100W Guitar Pre Amplifier Rise

Introduction

Guitar amplifiers are all the time an fascinating challenge. The tone keep a watch ons, gain & overload characteristics are individual, & the go well withable combination varies from guitarist to the next, & from guitar to the next. There is not any amp that satisfies everybodys requirements, & this providing is simply not predicted to be an exception. The preamp is now at Revision-A, & although the complete schematic of the new version just isn't proven below, the crucial traits are normally not modified - it nonetheless has the identical tone keep an eye fixed on \"stack\" & other keep an eye ons, however now has a 2nd op amp to minimize back output impedance & make stronger gain characteristics.

One main distinction from any \"store bought\" amplifier is that in case you build it your self, that you can be ready to alter things to fit your personal wants. The means to scan is the key to this circuit, which is even though presented in full type, there could be each predictation that builders will make amendments to go nicely with themselves.

The amp is rated at 100W in to a four Ohms load, as this is conventional of a \"combo\" sort amp with 8 Ohm speakers in parallel. Alternatively, that you can also run the amp in to a \"quad\" field (four x eight Ohm audio system in series parallel - see Figure five in Project 27b, the original editorial) and will get about 60 Watts. For the adventurous, two quad fieldes and the amp head will provide 100W, but will most definitely be much louder than the dual. This is a standard aggregate for guitarists, but it surely does make it exhausting for the sound man to bring the complete thing else as a lot as the identical level.

The Pre-Amplifier

A image of the Revision-A preamp is shown under. Youll see that theres twin op amps, but the schematic only displays. This is the principle a phase of the Rev-A replace - the output part now has gain (which is principally chooseed), and a greater buffered low output impedance. The remainder of the circuit is unchanged.

Guitar Pre-Amplifier Board

The preamp circuit is shown in Figure one, and has a couple of fascinating traits that separate it from the \"normal\" - assuming that there's the sort of factor. This is unassuming but dependent design, that presents superb tonal range. The acquire construction is designed to supply a significant quantity of gain, which is good for these guitarists who wish to get that absolutely distorted \"fat\" sound.

However, with a few simple adjustments, the preamp can additionally be tamed to swimsuit any model of taking section in. Likewise, the tone controls as shown have adequate range to duvet very anything else from an electrified violin to a bass guitar - The response can also be restricted in the adventure you would like (by testing with the tone keep an eye on capacitor values), however I recommend that you try it \"as is\" ahead of making any changes.

Figure 1 - Guitar Pre-Amplifier

From Figure one, one can find that the preamp makes use of a twin op amp because its handiest amplification. The lone transistor is an emitter practiceer, & deal withs a low output impedance after the master extent control. As proven, with a standard guitar input, it's feasible to receive a fats overdrive sound by way of winding up the quantity, & then environment the master for the perfect stage. The normal frequency response is deliberately limited to forestall extreme low-end waffle, & to chop the intense excessives to assist cut back noise & to limit the response to the traditional requirements for guitar. In case you utilize the TL072 op amp as shown, you may simply additionally find that noise is a topic - at high acquire with loads of treble increase. I strongly suggest that you simply use an OPA2134 - a top rate audio op amp from Los angels Instruments (Burr-Brown division), you are going to then in finding this probably the quietest guitar amp you've got ever heard (or not heard :-). At any acquire atmosphere, there may just be extra pickup noise from my guitar than circuit noise - & for the prototype one used carbon resistors!

Notes:
one - IC pin outs are industry usual for twin op amps - pin four is -ve provide, and pin 8 is +ve supply.
two - Op amp provide pins need to be by way ofpassed to earth with 100nF caps (preferably ceramic) as shut as possible to the op amp itself.
three - Diodes are 1N4148, 1N914 or similar.
four - Pots must be linear for tone regulates, & log for extent and grasp.

The power provide part (bottom left corner) connects immediately to the principle +/-35V power amp supply. Use one Watt zen-er diodes (D5 and D6), and make positive that the zen-er supply resistors (R18 and R19, 680 ohm one Watt) are evaded other sections, as they're going to get heat in operation. Again, the preamp PCB accommodates the provide on the board.

The pin connections shown (either huge dots or \"port\" images) are the pins from the PCB. Normally, all pots could be PCB varieties, and installed straight away to the board. For a selfmade challenge, that would restrict the structure to that imposed through the board, so all connections use wiring. It may simply look a bit of exhausting, however is inconspicuous and appears wonderful when the unit is completed. Cable ties preserve the wiring tidy, and handiest a single joinion to the GND point ought to be used(several are equipped, so select that suits your structure. VCC is +35V from the principle supply, and VEE is the -35V supply.

In the experience you dont require all the achieve that's on hand, basically elevate the worth of R6 (the first 4k7 resistor) - for even less noise and achieve, increase R11 (the 2d 4k7) as neatly. For extra gain, decrease R11 - I counsel a maximum of 2k2 here.

If the brilliant change is shiny ( much treble), raise the 1k resistor (R5) to tame it down once extra. Reduce the price to get extra chunk. The tone regulate association proven will provide zero output if all regulates are set to most - this is not going to be a typical requirement in use, but take into account of it when checking out.

The diode network at the output is designed to allow the preamp to generate a \"soft\" clipping characteristic when the quantity is became up. Because of the diode clipping, the energy amp must have an input sensitivity of about 750mV for full output, otherwise it wont be feasible to get full energy even with the Master achieve control at the maximum setting.

Make sure that the enter joinors are isolated from the chassis. The earth isolation parts in the power supply lend a hand to forestall hum ( when the amp is hooked up to different majors energyed equipment).

If issues are encountered with this circuit, then you might have made a wiring mistake .. length. A golden rule here is to take a appear at the wiring, then preserve on take a look ating it until you to find the error, in view that I can guarantee you that if it does not work properly there's as a minimum mistake, & most certainly more.

The enter, effects & output connections are proven in Figure 1B.

Figure 1B - Internal Wiring

The connections proven are related (ok, virtually identical :-) to these used in my prototype. Noise is low, & probably would possibly were decrease if I had made the amp a tiny greater. All connectors have to be totally insulated varieties, so there is no lengthyer any joinion to chassis. This is vital !

You will no lengthyerice from the above diagram that I didnt include the \"loop breaker\" circuit shown in the power provide diagram. For my needs, it isn't mandatory, for your needs, I shall assist you to pick. In case you select to utilize it, then the earth (chassis) joinion marked * (next to the enter joinors) need to be left off.

A few important levels

The major zero volt level is the connection between the filter caps. This is the reference for all zero volt returns, together with the zero.1 ohm speaker remarks resistor. Dont connect the feedback resistor directly to the amps GND level, or you'll generate distortion & possible instability.
 The provide for the amp & preamp have to be taken right away from the filter caps - the diagram above is literal - that signifies that you practice the path of the wiring as shown.
 Although talked about above, you might neatly ask why the pots dont mount immediately to the PCB to shop wiring. Simple . Had I accomplished it that means, you would require to make use of the same type pots as I designed for, & the panel format would must be the same , with the actual same spacings. I figured that this is in a position to be restricting, so wiring it's. The wiring if actuality be told doesnt take lengthy & is easy to do, so will no longer be a topic.
 I didnt embrace the \"Bright\" change in Figure 1B for readability. I are expecting that it's going to result in few issues.