Your thoughts or experience with "tilt" tone control

[mashaffer]

Have any of you used/built a preamp with a "tilt" style tone control? Impressions?

I just became aware of this approach and find it interesting.

 

[Michael Bean]

I tried one that was published in Audio Amateur back in the 80's (I think)...I didn't really like it because it necessarily affected the entire audio band, so if you want more (or less) bass, it also affects the treble, and vice versa. Just my opinion.

Mike

 

[VictoriaGuy]

I'm building a 6M11 preamp with tilt control right now - it's (one channel) 'breadboarded' and working with the 'shop speaker'.
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/334221-6m11-compactron-preamp-tilt-tone-control.html#post5707612
I'm playing around with some different power supply choices (SMPS, standard) to take over from the bench supply.

Right now I've 'stepped away' from the electronics to make up some chassis frames.

About the tilt control - I'm not a complete convert as I think that sometimes I like to have less mid and more of both bass and treble (thump and fizz...). Which sort of aligns with what Michael just said, if I read his post correctly.

But it's fun playing around with the tone control and see things changing on the scope...you can tell my skill level (beginner) from that!

Chasing down oscillation problems is another topic, but I don't think I can blame that on the tilt control.

 

[FullRangeMan]

I tried one that was published in Audio Amateur back in the 80's (I think)...I didn't really like it because it necessarily affected the entire audio band, so if you want more (or less) bass, it also affects the treble, and vice versa. Just my opinion.

Mike

Thanks, very true post.

 

[mashaffer]

My current preamp project is a utility preamp with just a gain stage, infrasonic filter, and subwoofer output. After giving that a try I will look at whether any further tone controls are necessary seeing as the sub is in effect a bass control. The elegant simplicity of a tilt is intriguing in such a case but I too worry about the broad brush aspect.

 

[VictoriaGuy]

Blencowe's 'HiFi Tube Preamps' book has an excellent section on tone controls, including the tilt control.

Rod Elliott doesn't like the tilt control and says it!