Volume loss with SWTC2?

[mdcmdcmdc]

Hi folks,

I've been looking for a useful one-knob tone control to add to the end of a tonebender mkii, and Jack Orman's SWTC2 seems like a nice option (http://www.muzique.com/lab/swtc.htm). One thing I've noticed with the parts on a breadboard is that there's a really significant volume drop when it's engaged; I'm curious if this is being exaggerated by the fact that it's being run external from the already-built fuzz circuit with a volume control of its own? Or is noticeable volume drop with this tone circuit something I should expect?

I realize any passive tone circuit is going to involve some loss, but this seems like a bit more than usual.

[GGBB]

I'm curious if this is being exaggerated by the fact that it's being run external from the already-built fuzz circuit with a volume control of its own?

Yes.

[iainpunk]

the TB MKII has a build in attenuator, the two resistors feeding Q3, if you move the output from the middle node to the Collector of that transistor, the output volume will increase.

welcome to the forum

cheers, Iain

[mdcmdcmdc]

Thanks for the quick response to both of you folks, much obliged.

the TB MKII has a build in attenuator, the two resistors feeding Q3, if you move the output from the middle node to the Collector of that transistor, the output volume will increase.

To this point, I'm not sure I'm quite following you but just so I'm clear (and using this schematic as an example)



Do you mean moving taking the output from the point between the 470r and 8.2k resistors and connecting it to the Q3 collector?

So it would go from this:

V+
|
470R
|
——>OUTPUT
|
8.2K
|
Q3 (C)


to this:

V+
|
470R
|
8.2K
|
——>OUTPUT
|
Q3 (C)


By 'node' I'm assuming you mean the point where the two resistors connect in series, but just want to confirm that I understand what you're saying. Thanks again!

[highwater]

Yup, just like that.

[iainpunk]

Thanks for the quick response to both of you folks, much obliged.

the TB MKII has a build in attenuator, the two resistors feeding Q3, if you move the output from the middle node to the Collector of that transistor, the output volume will increase.

To this point, I'm not sure I'm quite following you but just so I'm clear (and using this schematic as an example)



Do you mean moving taking the output from the point between the 470r and 8.2k resistors and connecting it to the Q3 collector?

So it would go from this:

V+
|
470R
|
——>OUTPUT
|
8.2K
|
Q3 (C)


to this:

V+
|
470R
|
8.2K
|
——>OUTPUT
|
Q3 (C)


By 'node' I'm assuming you mean the point where the two resistors connect in series, but just want to confirm that I understand what you're saying. Thanks again!

that's exactly right!

cheers, Iain