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DIY Stompboxes => Building your own stompbox => Topic started by: StephenGiles on April 05, 2014, 10:08:11 AM

Title: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: StephenGiles on April 05, 2014, 10:08:11 AM
https://www.dropbox.com/s/lu5q1cvudlj8aew/Space%20Filter.jpg

I found this lurking on an old backup CD this morning, so if anyone cares to move it forward - as they say, please feel free as I seem to have no breadboards to hand at the moment.

You will recognise the EH Space Drum sweep generator, but using LM13600 which is still available at the moment. I wonder if the SSM 2164 could be made to work here?        

Very rough circuit description - borrowed from Space Drum circuit description:

IC1a amplifies the incoming guitar signal and its output is sent to the VCF, formed around IC3a/b. IC1a output is also buffered and further amplified by IC1b, the gain of which is selected by the Sensitivity control. The voltage at IC1b output should be converted by Ra into a current suitable for triggering the Sweep Generator.

The sweep generator is formed by IC2a, IC1c and their associated components. With the system at rest, no current flows through Ra into IC2a pin 1. This results in the transconductance amplifier portion of IC2a being effectively disconnected from its darlington emitter follower output stage - IC2b, hence the voltage at IC2b pin 8 follows pin 5, which is at the voltage set by the Stop Frequency pot and buffered by IC1c, When a note is plucked on the guitar, the voltage at the output of IC1b is proportional to the strength of the note played (important because this is to determine the range of the sweep), converted into a current by Ra, energising IC2a via it's pin 1, turning it into a voltage follower, forcing IC2b pin 8 to equal the IC2a pin 3 voltage, set by the Start Frequency pot. (that is what happens when the Space Drum is struck).

Soon after each note is plucked, current  into IC2a pin 1 ceases to flow however, and the voltage on IC2a pin 5 decays through the Sweep Rate CR network to the voltage set by the Stop Frequency control, at a rate set by the Sweep Rate control - should be independent of the natural decay of the note played, providing a filter sweep no jitter even at long sweep settings.
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: armdnrdy on April 05, 2014, 10:58:52 AM
Hey Stephen,

Thanks for posting this.

A couple of questions. Is this circuit 9 volts like the space drum?

And, I see VB on the schematic but didn't notice an origin, so I would imagine a couple of resistors to suit it's need?

Also, I see a resistor marked RA and one with a question mark. Any clues as to values?
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: Kipper4 on April 05, 2014, 01:13:50 PM
Thanks for sharing Stephen.
I like it.
A few questions.
Yes I too am interested in Ra. I'd be tempted to put a 1k in there for a start and probably work down from there. Just guessing.
What is the function of the 100k pot at top of the design after Ic3 b?
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: nocentelli on April 05, 2014, 02:42:25 PM
Quote from: Kipper4 on April 05, 2014, 01:13:50 PM

What is the function of the 100k pot at top of the design after Ic3 b?


Resonance?
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: Kipper4 on April 05, 2014, 02:50:47 PM
Thanks Leo. :)
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: noisette on April 05, 2014, 02:51:34 PM
Definitly resonance...

But why the gain in IC1a, since the OTA needs lots of attenuation anyway?
The fourth OTA feels so useless ;)

On second note it´s an interesting looking variety of feedback paths.
Output a 1 Pole LP? They DO sound good with resonance...
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: StephenGiles on April 05, 2014, 04:45:33 PM
Just got back from seeing "Noah" - we saw the fim as Ray Winstone fans and he was his usual good self! As to the film itself, well I think the director is stark raving bonkers!

Now, the 100k pot at the top I'm pretty sure is resonance.

Yes Larry, 9v is correct with a couple of resistors giving Vb, but would there be any advantage in using a higher voltage?

Gain in IC1a is to ensure the sweep generator is energised. Would it be better to utilise IC1d which is currently unused to buffer the input, then send it's output to both the VCF and IC1b?

Ra was 20k in the Space Drum, I don't know what it would be in the LM 13600 configuration,

Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: Scruffie on April 05, 2014, 04:52:52 PM
You could just divide down the input pre OTA and then use the spare opamp for gain recovery at the end of the circuit providing a nice output impedance at the same time.

You could use the Darlington in the spare OTA half to buffer the V.Ref... so it's a little less wasted  :D
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: Lurco on April 06, 2014, 03:55:52 AM
Is this remotely related? http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=37931.0
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: StephenGiles on April 06, 2014, 05:42:16 AM
Quote from: Lurco on April 06, 2014, 03:55:52 AM
Is this remotely related? http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=37931.0

Crickey, I forgot that one dragged on so long, but it died a death with no conclusion.  ;)

I've updated the circuit description slightly in post #1. I omitted an important point in 5th paragraph.

If I get time today, I'll try to locate my breadboads and put some parts in holes.
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: deadastronaut on April 06, 2014, 06:03:12 AM
Cool, i,d like to hear a clip of this if you get it breaded... 8)
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: StephenGiles on April 06, 2014, 06:11:44 AM
Quote from: deadastronaut on April 06, 2014, 06:03:12 AM
Cool, i,d like to hear a clip of this if you get it breaded... 8)

I'm hoping that some of the technical minds here will do that as well!
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: StephenGiles on April 06, 2014, 08:16:24 AM
And if I might be permitted to throw in a little "Viv Stanshall" here  - if you are cross eyed - when crossing the road, look straight ahead, then straight ahead and straight ahead again!!
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: StephenGiles on April 06, 2014, 04:37:40 PM
https://www.dropbox.com/s/h3cgr06lz7c977r/Space%20Filter%20ver%202.png

Circuit updated to Version 2 incorporating various suggestions.
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: puretube on April 06, 2014, 04:50:35 PM
Quote from: StephenGiles on April 06, 2014, 04:37:40 PM
https://www.dropbox.com/s/h3cgr06lz7c977r/Space%20Filter%20ver%202.png

Circuit updated to Version 2 incorporating various suggestions.
Stephen, you don`t attenuate the output of IC1d anymore before going into IC3a? (e.g. with a 22k...)  :icon_wink:
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: StephenGiles on April 06, 2014, 05:20:58 PM
Quote from: puretube on April 06, 2014, 04:50:35 PM
Quote from: StephenGiles on April 06, 2014, 04:37:40 PM
https://www.dropbox.com/s/h3cgr06lz7c977r/Space%20Filter%20ver%202.png

Circuit updated to Version 2 incorporating various suggestions.
Stephen, you don`t attenuate the output of IC1d anymore before going into IC3a? (e.g. with a 22k...)  :icon_wink:

Oops thanks for that - copy & paste gone wrong!!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5ffoimb5uefgux1/Space%20Filter%20ver%203.png
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: StephenGiles on April 08, 2014, 03:49:24 PM
Celebrations - I just found a very dusty large breadboard on top of least played CDs stored on the top shelf in our music room, just 3 inches from the ceiling! That is why I have not been able to find them for months! :icon_rolleyes: :icon_rolleyes:

There are 2 very lonely ICs in it - LM13600 and LM324!!! Crickey, I'm sneezing for all the dust in this thing!
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: StephenGiles on April 10, 2014, 01:48:18 AM
Is SSM 2164 quad VCA available? Don't want to waste time if it's not.
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: Lurco on April 10, 2014, 02:49:14 AM
Quote from: StephenGiles on April 10, 2014, 01:48:18 AM
Is SSM 2164 quad VCA available? Don't want to waste time if it's not.

No - obsolete/discontinued.

But: http://www.coolaudio.com/docs/datasheet/V2164MD_DATASHEET.pdf by Behringer: http://www.coolaudio.com/index.html
available here: http://www.mammothelectronics.com/Coolaudio-V2164D-Quad-Voltage-Controlled-Amplifier-p/400-1034.htm  and  http://uk-electronic.de/onlineshop/product_info.php?products_id=1267  and  http://synthengineering.co.uk/products/coolaudio-v2164d-quad-vca 

Dual VCA: http://www.coolaudio.com/docs/datasheet/DATA_V2162%20Specs_2011-12-06.pdf  compare: http://www.thatcorp.com/THAT_Alternatives_to_SSM2164.shtml
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: nocentelli on April 10, 2014, 12:28:40 PM
Quote from: StephenGiles on April 06, 2014, 05:20:58 PM

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5ffoimb5uefgux1/Space%20Filter%20ver%203.png

Finally found a second 13700 in my dead veroboard pile, going to try this out tonight.
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: StephenGiles on April 10, 2014, 01:50:47 PM
Quote from: nocentelli on April 10, 2014, 12:28:40 PM
Quote from: StephenGiles on April 06, 2014, 05:20:58 PM

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5ffoimb5uefgux1/Space%20Filter%20ver%203.png

Finally found a second 13700 in my dead veroboard pile, going to try this out tonight.

Excellent, now I have a breadboard again I intend to devote some time to it over Easter.
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: StephenGiles on April 10, 2014, 01:51:36 PM
Quote from: Lurco on April 10, 2014, 02:49:14 AM
Quote from: StephenGiles on April 10, 2014, 01:48:18 AM
Is SSM 2164 quad VCA available? Don't want to waste time if it's not.

No - obsolete/discontinued.

But: http://www.coolaudio.com/docs/datasheet/V2164MD_DATASHEET.pdf by Behringer: http://www.coolaudio.com/index.html
available here: http://www.mammothelectronics.com/Coolaudio-V2164D-Quad-Voltage-Controlled-Amplifier-p/400-1034.htm  and  http://uk-electronic.de/onlineshop/product_info.php?products_id=1267  and  http://synthengineering.co.uk/products/coolaudio-v2164d-quad-vca 

Dual VCA: http://www.coolaudio.com/docs/datasheet/DATA_V2162%20Specs_2011-12-06.pdf  compare: http://www.thatcorp.com/THAT_Alternatives_to_SSM2164.shtml

Ah, thanks for that.
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: StephenGiles on April 15, 2014, 05:02:23 PM
How do we make IC1b output respond ONLY to the leading edge of a guitar note, so that any jitter arising from it's decay would be ignored by the envelope generator, yet still be proportional to the strength of the guitar note played?

I think that may be the missing link here.
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: armdnrdy on April 15, 2014, 05:17:48 PM
I've read in different threads R.G. explaining that this is kind of the hard part!

He did mention a circuit that pulls it off to a better degree than most.....I'll have to see if I can locate that thread.

I think that it was within the last month but....as I'm getting older...sometimes what seems like a month turns out to be a year!  :icon_wink:
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: StephenGiles on April 15, 2014, 05:57:07 PM
I'm thinking perhaps an "adaptive" leading edge trigger together with a sample & hold might hold some clues?
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: armdnrdy on April 15, 2014, 06:07:18 PM
Check out MFOS sub commander to see how Ray Wilson implemented that section.

I listened to the sound sample and...it tracks extremely well!

http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/GUITARSYNTHAUG2007/GUITARSYNTHAUG2007.html
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: StephenGiles on April 16, 2014, 02:46:58 AM
Thanks Larry, I'd forgotten about that  - need to study the circuit description.
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: armdnrdy on April 16, 2014, 03:18:47 AM
Here's something else that might be useful:

http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/SOUNDLABMINISYNTH/guitartrigger/guitartrigger.html

I haven't looked into the compatibility with your circuit but....it's something to check out.

Or better yet...this one is powered by 9-15 volts instead of a bipolar supply.

http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/HOT_TIPS/PDF/guitargatenov2012.pdf
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: StephenGiles on April 16, 2014, 02:13:20 PM
Quote from: armdnrdy on April 16, 2014, 03:18:47 AM
Here's something else that might be useful:

http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/SOUNDLABMINISYNTH/guitartrigger/guitartrigger.html

I haven't looked into the compatibility with your circuit but....it's something to check out.

Or better yet...this one is powered by 9-15 volts instead of a bipolar supply.

http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/HOT_TIPS/PDF/guitargatenov2012.pdf

I'm just wondering if those gates/triggers go high to a fixed highth (!!) as opposed to an "adaptive" highth proportional to strength of guitar notes played.

Anyway thanks for the links from which I have printed out the articles for breadboarding.
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: armdnrdy on April 16, 2014, 02:26:33 PM
I have a feeling that "as is" it doesn't provide for dynamics.

Here's another link with a brief description:

http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/HOT_TIPS/guitartogate.php

It states that this circuit was designed to be followed by a VCA or VCF.
That is where you might be able to gain back pseudo dynamics.

Edit:
I just thought that you will still have dynamics in the dry guitar signal if you add a mix control or wet and dry level controls.
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: StephenGiles on April 17, 2014, 02:43:26 AM
Maybe the spare OTA in IC2 could be used as a "comparator peak follower" - so that if a threshold voltage is exceeded, it momentarily peaks to that higher voltage.
Title: Re: Old Space Filter WIP thrown open
Post by: StephenGiles on April 17, 2014, 01:21:48 PM
Any mileage in the one shot properties of a cheap old 4047 I wonder?