Circulator

[Aleph Null]

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.



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!



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.



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.

 

[ianmarks]

Is that clear waterslide? Bravo if so for getting the colors to work out well!

 

[Aleph Null]

Yep! Clear waterslide. The laserjet pigments don't let much show through, so it's a little easier than inkjet.

 

[gtfields13]

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.

 

[Aleph Null]

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.

 

[argylehustler]

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.

This graphic is stellar. And that pink is really pleasing. Nice work! That stomp switch breakout board which includes the led is a great addition. Allows the artwork to be uninterrupted. When you use that breakout board what do you do to the solder holes for the led on the main pcb? From the picture it looks like there’s something in those a/k holes.

 

[zeropluszero]

Pretty sure I just used 1uf mlcc caps. Mine sounds fine to me

 

[Aleph Null]

This graphic is stellar. And that pink is really pleasing. Nice work! That stomp switch breakout board which includes the led is a great addition. Allows the artwork to be uninterrupted. When you use that breakout board what do you do to the solder holes for the led on the main pcb? From the picture it looks like there’s something in those a/k holes.

Yep! I had to jump the A and K pads to get the LED working from the bypass board.

 

[argylehustler]

Yep! I had to jump the A and K pads to get the LED working from the bypass board.

Thanks for clarifying. Did you just use a cut off piece of wire to bridge those holes?

 

[Aleph Null]

Thanks for clarifying. Did you just use a cut off piece of wire to bridge those holes?

I probably just shoved an off-cut from a resistor leg or something in there, then soldered it in place.

 

[Band of Dans]

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.

I’m working on a couple Aion boards that call for 3.5mm 1uf box caps. I get the sense they used to be more widely available but seem to have disappeared almost entirely. Aion has some NOS 3.5mm Kemets in stock, but they’re pretty pricey compared to the basic 5mm ones I always have on hand :-/ Not sure those would even be small enough for the circulator though!

Nice build btw! This one wasn’t on my radar at all but those depth and sweep controls seem super useful.

 

[Aleph Null]

Depth and Sweep really do make it easier to dial it in. The build doc calls for a B25k pot for Depth, but I'm going to be swapping mine out for a C25k, as I find I rarely use anything below noon as it is.

 

[Feral Feline]

FUNTASTIC GRAPHIC!

Great build and report.

 

[genXslacker]

Aion has some NOS 3.5mm Kemets in stock, but they’re pretty pricey compared to the basic 5mm ones I always have on hand.

I bit the bullet and invested the last time I ordered from Aion. No regrets.

@Aleph Null, I'm late to the party, but that came out pro, brother. That graphic is right up my alley. I'm pretty sure I've got that board in my archives. Building a phaser without sorting transistors sounds like a luxurious experience.

If you want subtle from a Phase 90, I bet you could just move the internal trim control to an external pot.

 

[Aleph Null]

Building a phaser without sorting transistors sounds like a luxurious experience.

Yeah...I've worked with JFETs enough that I don't really trust them, at least not the THT packages.