Optical Attenuator on the Cheap

[bassnkeys]

I am a Pro musician, not an EE so here's an idea for investigation.
I use Morley LDR volume pedals because they sound better.
Many of their designs are very simple (model SLVO for example) and can be found used all over the place. It seems to me a cheapskate could use these pedals as a basis for a pretty sweet LDR attenuator. They post some schematics of discontinued products at their site:
Morley Pedals

[Pano]

Pretty simple stuff, judging by this schematic:
http://www.morleypedals.com/pvoes.pdf

Wonder what LDR they use?

[dooper]

Originally Posted by Pano

Wonder what LDR they use?

Looks like it's this one.

dooper

[bassnkeys]

It seems to me from looking at some other Lightspeed type schemes that the physical shutter to control the light also greatly simplifies the circuit... simple is good no?

[Pano]

Yeah, I would think so. Mechanically a bit more work, but probably worth it.
The shutter could be cut to achieve the desired profile; log, linear, whatever.