Is there something I could build other than a Ross clone? I built one of those and liked it a lot for the long sustain it gave me, but a friend talked me into selling it to him.
I figured what the hell I can build another one, but now I'm thinking maybe there's a better design out there. Any suggestions?
chris, build an orange squeezer. they're simple and they sound great. jon
If you can put your hands in a SSM2166, build the Q&D Comp II from AMZ.
I built an Orange Sqeezer and and I can barely tell when it's on, other than a very slight change in tone. I guess it works good for a volume boost.
Are the SSM2166's hard to come by?
The only place that I saw this IC to sell is Small Bear. In my site, there's a schematic called Sustainer, that is a improved version of Ross/Dynacomp and used by the Os Mutantes' guitarist.
Another one up on the Q&D comp.
The SSM2166's are not quite as easy to get a hold of as some, but they are still "get-able". They cost $3 to $5, but you need to get a surface mount socket for them from Digi-Key, which adds another 3 or 4 dollars to it. You can probably do parts on the Q&D comp for $10...
Try Allied Electronics. That's where my batch of SSM2166's came from.
I am presently working on a design for a compressor using a rather unconventional approach. If you are interested, email me transmogrifox@yahoo.com and I can put it on the higher priority list of designs. Right now my main focus is a sample/hold filter design that randomly strobes 16 different filter frequencies.
...But I Highly recommend the Q&D comp with the SSM2166. I am VERY pleased with my compressor based on this IC.
Yeah I just found a place to purchase the SSM2166:
http://www.alliedelec.com
Go into their part search and enter:
SSM2166S
Select : Mfr part #
as search criteria.
other useful information:
Allied Stock #: 630-0003
Manufacturer: Analog Devices
Cost: $ 4.62
...So now it isn't so hard to purchase
Chris,
OK, U built the Ross, a CA3080 based unit.
Why not the OrangeSqueezer, a JFET input gain control?
A MXR Dynacomp is pertnear a twin of the Ross.
Or, U could go OPTO with the AndertonCompressor?
(The newer Anderton Compressor uses 3opamps)
I think a CompressorFuzz is most versatle.
There's the ELECTOR CompressorFuzz?
For ultra simple, how bout the ColorSound SupaSustain?
Add a controlled clipping stage and U got a SustainFuzz.
The 1987 Bernardi FuzzStain is one of my favs cause it uses
optos and diodes to get sustain & fuzz with 4opamps.
Like combining a opampFF and the early(2opamp) Anderton compressor.
decisionsdecisions
what in your partsbin?
staytuned
tone
you could do like AnalogMike and shoehorn a Ross/Dyna AND an Orange Squeezer into a box...
I love both of mine (did the Ro/Dy mod on the Ross)..
"-)
PS - if your Orange Squeezer isn't OBVIOUS when it's on - it's either not working right, or just not tuned right... it should be real obviously squashign things.. (my PRS, through the OS, direct to a tube mic-preamp sounds JUST like 'hey 19')
Quote from: TransmogrifoxThey cost $3 to $5, but you need to get a surface mount socket for them from Digi-Key.
The two that I got aren't surface monted. And I'm interested in your filter idea.
Transmogrifox, I'd keep the sample/hold filter on the burner, that sounds interesting. I hope to hear a sound clip when you get it done.
I swapped out the IC in my sqeezer this morning, the chip in it was an NEC C4558C. I swapped it with one I robbed from an old tape deck (JRC 4558DX), it seems to be working better now. It really brings out the highs, and makes the strings get more of a rattling sound. The signal seems to warble a bit before it drops out, but I think I read somewhere that it's normal to get that. I'm testing it through headphones, my amp blew a speaker, but I'm looking forward to trying it out when I get it fixed.
I'm gonna give the Q&D a try, even though those chips aren't being made anymore there doesn't seem to be a shortage. Will I need the surface mount socket?
Try a TL072 in the Squeezer... I think that's what I used in mine and it really sounds great.
"-)
Mark, I actually tried a few 072's in it. I tested three of those and three 4558's. The 072 did make a difference, but the 4558DX seemed even better. I think the chip I was originally using was a dud.
Has anyone tried the Anderton compressor?
Also, what do you like about the Q&D?
The Squeezer, while transparent sounding, can provide much more obvious compression than you've experienced, Chris. The problem is that the gain of the unit, and amount of compression is fixed if you build the stock design. The other problem is that you need to tweak the trimpot. The OS has plenty more compression to deliver but you have to know how to milk it. That's the trouble with any design that uses fixed gain stages: sometimes it isn't the right amount of gain for what you're feeding them.
Certainly feel free to move on to other designs since you'll add to your knowledge by doing so, but don't move on if your only intent is to get a compressor that, in your view, "works". Stick a 500k pot in series with the 220k feedback resistor, tweak the trimpot, and you'll get all the squeeze you want.
oh yeah... which JFETs did you use?
"-)
The Q&D Comp II is a simple build that can give to you more sustain and a better sound. I didn't compared it to other compressor. I think the Small Bear SSM2166s aren't surface mont.
Quote from: MarkBoh yeah... which JFETs did you use?
"-)
I used 102's from Radio Shack.
That may be the issue..
perhaps someone better versed in JFETs than I can explain the difference, but I think that the 102s are lower 'gain' (wrong term) than the spec'ed Jfets.
"-)
Chris:
QuoteI'm gonna give the Q&D a try, even though those chips aren't being made anymore there doesn't seem to be a shortage. Will I need the surface mount socket?
Yes, you will likely need the sockets, unless you are super talented and can scratch out a custom SOIC pad on a copper clad board. You could probably make it work with a Dremel tool.
I know the ones from Allied are SMT...if you can find DIP versions, more power to ya'.
Quote
Yes, you will likely need the sockets, unless you are super talented and can scratch out a custom SOIC pad on a copper clad board. You could probably make it work with a Dremel tool.
There R Aries AdaptaChip sockets available thru Digikey.
i just adapted a surfacemt A2D to 24pin dip.
8)
Or, U could roll-your-own AdaptaChip :?
a little copper.....
a little ink.....
a little etchant......
a little time......
equals
a little pcb
Mmm mmm good!
:D
tone