Friday, 11 January 2013
Comet Filter
I ran into Masaru Kubota's circuit snippets and they look pretty interesting. Info about this one: The Comet Filter is a Twin-T notch filter that I modified. That should clear up any confusion... I modified the Twin-T notch filter around 1995 so that I would get a sound that sounded like a phase shifter. If you're in love with this circuit, then I'm flattered. The sound ranges from low-pass filter to scooped metal to hard rock to cardboard. If you use an SPDT, not a DPDT, bypass switch, that disables the output, with the input still connected to the input of this circuit, the circuit still works. You might even say that the circuit works better than when the filter is directly in the signal path. This circuit sounds really good and even better, it can keep you out of the "poorhouse". By the way, the comet that this filter is named after is the Comet Hyakutake.
Verified! Not a bad pedal, it gives a bit more control over the EQ than just using the amp controls and the slight phase sounds pretty good, especially when you're twisting the dial. In fact I reckon with a little tweaking you could replace filter 2 with an LDR and use it as a hand/foot controlled phaser.
ReplyDeleteAlso I love Masaru Kubota's early 90's 'Geocities' style web site http://mas1911.tripod.com/Fuzz_Schematics.html
Thank you for verifying!
DeleteHis circuits are interesting little things. There's a few more coming as layouts soon :)
+m
Good idea to use an LDR in this, i think there are a lot of pedals that have potential to have LDR controlled parameters, its something im going to do with the vorg warp sound when i build it. I already have a delay with an LDR in, sounds freaky!
DeleteThanks
Dave
Yeah I've seen a couple of pedals on Devi Ever's site that use them, they look like fun! Oh and Mirosol I'll be looking forward to some of those, there might be a hidden gem in there.
DeleteI <3 LDRs
ReplyDeleteI think I'm gonna have to build this with an LDR for fun :D
I bloody hate them, it's a real pain in the arse sometimes getting the LED and LDR into a position in a layout where they can easily face each other! :o)
DeleteAh yes, used in that context they're annoying, but used instead of potentiometers they can be great fun, simply mount them in led bezels on the outside of your fun and waggle your foot for freaky noise heaven!
DeleteCheers
Dave
I like to put my LED/LDR`s on a daughter board, saves bothering about layout placement and makes them easier to replace. I have a few different combo`s made up so i can try them out in a circuit to see which give the best results.
DeleteMe too, have a look at the 'mushroom echo' by moody sounds, its terrific! Let us know how it goes if you try it.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Dave
How would I have to wire it or change to make it controllable with the LED + LDR trick? I'm new to this, and to have it like a foot control phaser is an interesting idea: -) problem is that i'm new into electronics and i can't figure it out, where should I put the LED? and the LDR would replace the pot? Thanks
ReplyDeleteSergio
Hi Sergio, the way i would do it is too build the circuit exactly as the diagram shows, but then solder one wire from lug 1 of the filter 2 pot and attach it to one leg of the LDR, then from the other leg of the ldr, solder a wire to the center lug of an SPDT switch. Next, from either of the outer lugs of the SPDT, solder a wire to either lug 2 or 3 of the filter 2 pot (shouldnt matter which lug as they should be connected together anyway). This should now mean you have an mode for controlling the filter with the ldr and one for controlling it with the pot.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Dave
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThanks, Dave! That's a great explanation, I ' ll try it soon, maybe during this weekend, I' ll let you know when it's done, to tell you how it works!
ReplyDeleteAny suggestion for the LDR?
Sergio
No worries, i look forward to hearing that. You'll want an LDR that has a maximum resistance similar to the value of the potentiometer i think, so in this case something that goes from around 100 ohms to 100 k ohms.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Dave
I am kind of interested in building one of these. Does anyone know if there is a demo of it anywhere?
ReplyDeleteI should be able to record a demo for you but I'm pretty busy with work at the moment so maybe check back at the weekend and I should have it done.
DeleteI made it but didn't notice any sort of effect changes.... By the way this is my first comment and i LOVE this site!!! Thank you, blessed awesome layout makers!
ReplyDeleteI just built this and seem to be having a huge humming issue. I switched out the trannie from a 3904 to a 2222a and still got the hum. When connecting filter lugs 1 and 2 and filter lugs 2 and three, am I supposed to put two wires in one spot or am I bridging across the lugs?
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone has a review of this pedal? I'm really interested in its sound
ReplyDeleteHey, I just build this, but I think I'm not going to save it. The effect is very little and there's a small volume drop. It' sort of a fixed wah, but with a very very small range of soundeffect.
ReplyDeleteIt might be my build ofcourse...
Hey everyone, i've just build this effect for my bass. It works, but if i play a bit harder the sound distorts... What should i do? Change a resistor? If yes, then which and to what value?
ReplyDeleteThis is a fun one, I used a 2n2222 transistor and a A50K pot, I found it had a more useable sweep than the B100k. This might be a good one to throw into a reverb with a wet/dry blend
ReplyDeleteHi everyone.
ReplyDeleteI've built this one, working well but not enough distorted for me.
I'm a beginner in those stuff and I'm trying to add 2 diodes at the end of the circuit but don't hear any difference at this moment (probably not enough power for the 1N914).
I'm still searching how I can do the mod, I'll let you know.
In parallel, is it normal that the input goes into the negative side of the 10µF capacitor ?
Thanks for advises
I built this circuit, thanks very much! I also added an autowah function to it; if you want to watch a demo and links to the vero layout go here:
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/hssXtzPFujY
My 1M Pot acts more like a boost and the 100k doesn't seem to have much effect (except for a slight scratch when bringing the knob up from zero) Im going to try a few different Transistors (2N2222, PN100 and BC549) to see if that changes anything. Any ideas on what it should sound like and for things to check aside from bridges and the obvious would be appreciated
ReplyDeleteIm wondering if I should Replace a resistor, either the 1k Resistor to Tranistor C leg or the 470k to the Transistor B leg, with a variable resistor. maybe the transistor isnt getting the supply it needs? just thinking out loud and seeing what you think
DeleteSo I have tried a variety of transistors and none seem to change anything. and the variable resistor instead of the 1K to transistor C leg makes no difference. I'd Love to get this working or doing what its meant to do so any help would be greatly appreciated
DeleteSo I seem to have sorted the sound/transistor issue but I have noticed there is a volume drop when knobs are turned towards zero. I was thinking of putting a Zvex Super Hard On on the output wire to give the pedal a bit of boost when the current knobs are a bit lower. Thoughts?
Delete