Harmonic Tremolos

[Robert]

I don't think the Schaller is a harmonic tremolo, is it?

The schematic looks like it'd just be a standard tremolo.

 

[Boba7]

I don't think the Schaller is a harmonic tremolo, is it?

The schematic looks like it'd just be a standard tremolo.

Yep, standard tremolo, not harmonic.

 

[zgrav]

Very interesting to read more about the harmonic tremolo circuit used in the Fender amps in the early 1960s. In addition to keeping the volume at a more constant level because of the out of phase boosted treble and lower-frequency channels, it seems like there will be some phase cancellation in the non-boosted parts of each channel. Thanks to Mr. PCB for putting out a new design for this effect.

 

[Betty Wont]

Yep, standard tremolo, not harmonic.

I wouldn't call it standard in a choppy way. It doesn't have any optical components if that's what defines "harmonic" but it is certainly in the swirly vibey camp in the way the frequencies are modulated.

 

[zgrav]

haromonic is based on having two channels with different EQs that are completely out of phase with one another using the same modulated volume levels.

it is not tied to whether the modulation is optical.

 

[zgrav]

there are some cool non-standard modulated wave forms available with conventional tremolo designs using the tapflo IC from Electric Druid. see the Wavelord pedal at madbean for a good example. all of those wave forms would also work with a harmonic tremolo design. I think there is a vero layout for the Cardinal harmonic tremolo that uses the tapflo chip.

 

[Robert]

Since you mentioned waveforms I guess I should mention that a harmonic version of the Trembling Loon is coming.

 

[zgrav]

Since you mentioned waveforms I guess I should mention that a harmonic version of the Trembling Loon is coming.

that should be fun.

 

[spi]

Does the Pendulum fit the "3-knob (type 1)" drill template?

 

[zgrav]

looks like it will work with the Mesmerizer drill pattern. at least that is what I plan to use.

 

[Robert]

It has one extra hole if you want the Rate indicator LED.

I'm working on the build docs right now.

 

[zgrav]

good point about the hole for the rate indicator. thanks.

 

[Funnel]

Is the level control for volume or effect level

 

[chilidog]

Since we're talking about everything but the kitchen sink in features, how about envelope control on the trem rate and depth. I saw a cool trem, or possibly it was a phaser, that had it so you could choose what the envelope did. You could have the trem kick in only when playing hard, or the opposite where it only kicked in when playing soft. Or with the rate you could have it so when you hit hard and hold it the rate starts fast and then decays down, like changing speeds on a Leslie.

 

[cooder]

You're probably talking about the excellent Vfe Old School tremolo:

and it would be indeed super cool to have those features on a harmonic tremolo, phaser or univibe....!

 

[zgrav]

I think it would be interesting to have the output from each or the phased circuits feed into a mix control so you could vary the proportion of the bass or treble circuit feeding the output. Similar to the way the shape control can range from square/sine/triangle waveforms for the trembling loon.