Volume 8, Number 1 Stompboxology Ring modulation sounds discordant and so gets spare use. Yet means ex- ist to soften the dissonance and diversify the effect. This issue explains ring modulation and presents plans for four Ring Modu-Matios, Whatis Ring Modulation? Ring modulation is synonymous with balanced modulation, doubly bal- anced mixing, and four-quadrant multiplication, and also with mixing, in the Ham-radio sense ofthe word. All these terms connote the combination of wo tones so as to yield their sum and difference. For example, 1287 Hz mixed with 854 Hz gives (1237 + 564) = 1791 Hz, and (1237 ~554) = 683 He. Balancedimplies that neither input tone appears atthe output But for a tone multiplied againsttselt, nd occasional harmonic coincidence, ring modulated tones bear no musical relation to each other or to ther parent tones. Sum and difference terms created by an audio amplifier are called intermodulation distortion, distinct from harmonic distortion, whose terms contain even or odd multiples ofthe input. Ring modulated tones sound discordant, but also novel and unexpected, often perverting the relation between input pitch and output pitch. Balanced mixing has countless uses outside music. The process is uni- versal in radio receivers. Atypical FM portable contains an oscillator tun- able from about 98 Mhz to 119 MH2. The receiver mixes the antenna feed with the internally generated signal: 98.8 MHz mixed with a station fre- quency of 88.1 MHz gives (98.8 ~ 88.1) = 10.7 MHz, and (98.8 + 88.1 186.9 MHz. Filters select 10.7 MHz, from which audio may be recovered directly, or which may undergo a second downconversion. Fig. 1. Diagram illustrates the origin of multiplier nomenctature. Quadrantre- {ers to one of four possible combinations of input voltage polarities. A 4M re- turns the correct output from any pair of inputs; e.g.,3V times -2V outputs +6V. A2QM responds to positive and negative deviations of y, but only tox-de- Viations at and above 0. A 1QMis limited to positive values for both inputs, 4y iatted tine encloses 2quadrant multipter Tesponse mits adrant II negative quadrant | y positive | % ¥ Positive quadrant ii | quadrant IV x,y negative | * positive 1 1 1 y negative 1 1 1 fl 1 1 In this issue: What is Ring Modulation? Achieving Ring Modulation More about Four Quadrant Multiplication ... Designing Ring Modulator Stompboxes Variations on a Theme .. Beginner’s View ... Ring Modu-Matic Ring Modu-Matic II Ring Modu-Matic III Ring Modu-Matic 1V Rng modulation formed the basis for sound effects well back into the tube era and heard frequently in fms an TV series. The Outer Limits (1963-5) made particulatly tree use of the process. Balanced mixing can also be heard in certain voice scramblers, and in single- and double-side- band radio transmissions, Achieving Ring Modulation Many and varied circuits yield the sum and diference of two inputs. They include: «RF mixer ICs (LM1496, NE602, etc.) « analog multiplier ICs (LM1495, ADS34, etc.) ‘ multiplier-configured OTAs * synchronous detectors * diode-transformer mixers RF mixer ICs are exemplified by the LM1496, long a staple of Ham-radio gear. Typical applications use balanced transformer inputs & outputs. Configured for audio, the chip tolerates a elatively low signal level before harmonic distortion rises, Unlike other 4QMs, the 1496 delivers an output whose amplitude can exceed the input by a factor of four (Fig. 3), ‘Analog mutiplier ICs include the antiquated LM1495, which demands 2 host af support parts including several rims. Though instructive to study, the 1495 is less practical than chips laser-trimmed during manufactur, such as the AD534, which needs no trimming in many applications (Fig. 2- 3). This chip and its successors offer low distortion, large headroom, and lower noise than earlier multipliers. The 534 is also capable of excellent carrier feedthrough rim, but prefers to runoff +15V. This chip isan expen: sive option, currently about $47 forthe Burr-Brown version. The MPY634, ‘currently ~§17 through Digi-Key, has the same pinout and key specs as the 534 Operational transconductance amps (OTAs; e.g., LM3080, LM13600 are easily configured as balanced multipliers that make one of the mos! practical stompbox choices, being cheap, widely available, and adaptable tornine votts (Fig. 24). They're capable of >40 d8 of carrier feedthrough suppression, while tolerating a large input signalStompboxology Vol. 8, No. Fig.2. Different approaches to balanced multiplication, 1—Crude synchronous detector generates sum and difference terms if Q1 is toggled by squarewave ‘Output sounds harsh du to high quotient of ‘squarewave harmonics. 2—Diode- ‘transformer mixer of type found in RE circuits. When auditioned, the variation shown gave more harmonic distortion then sumidifference output. -—About the simplest configuration ofan ADS34 or et tt re_our our 3 we The TeemOUSER 42THOLe Drones" iNata vee7.5-9V @Qwew syonau oyr MPY634used as belanced modulator for t a | ‘audio signals, The y-inputs (pins 6 & 7) aro oo preferred for the carrier, as their feed- 141312 11 18 8 8 ° through, at audio frequencies, s much ess nose than x-inputs’ (pins 1 & 2). As shown, MPYE34 transferfuncionis:l(rxy)+10].¢-OTA sions. [2 9 4 5 6 7 (2080, orhais 13600) conigured as W canmien balanced multiplier and optimized forsv. Oo operation. 1K pot nulls carrier feedthrough; toxd | CRRIER ‘null shifts if supply voltage changes. ‘Asynchronous detector (Fig. 2-1) isa circuit that alternately mutilies signal by 1 and -1. Ifa constant tone toggles the multiplication sign and the axe feed acts as the signal, the output contains sum and difference terms, rch in squarewave harmonics because the carriers asquarewave. ‘The circuits easily built rom an op amp anda FET (or aCMOS switch], but the sound is so harsh that some players regardit less a musical effect than a sound eftect. Other approaches have theoretical worth that often fails to pan out mu- sicaly, The diode-transformer mixer shown in Fig. 2-2 gave a sound rich inharmonic distortion, with relatively few intermodulation products, More about Four-Quadrant Multiplication The two multiplier inputs are designated x and y. Multipliers are catego rized according to the polarities of x and y for which they generate an out- putof correct polarity. circutthat returns correct polarity only for positive values of x and y is called a one-quadrant multiplier (10M; quadrant de- notes a combination of input polarities, ilustrated in Fig. 1). A circuit that responds to positive and negative values of y, but only positive values of x, is called atwo-quadrant multiplier (20M). Common voltage controlled am plifers are 20Ms. A circuit responsive to all polarity combinations of x and yis called a four-quadrant multiplier (4M), which generates the sum ference terms that characterize ring modulation Because the product would quickly exceed the available headroom, practical muttiplers divide the output by a constant, usually 10. Thus, six volts multiplied against minus seven volts generates an output of [(8 x ~7) +10) = -42V. ‘Analog multipliers perform many other functions, such as squaring, ccubing, or raising values to higher powers; taking square, cube, or other roots; root-mean-square detection, division, and the derivation of trigono: metric tunctions. Designing Ring Modulator Stompboxes ‘A musically practical ring modulator consists of: ‘modulator «cartier generator « catier suppression means While any of the circuits listed above can serve as modulator, some sound more musical than others. The ADS34 and similar chips rank frst, but their preference for 215V takes them out of contention inthe average ‘stompbox. OTAs' low cost, wide availabilty, simple circuitry, andlow-volt- ‘age operation make them clear stompbox winners. The LM1496 is also a ood choice itits harmonic distortion is acceptable. A synchronous detec- {orissimple, runs at stompbox voltage, and is easily configured from com: ‘mon parts, but places behind other contenders out of harsh sound. Just about any oscilator can serve as cartier generator. But here, too, some approaches sound better than others. Pure-sine oscillators deliver the most musical sound, but tend to be finicky, especially when running at nine volts. Many are not practical place under voltage contro. Derived- sine oscillators are easily tuned and adapted to voltage control, but gener- ate incidental squarewaves and triangle waves whose harmonics are dif cultto exclude from the signal path. Whatever the choice of modulator and carrier generator, the boxlives or dies by carrier suppression while the instrument is silent. This poses the chief tactical problem in designing musical ring modulators. Non-sine car- riers are harder to suppress due to their enormous harmonic energy. Most modulators allow some form of carrer feedthrough trim, but this is rarely good enough to silence the box at rest. A quiet box demands additional carrier suppression, such as: * gated oscillator # gated modulator Fig, 3 Internal sche 11496 shows configuretion modulators. This circuit is suitable for experimenting with Modulator Chip unique among 4M diseyeod hare In tat the output ‘shows significant gain over input, about 2V out for 0.5V in. . at‘Stompboxology Vol. 8, No. 1 pee a 4 Ee ee a \o 00 oo pooood ce Pn eig ASE 00 booo 00 Fb OW boo oy 39.40 41 42 43-44 45 46 47 i Ring Modu-Matic tertaton layout & wiring diagram. ‘Copyrignt © 2000 by Guar Projet Books. Al ght reserved, R25 100K LI Carrier Frequency Parts List/Soldering Checklist T] a ussva C1 WW Aer Aan CireuitBoard Radio Shack pn 276-170:Hosll in {] we Gece i) x neoas7 42-18;0¢DC Boconcs pind {] ia Joey [i YY aeases IeSockats [} 4 toro i} 2 owe Sepia fortspin-tto€10 () us deovse Semiconductors {] tepintort:pint 027 {) sie G06 ['] Di 1M§001 x49-045bandedendtoxe3) {] BpinlorI pit F20 [) v7 Heo ] 02 1NSt4 120-2 (eandedenstacs i) L.).BpinforI5:pit FOB (] We ever [| 02 1N914 027-625 (bardedendtaes 625) Resistors () si weaves ] 101 Thoesquadopampin-t 10 (] 8! 100K (omiikye 85.85 {] 0 weve [] 162 TK1T8800T(DigiKeyiiow-ropoutsy [] Re 100K omtikye) X5-A8 [1] et ays regulator input) t0C'4, round (6).0C18, [] Fo 1K (ombikred) 88.811 [1 ee hsin6 ouiputtO}t0C16 [1 Fe 1K formbikre) c1ec19 (] a eiseis [.] 103 TLos¢quadopamp:pn- 10627 {] AS 10K — fombkog) AITATB () Be Hots [] C4 TLos2evalopan:in-110F29 1] 6 $00K —teieye AZO (U1 2 Gist (1 ICS. \Mso80OTApin- 1 F36 [1 RT 100K —omnbkye) 022-025 ] 6 HSHE (note: donot install @1 until feedthroughhas [J R8 100K —fomicye) 820.824 (] ar wrx beentrimmed;seetext) [1 FO 10K feenbikarg) C26-c27 I] ee ys [ } 1 2N3906; emir} t0F11, basa (@}to (] RO 1K fomoired) A26 8 [) eo eM 12, collector (C)ioF13 i] Ri 47K —yebrowed) 30.840 capacitors Trimpot T] RZ 100 fomblebm) D43-F48 T] Cl 220F —XVAt (leadtoxt) (]Re¢ 50K mutitumtnmpo:'ads goin 40-41-42 [] AID 10K —ombieorg) E35-F35 (J C2 AF C3.ce(sieadtoc8) Potentiometers (terminal) () RM 47K —Yyelvioeg) HOSHO7 } ¢3 oor xeas {] R25. 100K T1tove,Tetodt,Taton [] RIS 100K ombhye) HEH jc cor — Dropte 1} R28 100K ual [J RI 10K mbar) Heo HEB i} 6s ot crecis F26a Tita TZandtoAtt, TS10AI2 } RIT WM toenthegr) 2028 {1 C8 220pF © Bas-827 R60 Tite Teandtoat3.T3t0dt 1] YB 100K (omy DeH-Gee 1] 67 wr 026:029/steatio []_ Re 100K TrteA3i, T2144, TI0A4t {] R19 36K fergbuor) Gr2-Gat [} 68 iyF nonpolar 038.041 (Teterminal) {] Re 10K fombiorg} 10 [] 08 tyr E44-€45(+leactoes4) 1] ptjack ("9 terinalsteroo|:tptoT2 UL] Re 470 abv) 5 [] G10 t0yF —Jet-vat(oieadtostt) fing negative jbateryleae, seve {] RQ 2K — (eored-rg) 46 [1 Git tyF nonpolar 31-34 toany pinion he ¥-buss (1 Rea 22K —(edredved) 61-08 (] G12 oo0ee ses-vas [}outputjack 14" 24exminabmono}tpio BareWire Jumpers [] cr ogo: Hot-nae TS01St, slevetoary point onte ¥-uss I] dt Oto [) Cte s0opF ero FI9 Switehes T=terminal) [1 we Abas [} C5 tuF — €16-F16(sloadi0=16) 1} S1(OPDT stompswich:T110017:T2 i] us xra7 [1 C16 wr Hitsté(vleadiola) totpotinguteck T3104: TStoipof Th 4 Agao () 07 oo yest culputack: 0 MS 1) is Xieane Fring mpeg wi) 1 S26PST sie or toggle switch): oneterminalto (1) 6 B1s820 tT ros 413.onetermnalioJt4 () st pieces 1] ss Apacs svBatieryLeads (1) we aaraze () TT seas [Back (cogave,-leadsoldrstoringolinputack (] 9 dsoost [) Ww Cross [1 redipostve«eadsolderstoxt7 [1 10 835-838 (] W BeersProject. No. G212 Ring Modu-Matic II Raucous squarewave modulator; reversible ramp generator shits the car- rier tone. Circuit Function ‘Signal path: Axe feed couples through C7-RS to noninverting preamp IC4.a, whose gain is fixed at 11. Preamp output couples to synchronous detector Q2-IC4-4, driven by the squarewave coupled through R11. Sig- ‘nal couples through C9 o divider R8-R10 (which gives system about 20 dB ‘ofquasi-companding), thence tothe output path Control path: Preamp output also couples through C3-R8 to inverting ‘amp IC4-b, whose gain varies 0-10 under control of R32. IC4-b output couples to a positive peak detector made up of IC3-a and its associated components. IC3-a output drives comparator {C3-d, whose output is nor- mally low, but flips high in the presence of a positive voltage communi- cated through R20. Comparator output drives a variable attack network comprised of R21-31 and C15, butfered by voltage follower IC3-c, whose output couples through R22 to unity-gain inverter IC3-b. IC3-b and 1C3-c outputs couple, respectively, to terminal-1 and -3 of $2, whose pole couples to frequency range control pot R30. Toggling $2 to T3 selects a rising voltage, toggling $2 to T1 selects a falling voltage to drive the volt age controlled squarewave oscillator, IC1-IC2. Oscilator output couples through R11 to Q2’s gate, thus controlling the modulation frequency. Com parator output also couples through 23 to the base of Qi, which deact Ring Modu-Matic Il schematic. cs 001 RRA 20K vates the VCO when the comparator outputis iow, quieting the effect. Use Stompboxology Vol. 8, No. 1 Pots & switches have these functions: R30 frequency range R31 ramptime, 50ms—1 sec R32__ trigger sensitivity $1 effectibypass $2 ramp select negativelpositive Initial settings: R30 fully CW, R31 and R32 straight up, S1 effect in, $2 either position. Connect unit to axe and amp, establish desired listening level n this state a dramatic and severe frequency shitt should be heard each time a note or chord is struck. If necessary, adjust trigger sensitivity control R32. With a suitable trigger threshold established, take ramp time and fre: quency range controls through their ranges and note the effect on sound; reverse the ramp direction setting of S2 and repeat the checkout se- quence. Notes The least musical of the Ring Modu-Matics, RMM2 is yet the most dra matic, Its radical sound is more special effect than musical effect. The box generates a great variety of sounds, ranging trom eighties video game to scifi cliché. The etfect responds greatly to changes in axe tone contra and EQ in or before the amp. Hot pickups will need reduced gain to avoid clipping in the preamp (which may not be audible due to the nature of the effect aa (BATTERY LEAD eae 218K 19 copveicut ¢c> INPUT 31” oureur 2000 Y CUITAR 0 pRosect Bo0Ks. aaNet, v ALL RIGHTS. ot RESERVED,‘Stompborology Vol. 8, No.1 Ring Modu-Matic Il layout & wiring diagram. Copyright © 2000 by Guitar Project Books. lights reserved 1294567 8 91011 1219 1415 1617 18 19 20.218 92 100K-A ‘rigger Sensitivity i e 27 28 29 30 31 99 94 95 96 97 38 9940 1 42 45 "3 vob Noe Ios agg =a oa in ssteeeececareT A Ge Xe a 200g 0008 OB ¢ ee ee eromisietel isle D oro ob-dpog000p0D ° ° off o ° ° of E oo A s sl | Ee fm F a4 eS foo oF 6 Pe sles wks 0 Fo 0 ofo 0G ae 30 100K Frequency | lange 35 96 37 98 39.40 41 42 43 ‘ourput Parts List/Soldering Checklist CircuitBoard Rado Shack pin276-170;Hostelipin 42-183;0r DC EletronicspnJ$-404 1eSockets J BpinforiCt:pin- tot |} 8-pintorIC2:pin-t10F J t4pinfori3;pint 1019 ]. t4pintoriCspint tose store 1 1 1 fe Ri 10K — fombkeorg) CHS Ro {00K (ombheye AIAN R10K (bmbicor) C234027 RL 100K bmi) 828830 ] RS 10K Iombicog) A083 ] AS 10K —lombicog) C3132 1 RT XK bree) ASTADS | AB 10K (bmi) ABO } Ra 100 (bmbK-bm) DHDFHe | RIO 1K —(bmbkree) E4OG40 ] Ris TM (ombKegm) 636-637 1 Rie 10K —(omblerg) HOr-H0 ] R12 10K (omileor) J9152 ] AM 10K bmbicorg) 20-03 | RIS 100K —bmbiys) 628.628 } R16 100K (bmbicya) 125-28 ] RIT 100k (&makeya) 626-626 ] RIB 100° (bmBkcbr) _G19-F20 } R19. 100K fombheyo 922 ] R20 10K (omg) HI7-H21 } R21 GK (ombieres) N2its }) R22 300K (ombicye) DIETS ] R29 56K fou) EN-GIi ze 10K mbar) D108 R25 22K (eevedog) 6x8 R26 10K — ombleorg) 5 4} R27 100 (bmbiebn) HOT } R22 100 (bmblcbm) 62-67 1 Rae 220K reseed) 0065 Bare Wire Jumpars {] Jt X2aa i] 2 3988 i] 8 X648 1) 4 Arato goo goccccmsccc cd A $8 TT w cece XI6A16 Die-cra 20-026 X25-425 x28-423 G42 40-42 w4oveo Ee-H40 690-634 Je3-¥29 ee-Ho7 525-25 12323 Disa H6MIB Gi3Gi4 JY wey 0.022 0.01 a1 220pF 1009F 0.001 o4 WE ie 220 WE 10, 100, 0.001 opr ig Jumpers (insulated wi Bee-A2 Ha2-£38 inHg eee He7 7-08 Br7-821 22-83 826-827 28-30 Bor-892 ca 034 1036-C36(+laadt0C95) 38-699 +leadtoC3) KedrAdd |sleadto X44) 132-F33 +leadtoD32) J28-Y28(+ eadoJ28) 126-726 + lead0J26) E21-F23 J15-Y15(+leadoJ18) ) 1 W Jen3s wwe 025-627 XX A15A28 1 YY 89815 |Z oo ‘Semiconductors |] Dt 1N400T X61-C42 bandedendto x41) ] 02 IN914 AT7-A20foandedendtoAt?) } D3 1No14 C18-C21bandedend t0018) 04 INOt4 J17-122 (bandedend 10422) D5 1Nat4 G16-G20(bandedond 1020) | 1+ LM30a007A:pin-1to FA J} C2 TLog2dualopamppint to J] 163 TL064 quadopampipin-t to 18 1 1 IG& TLos4 quadopamp: pint toE32 1 2N3906 beta =~260) emiter(E)t0810, 'base(B)t0B! ,colector(C)toB12 [1 02 2N5457 — crain(O)t0134. source(s) 10135, gate(G)t0196 Potentiometers (T=terminal) [] R20 100K T1loT2andtoterminal-2ot $2;T31005 J RoI 50K T110J12, T2toTSandtoJt1 [1 R82 100Kaudioraper T1toA26, T2to Sand toa? lerminal) [] inputjack( 114" 3terminalistere)-tnto 2 ofS :ringtonegative(-} battery ead, sleeve 1027 [1 outputiack(1/4"2-terminatmono: ipto ToISt:sleeveto 34 ‘Switches (T=terminal) [] St(0POT stomp switch) T1034. T2t0tipot inputjack, T3t0 4, TSto pol outputjack, TE10 0 [.] S2(SPOTsiideortoggleswitch):T1 toB13,T2t0 terminals 1 & 20130, T310J13 ‘9VBattery Leads [[] black negative -)leadtoringofinputjack []_ rodipostive,«)leadtoass eS