Flatline BUILD REPORT!!

[askwho69]

Helllo DIYers i build the Flatline and using the layout of Mark Hammer and in some topics about the capacitor to be use . . .C4=100uf, C2= 47uf, c5 100uf, LED(red), LDR, diode is 1N314 (i bought it in local electronic store its not the original germanium like everyone has)  about the sound it produce, its good but not the one i expected, its sound so clean to me meaning not compress like CS3? maybe because its a sustainer not a compressor" are they both he same? or not?" in sustain not so long sustain, i tried to use it as booster but i didnt like it CS3 is better. 

My question is:
1.) how do you use your flatline? and how does it sound to you? any one has a clip on this?
2.) how was the LED and LDR sounds compare to VLTC and others?
3.) about the diode is this diode good? did someone tried this 1n314? "not the 1N314a"

thanks and more power to all!

A2

[fatfoohy]

I use my flatline for bass, and i put it right after my distortion, and leave it always on.  It doesnt effect my signal at all because all it does alter the gain of the op amp, so it's just my original sound, just more even.  the led+ldr combo is going to sound the same as a vactrol, but the brightness of the led, and the resistance of the led in either option will effect how much compression there is.  im not sure about your diode, but i dont think it's too choosey, i didnt use a 1n314a in mine, just a germ. part.  hope this helps!

[askwho69]

ohh thanks alot for the replyit really help... by the way what did you use? led and ldr? what led did you use?

thanks again
A2

[fatfoohy]

I used this photocoupler/vactrol from small bear http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=347 the vtl5c3

[askwho69]

ohh ok thanks! its expensive

[Barcode80]

For a cheaper alternative, I use these. The price is right, and the performance is great, especially in this application:

http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G15396

[fatfoohy]

oooh nice link, it's worth it though for the consistency that it gives

[Earthscum]

For a cheaper alternative, I use these. The price is right, and the performance is great, especially in this application:

http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G15396

Just make sure you don't order 10, or else they just grab you one of the "untested mix bags"... I got 1 matched pair at about 1.5M, 3 over 1M, 1 around 200k, 1 that was 10k, and 3 that were dead. 

[askwho69]

Ohhh this is nice! i'lltry this one! so the conclusion is LED and LDR is not good enough for this comp thanks a lot for the replies!

[fatfoohy]

i wouldnt say that a led and ldr arent good, it's just that if you can, a photocoupler is easier and more reliable

[askwho69]

oohh ok thanks so much on this. it really helps i'll try this soon