Which ring modulator to build

[Cliff Schecht]

Green Ringer seems to be the popular choice, but I don't want to even perfboard it until I've decided. Are there any other ones that are worth building over the GR?

[John Lyons]

It's not an easy build but the Maestro RM-1 is a good true ring modulator.
You can get the files here: http://topopiccione.atspace.com/PJ01MaestroMR.html
I'll be posting a review soon when I get the thing boxed up.

John

[RaceDriver205]

The green ringer is an octave-up, not really a proper ring modulator.
This is nice and simple and sounds VERY good:
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=46304.0

[Cliff Schecht]

Also, what exactly does a ring modulator do? I'm kinda interested in just designing one for the challenge.

[RaceDriver205]

Ooh, you really want to design one? Theres loads of designs already available. Do a search for "string ringer", that thing is a monster.
A ring modulator mixes (mixes, not adds like normal "mixers") a constant oscillator tone with your guitar tone, creating non-musically related frequencies in the output signal. This makes the guitar sound robotic/dial-tone-like.
Theres lots of more detailed discussions, just do do a search.

[Floyd Pepper]

Here's what a Ring Modulator does http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_modulator

And here's what "real" RM looks like http://www.cgs.synth.net/modules/cgsrr.html

[syndromet]

I built tim Escobedo's Thing Moduator. Realy simple and sounds awsome. I used a biger rate-knob, to get the trem-like effect too.
Soundclipp

[bwanasonic]

Also, what exactly does a ring modulator do? I'm kinda interested in just designing one for the challenge.

Here is a clip of some ring modulator abuse. It's me *unwinding* after work, with a Garage Band bass/ drum loop and a Frostwave Blue Ringer. I looped a few seconds of ring mod noises, and then layered wah>ring mod on top of that.

Kerry M

[Cliff Schecht]

So I've gotten the basic idea down. After talking with my dad about it for a while, he mentioned the idea of matching the diodes with a meter and just using pots and resistors to mess with the bias, thereby making the effect tweakable. With the diodes perfectly matches, it should basically make an octave, but with the bias mismatched, a lot more fun can be had. I'm using the "standard" matched audio transformer>>ring diode setup>>matched audio transformer, with an input and output buffer and maybe a few other features. Hopefully this one turns out how I'm hoping.

[Cliff Schecht]

Alright, I'm pretty close to being ready to give this a shot, but I've got a few more questions. I'm going to try to use the ol' balanced transformer into the ring diodes for the actual section.

1) I'm probably just using the other Schmitt trigger I have left over as an oscillator for the carrier signal and have a 1meg pot on the oscillator so I can change the pitch of the oscillator going into the carrier. How much of a difference is this going to make?

2) All of my guitars now have active pickups or preamps and I was wondering if I would need a low impedance input buffer.

3) Does Radioshack sale the right audio transformer or am gonna have to get the right transformers from Mouser?

4) I've done quite a bit of research on this thing by now and still can't find much besides a few common effects and the same schematic. Anybody have any recommendations I should consider before giving this a shot?

[Cliff Schecht]

Also, what transformers will I need? Radiojoke is as useless as always.

[object88]

Ken Stone's circuit calls for 3k:3k, but I think I've seen other circuits use other value 1:1 ratio transformers... 1k:1k, or 600:600.  I have no idea if Radio Shack brick'n'mortar shops stock those pieces.

The only variations I know of for a ring modulator include replacing the ring modulator (the two transformers and four diodes) with an IC (MC1496)... which has the same bits built in and pre-matched.  Although, come to think of it, I have a ring mod from a MOTM modular here that uses a CEM 3330 IC, which I think is just a VCA, or multiple VCAs in a DIP.  That circuit was designed by Thomas Henry and was based on an article in Electronotes by Bernie Hutchins.

That should give you a little more to chew on... Enjoy! 

[Cliff Schecht]

Ok that's what I thought, but I couldn't find the 3:3 or 1:1 on mouser. I need to look harder I guess.

[Cliff Schecht]

Anybody know of the right Digikey or Mouser p/n?

[object88]

When I say 1:1, I just mean that the turns ratio is one-to-one.  When I mentioned 3k:3k, I meant specifically that the input resistance is 3k ohms, same as the out.  Probably wasn't too clear about that.

As it would so happen, I can't seem to find one in Mouser either.  I'm pretty sure I've seen them there before, though...

[Cliff Schecht]

When I say 1:1, I just mean that the turns ratio is one-to-one.  When I mentioned 3k:3k, I meant specifically that the input resistance is 3k ohms, same as the out.  Probably wasn't too clear about that.

As it would so happen, I can't seem to find one in Mouser either.  I'm pretty sure I've seen them there before, though...

Yeah I know how to read a transformer:), I was referring to the 3k:3k, but I can't seem to find one anywhere.

[Cliff Schecht]

Found it! http://www.mouser.com/catalog/626/754.pdf

Which would work better, the 42MT016(600:600) or the 42MT018 (10k:10k)?

[RaceDriver205]

I recon the 10K:10K one, but id recommend you buy both and try them.
PS: If you see a 20K:1K anywhere, let me know coz i can't find one anywhere!

[Connoisseur of Distortion]

racedriver...

for a String Ringer? PITA, isn't it?

I had to buy from a UK source. $20 for a pair of lousy trannies (and yes, they are lousy), all because of shipping... 

[RaceDriver205]

Have you tried a more standard transformer? If a different one worked too then that would be a real bonus.
Maplin seems to have disappeared of the face of the earth:
http://www.maplin.co.uk