Introduction
Hi, I’m Matt, lead designer and developer at Mattrs. I’m not just passionate about web design; I love graphic design, multimedia creation, and 3D product design. When the opportunity arose to collaborate on the design of the Mayron 212 tube amp with my friend, I was thrilled to blend our love for elegant aesthetics and seamless functionality with the world of high-fidelity audio.
Blender 3D: a designer’s visualisation playground
Blender 3D modelling became my playground for bringing the M212’s vision to life. While there was a learning curve, I embraced the challenge, knowing this versatile (and free!) tool would prove invaluable for future website content creation. The software allowed us to explore different design concepts, materials, and lighting scenarios, ensuring the final design perfectly captured the essence of the amplifier. We even delved into the technical aspects of production, using Blender to visualise how the wooden frame anodised aluminium panels, tubes and transformers would come together.
Human-centred design: form meets function
The front panel was designed with simplicity in mind. The details of the construction were expertly handled by passionate amp builder Mirek Dzul. The amp features dual KT88 tubes for power and a 12AX7 for preamplification. These tubes, known for their warmth and richness, create a captivating sound that transports you to the heart of every performance.
Versatile connectivity: adapting to your needs
With eight selectable line inputs and outputs, compatible with both 4 and 8 ohm speakers, you have the freedom to connect your entire audio setup seamlessly.
We also included a triode-pentode switch, allowing you to fine-tune the amp’s output to your exact preferences – from vintage warmth to dynamic precision.
A touch of nostalgia with ‘Magic Eye’ tubes
To add a touch of nostalgia, Mirek, the amp circuit designer and builder, opted to incorporate vintage ‘magic eye’ tubes as UV meters for the stereo output. It was a thrill to simulate the effect in Blender.
The Blender 3D journey: from concept to (almost) reality
I harnessed the power of Blender 3D’s non-destructive modifiers and iterative design process to create a casing that perfectly complements the M212’s exceptional sound.
Next steps: from digital to physical
Since Blender isn’t ideally suited for CNC machines, we’ll need to convert the panel designs to CAD software for manufacturing. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the design process in Blender, as it allowed us to simulate various lighting and environmental conditions to get the look and feel of the final product just right.
