I want to make a multi-band analog domain parametric EQ to use for correcting headphone response. I have a few questions:
1. Should I try to find a kit, or start from scratch?
The kits I've found are all for guitar pedals, and I'm not sure how applicable they would be. The circuits don't seem that complicated, perhaps building from scratch is simpler?
2. PCB vs. point-to-point
I've never designed and printed a PCB before. I know there are services that make it easy. At the same time, if I can build this point to point, so much the better. Is this the sort of thing it would make much more sense to learn how to make a PCB for?
I guess that's only two questions. But it'll get on for now. I see several directions I could jump at, but I want to get some feedback from those more experienced before I go to Mouser....
1. Should I try to find a kit, or start from scratch?
The kits I've found are all for guitar pedals, and I'm not sure how applicable they would be. The circuits don't seem that complicated, perhaps building from scratch is simpler?
2. PCB vs. point-to-point
I've never designed and printed a PCB before. I know there are services that make it easy. At the same time, if I can build this point to point, so much the better. Is this the sort of thing it would make much more sense to learn how to make a PCB for?
I guess that's only two questions. But it'll get on for now. I see several directions I could jump at, but I want to get some feedback from those more experienced before I go to Mouser....
I built one from an article published in Popular Electronics Sept 1979. It worked really well. I saw these magazines are available online for free. https://www.ka-electronics.com/imag...alizer_Popular_Electronics_September_1979.pdf
Unfortunately the .pdf is too large to upload, so hopefully this link will work for a while. Here are a few pictures of the schematic should the link stop working in the future. Of course back in 1980, that was all you could do. Now I listen using a laptop and it's easy to do EQ in JRiver or equalizerAPO digitally. Of course you don't get to warm up the soldering iron doing that.
It would also be fun to go to eBay, spend maybe $150 to buy an old SAE or Phase Linear parametric equalizer and go through and update it. They likely need some electrolytic caps changed at that age and you could upgrade the op amps.
Unfortunately the .pdf is too large to upload, so hopefully this link will work for a while. Here are a few pictures of the schematic should the link stop working in the future. Of course back in 1980, that was all you could do. Now I listen using a laptop and it's easy to do EQ in JRiver or equalizerAPO digitally. Of course you don't get to warm up the soldering iron doing that.
It would also be fun to go to eBay, spend maybe $150 to buy an old SAE or Phase Linear parametric equalizer and go through and update it. They likely need some electrolytic caps changed at that age and you could upgrade the op amps.
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Oooh thank you, excellent information! Perhaps you could email me the PDF? DM me for my email address.
I've been eying the SAE 2900 units for sale right now... I wasn't sure if updating one of those would be a better path to go, or if it would be simpler to build from scratch. What do you think?
I've been eying the SAE 2900 units for sale right now... I wasn't sure if updating one of those would be a better path to go, or if it would be simpler to build from scratch. What do you think?
Did the link not work? https://www.ka-electronics.com/imag...alizer_Popular_Electronics_September_1979.pdf
If you can find the service manual for the SAE, it seems like that would be much less effort. The PE article has the
PCB drawing, so making a board is a possibility. Lots of little holes to drill.
If you can find the service manual for the SAE, it seems like that would be much less effort. The PE article has the
PCB drawing, so making a board is a possibility. Lots of little holes to drill.
okay, let me round up the parts and get a cost for you. Best to PM me and we can discuss further.