![]() There are many different core designs and for higher efficiency, most transformer cores are made using laminated sheets of soft-iron or steel alloys (rather than a solid chunk of metal) that are stacked up like a deck of playing cards. The efficiency and sonic characteristics of an audio transformer have everything to do with its design, the type of wire and way the coils are wound plus the type and size of the metal core used. The P-2400 plugs into your wall socket power and provides several isolated electrical outlets for your audio equipment. A device like this can effectively lower the noise floor in sensitive audio equipment. ![]() The Furman P-2400 power conditioner uses a very large toroidal transformer to isolate your studio’s equipment from the building’s electrical power system. It also requires no extra circuitry or power supply to operate it is relatively cheap to manufacture (compared to electronic equivalents), and will even work when connected backwards, i.e., a step-down transformer wired backward operates as a step-up transformer. One of the wonderful features of a transformer is that it is a passive device that requires no special treatment or regular maintenance. This transformer electrically isolates the two circuits, matches impedances, and often adds a bit of gain as well. Transformers are often used as a buffer between different circuits, such as between the output of a mic pre and before the input of an equalizer in a console channel strip. Transformers can act as a “gearbox” by stepping up or stepping down the voltage, current, and impedance between the primary input coil and the secondary output coil. This ability is called galvanic isolation 2. Even though the two coil windings are electrically and physically isolated from each other, the metal core magnetically induces, or transfers, voltage or power from one coil to the other. The basic, original design is little changed and was called a “tension regulator” when it was invented in 1885 by three Hungarian engineers Ottó Titusz Bláthy, Miksa Déri, and Kåroly Zipernowsky.Īll transformers, whether they are audio or electrical transformers, work via Faraday’s principles of electromagnetic induction where alternating current and voltage (both power and audio signals) flowing into one coil 1 winding (called the primary) induce a voltage into another, nearby coil (called the secondary). Transformers are one of the oldest technologies still commonly used worldwide in electrical power networks and in audio circuits. I’ve included links to a couple of my own personal DIY builds with part lists, schematics, and photos. Let’s check out the history, theory, transformer applications, and where to use these fully passive analog devices in the audio chain for maximum effect. (Right) A large Hammond brand audio transformer. (Left) An audio signal applied to the primary winding is transferred to the secondary winding in an audio transformer. As another example, the Shure SM-57 contains a miniature transformer that balances and matches its capsule’s output to a microphone pre-amp. Here, we will focus on the audio applications of transformers and only lightly touch the power supply uses.Ī well-known use of audio transformers is inside a DI or “direct injection” box where a low-level and high impedance unbalanced signal from a guitar or bass is balanced, impedance-matched, and buffered by the DI’s transformer to interface well with a microphone pre-amp. Audio transformers are used in analog consoles, DAW interfaces, most every piece of outboard gear, many microphones, powered monitor loudspeakers, and power amplifiers used for monitor speakers and headphones systems. Transformers, nondescript, but important electronic components, are ubiquitous in professional audio gear, both in the power supply and in the audio path. In this article, I want to talk about transformers their practical applications, and their seemingly magical effect on audio signals. In this article, Barry Rudolph sheds some light on a key component for this effect and how it can also be applied during mixing and mastering. It helps to record analog sources with vibey gear in order to capitalize on their analog-ness before any sound hits our DAW. Most of us work primarily in the digital world, where plugins model analog devices, but there are a certain few physical devices that you should know about that absolutely provide that magic analog sound. Many audio creators are enamored with the idea of “analog” sound and we receive questions about how to best achieve this analog sound.
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