OT: headphone jack for Ruby amp?

vfr800fiman · March 28, 2005, 12:23:58 PM

Hi all-
I'm going to be building a Ruby amp http://www.runoffgroove.com/ruby.html
for my Niece soon (she's 10).
My question is, I would like to add a headphone jack to this
project to keep my Sister from killing me

Has anyone done this mod to this amp?
A partial schematic would be greatly appreciated if anyone has.
I have built a few tube amps, but this will be my first solid state

Thanks in advance!
Glenn

B Tremblay · March 28, 2005, 12:54:14 PM

You'll need either an 1/8" or 1/4" (depending on the size of the headphones plug) closed-tip, open ring stereo jack.

Wire it in as shown below for the main speaker to be silenced when the headphones are plugged into the circuit.

vfr800fiman · March 28, 2005, 12:59:26 PM

Thank you very much!
I was wondering if I could wire it like that or not.
I thought the output might be too much for headphones.
I guess you'd want to make sure to crank the volume down
before "pluggin-in".
Thanks again!
Glenn

inverseroom · March 28, 2005, 01:00:17 PM

I don't know what B. thinks of this, but I found the headphone signal in that configuration to be hotter than hell. I put in a switch that selected between headphones and speaker/cab, and then made the cab output a closed-circuit switch, and put a resistor between the switch and the headphone jack, so it's quieter.

The Ruby is awesome!

vfr800fiman · March 28, 2005, 01:15:53 PM

Yeah, I was wondering if I could just place a resistor in
the signal path to lower the volume a bit.
The switch idea is great! I think I'll give it a try with
my resistor box in place so I can determine a value.
Thanks!
Glenn

B Tremblay · March 28, 2005, 01:20:54 PM

If you are not hard-wiring the speaker and using an output jack, then you could use the alternate approach as described by inverseroom.

I used the setup shown in the schematic and found the headphone level to be manageable, but caution is still necessary. The Ruby is capable of output levels that can damage your hearing when using headphones.

SirPoonga · March 28, 2005, 01:22:36 PM

That's what I did for my ruby.
http://photobucket.com/albums/v472/SirPoonga/Ruby/

However, I know want a CD line in jack to so I can play with music. Is there a way to keep my CD line in stereo since the headphone jack currently just jumps left and right on the jack?

Maybe it's due to the bass and/or headphones, but I've had my ruby cranked. It was loud but but not annoyingly loud. I usually have the volume set at about 2/3 rotation.

However, there is a noticable differnce in loudness between 9v and 12v. And I, obviously, use 9v.

The differences in my ruby and the ROG schematic is I have the bassman mods minus the cap across the one pot (didn't sound any different with it there or not when breadboarded) and I have a switch pot for volume instead of using the input jack to turn the circuit on. Makes it more like a portable radio.

vfr800fiman · March 28, 2005, 01:34:42 PM

This setup will be hardwired to 2-4" speakers, so I may
try the switch/resistor trick.
Having an input for a CD player is a good idea also :idea:
This thing is growing in complexity by the hour

Glenn

B Tremblay · March 28, 2005, 01:41:49 PM

Quote from: SirPoongaHowever, I know want a CD line in jack to so I can play with music. Is there a way to keep my CD line in stereo since the headphone jack currently just jumps left and right on the jack?

You can a have a stereo line-in jack (with the tip and ring connected), but the output will still be mono.

SirPoonga · March 28, 2005, 01:55:07 PM

Quote from: B Tremblay
Quote from: SirPoongaHowever, I know want a CD line in jack to so I can play with music. Is there a way to keep my CD line in stereo since the headphone jack currently just jumps left and right on the jack?

You can a have a stereo line-in jack (with the tip and ring connected), but the output will still be mono.

Yeah, that's what I am wondienrg, can I keep the the CD as stereo?

SirPoonga · March 28, 2005, 02:21:58 PM

Quote from: vfr800fimanThis setup will be hardwired to 2-4" speakers, so I may
try the switch/resistor trick.
Having an input for a CD player is a good idea also :idea:
This thing is growing in complexity by the hour
Glenn

Being a bassist I want to play along with music. I could see how a guitarist may not need a CD in, but it would still be nice

Actually, I keep tinkering with the circuit. Right now I have the gain resistor set at a level that doesn't give me much distortion when volume is turned up.
However, while playing around with that value I found a nice overdrive sound for my bass

I'm wondering if I should plug the ruby into my active jack on the head then, instead of the normal passive.

Anyway, here's something else you may want to look into for your niece.
http://www.fivefeathers.com/
I have learned so much just by dinking around playing along with those CDs.

vfr800fiman · March 28, 2005, 02:39:04 PM

Yes, I actually have been meaning to get some
of those CD's myself. They were recommended
by a lot of people.
Glenn

SirPoonga · March 28, 2005, 03:19:59 PM

I've been talking with them, asking when the new bass 2 cd is coming out. They actually have alot of them ready but some sort of issue with shipping or getting a store to play ball.

I love it, but I have one issue with the bass cd, it is repeatative. There's one song that repeats the same 12 bar blues about 20 times. It would be nice if they threw in a guitar solo or something once and awhile, or made the chorus vs verse audibly different, something to mix it up abit.

They said they have a little of that in the second cd. I am waiting to see

I did give them many suggestions during our email conversations. Nice company to tlak to.

Right now, other than that CD, I have no way to apply what I have learned in lessons to playing along with music.

toneman · March 28, 2005, 03:50:19 PM

have U ever heard of "Band in a Box"

use it on your PC or Mac.
google 4 more Nfo.
T

SirPoonga · March 28, 2005, 04:46:51 PM

Quote from: tonemanhave U ever heard of "Band in a Box"
use it on your PC or Mac.
google 4 more Nfo.
T

I've seen that. I think I tried it. I'd have to look but I think they make a Jam in a Box that will Jam with you. It catches chord changes or you tell it to change. The catch is you need to be hooked up through midi, a little tough and expensive for guitar/bass.

Peter Snowberg · March 28, 2005, 05:33:05 PM

With 386 amps, I like to add a series 500 ohm pot to the output. That allows you to go from full volume to whisper quiet with a 12 inch guitar speaker.

Quite often, headphone jacks have additional series resistance in their hookup. The raw signal here is being passed to the speaker when nothing is plugged into the jack so you can't just toss a resistor in front. You can however use a resistor in the ground lead of the headphone jack, if you have an insulated jack.

vfr800fiman · March 29, 2005, 07:44:22 AM

Thank you Peter.
I will try the resistor in the ground leg of the headphone jack.
I will be using an insulated jack.
Glenn

vfr800fiman · April 04, 2005, 09:42:33 AM

Is this an acceptable method for protecting
the circuit from someone touching the
battery to the snap backwards?
I know this will heat up the battery
if left connected, but I just want it
for protection against momentary contact.

Thanks.
Glenn

barret77 · April 04, 2005, 10:44:56 AM

what is a good value for the headphone resistor?

barret77 · April 04, 2005, 10:47:15 AM

Hi, I don't want to hijaack the thread, but a simple question:
Is there a recommended 3 knob (low, mid, high) passive tone stack circuit I could add to the Ruby? any from Duncam Amps simulator?

thanks!

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OT: headphone jack for Ruby amp?