Circulator

Aleph Null

Well-known member
Build Rating
4.00 star(s)
This is a stock Circulator. I found Chuck's mod thread, but decided to start stock and modify as needed. So far I'm happy with it! This circuit is more flexible than most phasers and is capable of one thing thing a haven't found with any other: subtlety. I love phasers, but they have a tendency to dominate the signal in a way that isn't always welcome. The Depth and Sweep controls make it possible to dial things back or to crank the intensity up as desired.

IMG_1681.JPG

The art I found in my "Unused Art" folder. I don't remember the source. Enclosure is from StompBoxParts. This is my first time using clear knobs. They look better than I though they would!

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Two small gripes: 1) The footprint for the 1µF capacitors is too small; I had to mount one of them flush to the underside of the board because it wouldn't fit in the space allotted. 2) Placing ICs back to back or with capacitors at the ends makes it difficult to get them out of sockets. I had a dead LM13700 and it would have been easier to troubleshoot if I didn't have to fight to get the ICs out.

IMG_1682.JPG

On the whole, I'm very happy to add this to my phaser collection. I'm going to put it on the board and see if it can dethrone my Glasshole.
 
Last edited:
This is a stock Circulator. I found Chuck's mod thread, but decided to start stock and modify as needed. So far I'm happy with it! This circuit is more flexible than most phasers and is capable of one thing thing a haven't found with any other: subtlety. I love phasers, but they have a tendency to dominate the signal in a way that isn't always welcome. The Depth and Sweep controls make it possible to dial things back or to crank the intensity up as desired.

View attachment 108900

The art I found in my "Unused Art" folder. I don't remember the source. Enclosure is from StompBoxParts. This is my first time using clear knobs. They look better than I though they would!

View attachment 108902

Two small gripes: 1) The footprint for the 1µF capacitors is too small; I had to mount one of them flush to the underside of the board because it wouldn't fit in the space allotted. 2) Placing ICs back to back or with capacitors at the ends makes it difficult to get them out of sockets. I had a dead LM13700 and it would have been easier to troubleshoot if I didn't have to fight to get the ICs out.

View attachment 108901

On the whole, I'm very happy to add this to my phaser collection. I'm going to put it on the board and see if it can dethrone my Glasshole.
Which large film capacitors are you using? I have been using Kemet 1µF, which are 5mm wide, but come on long enough leads. They look weirdly bad (aesthetically) - like someone rushed a line into production and couldn't even source the same grey resin used in other Kemets.
 
Which large film capacitors are you using? I have been using Kemet 1µF, which are 5mm wide, but come on long enough leads. They look weirdly bad (aesthetically) - like someone rushed a line into production and couldn't even source the same grey resin used in other Kemets.
I'm not sure of the brand. I got them from Stomp Box Parts. I generally prefer box caps, but I was certain those wouldn't work here. The footprint is 3mm or so and the smallest caps I could find are 5mm. These ones are closer to 6mm, but they taper in a way that made them easier to place between resistors.
 
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