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Passive Vactrol VCA - Am I right?
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Snaper



Joined: Feb 28, 2014
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 12:48 am    Post subject: Passive Vactrol VCA - Am I right? Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Hy Guys,

Im new in here, just found this site when I was searching for passive schematics for my Eurorack.
I would like to build a simple passive vactrol based VCA, found some schematics here.

Could the attached schematic work?

Basicaly audio in and out, with 0,1uF cap, and there is a 100k pot after the CV in for att. the incoming signal.

Should I put a diode after the input to avoid negative voltage?


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Snaper



Joined: Feb 28, 2014
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 3:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Nobody?
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JovianPyx



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PostPosted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 7:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

I think it would "sort of" work. In fact, this circuit will act quite a bit like a lowpass filter (single pole). In terms of VCA action, it will reduce the output when the Vactrol is darker, but it will never completely cut off the sound. Also - IIRC, a Vactrol has a LDR as the control component. The schematic shows a bipolar phototransistor. If it really is a transistor, you will also likely get severe clipping distortion.

I understand why some people like passive circuits. They are usually quite simple and need no power supply. However, IMO they all perform poorly. The investment in a power supply and use of active circuits will perform orders of magnitude better than passive systems.

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PHOBoS



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PostPosted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 8:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

apart from the 'Amplifier' section I think the CV input wouldn't really work either. They way you have it drawn now the pot can short the CV and
whatever the souce of it (CV) is might not be happy with that. Also to control the LED you're much better of with either a current source or PWM (with PWM
you would most likely need a lowpas filter if you use a phototransistor).

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JovianPyx



Joined: Nov 20, 2007
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Location: West Red Spot, Jupiter
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 8:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

PHOBoS wrote:
... I think the CV input wouldn't really work either. They way you have it drawn now the pot can short the CV and whatever the souce of it (CV) is might not be happy with that.


Heh - I didn't notice that, but yeah.

Another way to light the LED besides a (true) current source would be to simply put the variable resistor in series with the CV. Also another fixed resistor in series to force a maximum possible current amount.

However, all that said, I still think it will perform poorly. A way to make a small improvement is to replace the 0.1 uF capacitor with a resistor. I'd suggest trying 1K for a start. The size of that resistor will control how close to cutting off the signal you can get with smaller being closer. Still, it will never cut off completely, but possibly to an acceptable amount.

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diablojoy



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PostPosted: Thu Mar 06, 2014 6:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

look up scott stites mutant vactrol filter , check out the cv drive circuitry
used for the vactrol its a very good method and works really well for what you want to acheive.

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