Which ring modulator to build

[Cliff Schecht]

I can't get the schematic and pics up tonight because the website I use is down for the night, but this build is looking damn good if  I can say so myself . I've finally found a good way to line up the sockets and switches before drilling. I'm not quite sure what to do for artwork yet.

Edit: After a misunderstanding was cleared up, I realized that I need to remove the 10uF on the output, it does nothing
Also, a 1uF NP cap needs to be added between the top-left side of the output transformer and the diode side it connects to, it prevents the difference (DC, not what we want) from being outputted.

[jonathan perez]

GENERAL GUITAR GADGETS

im building the green ringer. 

[Mark Hammer]

GENERAL GUITAR GADGETS

im building the green ringer. 

Not that you wouldn't enjoy its little quirks, but it is NOT a ring modulator.  It is a quick and dirty octave-up fuzz, and like ALL such fuzzes it tends to produce ring modulator-like sidebands (sum/difference) under certain conditions, hence the name. 

Most of us will flash a little butt-crack if we bend over just right, but that's not the same as walking around starkers or wearing a thong bathing suit.  Same relationship between a Green Ringer and a "real" ring modulator.

Like I say, no reason NOT to build it.  Just don't expect more than it is willing (or designed) to deliver.

[Cliff Schecht]

Done! I keep promising sound clips, but I will have them done tomorrow probably; I'm too tired tonight. Until then, here's the schematic and perfboard layout, as well as some pics of the actual build:


Sorry for the slopiness and the fact that this is on paper, I have a copy of Orcad 10.5 but I need to get it up and running again. If anybody needs any clarifications anywhere, feel free to ask.


Ignore the 10uF cap on the far right connected to the output. Again, I drew this from what was in my head so if anybody sees any errors, please point them out.

Now, Build Pics (Still deciding on a case design):


Finished perfboard

I need to mount the PCB tomorrow, but until then... FOAM!

I wired this up Millenium bypass style, but left off the LED for now. If you can't tell this thing is on, just put down the guitar and walk away.

Feel free to criticize and ask questions. I'm hoping nobody finds any errors that are too critical

I love it when builds work on the first try.

[syndromet]

That is just sweet! Would you mind if I made a vero layout for that?

What do you use as carrier?

[Cliff Schecht]

Please do! A vero layout would be a lot easier than my attempts at making a perfboard layout

For the carrier, I use the dry output of my Digitech Whammy and use the wet out as my input signal. It works amazingly and allows for hundreds of different sounds. I think just about any effect with a wet and dry output would work, but unless some sort of detuning effect is acheived, you will probably just get a nice sounding octave. I didn't realize how well this would pair with a Whammy until I plugged it in. Another idea I've had floating around was using a therimin as the carrier or even better, building a syntstick onto a guitar body for some truly crazy fun.

[billings]

Would it be possible to put a bias on the diodes in the ring?

[bwanasonic]

Another idea I've had floating around was using a therimin as the carrier or even better, building a syntstick onto a guitar body for some truly crazy fun.

Some electronic tuners can generate tones that might be useful as a carrier.

Kerry M

[Cliff Schecht]

Alright, I got some soundclips up:
http://www.purevolume.com/cliffsjams

It should be obvious which 2 are the right ones. The octave down clip was done with a Charvel (SD Hot Rails neck, Bill Lawrence X500XL) Fusion Deluxe in the middle position with both pickups split>>Digitech Whammy set for one octave down>>Ring Modulator>>Fender Bassman Reissue>>AKG C3000b>>Emu 1820 using Cubase SX2. The second clip is a 1991 Ibanez RV470 on the bridge (EMG85 and tuned 2 steps down for the hell of it )>>Whammy set for an octave up>>Ring Modulator>>>>Fender Bassman Reissue>>AKG C3000b>>Emu 1820 using Cubase SX2 again. I love this thing!!!

[Cliff Schecht]

Isn't there an ftp here where I can upload these files? I apologize for the Purevolume link but I don't have an ftp anymore.

[sfr]

Some electronic tuners can generate tones that might be useful as a carrier.

FInally an excuse to build project 16 in EPFM?

[Cliff Schecht]

A tone generator could consist of 2 AA's, a 74hc14, a capacitor and a little trimpot all in a little plugable box (i.e. A little encosure with a 1/4 male connector sticking out), which is why I mounted my jacks on top.

[petemoore]

  Insane whakkineSses Cliff !!!
  Fun-sound-city!
  That'd be just the thing to whip up some madness in our cover band...
  Thank you for doing research, and providing nicely prepared design results to share!!
 

[Cliff Schecht]

I'm gonna get my last jam session in tomorrow before I leave and look forward to making noise with this thing. Hopefully I'll get some decent grooves to post.