Anyone using Circuitlab?

[Grubb]

I have tried using LTspice in the past and I understand it's the go-to tool for circuit simulation. But I find it counterintuitive to use and generally clunky. I was thinking of giving Circuitlab a go. If it's good enough for Brian Wampler...

I mostly need it to calculate impedances, display the waveform to show gain/clipping and give me an idea of frequency response. I think Circuitlab can do all of that, but I'm wanting to be sure before I commit funds in that direction. I guess I could sign up for a month and see how it goes.

Any users here, past or present? Thoughts on Circuitlab as a pedal circuit design tool?

 

[pingpongcomputer]

I'm also interested. I would grudgingly shell out some dough for something more intuitive than LTspice that can do all of the above.

 

[Grubb]

OK, I've signed up to CL for a month to see what I can do with it. It's definitely easier to lay out a circuit than it is in LTspice. I knocked up a quick Opamp Nano Muff as a test circuit.


It gives a rough idea of output, clipping and frequency response, which is pretty much all I need.




So far, so good. I can see that I'll need to learn some things about adding custom parts at some point.

 

[Asdrael]

If it has pots it’s already an improvement. But then how do you export the circuit to produce a pcb? Any convenient way or do you have to redraw everything? Also, are there enough OPamps and diode models?

Cheers for taking one for the team

 

[pingpongcomputer]

I also signed up for a month, I like it so far. There aren't a ton of component choices, at least for what I've been using - jfets, bjts, and diodes - but you can import spice models in text format and save them. From a quick look at the menu, all the schematic export options are graphic formats, but I haven't searched to see if there's a way to export to sch or xml, which is definitely a shortcoming I hadn't thought of.

 

[Passinwind]

If it has pots it’s already an improvement. But then how do you export the circuit to produce a pcb? Any convenient way or do you have to redraw everything? Also, are there enough OPamps and diode models?

Cheers for taking one for the team

LTspice has many pots readily available as add-ons, and has for many years.

 

[Grubb]

But then how do you export the circuit to produce a pcb? Any convenient way or do you have to redraw everything?

Ideally, I'd love to be able to copy schematics between DipTrace and CL for easy production. I haven't checked if it's possible. But even if it's not, drawing a schematic in both CL and DT is pretty easy, and I like doing it, unlike in LTspice.

 

[Grubb]

Also, are there enough OPamps and diode models?

I've hit an issue today where I wanted to simulate a modified cascading LM386 distortion circuit (the Acapulco Gold, but with more controls). CL doesn't have a model for the LM386 and I can't add a SPICE model for opamps. It has been easy to add missing diodes and transistors, but not so for the IC. I would have to draw out the whole discrete circuit - not impossible but not simple either. And probably not worth the time. That's the first real strike against CL for me.