Effects unit for use with musical instruments.

effects play a large part in the ESTIMATED COST*

C sounds used by "pop groups" and dance
ELECTRONIC
bands. The unit described here is a tremolo unit
of a more sophisticated design than most other
circuits available.
The most noticeable advantage of this circuit
is the lack of "thump" which is common among
more simple designs. This undesirable thump
can cause damage to loudspeakers; a most
expensive experience.
CIRCUIT OPERATION
The complete circuit is shown in Fig. 1. Tran-
sistor TR1 and its associated circuitry forms a
"twin T oscillator" providing a low frequency
sine wave, the frequency of which can be varied
by VR1.
OF COMPONENTS
excluding V.A.T.
£3.70
excluding case
*Based on prices prevailing at
time of going to press
The oscillator is a phase shift design with
two feedback paths formed by Cl, C2, R1, R2,
VR1 and R3, R4, C3, it is from these two paths
that the oscillator gets its name.
The output from the oscillator is taken from
the depth control VR2, which feeds the desired

e ---HOW IT WORKS
An oscillator produces a low frequency
sinewave, the frequency (VR1) and ampli- VARIABLE
LOW BUFFER
tude (VR2) of which can be controlled. This FREQUENCY
OSCILLATOR
STAGE
(TR2)
sinewave is fed via a buffer stage (emitter (TR1)
rDEPTHI

follower) to the control input of an inte- !sem(

grated circuit electronic attenuator, thus
controlling the amplitude of the signal
passing through the i.c.
The output from an instrument is ampli-
fied and fed through the attenuator to the INPUT
PRE
->--,AMPUFIER
main power amplifier, it therefore can (TR3)

have its amplitude continuously varied in

sympathy with the oscillator output.
No.
Everyday Electronics, October 1975
518
 Semiconductors
Components .... TR1 BC108 silicon npn
TR2 BC108 silicon npn
TR3 BC109 silicon npn
Resistors IC1 MFC6040 integrated circuit electronic
R1 1 k0 R8 1 .51,a2 attenuator (see Shop Talk)
R2 150kC2 R9 47k1)
R3 15042 R10 220kn Miscellaneous
R4 150kt2 R11 8.2k0 S1 s.p.s.t. toggle or slide switch
R5 4.7k0 R12 1 .54/ SK1 jack socket (standard)
R6 150k0 R13 1242 SK2 jack socket (standard)
R7 56k0 R14 12ku PL1 jack plug (standard)
All -IN/ ±10% carbon. B1 W PP3 battery and connectors
Case approx. 135 x 105 x 45mm metal or plastic;
Potentiometers knobs 2 off; single sided plain printed circuit
VR1 50k0 log. carbon with d.p.s.t. switch (S2) panel 106 x 55mm; connecting wire; screened
VR2 5kS1 lin. carbon. lead etc.
Capacitors C5 10/2F elect. 16V SEE
C1 0.47/2F plastic C6 10/IF elect. 16V
C2 0.47µF plastic
C3 1,uF plastic
C7 5,000 pF ceramic
or plastic
SIIO1
C4 0.47uF plastic C8 10/LF elect. 16V TALK
amplitude of sinewave to the emitter follower The instrument or other signal is fed into
TR2. The purpose of TR2 is to lower the output SK1, amplified by TR3 and fed to the input of
impedance of the oscillator before feeding it to IC1. When the unit is in operation the output
IC1, thus preventing IC1 from upsetting the from IC1 will be the input modulated in ampli-
operation of the oscillator. tude by the sine wave produced by TM and
Integrated circuit IC1 is an electronic attenua- controlled by VR1 and VR2.
tor the attenuation of which may be controlled A switch is provided for instant on/off (S1) of
by a voltage applied to pin 2. When the sine
wave from TR2 is applied to pin 2 via R12 the the tremolo effect, also a socket (SK1) is incor-
attenuation of the circuit varies in sympathy porated for a remote on/off footswitch so useful
with the sinewave. for musicians.

Fig. 1. The complete circuit diagram of the Tremolo.

Everyday Electronics, October 1975 519

 TO PL1

b
R14
C5 411111-0 TR1 C

C3
6-11[1Ii111!111`.. C4 C1

R7 R4 R3
R9 R13 R12 R8

R10R10

C6

'1HillorHAP.
2 R5 R1
R11
1 b TR2

C8 c

SK1 VR2 VR1 S2

SK2
UNDERSIDE VIEW
OF TR1,TR2 & TR3

board.
Fig. 2. Design and layout of components on the printed circuit
Everyday Electronics, October 1975
520
 Fig. 3. Connection and wiring of the circuit board to the remaining components.
CONSTRUCTION
The prototype unit was constructed on printed
circuit board-the design and component layout
for this is shown full size in Fig. 2. To make the
circuit board draw out the pattern on the under-
side on a suitable piece of plain copper clad
board, the copper having been thoroughly
cleaned with scouring powder and water first.
This can be done by tracing the pattern shown.
Next paint over the areas shown black, to
protect the copper, using nail varnish, model
paint or an etch resist pen. Etch away the un-
wanted copper in a bath of ferric chloride-any
finger marks or dirt on the copper will now
become obvious as the copper under it will be
difficult to etch. When all the unwanted copper
Photograph of the completed prototype printed
circuit board.
Everyday Electronics, October 1975
is removed, clean up the board to leave the
copper areas ready for soldering. Next drill the
small holes in the positions indicated to take
the component leads.
Finally insert the components as shown and
solder them to the copper strips. Take care not
to overheat the transistors and integrated circuit
and connect these parts in last, checking the lead
connections carefully.
To complete construction mount the remain-
ing components in a suitable case (approxi-
mately 135 x 105 x 45mm) as shown in Fig. 3
and wire the board and components together.
Screened lead must be used for the input and
output leads. El
Photograph of the completed prototype showing
labelling on front panel.
521