Maestro ringmod build report (now available)

[Zero the hero]

I took two months to build this beast...
There's been a lot of talks about ringmods recently, and I've noticed the lack of a "killer-application" ring modulator, so I've chosen to built the super-rare Maestro unit.
I've spent a couple of month looking for the chip, correcting the schematics, drawing PCB and layout with Photoshop, building, tuning and boxing it.
But I did it!
I've never heard the original unit, but mine is quiet, no carrier in the output when not playing, and sounds good: sounds like a tremolo at low frequencies and like bells, chimes, and metallic stuff at higher frequencies.
As stated in another topic, tuning the 5 trimmers is NOT easy, and I've spent a lot of time turning those stipid trimpots. I was a fool cause I should have used multi-turn trimmers, but I didn't...
Moreover, I had major problems with power supply (and thanks to Boofhead for his support!), then I've chosen a strange solution: I used two transformers with two separate 7815...
I decided to share this result with everyone here, so I hope to put this project very soon on the internet, and I hope to record a couple of sound samples.

[BillyJ]

Man that is too cool! I have jonesed to build one of these but I need to gain experience in layouts first. Looking at the chematic scared me away from trying this one too soon.
However with a PCB I would make one ASAP.
Have you heard the blackcat RM? It is supposed to be a maestro but with a jack for expression pedal for some parameter.
Man I cannot wait to try this one. Kudos to you for tackling that one!!!

[Zero the hero]

If you look at the schem of maestro ring mod, you can add 2 expression pedals: one for pitch control and and for modulation control (mix between wet and dry sound). I haven't tried this cause I have no expression pedal... it should work however...
Maestro ring mod has also an input for an external carrier (untested feature too).
For the schematic check here http://www.geocities.com/j4_student/schematics.htm

[ExpAnonColin]

That's really cool, I didn't think anyone would do this one.

-Colin

[BillyJ]

Yeah man Zero you rock!!  I can't wait to build this one.
My drummer bud even just bought a blackcat cause I told him it would be a long while before I could deal with the layout. Eeek! Just looked at it again....It would be a long long loooong time before I even thought about that one.
Zero man let us know when you get that together!!!
is that a 1495 or 1475? not familer with that one. Where can those be had?
Shoot I think I just got stiffy for this one!! This and the sample hold freeze or whatever it is. That things sounds cool!!! I could imagine the two together :O)
Can't wait to hear some clips...Killer job Zero the hero!!!

[Marcos - Munky]

Cool, I'm waiting to listen to your unit.

[Zero the hero]

I've recorded 4 samples of maestro ring modulator I've built...

http://net.supereva.it/offramp/MaestroRM1.mp3
In this one I've played a clean chord, then I've played the same chord with the ring mod active: pitch switch at high, pithc control at mid.

http://net.supereva.it/offramp/MaestroRM2.mp3
Clean scale (I'm not good as guitar player) then the same scale (and other notes) with high frequency carrier.

http://net.supereva.it/offramp/MaestroRM3.mp3
Chords with low frequency carrier (everything at minimum)

http://net.supereva.it/offramp/MaestroRM4.mp3
Higher freq carrier "Money for nothing" theme. At high frequency the carrier is audible!

Direct recording for all these mp3s: guitar -> maestro RM -> iMac sound card.
Complete project soon (only if you've got a MC1495...).

[Jason Stout]

Zero, The links are not working for me.

[Zero the hero]

Did you right click and "save target as..."?
Wrong: this will not work.
Open the link in a new window, then in the new window will appear the link for the file.

[ExpAnonColin]

Did you right click and "save target as..."?
Wrong: this will not work.
Open the link in a new window, then in the new window will appear the link for the file.

Doesn't work for me no way no how.



Try making a webpage on that server that links to the files...

-Colin

[Arno van der Heijden]

Works for me. Just click on the link in the new page...

[BillyJ]

I love that second clip. Telephone freak out!!!
I am so stoked about this project!!! I found some mc1495's.
Expensive as sin but whatever,  I want one of these soo bad!
Zero man you really are the cat's meow!!!
Truky you are contributing a huge cool thing.
I am sure we will be reading about this one and the build to come from it for a long time. So happy!!  

[Zero the hero]

Hope that the links work now...
You can "save target as...", then you should add an ".mp3" extention to the file. That's the only way for direct download from this site.
http://net.supereva.it/offramp/MaestroRM1
http://net.supereva.it/offramp/MaestroRM2
http://net.supereva.it/offramp/MaestroRM3
http://net.supereva.it/offramp/MaestroRM4

BTW, I've never heard the original unit so does anybody know if this clone sounds like the true Maestro?

[idlefaction]

btw, the MC1496 is in current production - i have one at home that's in a board, i just need to buy a few switches and pots to get it going, the board's already populated.   amping to get it going!!!

good work man  

[Zero the hero]

Complete DIY at GGG

[BillyJ]

You rock so hard dude!!!