incoming audio signal.
The input level needs to be low to hear the pulser.

Recommended to start with input level fully counterclockwise and slowly work clockwise to get a feel of how
the input level interacts with the center knob.

There are 3 knobs:
Input level on the left.
Pulser fuzz control in the center.
Output level on the right.

The CV input creates movement in the oscillations of the pulser sound.
It is recommended to insert the sequence that is feeding your VCO into here.
Rhythmic pulses are also good to insert here.
Can also be used as a second audio input.

The module needs 1.8 amps of +12 on first power up for the tube heaters.
700 mA +12 on average after first power up.
50 mA -12.

Module is 40 mm deep.

While the focus on this module was to get audio through the 6BN6, the 5965 tube creates more variation than most tubes.
Every single one of them sounds different and that is what is responsible for the pulser behaviors.
The 5965 double triode was released in 1954 for use in magnetic drum data-processing machines.
While the 5965 can be used for audio this was not the focus of the design of the 5965.
The 5965 was designed for reliability and long life when used as a flip-flop circuit to store and recall 1 bit of information in a magnetic drum data-processing machine such as the IBM 650.

Since the 5965 was designed with audio quality as the lowest priority and reliability as the highest priority the vast character of the distortion is different for every single module.
This is a good thing but also drives me crazy when I am testing them.
This module nails that fuzzed sputtery scrambled sound when the input is low,
and then that nice thick tube saturation when input is maxed out.

I am very inspired by the craftsmanship and manufacturing efforts that went into creating the tubes.
Then the sound that comes out is like pure magic.
It feels like summoning a demon from a lovecraftian universe.
I guess that is how I feel about all tubes and why I choose to work with them.
I love the visual glow and the heat and then the unique sound from every single one of them.
It is hard to put it into words, I feel satisfied by the entire process.

This module is a missing link that I have been wanting for about 14 years now.

This is meant for processing VCO waveforms to create new waveforms or it can be an audio source by itself with no input.
Recommended patch is VCO>6BN6-24>RK6 or R52 or favorite resonant squeally filter>tube VCA(right channel of TVM23).
Or whatever you want but it is recommended to start with a processing a VCO to get familiar with it.

https://bored3.bandcamp.com/track/6bn6-24-1