FET Compressor

Authors: Victor Kempf, Sergey Luzan (C) 2005

The proposed compressor designed to compress the dynamic range of the signal electric guitars with passive
and active electronics. The compressor can be successfully used for signal processing bass guitar.
In the design of the compressor the authors relied on the most simple circuitry, ensuring optimal for the guitar
signal specifications. The device requires no configuration and proper installation starts immediately: Modes of DC
are set automatically.

Technical characteristics Table 1

Power, in: 7 ... 9
Current consumption, mA: <6
The maximum input signal, dv.ampl. (U num = 9V): 7 ***
Noise given to the input mV: 2
Operating threshold (Threshold), mV: 5 ... 30
Compression ratio (Ratio): 1:1.5
1:6 ...
Settling Time (Attack), ms: 1 ... 40
Recovery time (Release), sec: 0.7 ... 3
*** When using T1 cutoff 4 ... 5 V

Fig.1. Schematic diagram of the compressor

Amplification channel audio

 Channel gain is based on field-effect transistors, because, according to the authors, these devices are among
the most suitable semiconductors for signal processing guitar. In this scheme was based on the principle of the
shortest circuit of the signal.
The input signal is fed directly to the converter resistance of T1, T2. Bias voltage of the cascade is generated
automatically as T1 - a transistor with a high voltage cut-off (4-5B). The current through T1 is determined by simple
current source to "malootsechnom" T2 is the initial current flow T2. Use as a current source load T1 significantly
reducing distortion at the output of the repeater at work on relatively low-resistance load R 4 + R RNA. P T2 at high
signal levels.
The main amplifier - selected  (T3, T4), to the greatest extent, in their opinion, meets the requirements
of a smooth transition from linear mode to limit that provides the low noise, large gain, high linearity and harmonious
distribution of the harmonic spectrum. To improve the linearity of the cascade in the origins Fri put small local
environmental protection current.
Next, push-pull signal is fed to the repeater, made on the T5 and T6 and eliminates the effect of the load
compressor to work  Repeater practically does not introduce additional distortion even when the signal at
the output of  with a double amplitude close to the supply voltage.
Regulator
As a regulatory element is selected p-channel TP in the assembly KR504NT4V (KR504NT3V)-mode voltage
controlled resistance. The choice of p-channel Fri caused, first of all, the ability to control this type of transistor, a
positive voltage to the gate. In this case the source of the regulatory Fri connects directly to a shared bus, which
eliminates any effect on the sound of chains that form in such cases, the necessary capacity on source when using
n-channel controllers. The second p-channel TP in the assembly is used to generate the initial bias on the gate
regulating Fri
The control channel
Management is implemented at the OS K1401UD2 quadruple (analogue - a common foreign Shelter LM 324),
capable of working in a range of output voltages from 0 to U Pit-1, 5V.
At the entrance to the control channel is added another follower, complementary Fri T7 and T8, designed to
eliminate the effect of rectifying the output of the cascade compressor.
OP1 collected on full-wave rectifier, which allows to obtain the output signal of both OP1 rectified half-waves
with an amplitude equal to the amplitude of the signal at the output of the compressor. The signal is then fed to the
repeater ER2, loaded with standard smoothing circuit "attack" - the "restoration» (Ra 1 + D 3 + R 13) + (R 14 + Ra
2) / / C7.
ER3 excludes the impact of the following stages to work smoothing circuit. To ensure the most appropriate ratio
of compression, the output of the repeater ER3 level control signal can be reduced by an adjustable divider R 15 R
16.
Cascade on ER4 is a block correction is supplying the gate p T2 signal on half of the runoff Fri (reception can
significantly reduce the distortion knob). Correction voltage is generated as follows: Stock p signal T2 is divided into
a chain of R 18 R 19 and about 1 / 8 of this signal is fed to the non-inverting input of ER4. Given the fact that the
non-inverting input of the KU OU4 = 4, the output signal ER4 formed with a level of about half the signal level at the
drain p T2. The proposed method of forming the correction voltage, in contrast to the commonly used simple
resistor divider, completely eliminates the possibility of penetration of the control signal in the processed signal.
ER4 also performs the function of the initial formation of the gate voltage regulated DC, as in the absence of a
signal to the compressor inlet and at least signals the threshold (Threshold) knob p T2 should be closed. Initial
voltage is generated as follows: p is a source of T1 self-bias current. Since the total resistance of resistors R 21
and Ra 3, p T1 circuit source is sufficiently large, this resistor creates a voltage drop that is close to the cutoff
voltage of a matched pair of transistors T1 and p T2 p. At the current R 19 of the current source generates a
voltage drop equal to:

When the selected R 19 denominations, Ra 3, and R 21 is a voltage of just over a quarter cut-off voltage of
transistors assembly (p T1 and p T2). Further increases this tension ER4 4-fold, forming a gate voltage of T2, p, a
slightly larger voltage to cutoff. Excess capacity at the gate with respect to p T2 cut-off voltage is adjusted by
potentiometer R 21 (Threshold). As a result, the emerging field of "dead" or in other words, the compressor
threshold beginning of compression.
ALTERNATIVE COMPRESSOR
Can be implemented with the compressor almost the same parameters on another circuit.
 Figure 2. The scheme of the compressor for the same type of field effect transistors (focused on foreign element basis).

Channel signal amplification built entirely on Fri the same type (suitable, for example, well-known J 201 without
any choice). In the control channel repeater input is excluded and the other used a rectifier, which does not require
isolation of the input. True, this has led to a few more passive components in the control channel.
The adjustment range of compression, in contrast to the previous scheme, is somewhat limited from below the
ratio 1:2 (the inability of the repeater and the inverter at OP1 and OP2 to strengthen the upper half-wave of more U
Pit-1, 5V signal compression at high levels). The rest of the scheme is similar to the previous one.
PARTS AND ANALOGUES
The undoubted convenience for those who are fortunate enough to live on the post-Soviet space, is that the
compressor is designed for so-called "national" element base.
By repeating the scheme of the radioactive element in the foreign main problem arises only in the choice of p-
channel PF with cut-off voltage in the region of 3-5V. The situation is complicated by the fact that a backward
foreign industry has not yet mastered the production of affordable analog assemblies KR504NT 
In this particular design it is possible to eliminate the use of the assembly procedure of a setting device, since p
T1 generates all the necessary initial tension for a "twin» p T2.
As p T1 and p T2 in the compressor can be used by other assemblies K504 series. The most suitable
assembly with index K504NT3V, 4B. Using K504NT3B and 4B due to the lower cutoff of these assemblies will lead
to some increase in distortion. You can use also builds K504NT1V, 2B. In this case, to provide the required range
compression, you may need to increase the resistance of R 4 to 22 33kOm, which will increase noise device. It
should also be borne in mind that the pinout of HT1, 2 and HT 3 and 4 do not match, so the use of HT 1 and 2 will
need to adjust the circuit board.
Little information about the use of discrete p-channel instead of assembling Fri KR504NT3 (4). As p T2 is
desirable to use p-channel cut-off Friday from 3-5V. The efficiency of the compressor and stored for use as pT 2,
the cutoff value is somewhat beyond these limits (up to 2V to 6V down and up), but in this case, increase the
minimum level of harmonics and voltage. As p T1 can be any p-channel PF with a cutoff of 1.5 to 5V.
 From the available abroad p - JFET satisfy the requirements listed above J 271, 2N5461, 2N5462, J175, J174,
2N5115. From domestic discrete Fri quite possible to use KP103L, F, G.
By repeating the scheme based on discrete PF with different parameters need only specify nominal Ra 3 (for
both schemes). The method is as follows: setting knob Threshold to the maximum resistance, the selection of Ra 3
must be installed on the gate voltage of 2 pT its cut-off, which, of course, you first need to measure, using this way:

Fig.8. OTS scheme for measuring the U p-channel Fri

Possible replacement semiconductors Table 2

KP303E 2 N 5458 2 N 5459 (V GS (OFF) = 4 ... 5 V)
KP303A, F J 201
KP103E 2 N 5020
KD521 1 N 4148
K1401UD2 LM 324
KR504NT3 (4) J 271, 2 N 5461 2 N 5462, J 175, J 174, 2 N 5115

CONSTRUCTION
Mindful of the fact that "it is better to see once than hear a hundred times," the authors chose not to abuse the
verbal descriptions, limiting only summary tables with a list of used parts, and the rest - have focused on the
visualization of the instructions. See, sort it out.

Option compressor according to the scheme in Figure 1

Figure 3. The printed circuit board, a view from the installation details (scale 1:1 size 51h59mm)
 Figure 4. Option to install the board trimmer for the cases of forced
use in the scheme of discrete p-channel instead of Fri KR504NT

Table 3 List of parts

Compliance with the

Type Quant Name, nominal Notes
scheme
.
To install the board
Field-effect transistor T1 A KP303E UTS U> 3B
min I D. START and
Field-effect transistor T2, T5, T8 3 KP303ZH
U UTS

Field-effect transistor T4, T3 2 KP303A

Field-effect transistor T7, T6 2 KP103E min I D. START

Fri assembly p T1, p T 2 A KR504NT3V, KR504NT4V U UTS >3

Shelter OP1 ... OP4 A K1401UD2, DIP -14

Diode D2, D3 2 KD521

Zener diode D1 A KD510A

Resistor R1, R5, R20 3 1M 5%, 0.125 Tues

Resistor R6, R7, R a 1 3 470 -
Resistor R2, R3 2 2M -
Resistor R11, R4, R9 3 10k -
Resistor R10, R22 2 100k -
Resistor R12 A 110k -
Resistor R16 A 7,5 k -
Resistor R17, R a 2 2 330k -
Resistor R19 A 75k -
Resistor R18 A 510k -
Resistor Ra3 A 220k -

Capacitor C2, C3, C1 3 0,47 μ, polyester

Capacitor C6 A 1μ, tantalum

Capacitor C7 A 2,2 μ, tantalum

Capacitor C4 A 100μ, electrolyte

Capacitor C5 A 100n, ceramics

Capacitor C8 A 33n, polyester

External to the board

Nest A1 A 6.3 mm stereo

Nest A2 A 6.3 mm mono

 Nest A3 A With the breaker

Potentiometer R 8 (Out Level) A 10 ... 50k, exponential

Potentiometer R1 3 (Attack) A 20k, a linear

Potentiometer 4 R1 (Release) A 1M, linear

Potentiometer R 15 (Ratio) A 20k, a linear

Potentiometer R2 1 (Threshold) A 50k, a linear

Switch S1.1, S1.2 A P2K, PBS24-202

LED LED1 A 3-mm high-brightness

Figure 5. Wiring diagram of external components to the board

Option compressor according to the scheme in Figure 2

 Fig 6. The printed circuit board, a view from the installation details (scale 1:1 size 51h59mm)

Table 4 List of parts

Compliance with the

Type Quant Name, nominal Notes
scheme
.
To install the board
Field-effect transistor T1 ... T6 6 KP303A J201, 2N5457
Fri assembly p T1, p T2 A KR504NT3V, KR504NT4V J175
Zener diode D1 A KD510A 1N4148
Diode D2, D3 2 KD521 1N4148
Shelter OP1 ... OP4 A K1401UD2, DIP-14 LM324
5%, 0.125
Resistor R1, R3, R7 3 2M
Tues
R2, R9, R10, R11, R
Resistor 5 470 -
a1
Resistor R4, R6, R8, R21 4 10k -
Resistor R5, R26 2 1M -
Resistor R16, R17 2 20k -
Resistor R13, R14, R15, R28 4 100k -
Resistor R22 A 510k -
Resistor R23 A 75k -
Resistor R24, R a 2 2 330k -
Resistor Ra3 A 220k -

Capacitor C1, C3, C5, C7 4 0,47 μ, polyester

Capacitor C8, C11 2 2,2 μ, tantalum

Capacitor C9, C10 2 1μ, tantalum

Capacitor C4 A 47μ, electrolyte

Capacitor C2 A 100μ, electrolyte

Capacitor C6 A 100n, ceramics

Capacitor C12 A 33n, polyester

External to the board

Nest A1 A 6.3 mm stereo

Nest A2 A 6.3 mm mono

Nest A3 A With the breaker

Potentiometer R12 (Out Level) A 10 ... 50k, exponential

Potentiometer R18 (Attack) A 20k, a linear

 Potentiometer R19 (Release) A 1M, linear

Potentiometer R20 (Ratio) A 20k, a linear

Potentiometer R25 (Threshold) A 50k, a linear

Switch S1.1, S1.2 A P2K, PBS24-202

LED LED1 A 3-mm high-brightness

5%, 0.125
Resistor R27 A 6,2 k
Tues

Fig.7. Wiring diagram of external components to the board

WARNING!
When used in place of its analog K1401UD2 LM 324 must be borne in mind that "+" and "-" Power of the op
amp are the exact opposite, so the LM 324 must be installed by launching a 180 0. In the figure the location of parts
on the PCB and in the files for Sprint Layout (for both versions of the compressor) shows the orientation of the
housing 14 for DIP K1401UD2, the photos are willing to pay - LM 324 (as it happens)

MODIFICATION
Often need the full set of adjustments to the compressor does not. In this case it is possible to simply replace
the corresponding resistive circuit resistor with resistance from the table below:
ADJUSTMENT RECOMMENDED ACTION
Instead of the potentiometer Release solder jumper, the recommended resistance Ra2 for guitar -
Release
470kOm ... 1M, for bass guitar - 1 .. 1.5 megohms
Threshold Instead of the potentiometer Threshold solder jumper, the recommended resistance Ra3 = 240kOm
Instead of the potentiometer Attack solder jumper, the recommended resistance Ra1 = 1 ... 10K.
Attack
Recommend leaving the lights
 Ratio Cleaning is not recommended in any case, the most useful control
Out Level You can use the potentiometers rated at 10 ... 50kOm, preferably with an exponential characteristic

At the authors' opinion, the most useful adjustment Ratio and Attack (and, naturally, Out Level), so if you limit
the number of regulators recommend three to choose on these adjustments. In the construction of the compressor
with four adjustable parameters in addition to the above we advise to add control threshold compression Threshold.
Here are some tips to optimize the compressor.
For the circuit in Figure 1
 The transistor T1 to pick up on the minimum noise factor and the maximum value of the cut-off voltage.
You can use deliberately low-noise voltage cutoff KP303G/KP307G with more than 3V.
 In the case of an assembly instead of discrete KR504NT KP103G, L, M must choose a transistor
mounted as p T2, the maximum possible voltage cut-off within 3 ... 5V. Go beyond these limits is not
recommended.
 A copy of all consumes a bit less than 6 mA. To reduce the consumption of transistors T2, T6 and T7 to
pick up the minimum initial current flow. For the same purpose LED indicator for effect it is desirable to
choose a series of high-brightness, for a decent level of luminescence which is enough power in the
100 ... 200 mA. It is theoretically possible to reduce consumption to 4.5 mA.
For the circuit in Figure 2
Almost makes sense to only choice T2 and T6 on the minimum value of the initial drain current to reduce power
consumption. A copy of all consumes about 3.5 mA.
RESULTS
Compressors made by the scheme presented, showed almost identical characteristics. At the very least, use
your own ears as a recording device any noticeable difference in the compressor to detect not allowed.
In practice, the author's thesis is fully confirmed by the lack of necessary adjustment of units: properly mounted
in a known-good parts of the marking on the chart, the unit starts to work immediately after assembly. For the sake
of purity of the experiment was carried out not even a preliminary selection of parts.
Consumption of both options is approximately the same device (variant of the scheme in Figure 1 a little more
"greedy"), during continuous operation of the new standard 9V battery will be at least 60 hours in the worst case.
The size of the PCB will not be a limiting factor when mounting the device virtually any available housing.
Good luck in repeating structures.
Here you can take PCB layout files in the formats Sprint Layout (Zip-file ~ 60 k)
Then - a few unpretentious musical phrases using the compressor (the chain of records: Chinese telecaster -
Compressor C 101 XL (All controls in the middle position, unless otherwise indicated) - Line in an integrated sound
card PC - Adobe Audition, only the normalization, no other treatment)
Attention extension "abc" to rename the "mp3"

Example 1 (neck pickup, high-tidy, Ratio and Threshold at maximum, ~ 260 k)

Example 2 (neck + bridge pickups, ~ 2 3 0 k)
Example 3 (neck pickup, ~ 290 k)

After listening to the examples can be seen on the device resistance to interference from a photograph the
prototype compressor being recorded (next to the monitor, UPS, and columns), no screening - the situation, as you
see, is not very favorable, but it is moderately fonit, and  is for singles

The author can talk on the forums:

http: / / www. guitar. ru / board / 11 / and http://forum. gtlab. ne t / (xbananov and lart)
Back to Home Page: http://www.sugardas.lt/ ~ igoramps

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