SOLVED Byrdhouse Compressor No Signal When Engaged

daneo21

New member
So I recently put together the byrdhouse compressor and for the life of me I cannot figure out why it isn't working when the footswitch is engaged. I cannot find a short anywhere??

Q1 - E-2v B-2.45v C-9v
Q2 - E-6.2v B-6.86v C-6.2v
Q3 - E-0v B-0v C-7.96v
Q4 - E-0v B-0v C-7.96v
Q5 - E-8.1v B-7.96v C-9v
IC Pin:
1: 0v
2: 2.9v
3: 2.9v
4: 0v
5: 0v
6: 6.86v
7: 9v
8: 8.25v

Pots turned to max
Gain 1-0v 2-0v 3-0v
Attack 1,2,3- all measured 7.57v
 

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No, i was looking into making one potentially in the next week or so but figured i would post the pictures and voltages on here for now? Maybe there's something stupid easy i'm missing?

I got like 10x CA3080's off ebay which i am suspect of but i tried all 10 and still nothing, i also swapped the transistors with different ones and still no change
 
CA3080 have been discontinued for a while, it’s likely they are fakes. You may want to try getting a legit chip from smallbear or somewhere reputable. There’s also 16 to 8 pin adapter boards out there for using an LM13700 which are still in production, they’re 2 3080s in one. Try any of these before you spend hours trying to debug the rest beyond a good visual inspection of soldering and component values.
 
CA3080 have been discontinued for a while, it’s likely they are fakes. You may want to try getting a legit chip from smallbear or somewhere reputable. There’s also 16 to 8 pin adapter boards out there for using an LM13700 which are still in production, they’re 2 3080s in one. Try any of these before you spend hours trying to debug the rest beyond a good visual inspection of soldering and component values.
I agree, I was skeptical when buying them but it was cheap, I'll try and audio probe it just to be sure. If there's no luck with that than I guess I'll have to wait until I need to make a bigger order with smallbear... Or it gives me a reason to spend more lol
 
I spent $11 on a legit CA3080 for mine, which is pricey, but nice to know it is what it says it is.

You can also try to find LM3080 or NTE996 which should also work.
 
I spent $11 on a legit CA3080 for mine, which is pricey, but nice to know it is what it says it is.

You can also try to find LM3080 or NTE996 which should also work.
Ya when researching and trying to source the NTE996, it is apparently pretty much a brand name, essentially it's just a CA3080 with NTE's logo over it... At least that's what others have said.
I went with a pack of 10 from a seller on eBay who had like 4.5 stars and 150000 reviews for like $8 Canadian all in, it wasn't much of a risk, and if the chip proves to be the issue then I'm glad I started socketing everything!

I was originally going to order a CA3080 from smallbear but forgot about the chip completely and I had just made an order with them... I didn't feel like paying the shipping just for 1 chip lol
 
Alright, after audio probing everything up to pins 2 and 3 on the ic are good but nothing on the other side at 5 and 6... pretty sure that's my issue! I guess i will find out in a few weeks after i source a more reliable 3080!
For now ill consider the issue solved. Thanks for the help everyone!
 
Alright, after audio probing everything up to pins 2 and 3 on the ic are good but nothing on the other side at 5 and 6... pretty sure that's my issue! I guess i will find out in a few weeks after i source a more reliable 3080!
For now ill consider the issue solved. Thanks for the help everyone!

I have a CA3080AE from a (working) Ross/Dyna Aion Electronics build - I've gone to the optical type compressors so if you want it just PM me your address.
 
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