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DIY Stompboxes => Building your own stompbox => Topic started by: Buffalo Tom on February 06, 2019, 05:18:32 AM

Title: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: Buffalo Tom on February 06, 2019, 05:18:32 AM
Hi.

Im trying to build this:
(https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/HZT8LNG.png)

Using this power supply:
(https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/HZT98XE.png)

So by combining those two circuits I came up with this schematic.
But it does not work. Cant get no sound out of it. What am I missing?
Im using a 10K linear pot and TL072 op amp with pin 4 connected to negative 9VDC input jack.
(https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/HZT8vP7.png)
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: kusi on February 06, 2019, 05:42:12 AM
first, don't label your 4,5V as GND. label it Vref Vbias or similar. GND should be the negative pin of the dc jack to avoid confusion.

R4 should go to 4,5V, not to 9V.
R1 should to GND not to 4,5V
R6 should go to 4,5V not to GND
R5 should go to GND not to 4,5V
Pin4 should go to GND
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: antonis on February 06, 2019, 06:37:28 AM
I think you're confused a bit..

Vref should only exist in case of single supply powered op-amp.

If you intend to power your op-amp with bipolar supply (+/- 4.5v) you have to connect 4.5v (red mark) to bipolar supply GND.
(1M bias resistor should remain there to form a DC return path..)

If you intend to power your op-amp with 9V single supply, bipolar circuit isn't needed..
(delete 2 X 1μF caps, place a 10-47 μF cap between + & - pins of 9V and rename GND point as 4.5V & -4.5V as GND..)

P.S.
We then can talk about IN cap size and another cap in series with 1k resistor to rolloff DC gain to unity.. :icon_wink:
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: GibsonGM on February 06, 2019, 06:45:03 AM
Woah, bud.   All you need to do is build the first (top pic) version of this boost, with the right power supply.  What you've shown for a power supply is 'bipolar' - you don't need that here.  The 'real' way it's done is just a little different.

Go HERE https://www.electrosmash.com/tube-screamer-analysis (https://www.electrosmash.com/tube-screamer-analysis)

Find "Power supply" in a box drawn in green, under "1. Schematic" .   Reproduce that.  Make sure the IC is connected to 9V and ground also (pins 8 & 4).  It should work as originally drawn.  Of course the jack grounds also go to...ground (which is battery "minus", same as at node below C16).


Look at the pic at top of your original post....connect the 4.5V points to Vref ("4V5" there).

Welcome to the forum, Tom!
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: merlinb on February 06, 2019, 06:52:08 AM
You combined them wrong:
(https://i.postimg.cc/DWmjC3X8/img1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DWmjC3X8)

This works with a battery or other dedicated floating power supply, but it is not the normal way to build a stompbox since it won't work with a shared power supply.
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: amz-fx on February 06, 2019, 07:11:46 AM
(https://i.postimg.cc/fRzKNZCm/revised-powr.gif) (https://postimages.org/)

Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: Buffalo Tom on February 06, 2019, 01:16:18 PM
Thanks everyone for your replies! Wow this place is really helpful. I will rewire the power as suggested.

Another thing I need to understand is the gain/volume control. My intention is to have unity gain at noon. So when the potentiometer knob points at 12 the pedal should just act as a buffer with no volume change. Then by turning full right I want +20 dB boost and by turning full left I want -20 dB attenuation.

On the AMZ variable gain schematic I guess that the 1k resistor and the 14k pot decides the gain/volume.
How do I balance the resistor and the pot to get what I want?

Thanks again!



(https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/HZT8LNG.png)
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: GibsonGM on February 06, 2019, 01:43:57 PM
I'd try an audio taper pot, 10k or 20k, whatever you can easily find, and wire it up in place of the 14k.   The 'taper' of the pot's resistance will allow more adjustment space in the pot's travel 'down low', giving you more control on the "minus" end.      You could get fancier using tapering resistors, but I wouldn't go to all that trouble, unless you really have a need to.   

You could even put POTS on either side of that 14k to set the RANGE it operates in, if you like...overkill?  That's up to you!  :)
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: amptramp on February 06, 2019, 06:29:13 PM
The minimum gain with the circuit you have shown is unity with the pot shorted out.  With the pot at maximum resistance, you have a gain of 15.  You cannot get a gain below unity with this circuit.
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: ElectricDruid on February 06, 2019, 06:42:52 PM
Quote from: Buffalo Tom on February 06, 2019, 01:16:18 PM
Another thing I need to understand is the gain/volume control. My intention is to have unity gain at noon. So when the potentiometer knob points at 12 the pedal should just act as a buffer with no volume change. Then by turning full right I want +20 dB boost and by turning full left I want -20 dB attenuation.

On the AMZ variable gain schematic I guess that the 1k resistor and the 14k pot decides the gain/volume.
How do I balance the resistor and the pot to get what I want?

It's a non-inverting op-amp configuration, so you *can't* get a gain less than unity. That's just a result of the way the gain equation works.

https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/analogue_circuits/operational-amplifier-op-amp/non-inverting-amplifier.php (https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/analogue_circuits/operational-amplifier-op-amp/non-inverting-amplifier.php)

The only thing you could do would be to add a potential divider on the output that provides -20dB of attenuation. Then the *overall* effect at unity gain would be 0dB from the amp and -20dB from the divider = -20dB overall. If your 12 o'clock position gives you 20dB of gain from the amp, you'd have unity overall, and then you'd need 40dB at the maximum gain position.

Ok, so -20dB is x0.1. So a potential divider with two resistors of 9K and 1K would work. But 9K isn't a standard value, so you'd go with 9K1 and 1K. That gives -20.1dB, which is definitely close enough.

Moving the pot wiper all the way to the right gives a zero value for the pot resistance (since it's shorted out by the wire to the wiper, and the wiper is basically connected to the op-amp output. That gives x1 gain for the op-amp. So how would we do +40dB?

40dB is x100 (I looked this up: http://www.muzique.com/schem/gain.htm (http://www.muzique.com/schem/gain.htm))
Our gain equation is Rf/R2+1, which in our case is Rpot/1K + 1. So if we had a 100K pot at maximum, we'd have a gain of 100K/1K+1 = x101. Again, this is very close. And a 100K pot is an easily available item, whereas a 14K pot is rarer than unicorn poo.

So that gives us some values to get us into the right ballpark. There are some reasons I might not do it exactly like that, but I'll let others step in at this point. Antonis wanted to tell you about avoiding problems with DC gain and adding a DC blocking cap on the input, which are both excellent ideas... Antonis?

HTH,
Tom

Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: PRR on February 06, 2019, 07:55:22 PM
> turning full right I want +20 dB boost and by turning full left I want -20 dB attenuation.

As said: this form does not work this way.

You "can" leave the opamp at gain of, say, 10. Put an Audio taper pot (as potentiometer) in front. "Noon" on the pot will be 5:1 or 10:1 attenuation. Then 1/10 * 10 is unity gain, full-up is gain of 10 or +20dB, full down is infinite cut but a little end-resistor can trim to 1/100 * 10 or gain of 1/10, -20dB.

The problem is that there's always a gain of 10 boosting self-hiss, and the pot value is a compromise between source loading and added hiss. It works good on already pre-amplified stuff of known high level: Hi-Fi systems. In guitar chains it may be less satisfactory.

67 years ago a guy named Peter devised a +/-20dB tone control using linear taper pots.
http://www.learnabout-electronics.org/Downloads/NegativeFeedbackTone.pdf
You steal his plan but omit the tone-select caps. His Fig 5 shows the basic bass-only network. The tube and resistor above are "an op-amp" for practical purpose; TL072 is a heap cheaper (but not around in 1952).

The drawback is that the input impedance is low and goes very low for large boost. You *need* a buffer in front. In tubes, this was An Expense. A TL072 has a second half so is a natural.

Here is the basic plan *without* the DC networks needed to put the opamps in their happy-zones. Yes, while the extremes are pretty-near +/-20dB, the quarter-points are not exactly 10dB. There's not a simple hack for this. Live with it. In most applications we call this "An Advantage": finer resolution around zero dB, but plenty of gain/loss on tap at the ends.

(https://i.postimg.cc/4Kjg9vP8/Bax-Gain.gif) (https://postimg.cc/4Kjg9vP8)

The "1.1k" values are overly fussy. Pot values are usually +/-20% so 10% fixed resistors are not meaningful; I just did it for the ideal math. 1K will be fine unless you *need* full 20dB gain.
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: Buffalo Tom on February 07, 2019, 03:19:55 AM
Quote from: PRR on February 06, 2019, 07:55:22 PM
Here is the basic plan *without* the DC networks needed to put the opamps in their happy-zones. Yes, while the extremes are pretty-near +/-20dB, the quarter-points are not exactly 10dB. There's not a simple hack for this. Live with it. In most applications we call this "An Advantage": finer resolution around zero dB, but plenty of gain/loss on tap at the ends.

The "1.1k" values are overly fussy. Pot values are usually +/-20% so 10% fixed resistors are not meaningful; I just did it for the ideal math. 1K will be fine unless you *need* full 20dB gain.

(https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/I01Ev4j.png)

Thanks! This seems like a great approach!
Im not sure how to connect the non invert inputs on U15 and U16.
They are both labeled 0. Should they be connected together and used as "guitar input"?  ::)


Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: antonis on February 07, 2019, 09:13:15 AM
Quote from: Buffalo Tom on February 07, 2019, 03:19:55 AM
Im not sure how to connect the non invert inputs on U15 and U16.
They are both labeled 0. Should they be connected together and used as "guitar input"?  ::)
No..!!  :icon_wink:

First op-amp is used for "buffering" purpose (it offers power gain) where its Output is used as GND (due to its negligible impedance..) for R291, pot & R292..

Note: As it is, is a DC amp - meaning it can't be used for AC signal without DC rolled-off to unity..
(it equally amplifies AC+DC signals..)

About non- inverting inputs labeled 0 : Probaly your scheme refers on real ground (not virtual..) for a bi-polar power supply..(didn't read Paul definitions..) :icon_redface:
(or, maybe, I didn't get your query clear enough..)  :icon_redface:
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: Buffalo Tom on February 07, 2019, 10:23:14 AM
Here is the new schematic. And it works! I was not sure what to do with the non invert input B.. But when I connected it to +4.5V (VR) everything started to work. This is my first pedal. Am I missing any parts? Can the circuit be improved? Next thing is to get the switching part done. Plan is to use the buffer on all the time and then switch in/out the boost part. Thanks everyone for your help so far.

(https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/I04EyEj.png)
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: antonis on February 07, 2019, 11:16:16 AM
Quote from: Buffalo Tom on February 07, 2019, 10:23:14 AM
Here is the new schematic. And it works! ...... Am I missing any parts?
As far as it works, there shouldn't be any missing parts.. :icon_lol:

About improvement:
If you could be more specific about what you don't like on your circuit, we could make some suggestions..  :icon_wink:
(e.g. for supply noise/ripple, a low pass RC filter.. - for IC instabilities, a 100nF ceramic cap from very close pin 8 to GND - for high frequency/high gain oscillation, a "some"(depending on Gain pot value) decades pF cap shunting IC pin 7 & Gain pot lug 3 - for anti-pop only(*) purpose of C4, 1M R5 value...)
(*) 1M should also be OK, for an OUT HPF of 1.6Hz cut-off frequency..
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: Buffalo Tom on February 08, 2019, 06:44:19 AM
Quote from: antonis on February 07, 2019, 11:16:16 AM
About improvement:
If you could be more specific about what you don't like on your circuit, we could make some suggestions..  :icon_wink:

Having trouble switching in/out the boost part in this schematic. Here is what I came up with. It kind of work but not really.. There is switch "pop" How can I improve the switching?

(https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/I0cXncl.png)
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: antonis on February 08, 2019, 07:31:42 AM
Can't get your swtching idea..

When switch is set to NO, buffered signal is boosted..

When switch set to NC, buffered signal is mutted so it can't be used for any other (obvious) purpose..
(it's shorted to DC GND via C3 & AC GND via C2 due to PS very low internal impedance..)
You additionaly drive IC1A to current limiting mode..

If you want to switch buffered signal to OUTPUT (or to another circuit input..) you have to use a DPDT (at least..) for completely by-passing IC1A OUT..
(from pin 1 straight to OUTPUT..)
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: Buffalo Tom on February 08, 2019, 07:42:15 AM
Quote from: antonis on February 08, 2019, 07:31:42 AM
Can't get your swtching idea..

When switch is set to NO, buffered signal is boosted..

When switch set to NC, buffered signal is mutted so it can't be used for any other (obvious) purpose..
(it's shorted to DC GND via C3 & AC GND via C2 due to PS very low internal impedance..)
You additionaly drive IC1A to current limiting mode..

If you want to switch buffered signal to OUTPUT (or to another circuit input..) you have to use a DPDT (at least..) for completely by-passing IC1A OUT..(from pin 1 straight to OUTPUT..)

Thanks.. I have updated the schematic above! But it works just as bad....  :icon_cry: Im using an illuminated pushbutton switch its a DPDT but plan was to use the other poles for the illumination. So I really want to bypass the boost part with just 1PDT if possible... But It seems not.
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: antonis on February 08, 2019, 07:59:33 AM
Your update isn't satisfactory enough..  :icon_wink:

You now by-pass booster but you place on buffer OUT a series combination of R8+C4...

Best is to wire SW_NC to C4 positive leg..
(and pray for switching interval time to be small enough for C4 positive leg left "floating"..) :icon_smile:
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: Buffalo Tom on February 08, 2019, 08:21:20 AM
Quote from: antonis on February 08, 2019, 07:59:33 AM
Best is to wire SW_NC to C4 positive leg..
(and pray for switching interval time to be small enough for C4 positive leg left "floating"..) :icon_smile:

Thanks but did not work. No sound at all with SW_NC to C4 positive leg..
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: duck_arse on February 08, 2019, 08:33:42 AM
(https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/I04EyEj.png)

antonis will correct me if I'm wrong, and he's had [....] coffees, but, in the diagram above, if you connect pin 6 to switch common, and pin 7 to switch N/O, when you close the switch, IC1B becomes a unity gain, same as first stage. then you signal will be unity (if not perfect) from INPUT thru to OUTPUT. this only needs a single pole single throw.

[I'll wait for antonis.]
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: Buffalo Tom on February 08, 2019, 08:57:22 AM
Quote from: duck_arse on February 08, 2019, 08:33:42 AM
(https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/I04EyEj.png)

antonis will correct me if I'm wrong, and he's had [....] coffees, but, in the diagram above, if you connect pin 6 to switch common, and pin 7 to switch N/O, when you close the switch, IC1B becomes a unity gain, same as first stage. then you signal will be unity (if not perfect) from INPUT thru to OUTPUT. this only needs a single pole single throw.

[I'll wait for antonis.]

Im sorry but I did not get your idea to work. Signal was muted.
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: antonis on February 08, 2019, 09:04:52 AM
Quote from: Buffalo Tom on February 08, 2019, 08:21:20 AM
Quote from: antonis on February 08, 2019, 07:59:33 AM
Best is to wire SW_NC to C4 positive leg..
(and pray for switching interval time to be small enough for C4 positive leg left "floating"..) :icon_smile:
Thanks but did not work. No sound at all with SW_NC to C4 positive leg..
Let's do it in the ancient Chinese way..  :icon_wink:

(https://i.imgur.com/7m9Hjo7.png)
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: antonis on February 08, 2019, 09:11:06 AM
Quote from: duck_arse on February 08, 2019, 08:33:42 AM
[I'll wait for antonis.]
No more waiting, Stephen..
(cider is served for turning a boost op-amp into a unity gain buffer..)  :icon_lol:
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: Buffalo Tom on February 08, 2019, 09:15:52 AM
Quote from: antonis on February 08, 2019, 09:04:52 AM
Quote from: Buffalo Tom on February 08, 2019, 08:21:20 AM
Quote from: antonis on February 08, 2019, 07:59:33 AM
Best is to wire SW_NC to C4 positive leg..
(and pray for switching interval time to be small enough for C4 positive leg left "floating"..) :icon_smile:
Thanks but did not work. No sound at all with SW_NC to C4 positive leg..
Let's do it in the ancient Chinese way..  :icon_wink:

(https://i.imgur.com/7m9Hjo7.png)

Thanks but this one does not work. It mutes the signal..
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: antonis on February 08, 2019, 09:21:29 AM
Taking in mind too many muting variations, is there any chance for shorted (or too low value..) R5 and/or open (or toooooooo low value) C5..??
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: ElectricDruid on February 08, 2019, 12:18:51 PM
Isn't it the case that with the switch switched to 'NC', the second op-amp is a buffer from VR, trying with all its might to keep its output at 'VR' volts? So it's fighting the signal coming from the first op-amp. In fact, it's deliberately trying to flatten it to nothing.

Or am I mistaken?

T
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: PRR on February 08, 2019, 07:46:48 PM
> switch in/out the boost part.

It is not that complicated!
(https://i.postimg.cc/zHD65J7H/Boost-defeat.gif) (https://postimg.cc/zHD65J7H)
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: Buffalo Tom on February 09, 2019, 04:47:31 AM
Quote from: PRR on February 08, 2019, 07:46:48 PM
> switch in/out the boost part.

It is not that complicated!
(https://i.postimg.cc/zHD65J7H/Boost-defeat.gif) (https://postimg.cc/zHD65J7H)

Wow! Sometimes the easiest things is the hardest to see.. But can I do it with a SPDT switch? At work now so I can't try it but I will do tonight.. But I updated the schematic. Is this how you mean by "short"? Thanks  :)

(https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/I0liBZT.png)
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: GibsonGM on February 09, 2019, 09:51:43 AM
Hi Tom,

I embarrassed myself with the 'less than unity' brain fart I had on the previous page, ha ha.  Clearly did not have enough coffee!  That pesky "1 + " in the formula and all....

I hope to redeem myself by showing you that shorting across the pot is accomplished with a SPST switch like in this pic.  It then acts like a piece of wire:

(https://i.imgur.com/RZKk1vH.png)
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: POTL on February 09, 2019, 10:13:26 AM

Why all these difficulties?
Do you want to build a booster with attenuation and switchable booster / buffer modes?
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: Buffalo Tom on February 09, 2019, 11:05:31 AM
Quote from: GibsonGM on February 09, 2019, 09:51:43 AM
Hi Tom,

I embarrassed myself with the 'less than unity' brain fart I had on the previous page, ha ha.  Clearly did not have enough coffee!  That pesky "1 + " in the formula and all....

I hope to redeem myself by showing you that shorting across the pot is accomplished with a SPST switch like in this pic.  It then acts like a piece of wire:

Thanks!!
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: GibsonGM on February 09, 2019, 11:37:28 AM
YW, Tom.   I am with POTL...what are you doing?   I messed myself up thinking about what you wanted because generally speaking, we go from ~unity and boost from there.  Rarely do you want to attenuate, and if you do, you'd use a volume control to do so.

Like POTL is asking, if you want a switchable buffer/boost, that is not hard to do.  Just curious.
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: Buffalo Tom on February 09, 2019, 01:20:09 PM
Quote from: GibsonGM on February 09, 2019, 11:37:28 AM
YW, Tom.   I am with POTL...what are you doing?   I messed myself up thinking about what you wanted because generally speaking, we go from ~unity and boost from there.  Rarely do you want to attenuate, and if you do, you'd use a volume control to do so.

Like POTL is asking, if you want a switchable buffer/boost, that is not hard to do.  Just curious.

:) Ok! Here is my idea with this pedal. The +/- 20dB boost/attenuation circuit will control a send jack. Then I will have one more +/- 20dB boost/attenuation circuit on the return jack. So basically the two boost/attenuation circuits is in series but with a insert point (send/return) between them.

So why all this? I have a lot of vintage and odd music gear that I wanna use in front of a guitar amp. Old line level rack gear for example. So this will be a way to control the volume both before and after the inserted gear.

I got the idea from this 30 year old Pete Cornish pedal I found online...
(https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/I0oAXLs.png)
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: POTL on February 09, 2019, 01:49:21 PM
Quote from: Buffalo Tom on February 09, 2019, 01:20:09 PM
Quote from: GibsonGM on February 09, 2019, 11:37:28 AM
YW, Tom.   I am with POTL...what are you doing?   I messed myself up thinking about what you wanted because generally speaking, we go from ~unity and boost from there.  Rarely do you want to attenuate, and if you do, you'd use a volume control to do so.

Like POTL is asking, if you want a switchable buffer/boost, that is not hard to do.  Just curious.

:) Ok! Here is my idea with this pedal. The +/- 20dB boost/attenuation circuit will control a send jack. Then I will have one more +/- 20dB boost/attenuation circuit on the return jack. So basically the two boost/attenuation circuits is in series but with a insert point (send/return) between them.


20 dB is a big boost.
At a minimum, you need to use 18 volt power supply or bipolar power at + -9 volt, this will allow you to use most of the range without restriction.
If you want to get all 20 dB, you need to use a voltage of + -15 volts.

So why all this? I have a lot of vintage and odd music gear that I wanna use in front of a guitar amp. Old line level rack gear for example. So this will be a way to control the volume both before and after the inserted gear.

I got the idea from a old Pete Cornish pedal I found online...
(https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/I0oAXLs.png)
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: Buffalo Tom on February 09, 2019, 02:36:27 PM
Quote from: POTL on February 09, 2019, 01:49:21 PM
20 dB is a big boost.
At a minimum, you need to use 18 volt power supply or bipolar power at + -9 volt, this will allow you to use most of the range without restriction.
If you want to get all 20 dB, you need to use a voltage of + -15 volts.


Yes its a big boost. I wanna be able to go from guitar level up to about 0dB line level. If possible with this design? I suspected that the power supply needs to be more sophisticated to get better performance from the op amp.

Can I use a DC/DC converter like this one? 9VDC in and +/- 15 VDC out.
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/isolated-dc-dc-converters/1245017/
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: Buffalo Tom on February 09, 2019, 03:05:28 PM
Quote from: Buffalo Tom on February 09, 2019, 02:36:27 PM
Quote from: POTL on February 09, 2019, 01:49:21 PM
20 dB is a big boost.
At a minimum, you need to use 18 volt power supply or bipolar power at + -9 volt, this will allow you to use most of the range without restriction.
If you want to get all 20 dB, you need to use a voltage of + -15 volts.


Yes its a big boost. I wanna be able to go from guitar level up to about 0dB line level. If possible with this design? I suspected that the power supply needed to be more sophisticated to get better performance from the op amp.

Can I use a DC/DC converter like this one? 9VDC in and +/- 15 VDC out.
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/isolated-dc-dc-converters/1245017/
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: PRR on February 09, 2019, 05:34:54 PM
> can I do it with a SPDT switch?

You keep over-thinking.

You only need a SPST switch. Either take your SPDT back for a SPST, *OR* just ignore the 3rd terminal on your SPDT, thus making it a SPST.

Just because you paid for more terminals than you need, doesn't mean you have to USE all the terminals you paid for.
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: Buffalo Tom on February 11, 2019, 04:28:18 PM
Quote from: PRR on February 06, 2019, 07:55:22 PM
> turning full right I want +20 dB boost and by turning full left I want -20 dB attenuation.
The "1.1k" values are overly fussy. Pot values are usually +/-20% so 10% fixed resistors are not meaningful; I just did it for the ideal math. 1K will be fine unless you *need* full 20dB gain.

(https://i.postimg.cc/4Kjg9vP8/Bax-Gain.gif) (https://postimg.cc/4Kjg9vP8)

This is great but how can I calculate different dB scenarios. Two 1.1k resistors and one 10K pot gives me 20dB. How about for +/- 15db or +/- 25dB as max/minimum values. Whats the formula for calculating the gain in this circuit?
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: Buffalo Tom on February 11, 2019, 04:42:22 PM
Quote from: POTL on February 09, 2019, 01:49:21 PM
20 dB is a big boost.
At a minimum, you need to use 18 volt power supply or bipolar power at + -9 volt, this will allow you to use most of the range without restriction.
If you want to get all 20 dB, you need to use a voltage of + -15 volts.

I will try build this circuit with a dual supply rail +/- 15 Volt instead. Can I remove R7 and leave out the whole split part that gave me 4,5 volt. Or do I still need 7,5 volt somewhere in the circuit even with a dual supply rail +/- 15 Volt. For example what to do with pin 5 in a +/- 15 Volt circuit ?

(https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/I04EyEj.png)
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: ElectricDruid on February 11, 2019, 06:03:52 PM
It's easier to think about if you look at the "split" version as making a cheap +/-4.5V supply. That midpoint voltage isn't really 4.5V! No, actually it's "virtual ground". Since voltage is all relative, that means the black wire on the battery is -4.5V, and the red wire is +4.5V. Bingo! It's a bipolar supply! Well, it's mostly close enough, anyway.

So now convert that +/-4.5 to +/-15V. Anything that used to go to battery+ now goes to +15V. Anything that used to go to battery- now goes to -15V. Anything that used to go to Vref now goes to Gnd.
The only thing that really changes is that our input and output will be referenced to ground rather than the battery-. That means you can leave out R1 and R5. And since you don't need the split supply now you have a real bipolar supply, R3, R4 and C2, C3 can all go too. R7 now goes to ground, according to the rules above.

Converting between single-supply and bipolar supply and vice-versa can be a confusing pain in the neck, but it gets easier the more you do of it! Having said that now, someone will come along and point out the glaringly stupid mistake I've invariably made in what I just said...which is fine.;)

HTH,
Tom

Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: PRR on February 11, 2019, 09:44:30 PM
> Whats the formula for calculating the gain in this circuit?

It's a standard opamp inverter. Hasn't that formula been published somewhere?
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fdYsojUoMkY/Ws7OLCF4ZsI/AAAAAAAAZZ4/UaoRkqUH3bgeNMCKiAOqPZ4KaiHdkFttwCLcBGAs/s1600/q4u-fish1.png)
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: Buffalo Tom on February 12, 2019, 02:51:04 AM
Quote from: ElectricDruid on February 11, 2019, 06:03:52 PM
It's easier to think about if you look at the "split" version as making a cheap +/-4.5V supply. That midpoint voltage isn't really 4.5V! No, actually it's "virtual ground". Since voltage is all relative, that means the black wire on the battery is -4.5V, and the red wire is +4.5V. Bingo! It's a bipolar supply! Well, it's mostly close enough, anyway.

So now convert that +/-4.5 to +/-15V. Anything that used to go to battery+ now goes to +15V. Anything that used to go to battery- now goes to -15V. Anything that used to go to Vref now goes to Gnd.
The only thing that really changes is that our input and output will be referenced to ground rather than the battery-. That means you can leave out R1 and R5. And since you don't need the split supply now you have a real bipolar supply, R3, R4 and C2, C3 can all go too. R7 now goes to ground, according to the rules above.

Converting between single-supply and bipolar supply and vice-versa can be a confusing pain in the neck, but it gets easier the more you do of it! Having said that now, someone will come along and point out the glaringly stupid mistake I've invariably made in what I just said...which is fine.;)

HTH,
Tom

Thanks a lot. Will try this  :)
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: Buffalo Tom on February 12, 2019, 06:36:19 AM
Quote from: PRR on February 11, 2019, 09:44:30 PM
> Whats the formula for calculating the gain in this circuit?
It's a standard opamp inverter. Hasn't that formula been published somewhere?

After two hours on youtube+google I think I found what I'm looking for. LOG 20 formula. So If I got this right it should look like this:

Current version with 10K pot and 1K resistors.
10000/1000 = 10
20 LOG 10 = 20dB

Im using google log calculator

So for 25 dB boost/attenuation I change to 560 ohm resistors.

10000/560 = 17.86
20 LOG 17.86 = 25dB

Am I on the right track?
Thanks
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: antonis on February 12, 2019, 07:25:09 AM
Quote from: Buffalo Tom on February 12, 2019, 06:36:19 AM
Quote from: PRR on February 11, 2019, 09:44:30 PM
> Whats the formula for calculating the gain in this circuit?
It's a standard opamp inverter. Hasn't that formula been published somewhere?
I found what I'm looking for. LOG 20 formula.
......................................
Am I on the right track?
Thanks
Of course you are but only in EE manner.. :icon_wink:
IMHO, it should be more convenient to think of Gain as Vout/Vin ratio (e.g. Output voltage 100 times greater than Input voltage) instead of +40 db, as long as you aren't familiar with semi/full log coordinates..

P.S.
As already asked, are you sure about +/- 20db boost/cut..??
For "normal" signal level margins, the above should result in distortion/muting without special precautions taken care of..
Title: Re: Op amp Boost. Help needed
Post by: PRR on February 12, 2019, 10:17:37 PM
> After two hours on youtube+google

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decibel