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DIY Stompboxes => Building your own stompbox => Topic started by: spoontex on June 22, 2016, 02:07:49 PM

Title: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: spoontex on June 22, 2016, 02:07:49 PM
Hi,

I've just finished the building of Aurora, and they don't work... is to bassy and the trebble switch don't work. I've change the transistors and check all the others components.. Any idea?!?!¿

https://vimeo.com/171801211
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: whoisalhedges on June 22, 2016, 02:13:34 PM
Those with the talents to help you will find it much easier if you provide the information here:

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=29816.0
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: spoontex on June 22, 2016, 02:19:54 PM
Thanks.

I'll do the voltage list of each component and I will post them.
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: whoisalhedges on June 22, 2016, 03:38:03 PM
Looks like a Dyna Comp/Ross clone, right? That's a common enough circuit, lots of people here have built it. Post your voltages, and I bet someone here will have you fixing it within a couple days. :)

Welcome aboard, from one newbie to another!
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: whoisalhedges on June 22, 2016, 03:44:35 PM
Reading the project page at https://aionelectronics.com/project/aurora-ross-dyna-compressor/ it says the treble switch attenuates the highs. If the switch doesn't do anything, and it's too bassy; my money's on the wiring of the switch itself. Like there's a short somewhere which has it acting like it's in full-attenuation mode all the time, no matter where you have it set.

Might be other issues, too, but that jumps out.
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: spoontex on June 22, 2016, 05:59:21 PM
Ok, this are my readings:

Q1:
    C = 7.79
    B = 2.64
    E = 2.32

Q2:
    C = 9,84
    B = 3.20
    E = 2.74

Q3:
    C = 10.12
    B = 0
    E = 0

Q4:
    C = 10.12
    B = 0
    E = 0

Q5:
    C = 10.13
    B = 10.11
    E = 9.61

D1:
    A = 0
    K = 10,13

D2:
    A = 0
    K = 0

D3:
    A = 0
    K = 0

IC:

    1 = 0
    2 = 5.19
    3 = 5.20
    4 = 0
    5 = 0.63
    6 = 3.20
    7 = 10.13
    8 = 0

- I desolder D2 and D3 and check, they sems that be ok
- I replace the transistors Q3 and Q4 but still the same readings...

Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: whoisalhedges on June 22, 2016, 08:21:02 PM
Quote from: spoontex on June 22, 2016, 05:59:21 PM
Q3:
    C = 10.12
    B = 0
    E = 0

Q4:
    C = 10.12
    B = 0
    E = 0

Q5:
    C = 10.13
    B = 10.11
    E = 9.61

D1:
    A = 0
    K = 10,13

D2:
    A = 0
    K = 0

D3:
    A = 0
    K = 0
You probably see the problem here... Q3 and Q4 have no bias on their bases. If the base isn't a diode drop above the emitter, the transistor won't work. On Q5, meanwhile, the base is almost as positive as the collector, no room to swing.

D2 and D3 are showing the same problem as Q3 and Q4 - as their anodes are tied to those transistors' bases, and the bases are at 0V, there's also 0V on the diodes.
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: whoisalhedges on June 22, 2016, 08:21:51 PM
For troubleshooting reference:

(http://www.geofex.com/FX_images/rosscomp.gif)
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: spoontex on June 23, 2016, 04:20:52 AM
The D1 is well mounted.

This or all others build reports ara wrong... Because Q3 and Q4 have no voltage?

https://aionelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/aion-aurora-ross-compressor-documentation.pdf
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: spoontex on June 23, 2016, 04:27:41 AM
I can't insert images in a post?!?!

I try to put some potos and I can't...
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: spoontex on June 23, 2016, 07:30:50 AM
I think that I found something... the GND pad of the board out 9V!!!!! with the GND pad disconeccted all the transistors show correct values...

any idea!!!??



Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: bluebunny on June 23, 2016, 07:57:22 AM
Quote from: spoontex on June 23, 2016, 04:27:41 AM
I can't insert images in a post?!?!

I try to put some potos and I can't...

What did you try?

You need to click on Mona: (http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/Themes/DIYTheme2/images/bbc/img.gif)

This gives you a pair of [img][/img] tags.  Put the URL of your image (which has to be hosted somewhere) in between these tags.
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: whoisalhedges on June 23, 2016, 08:34:38 AM
Quote from: spoontex on June 23, 2016, 07:30:50 AM
I think that I found something... the GND pad of the board out 9V!!!!! with the GND pad disconeccted all the transistors show correct values...

any idea!!!??

Is this the PCB you're using?

(https://aionelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/rosscomp_pcb.jpg)
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: whoisalhedges on June 23, 2016, 08:39:28 AM
Hahaha never mind D1, that's my mistake - that's the power protection diode, it's supposed to be "backward." It won't conduct with the cathode positive to the anode; that's the whole point. Keeps your components from frying in case you accidentally put in a reverse-polarity power supply. Edited my previous posts to make me look less ridiculous. ;)

The rest of it, Q3 & Q4's bases being at gnd, that's still a problem....
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: spoontex on June 23, 2016, 09:01:10 AM
Yes, this is the pcb!!
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: aion on June 23, 2016, 10:44:33 AM
Can you post a picture of your wiring? We might be able to see what's wrong by looking at it. Sounds like some wires are switched around someplace.
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: spoontex on June 23, 2016, 10:52:52 AM
No, because without the switch and jacks and only power the GND drops 9V... But if you want I send it...
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: duck_arse on June 23, 2016, 11:10:55 AM
what are you using to power your board, that gives you ~10.13 volts?
also, check the resistance betweeen the base of Q5 (on RG's schem) and V+.
and, photos of your built, please!
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: bluebunny on June 23, 2016, 01:15:29 PM
Hmmm...  Not sure I would describe that as "bassy".  Sounds more like "warbling" to me.

But if your GND pad is showing 9V, then you have a short somewhere.  Pictures of both sides of your board really would help.
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: PRR on June 23, 2016, 04:04:53 PM
> the problem here... Q3 and Q4 have no bias on their bases.

Schematic: http://www.geofex.com/FX_images/rosscomp.gif

With no signal, it is correct for Q3 Q4 to have "no bias". There's nothing to give them static bias. Their function is to pull-down the 10uFd at Q5 *when signal is large*. Bring signal up to +/-0.6V peaks, Q3 Q4 start to suck, 10uFd falls down from 10V, Q5 follows and reduces current through 500K+27K to '3080 pin 5 Vabc, '3080 gain drops.

"too bassy" is not likely a bias issue. A short at Q3 Q4 Base will throw the 0.01uFd on the 10K buffer and whack the highs. Many other shorts and wrong-values are possible. 470 Ohms and 470K Ohms look the same in bad light. If you are not finding it, post clear pictures and maybe some dogged bloodhound here will see it.
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: spoontex on June 24, 2016, 03:49:35 AM
Photos. I've removed pots and switch to take better photos.

(https://postimg.org/image/6mnwzot2n/)
(https://postimg.org/image/5yf2gqucv/)

https://postimg.org/image/6mnwzot2n/

https://postimg.org/image/5yf2gqucv/

The transistors are fliped beacause I changed the 2n5088 for BC549C.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: whoisalhedges on June 24, 2016, 04:26:59 AM
Quote from: PRR on June 23, 2016, 04:04:53 PM
> the problem here... Q3 and Q4 have no bias on their bases.

Schematic: http://www.geofex.com/FX_images/rosscomp.gif

With no signal, it is correct for Q3 Q4 to have "no bias". There's nothing to give them static bias. Their function is to pull-down the 10uFd at Q5 *when signal is large*. Bring signal up to +/-0.6V peaks, Q3 Q4 start to suck, 10uFd falls down from 10V, Q5 follows and reduces current through 500K+27K to '3080 pin 5 Vabc, '3080 gain drops.

"too bassy" is not likely a bias issue. A short at Q3 Q4 Base will throw the 0.01uFd on the 10K buffer and whack the highs. Many other shorts and wrong-values are possible. 470 Ohms and 470K Ohms look the same in bad light. If you are not finding it, post clear pictures and maybe some dogged bloodhound here will see it.
Too true, and very indicative of the difference between experience and inexperience (and why, when you show up in the thread, the OP should stop listening to me ;) ) - I haven't built a comp yet; in the overdrives and fuzzes I've built, transistors are amplifiers. So they need to amplify. This is different. Experience steps back and analyzes the circuit at arm's length, naivety sees the first thing that looks "different" from what he's used to and says "yep, that's the problem!"

Carry on.
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: spoontex on June 24, 2016, 07:55:10 AM
I check all resistors, and I found a wrong value in R13 I have a 100k and the correct value is 10k. But the problem persist....
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: spoontex on June 24, 2016, 09:27:48 AM
Now I've the GND ok, they don't drop 9v. But Q3 and Q4 haven't voltaje. And the pins of Attack and Sustain drop 9v... What the hell...
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: spoontex on June 24, 2016, 06:37:05 PM
It don't work. The Attack control don't do anything... so I removed the Trebble Switch and Attack pot following the instructions from Aion: https://aionelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/aion-aurora-ross-compressor-documentation.pdf

They sound with a lot of bass and Little fuzzy...

https://vimeo.com/172173453

My ideas are over, I think that I trowh in bin...

Thanks.
Title: Re: Aurora Compressor from Aion
Post by: spoontex on June 29, 2016, 09:05:21 AM
I changed the IC but the problem persist...