Low-distortion Audio-range Oscillator

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Well, if you use a 20 turn pot, you wont need the trims. So, now we are down to just 2 pots. Built around a comparator circuitry to drive pots to find zero volt diff.

Conceptually. The details are for the bug guys. The specialists.

But why bother? If measuring really really low levels the parts and thermals of amp et al will cause you to manually retune from time to time for best diff cancellation.... auto tune then is nicer.



-Richard
 
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Yes, most likely nothing complicated. A $2 10-turn 5K pot attenuator adjusts to +/- 0.002dB level with a $2 geared stepper, resolution limited by number of wire wounds per revolution inside the pot. Several concurrently running steppers easily controlled by $2 arduino. Works very good, would work good in this device too.
 
Yes, most likely nothing complicated. A $2 10-turn 5K pot attenuator adjusts to +/- 0.002dB level with a $2 geared stepper, resolution limited by number of wire wounds per revolution inside the pot. Several concurrently running steppers easily controlled by $2 arduino. Works very good, would work good in this device too.

I assume Bob included a coarse and fine control for a reason. Besides unless someone steps forward and provides a finished solution including BOM with part numbers all the mechanicals and code IME nobody would take it on. There are numerous minor issues being glossed over.


I had a tech that would look at an article and read the schematic and say nobody is going to build this and it was usually true.
 
I assume Bob included a coarse and fine control for a reason.

I have been through that too. Practical manual control requires coarse and fine elements, because manual adjustment with a single high-resolution control is tedious and boring. But having 2400 steps per revolution controlled automatically may create a different situation.

Should anyone go for it, I offer STLs for the stepper-pot assembly including the axes coupler. Snap rings are 30pcs per dollar in local hardware store.
 

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Disabled Account
Joined 2008
voltage controlled capacitance

Something I designed many years ago. ( I used it when experimenting with constant switching frequency in Class D amps and clipping behaviour)
Can also be used in the frequenzy compensation in a class AB amp.

It is an open collector circuit so you have to "isolate" the C by using a Cap on each side.

Stein
 

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Disabled Account
Joined 2012
I assume Bob included a coarse and fine control for a reason. Besides unless someone steps forward and provides a finished solution including BOM with part numbers all the mechanicals and code IME nobody would take it on.
.

Well, you did ask. And, you got several replies already. If you dont want to know, then dont ask. I am reminded of the HP332 thd analyzer.... manual coarse and fine tune with pots. Was always drifting off null. Next version? Auto null tuning.
And, it wasnt with motorized pots. HP334.



THx-RNMarsh
 
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AX tech editor
Joined 2002
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Should anyone go for it, I offer STLs for the stepper-pot assembly including the axes coupler

Pavel, what's an STL?

BTW IF I would build something like that it would use something like an NLS-32. They work great in my tracking notch filter. No digital control required as you can use a completely analog control chain.

That tracking notch is almost ready, the prototype needs to be tested on residual distortion, need to make some time for it.

Jan
 
STL is a standard model exchange format used in 3D printing, basically a detailed triangular mesh. Millions are available for download, e.g. Thingiverse - Digital Designs for Physical Objects

If a vactrol is suitable for the given task, of course no reason to consider any mechanical solution. I need very low distortion and resistance range in single kiloohms for reasonable price, hence the stepper/pot choice.
 
AX tech editor
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It depends a lot on the control range. For instance, in my tracking notch, the nominal control element is around 8k, and the opto's are around 200R +/-50R. That is the range where the opto, with <50mV across it, has very low distortion, which is also attenuated by the 200R to 8k ratio.

But if you need higher resistance and/or more signal across the opto, extremely low distortion is out of reach.

It's all engineering ;-)

BTW It would be nice if I could 3D print my own IC's!

Jan
 
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www.hifisonix.com
Joined 2003
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The complete schematics of Glen's analyzer can be found here:
An Audio T.H.D. Analyser

There are also links to the Gerber files, but they are dysfunctional.

I hope not to have broken any law by posting the above link.

Regards,
Braca

Glen is a seriously capable designer - pity he left. I’ve hunted around on the web but can find no trace of him. Thanks for digging this up BTW. I’ve book marked it - there’s a lot to learn reading through it.

To your point Scott - agree this forum can get frustrating at times. I also left for a while because of the behavior of some.
 
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The PCB Gerber set throws an error. Apparently Glen designed it for his outline milling machine. There seem to be non-standard Gerber files. I'll see if I can rescue it.

Edit: you need to turn off 'controlled impedance' in your CAD as that was set to ON but is not available on 2-layer boards. After that, no errors. Is manufacturable, with some possible overplating on the bottom side due to the large difference in copper cover between the top and bottom layers..

Jan
 

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