LM308N vs...

[seedlings]

I've searched and get bits here and bits there, but my eyes are crossed.

Can you give me an experienced comparison between a LM308N and some other opamps?  I have TL072, LM833N on hand.  I've read that a TL071 are an OK sub for the LM308N, but I've also read some swear by 'the sound' of the 308.

Is there a reference file/post of how common (and uncommon) opamps compare in audio circuits?

CHAD

[Govmnt_Lacky]

If I remember correctly, the thing that makes the LM308N so special (especially in RAT-type circuits) has to do with the slew rate of the op amp.

[seedlings]

If I remember correctly, the thing that makes the LM308N so special (especially in RAT-type circuits) has to do with the slew rate of the op amp.

I read that.  The LM833N says Very High Slew Rat 5V/us min, 7V/us typ.  But it has to be different somehow (besides being a dual opamp) or the LM308N wouldn't cost 9x more.

CHAD

[electrosonic]

I believe the LM308 is an older op amp with worse specs than the ones you mention. Works great for a distortion pedal, so-so for a hi-fi. It is more expensive because it is obsolete and supplies are finite.

Andrew

[zombiwoof]

If I remember correctly, the thing that makes the LM308N so special (especially in RAT-type circuits) has to do with the slew rate of the op amp.

I read that.  The LM833N says Very High Slew Rat 5V/us min, 7V/us typ.  But it has to be different somehow (besides being a dual opamp) or the LM308N wouldn't cost 9x more.

CHAD

I'm sure the price difference has to do with the limited availability of the LM308's, which is the reason they changed the RAT opamp to the OP07 (which reportedly doesn't sound as good, I don't know because I only have LM308 RATs).  This, and the fact that RAT users in general are demanding the LM308 for their RAT pedals.  In other words, it's a supply/demand issue.

Al

P.S. posted this at the same time as the post right above mine.

[newfish]

Having auditioned various Op-amps in a 'Distortion +' style circuit, I can say the 308 and 071 are chalk and cheese.

The TL071 gives more top-end (FET-based - higher input impedance?), and is cleaner than the 308 - even at '10'. 

The 308 is *very much* all about the grind.

Oddly, the humble 741 sits comfortably between these extremes.

Hope this helps!

[seedlings]

Having auditioned various Op-amps in a 'Distortion +' style circuit, I can say the 308 and 071 are chalk and cheese.

The TL071 gives more top-end (FET-based - higher input impedance?), and is cleaner than the 308 - even at '10'. 

The 308 is *very much* all about the grind.

Oddly, the humble 741 sits comfortably between these extremes.

Hope this helps!

Hmm... I'll order a couple to see.  Hate to pay $7.xx per chip with shipping... oh well.

CHAD

[Mark Hammer]

The basis for use of the 308 was made clear in an excerpt from Art Thompson's "Stompbox" book reprinted in Guitar Player some years back (http://www.amazon.com/Stompbox-History-Guitar-Flangers-Phasers/dp/0879304790#_ ).  They reprinted the interviews with several pedal designers, including the folks at Proco   Part of the origins of the Rat was essentially a component-value error.  The designer thought h was sticking in a larger value ground-leg resistor, but inadvertently used a low-value one and set the gai skyrocketing.  Most importantly, the gain it was set to vastly exceeded the gain-bandwidth product of the chip, and this interesting sort of undertone was produced.

The Rat's tone...at least as much of it comes from the choice of chip...is a function of a) the slew rate, b) the compensation cap value, c) the gain-bandwidth product of the chip, relative to the gain setting.  Keep in mind that all chips have a slew rate, and that their capacity topass AC with greater amplitude at the output than at the input (i.e., gain) decreases as frequency goes up.

Look at the graph in the upper right corner on page 14 here: www.national.com/ds/LM/LM108.pdf  where you'll see the open-loop gain - the gain-bandwidth product.  With a 30pf compensation cap, you'll see that the chip is simply not capable of producing the gain of over 3000 for content above 1.5khz when the stock Gain control is maxed.  Where the LM308 can only produce a max of 50db gain at 1khz, the CA3140 can do 70db, the NE5532 looks like it can do around 78db,  the LF441 will do 60, and the NJM4558 will do 70.  The datasheet for the OP-07 shows it having an open-loop gain-bandwidth product of 60db at 1khz.  maximum gain is obviously lower for all of these at higher frequencies.

So part of the sound of a Rat is essentially the chip collapsing under pressure, and the sound of that as clipped by diodes.

Certainly, one can get distortion by using ANY op-amp to amplify the signal several hundred-fold and passing that by some diodes.  One can also get an interesting quality or tone of distortion by using any old op-amp and the dual ground-leg arrangement of the Rat to produce additional boost for upper mids and beyond.  But the true sound of a Rat requires that the chip be as limited in capacity as the 308.  There may well be others with that same sort of limitation, but I don't know what they are

[seedlings]

^ Thank you Mark.  I seem to get a grasp of this stuff for fleeting moments.  I'l re-read your post a bazillion times.

CHAD

[blackcorvo]

Ever tried the TL070 ?

[Mark Hammer]

because the TL070 uses an externally compensation cap, it might be possible to mimic the performance of the 308, but the datasheet doesn't really provide enough information to know what cap value to use to do that.

[ashcat_lt]

I followed a suggestion from some old post on this board and used a TL080 with a 180pf(?) comp cap.  Can't say that it sounds "right" but I'm happy with the results.

[Mark Hammer]

I followed a suggestion from some old post on this board and used a TL080 with a 180pf(?) comp cap.  Can't say that it sounds "right" but I'm happy with the results.

1) Happy with the results is the primary target.  Hell, you may not even like an "authentic" Rat.

2) There may well be other chips that do it.  We know the comp-cap value for the Rat, using a 308.  We don't know the precise value for other chips.  However, 180pf may well just be the functionally comparable value.

[ashcat_lt]

Well, I did like the Rat I bought in 94.  Never had any need or desire to know which opamp was in it at the time.  That one was lost or stolen or something so I cant do a side-by-side comparison.

I'm happy with the one I built with the 080.  Course I was also happy with the very similar one I built with an lm324...  What I don't like is the fact that one diodes lifted (for extremely assymmetrical clipping) sounds and looks exactly like when both diodes are lifted.  There was a thread around that said something about the coupling caps floating up, which sort of led to my question on this thread.

[seedlings]

So I just breadboarded the rat with the LM833N with 2N5457 fets for the buffers.  I've never played through a Rat of any sort, but this sounds darn good.  First used 1n4148s, then 1N60P schottkys, red LEDs, and asymmetrical combinations.  The 1N60Ps were super compressed, and I liked those second to... 1N4007s.

Anyway, I had no idea the Rat had so much low end fuzzy growl.  Seems like the sound clips I hear are thin or tinny- sort of like a DS1.  I thought I still had some TL072s, but can't find them to try.  Waiting on the LM308Ns and more TL072s for comparison.

CHAD

[PRR]

> LM108 ... open-loop gain - the gain-bandwidth product.  ...the chip is simply not capable of producing the gain of over 3000 for content above 1.5khz when the stock Gain control is maxed

I did this sim of a '308-like chip with several Rat-like gain settings:



As you say, as we see, "huge boost" just does not happen at higher frequencies.

Use a "better" op-amp, it does; and burns your ears.

There is probably also something happening beyond simple linear frequency response when a '308 is slammed. Clipping/slewing may be neat, clean, symmetrical, or lopsided or lumpy.

If '308 becomes impossible, try LM301 with 100pFd to 300pFd compensation cap.

[davent]

I believe these are metal can type packages. Have no idea about this company's minimum & shipping charges, shows six in stock.

http://rcfreelance.com/searchresults.php?email=websales@rcfreelance.com&partnumber=LM308AH

[davent]

I believe these are metal can type packages. Have no idea about this company's minimum & shipping charges, shows six in stock.

http://rcfreelance.com/searchresults.php?email=websales@rcfreelance.com&partnumber=LM308AH

If you're ever in Toronto, Honson Computers used to have a supply of LM308's but... can't say whether that's still the case.

dave

[greaser_au]

I used to have easy access to a lot of stuff like this at work, but alas, no more - we no longer do component level repair work & we sold off/trashed all of our stock a few years back...    
However, I do note that you can buy a handful of LM308Ns for under a dollar each (or under $2 in singles)  shipped from Asia on e-bay...

best wishes,
david

[Mike Burgundy]

Just a thought - if the slewrate is the big thing, an LM324 might be worth a look. A 301 is closer to an 071 than a 308. Hang on, a 741 is also slowish, and not popular for a RAT if I recall correctly. Thus proving there's more than just the slewrate....