Iron Pre Essentials Kits For The DIYA Store - Register Your Interest

Wow! I'm vary glad to see so much attention.
My project is based on Arduino nano. With 16 MHz clock it has enough capacity to do the job like remote control.
At the beginning the ALPS pot will be calibrated, the time for a full turn around is measured and duration of one
step is calculated for max volume scale. The max volume value can be defined as needed.
Pot calibration has to be done once only.
The last selected input and last volume value are saved in EEPROM because pot always knows its position.
A rotary encoder on face plate allows to control volume and input selection directly on device.
There is no need to have the pot shaft and knob on face plate. All control is done with the rotary encoder.

You can add your remote control modifying existing software module or add a new. There is a library for
nearly any vendor. My over 30 years old JVC remote works perfect with it.
Testing on my test bed has been ok. Now I'm waiting for the first prototype PCB.

If everything goes well, I will provide the software and the PCB data.
 

Attachments

  • IronPre_BOM_price.txt
    IronPre_BOM_price.txt
    1.2 KB · Views: 138
  • IronPre_remote_testbed.jpg
    IronPre_remote_testbed.jpg
    313.3 KB · Views: 216
Not trying to steal your thunder, ACnotDC, but I just want to show the remote control project that I'm busy with. Yours will by much more affordable though.
The stepper motor is being used as a high res rotary encoder, because I like the smooth tactile feel and 200 steps. The 2.4 inch LCD screen allows the use of big fonts, which in turn requires more memory than an Arduino has. I therefore have to use the ESP32. It's Arduino compatible and lightning fast.
 

Attachments

  • Remote_with_big_LCD_600.jpg
    Remote_with_big_LCD_600.jpg
    50.3 KB · Views: 203
Last edited:
Skylar88, don't worry, it's great when we have a wide range of possible solutions and
people can choose one that suits them best.🙂
Your use of the stepper motor as a high-resolution rotary encoder is very clever,
and your choice of the ESP32 to handle the large fonts shows your understanding
of your project's requirements.
I have a question: Have you found an ALPS pot that can be controlled with stepper motor?
How is the volume controlled in your project?
 
From the start I knew that I wanted balance control. Therefore I decided to use two stepper motors to turn two Cermet pots.
I used tiny Nema-8 steppers and TMC2130 drivers.

Note the resistors and opamp on the board to amplify the tiny signals coming from the rotary encoder.

Hopefully there will be enough flash RAM to fit in a few splash screens as well.😉
Board_1000.jpg
Steppers_and_pots_1000.jpg
Flash-b.jpg
 
Last edited:
I was also looking at the Muse solution, but I've found that Muse chip need an output buffer and all the project I've seen around are using an integrated IC to implement this buffer.
So the question is: do it have any meaning to insert in the audio signal path an integrated operational circuit in this Iron Pre that is full discrete preamp project ?
 
From the start I knew that I wanted balance control. Therefore I decided to use two stepper motors to turn two Cermet pots.
I used tiny Nema-8 steppers and TMC2130 drivers.

Note the resistors and opamp on the board to amplify the tiny signals coming from the rotary encoder.

Hopefully there will be enough flash RAM to fit in a few splash screens as well.😉
This is really something 😳🙂! I love the precision approach and the large screen. Have you documented the project anywhere?
 
No, only what I've posted here. It's a developing project, and I'm adding features as I go along. I might post a build thread later if it turns out the way I hope it will. Seeing that we're both in SA, you're welcome to send me a PM for more details.