![]() With the sound of a big, tight, bold Twin Reverb-inspired model, for example,īut would prefer a juicier, more forgiving playing feel-scroll down to that SagĬontrol, slide it up to a higher setting, and go. ![]() And that’s where the Sag control in Helix comes in. The circuit design, power stage, and age and condition of the amp will give Range or a switch between hard and soft, but generally you’re stuck with what Some modern amps have functions that enable a governable With dialing in the degree of sag in traditional tube amps is that for the most Metal and shred will likely feel and sound more satisfying played through anĪmp with minimal sag, as sag can slur the notes and power chords and lead to aįrustrating sludge as the amplified sound lags behind your fingers. Anything from speedy country picking to tight modern Several styles of music, however, come across better with little to no This parameter can add a delectably touchy-feely element to many types of Rectifier sag that we might assume it’s universally a good thing, and indeed Fans of smaller to medium-sized vintage amps-and blues andĬlassic-rock players in particular-often talk so glowingly of tube and Sag is right for you and your playing style, and being able to dial it in or outĪccordingly. Interesting as all of this may or may not be, what really matters is whether Screen shot from HX Edit showing the Sag, Bias, and Bias X controls for a US Double Nrm amp model. That, the tubes in other stages can sag in and of themselves when working hard, Sag slightly when the demand for more power comes hot and heavy. Have to have tube rectifiers to sag, however. When pushed hard, as will any amps of later eras that are based on similar Higher-powered vintage amps of the ’50s and ’60s will also sag considerably Toothsome, player-friendly sag, as are smaller Champ and Princeton models. The FenderĥE3 Deluxe of the ’50s (and earlier models) are certainly legendary for their Of sag usually bring to mind smaller tweed amps first and foremost. It’s enough to affect the playing feel and the overall sound, sometimes subtly, On most occasionsĪll of this happens relatively quickly, even in particularly “saggy” amps, but ![]() The circuit can dip lower for a time as it struggles to keep up with demand.Īs a compression-like softness on the attack of the note or chord, with a swellĪnd bloom of sorts as the system ramps back up to full voltage. Or a heavy pick attack-the DC voltage it provides to the tubes in the rest of Is turned up loud, and/or you hit it with chunky power chords or a lot of fast riffing When these components areĪsked to function near the top of their capabilities-for example, when the amp Usually spoken of in reference to a tube rectifier. Sag and tube sag-when the things are pushed particularly hard, at least. Notorious for heavy sag, in fact, the sensation is often a combination of rectifier Versus the tight, sharp attack of an amp with a big and efficient power supplyĪnd little difficulty responding at high volumes. Usually blends with tube distortion, inducing a sponginess at the front of the note in amps that experience it, Supplies remain steady-as can preamp tubes when driven hard. Sagging power supply stage, output tubes can induce some juicy,Ĭompression-like sag into the sonic brew when struggling to keep up with theĭemand for amplification at the top of their operating level-even when voltage Their dip in peak performance when rectifier-supplied voltages dip due to a Put simply, this is the amount of time that the tubes-those in the rectifier and output stage in particular-take to recover and return to full power when hit with a heavy demand while running at higher output levels. Sag is a quality that is also sometimes described as “compression” or “squash” or sometimes “swell” or “bloom” as applied to tube amps. ![]() Let’s explore how these parameters work in good old-fashioned analog tube amps, to the end of understanding how they might impact your Helix amp settings. Two of the Helix processor’s controls that are frequently overlooked or at least misunderstood are Sag and Bias-and while the results of adjusting these parameters may be subtle at times, they can play a significant part in dialing in your tone to perfection. Dave Hunter: What’s Behind the Sag, Bias, and Bias X Controls in Helix Amps?Įven when we’re getting our precious tone via digital alternatives, the baseline for that sound remains the great tube amps of both yesterday and today-and some of the lesser-known parameters of these creations can have a surprisingly appreciable effect on their overall sound and performance.
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