CLX-VU Build Thread (DBX 160VU ) UPDATE: REV 3

[ilfungo]

Two more questions for Abe:

Is THD of 0.38% in the right ballpark;
Is it a big problem if you are a little bit of the -0.011VDC, -0.004VDC?

Thanx!

No, don't get too hung up on these little tweaky calibrations guys, I've gotten the meters and readings and everything to track beautifully, it takes a little time and patience when setting up the meter but very possible. But really, who needs to know when they are slamming 30db compression if they are +/- a db or two?

Put your soldering irons down and go make some music ;D ;D

my problem is that I read perfectly input and output
in GR mode:
meter says 4-5db but the reality is 25db ...
I have a problem in the calibration process:
I can not calibrate 4:1 ratio ...
I do not understand.
thanks

 

[abechap024]

my problem is that I read perfectly input and output
in GR mode:
meter says 4-5db but the reality is 25db ...
I have a problem in the calibration process:
I can not calibrate 4:1 ratio ...
I do not understand.
thanks

I would trouble shoot around the 1:4 ratio pot, should get it pretty close from the get go.

 

[tfp]

Hi Abe,

Yes still using the silver can! It is THD 0,38% with 20dB of gain reduction, with no gain reduction is about 0.03%.

And you are right about making music, just did!

 

[abechap024]

Hi Abe,

Yes still using the silver can! It is THD 0,38% with 20dB of gain reduction, with no gain reduction is about 0.03%.

And you are right about making music, just did!

I think that is about right I'm curious how do the silver cans sound? Good on ya for making music!

 

[berkleystudios]

https://www.antekinc.com/pdf/AN-0215.pdf

will this work as my power tranny? i know its a little low...

or would this work

https://www.antekinc.com/details.php?p=645

was unsure because it is 50VA

 

[tfp]

Hi Abe,

I will post a couple of examples (in couple of days) with the silver can and the unprocessed version so you can compare it with the That version. I am also curious if there is a noticeble difference.

all the best!

 

[Trench Recordings]

Nevermind

 

[mrdarwin]

A post not for a problem... but a success!!!
A variant of CLX 160.
Thanx to Abe

 

[sr1200]

Thats a nice thick heavy case! Where did you source that?

 

[mrdarwin]

Thats a nice thick heavy case! Where did you source that?

Thanx!
the case is a HIFI2000 case, from Italy (but shipping worldwide)
vu-meters are oldies SIFAM with custom scale insert
home-made drilling, design front with lazertran and nices knobs!

no hum and perfect famous "snap"!

 

[jplebre]

just a note on the TL071 both of mine were dead. Symptoms were very hot chip and not enough deflection on the meter.
Seems like a common occurrence.

Also, the ratio thing, you are supposed to meter the o/p regarding a difference of 40dB input, not 30
(the -10dBfs got me. I was only going from -30 to -10dBFs and there is no way the pot can give you the same amount of compression

 

[jplebre]

Oh and the capacitor C11, which can roll off some low end to the sidechain, is quite a significant difference!
I would recommend people to socket and hear what they prefer.

Will be with a 160vU pretty soon and I'll compare which one is closer

Cheers!
J

 

[abechap024]

https://www.antekinc.com/pdf/AN-0215.pdf

will this work as my power tranny? i know its a little low...

or would this work

https://www.antekinc.com/details.php?p=645

was unsure because it is 50VA

They both will work. I just got the AN-0220 because they are the only size they are stocking currently that will fit vertically in a case, I usually prefer the 18v ones though. Also the 25va size is plenty to power 2 clxs

 

[Trench Recordings]

2 dead TL071 here, one dead NE5534, one cold solder on a threshold pot and one above led acting wierd...  thats it so far

My power rails were good before put the chips in and I was pretty careful installing them ?

 

[jplebre]

Cool! I guess that all builders should look out for the TL071 seems like a common thing.
I've had my rails solid on 15v for 1h before I installed the chips. Variation after the chips was <.1v and then adjusted back so I think they may have been dead from factory.

Although!! I had used 3.3k resistor initially when I needed 10k, but it should draw less current, right?

J

 

[Trench Recordings]

I was probing my threshold pot and I ground it out for a second by accident. There was a puff of smoke and it smells alittle burnt. Do I need a new one ? It still seems to work with the above and below leds.   

Mouser part number for that alpha pot ?

 

[late]

Hi

Here is snare sample with silver can. Ratio 6 and about -10db G.R.

I am interested to know how That 2180 chip sounds. Can someone do it with my snare track and same settings.

Unprocessed Snare
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20579799/Unprocessed%20SN.mp3

Processed Snare (Silver Can)
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20579799/Processed%20CLX-VU%20%28Silver%20Can%29%20SN.mp3

Unprocessed Kick
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3370162/GroupDIY/BD-original_01.mp3

Processed Kick (Silver Can)
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20579799/CLX-VU%20%28Silver%20Can%29%20Kick.mp3

 

[jplebre]

Snare:
processed with abe's suggested C11 cap:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3370162/GroupDIY/Processed%20CLX-VU%20(that)%20SN.mp3

Processed with original value C11 cap:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3370162/GroupDIY/Processed%20CLX-VU%20(that%20mod%20c11)%20SN.mp3

BD (about 10-15dB compression at ratio 1:6)
Original
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3370162/GroupDIY/BD-original_01.mp3

That chip, with abe's suggested C11 cap:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3370162/GroupDIY/bd-dbx(that)_02-01.mp3

That chip, with schematics' C11 cap:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3370162/GroupDIY/bd-dbx(thatc11original)_01-01.mp3

I've used a meter that I think it's slower than amperometers so that may be throwing the extra bit of reduction off.
There's definitely a difference, albeit small. Or i'm hearing things - I'll go grab my first cup of coffee and I'll have a second listen

 

[late]

That sound more cleaner. Silver can gives nice color and saturation. Btw your links are same file

 

[jplebre]

edited the links. Sorry about that.
I've mixed a track last night with a pair of original 160vu. I did not open them or peaked around, but both of them sounded slightly different.

I did bring mine in case I could do some AB which I could. I guess I could have pressed record but I was a bit pressed for time.

160 sounded slightly faster. By a very, very small amount.

For some reason, I could get pretty much indistinguishable compression between the 2 units for the kick with the original value cap. But for the snare, (it was quite a deep snare with loads of detail - ghost notes and what not) Abe's suggested C11 value for that vca was much closer to the original 160.

I made an executive decision there and then I'm keeping the 2 sides different