This is amazing. For a person like myself who is trying to dive into DIY world without any knowledge about electronics, this kind of explanation is a godsend. Thank you!
Finally able to understand why valves and analogues have this warm musical sound to them that solid states just can't quite replicate. Thanks for video.
Great video! Your explanation is in depth but still clear and simple. And the beautifully illustrated video really helps to quickly understand relatively technical information. Thank you for the effort you put into this! 💚
I can't believe the quality of this video. I learned and started to understand more about audio transformers in these 4 minutes than in an hour of Google searches and complicated articles. Please make more content like this! Maybe one on impedance? I've read about the pipe and water analogy plenty of times, but I'm still left confused on any practical understanding of impedance and how to match things or how sound actually changes with different impedances between gear.
Brilliant... where mr audio left off, only more entertaining, better production and easier to understand. Nice work and now I finally understand these little mystery machines.
Amazingly well made presentation of transformers. Thank you so much. I understood more in this brief presentation on what transformers are, and what they do, than I did for two days searching the web for knowledge and understanding on the topic. I became an instant subscriber. 🙏♥️🙏 Is there anywhere where you people have a community where one can seek further advice and support on DIY music and studio related issues? At the moment I am searching for knowledge on how to make an external transformer coupling box, for sending line level FET preamp signals through to tape/DAW, when wanted.
Can you do this with everything? Tubes, transistors, FETS, Op Amps, inductors...what the hell is all this stuff doing, and why? Perfect explanation with transformers!
Oh, and I'd love to know what really is harmonic distortion, what is the difference between even and odd order harmonic distortion, and what causes each one in recording. For instance, I've heard that tubes bring out even order harmonics, and FETs bring out odd order harmonics. Is this true? Why is it important? How can it be used? Thanks!
And YES? Transparent recording consoles will become massively punchy warm vintage sounding recording consoles when adding transformers. Add them after the input amp. Also add a second on the direct output. Put some in the group channels. The Aux sends- Just put them everywhere! My console now sends shivers down my spine on playback!!!! No really My 1988 Wheatstone MTX88 SP5a went from a nice clean console to a killer powerhouse crusher of a console. I can't recommend this enough. It really is the best thing in the world. The sound of those vintage recordings we all love are just 3-4 transformers per channel.
Nice, sounds like you've actually achieved what I've been planning to do for quite some time. Is there anyone you could refer me to who could answer a few questions and help me understand how to choose the right components etc.? Unfortunately I'm still lacking the knowledge to make informed decisions in this area...
Hi! Congratulations for the nice video! Cool animation, and you're touching all the important things. One suggestion though, everywhere you mention signal, it is voltage. While a 2:1 transformer steps down the voltage by 2:1, in ideal case it increases the current by 2:1 (in real life there are some losses). Keep going! 🙂
Amazing video... really!!! I have a question if you have a sec. When you said that a 2:! ratio would mean that only 1/2 the signal would appear on the secondary of an audio output transformer... does that mean that the "identical signal" would appear... at half the voltage? Or... did you mean... "1/2 the signal" from a frequency point of view? Like... you'd lose all your treble, or all the bass?
Meanwhile, I'm just wondering if the warm asymmetrical distortion heard in a lot of guitar amps driven hard is partially do to a dc-loaded and saturating output transformer...
Hey, I am doing an experiment trying to increase power loss in an audio passive crossover circuit by using a transformer, I'm a novice...lol to circuitry but I am thinking if the passive crossover blocks some of the actual power can step up from a transformer correct that loss, thanks in advance
i would love to be taught about why transformers are known to create frequency dependent phase shifts - i.e. why do they phase sift certain selective frequencies more and other frequencies less or not?
Awesome video! Thanks! I have an old book about transformers I got from by grandfathers bookshelf. He worked on radiotelegraphy during the 1940s and the book has a warning in it "should not be exported out of the US in war time" so I wonder how he got it. The book talks both about core and wire gauge focusing a lot on wire gauge because it deals with power RF transformers. Is wire gauge an important factor for these audio transformers? Thanks!
My hand wound isolation transformer does not pass enough power. Does it need a resonant capacitor in series with primary to match the 20khz AC input? I even tried impedance matching that did not work either.
You’ll have to forgive me as I’m relatively new to audio circuits and electronics in general. I had a question pertaining to input and output transformers. In a lot of preamps you see them advertise specific input and output transformers. It is my understanding that an input transformer on a tube circuit should be a step up transformer to increase signal to noise ratio in the first amplification stage. In non tube mic preamps, what is the function/purpose of the input and output transformers? Are they there specifically for sound alteration or do they provide some specific function as in the tube example provided above? Would the input transformer on a non tube pre be closer to 1:1?
Great question, the transformers have several functions in a non-tube preamp. First to unbalance the signal at the input the balance it at the output. Second to provide galvanic isolation to prevent ground loops. And third to step up the voltage for a little "free gain." In an API preamp for instance, the input transformer is wired 1:35 and the output is 1:2.
Hi! I'd like to know how a transformer inside a moving coil microphone splits the voltage and reverses polarity between the hot and cold wires of an XLR cable, or rather - just how it splits the voltage (incase the signal is already polarised due to movement of the diaphragm)
so clear ! fantastic video. immediatly sub ! it would be great if you could say us some specific names of transformers that sounds good, for each type ( steel / iron / nickel / copper ) .
Took me many years to understand this. This explains it beautifully!
Please make one of these for tubes! A comparison of all analog saturation types would be awesome too!
My brain. I learned more words from this than what my english teacher give us back in my young days in school
I liked my English teachers.
How in the world do you not have millions of subscribers with such high quality vids???
This is amazing. For a person like myself who is trying to dive into DIY world without any knowledge about electronics, this kind of explanation is a godsend. Thank you!
probably the easiest to understand technical youtube video ever made. thank you!
I had read the OG article on the DIYRE blog, but this video does a great job of condensing/simplifying it even more!
That was the hope, thanks!
This is amazing, great work! Feels like so many people talk of transformers without knowing what they really do
Thanks! Now you have a place to send those people ;)
Finally able to understand why valves and analogues have this warm musical sound to them that solid states just can't quite replicate.
Thanks for video.
They add *more* distortion!
Well, solid state that's not class D should still have a transformer or two in there
But is essentialy false expectation because condition when magnetic field in anode circuit is zero is never possible
Great video! Your explanation is in depth but still clear and simple. And the beautifully illustrated video really helps to quickly understand relatively technical information. Thank you for the effort you put into this! 💚
I can't believe the quality of this video. I learned and started to understand more about audio transformers in these 4 minutes than in an hour of Google searches and complicated articles. Please make more content like this!
Maybe one on impedance? I've read about the pipe and water analogy plenty of times, but I'm still left confused on any practical understanding of impedance and how to match things or how sound actually changes with different impedances between gear.
Love the animation, y'all! I hope you do more of these videos. Clear, concise, and engaging.
Thanks Chris!
Mind blown - you made me realize how simple this huge concept actually is
Good voice, good speed of telling
This is so much more engaging and visual than all the videos of people just talking😂
Brilliant... where mr audio left off, only more entertaining, better production and easier to understand. Nice work and now I finally understand these little mystery machines.
Thanks so much, glad it was helpful!
Interesting and very interactive video. Good job!
Amazingly well made presentation of transformers. Thank you so much. I understood more in this brief presentation on what transformers are, and what they do, than I did for two days searching the web for knowledge and understanding on the topic. I became an instant subscriber.
🙏♥️🙏
Is there anywhere where you people have a community where one can seek further advice and support on DIY music and studio related issues?
At the moment I am searching for knowledge on how to make an external transformer coupling box, for sending line level FET preamp signals through to tape/DAW, when wanted.
This channel is a blessing!
This is awesome! So glad to have found your channel!
Very good video! thanks. Your 500 series modules are very interesting.
Well done! Great explanation.
This video is fantastic. Instant subscribe.
This video is very clear and concise, and well-produced! I’m hoping to build a microphone soon, so I look forward to more like this!
Thanks Ivy, glad you liked it!
Great video cool graphics , so we'll explained thank you !
Excellent presentation, thank you !
Bill P.
Nicely presented, and to the point!
Cheers
This is an excellent video! Thanks. Just enough explanation to give me the understanding I need and ability to do more research if needed.
more on this topic please, kinda epic video
Follow up: how to include a diy transformer in your mastering chain
Very cool video! More please!
superb explanation and great visuals! thank you :)
Very easy understand- thanks for the great video
These are the perfect kind of videos which help bridge the gap between abstract concepts and real world application. So helpful. Great work guys.
Yes, please do more such videos!
Can you do this with everything? Tubes, transistors, FETS, Op Amps, inductors...what the hell is all this stuff doing, and why? Perfect explanation with transformers!
Oh, and I'd love to know what really is harmonic distortion, what is the difference between even and odd order harmonic distortion, and what causes each one in recording. For instance, I've heard that tubes bring out even order harmonics, and FETs bring out odd order harmonics. Is this true? Why is it important? How can it be used? Thanks!
This is an outstanding and great tutorial!
Exactly the information I was looking for in clear, and simple terms. THANK YOU!!!
Excellent! Well done with this presentation. Thank you.
Very educational! Thank you soooo much for this! One about tubes would be cool too.
Yes, very helpfull! Please do more vids :-) !!
So good to know this, thank you!
And YES? Transparent recording consoles will become massively punchy warm vintage sounding recording consoles when adding transformers. Add them after the input amp. Also add a second on the direct output. Put some in the group channels. The Aux sends- Just put them everywhere! My console now sends shivers down my spine on playback!!!! No really My 1988 Wheatstone MTX88 SP5a went from a nice clean console to a killer powerhouse crusher of a console. I can't recommend this enough. It really is the best thing in the world. The sound of those vintage recordings we all love are just 3-4 transformers per channel.
Nice, sounds like you've actually achieved what I've been planning to do for quite some time. Is there anyone you could refer me to who could answer a few questions and help me understand how to choose the right components etc.? Unfortunately I'm still lacking the knowledge to make informed decisions in this area...
Such a good video, thanks !
its phenomenal!!! keep doing videos like this! talk about harmonic distortion, 2nd e 3rd enfasis!!! Thanks e Congratulations!
great explanation, thank you
man this is incredible, i always want to know how its works. I hope you keep doing this videos. Greetings.
Hi! Congratulations for the nice video! Cool animation, and you're touching all the important things.
One suggestion though, everywhere you mention signal, it is voltage. While a 2:1 transformer steps down the voltage by 2:1, in ideal case it increases the current by 2:1 (in real life there are some losses).
Keep going! 🙂
All Info i needed!!!
Awesome explanation. Thank you!
Super informative!!
Incredible video. Thanks and greetz ✌🏻
Excellent stuff! 👍🏼
Keep going, please make more like this 😎
More about this and tube amplifier, please... Thank you
Great informative video 😊
I'd like to know about opamps 😊
really loved that video
what a beautiful video
Awesome thank you so much super well explained!
Wow You gained a sub just by showing me one video amazing explanation
Awesome, thank you!
amazing video!
Great video
Nice day... How do we wind output transforrmer design for booster amp.
So helpful, thank you!
Wonderful video and well done. I was wondering about the effect of transformer size on the sound.
Amazing video... really!!! I have a question if you have a sec. When you said that a 2:! ratio would mean that only 1/2 the signal would appear on the secondary of an audio output transformer... does that mean that the "identical signal" would appear... at half the voltage? Or... did you mean... "1/2 the signal" from a frequency point of view? Like... you'd lose all your treble, or all the bass?
Nice info.
cogent and succinct! thank you!
Nice!!! Keep it up!
This is so good... more!
Check out the mcintosch unity coupler output transformer.
best youtube channel ty
neat little video
thank you, super helpful 👍🏼
it would be fun to see how different components interact in circuits!
Meanwhile, I'm just wondering if the warm asymmetrical distortion heard in a lot of guitar amps driven hard is partially do to a dc-loaded and saturating output transformer...
Hey, I am doing an experiment trying to increase power loss in an audio passive crossover circuit by using a transformer, I'm a novice...lol to circuitry but I am thinking if the passive crossover blocks some of the actual power can step up from a transformer correct that loss, thanks in advance
i would love to be taught about why transformers are known to create frequency dependent phase shifts - i.e. why do they phase sift certain selective frequencies more and other frequencies less or not?
great channel!
great video
Awesome video! Thanks! I have an old book about transformers I got from by grandfathers bookshelf. He worked on radiotelegraphy during the 1940s and the book has a warning in it "should not be exported out of the US in war time" so I wonder how he got it. The book talks both about core and wire gauge focusing a lot on wire gauge because it deals with power RF transformers. Is wire gauge an important factor for these audio transformers? Thanks!
more please! wow!!
My hand wound isolation transformer does not pass enough power. Does it need a resonant capacitor in series with primary to match the 20khz AC input? I even tried impedance matching that did not work either.
Amazing video!
Thanks Don, hope you're doing well there in the big city. Our little Philadelphia town misses you.
loved the video!!!!
that was one slick video
Well done guys!
Holy shit this video is too damn good. Exactly what I wanted to know.
Have a nice day... How to rewind opt...?
You’ll have to forgive me as I’m relatively new to audio circuits and electronics in general. I had a question pertaining to input and output transformers. In a lot of preamps you see them advertise specific input and output transformers. It is my understanding that an input transformer on a tube circuit should be a step up transformer to increase signal to noise ratio in the first amplification stage. In non tube mic preamps, what is the function/purpose of the input and output transformers? Are they there specifically for sound alteration or do they provide some specific function as in the tube example provided above? Would the input transformer on a non tube pre be closer to 1:1?
Great question, the transformers have several functions in a non-tube preamp. First to unbalance the signal at the input the balance it at the output. Second to provide galvanic isolation to prevent ground loops. And third to step up the voltage for a little "free gain." In an API preamp for instance, the input transformer is wired 1:35 and the output is 1:2.
Awesome!
amazing. thanks
Hi! I'd like to know how a transformer inside a moving coil microphone splits the voltage and reverses polarity between the hot and cold wires of an XLR cable, or rather - just how it splits the voltage (incase the signal is already polarised due to movement of the diaphragm)
One question. Between Steel, Nickel and Copper, where does the "Iron" locate?? Thanks
Steel is an alloy of iron!
Very good!
Thanks Ethan, it means a lot!
so clear ! fantastic video. immediatly sub ! it would be great if you could say us some specific names of transformers that sounds good, for each type ( steel / iron / nickel / copper ) .
Great video but please make another video on different styles and types of audio transformer
Wait, so how would i use this in, say, a guitar pedal or amp?
Nice!
More please like these
@3:30 isn’t that a mistake? Iron and nickel have way more permeability than copper