Question about chip usage with guitar/bass

[Govmnt_Lacky]

I found an old tape recorder from Panasonic and I was hoping to find some treasures inside. I didnt find anything familiar however, I did find this:

LA4160

It is a single-chip tape recorder audio system BUT.... I was wondering if it could be adapted for use with guitar/bass.


Any ideas from the experts??

[Mark Hammer]

Maybe....but it would be your obligation to figure out how the ALC circuit behaves best with guitar, and how to set the power for the power amp section.  In short, it's a bit like getting a do-everything software package with no manual or helpfile.  I leave it to you to determine if you want to devote that much time to a chip whose functions could be replaced with far more familiarity, and documented successful experimentation, for a buck and a half.

[slacker]

Datasheet here gives a pretty comprehensive explanation of how it works http://www.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/pdf/40065/SANYO/LA4160.html. Looks like you could make a little amp out of it.

[teemuk]

With a built-in compressor. 

[Mark Hammer]

Looks like you could make a little amp out of it.

Oh he could.

My point is that he would be on his own, though, for the most part.  And given the nature of the query, Mr. Lacky should give careful consideration as to whether the time required to exercise mastery over said chip is how he wants to spend his time.  A couple of dollars replaces everything there with parts and circuits that hundreds here are very well-versed in and able to provide cogent advice.  So. it might be worth his while.... or it might not.  It's not like he took something apart and said "Lads, I found this board that has two chips in it labelled SAD4096.  Can I do anything with them?".

[Govmnt_Lacky]

It's not like he took something apart and said "Lads, I found this board that has two chips in it labelled SAD4096.  Can I do anything with them?".

Mark... you definitely hit the bullseye with that remark 

I was looking to see if there were possibly some MN or SAD chips in the recorder since that was a typical application for them. That, coupled with the fact that the recorder was a Panasonic product (MNXXXX anyone?  ) I was rather excited.

Unfortunately, this was the best I could come up with. 

[Mark Hammer]

I've been there and bought the t-shirt, many times.  You take something apart and spend the afternoon chasing down datasheets for all those obscure components, hoping there'll be some sort of hidden goldmine, only to find out they're absolutely useless for our needs.

DO keep your eyes peeled for cheezy computer speakers, though.  Those little 3" full-range speakers can often sound much better in an enclosure more substantial than the "coffee thermos" sized plastic things they normally come in.  The power amps inside them can also be easily used in BTL mode for a couple of watts, and the datasheets for those chips are far more straightforward and self-evident than the LA4160.  The boards are often chock full of "greenie" caps of commonly-used values.  Lots of folks chuck them out on garbage day because they've upgraded, or because the cable from the wallwart has fractured internally and they can't make the speakers work anymore.  Good stuff inside.

[Earthscum]

I've been there and bought the t-shirt, many times.  You take something apart and spend the afternoon chasing down datasheets for all those obscure components, hoping there'll be some sort of hidden goldmine, only to find out they're absolutely useless for our needs.

*slowly lowers head and raises hand*

I just went through a folder the other day trying to find the sheet for a EQ chip and was astonished at how many useless datasheets I had.

Funny thing... it's a Sanyo LA3600.