changing 4 resistor values with one pot...

Started by kissack101, April 01, 2007, 02:49:48 PM

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kissack101

Is this possible? I wondered if there was a chip that might do the job?

I'm trying to get my head around building a 4-way parallel loop switcher pedal and was thinking of adding a TSA -style feedback loop to each of the 4 effects loop. Problem is, with them being in parallel it would mean 4 seperate TSA circuits and so 4 pots (unless I wanted each loop to feedback into the beginning of ALL the loops, which although fun, is perhaps a little TOO extreme). I was wondering whether it was possible to have one pot control 4 seperate reistance values? Obviously, if I only had two loops I could use a dual-gang pot, though i've never seen pots with more than 2 sets of lugs.

Any help would be appreciated.

Adam.

Transmogrifox

#1
A few options you have:
Digital Potentiometers
http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/11195c.pdf
http://www.mouser.com/search/Refine.aspx?Ne=1447464+254016+688606+254459&N=1323038+4294819256+254459+4294809870&Msb=0&Mkw=digital+pot&Ns=P_SField&Ntx=mode%20matchall&Ntk=Mouser_Wildcards&Ntt=*digital*+*pot*
(just one example)
Analog devices has one with extended voltage supply range.  For your application, I don't think that would be necessary. 

Another idea is the old LED/LDR application.   Use one pot to control current into 4 LED's in series, and each one of the LED's is applied to an LDR (or pair of them) for a pot.   Look at Morley's little alligator volume pedal.   Just make 4 of those and control the 4 collectively with a single pot:

http://www.morleypedals.com/plaes.pdf

Finally, you may wish to use an OTA to vary the amplitude of the feedback.  This could be done with a pair of LM3700's.

And, of course....may we not forget that with a rotary tool and some time, you could make a 4-ganged pot out of 4 single or 2 dual ganged pots.  I think you can also purchase quad-ganged pots but I have never looked for them before.
trans·mog·ri·fy
tr.v. trans·mog·ri·fied, trans·mog·ri·fy·ing, trans·mog·ri·fies To change into a different shape or form, especially one that is fantastic or bizarre.