THAT Corporation Design Note 116

Techniques for
Stereo Volume Control
(with optional compressor/limiter)

The circuits within this application note feature THAT218x to provide the essential
function of voltage-controlled amplifier (VCA). Since writing this note, THAT has introduced
a new dual VCA, as well as several Analog Engines®. Analog Engines combine a VCA and an
RMS detector (RMS) with optional opamps in one part. With minor modifications, these
newer ICs are generally applicable to the designs shown herein, and may offer advantages in
performance, cost, power consumption, etc., depending on the design requirements. We
encourage readers to consider the following alternatives in addition to the 218x:
• Analog Engine (VCA, RMS, opamps): 4301
• Analog Engine with low supply voltage and power consumption (VCA, RMS, opamps):
4320
• Analog Engine with low cost, supply voltage, and power consumption (VCA, RMS): 4315
• Analog Engine with low cost and power consumption (VCA, RMS): 4305
• Dual (VCA only): 2162
For more information about making these substitutions, please contact
THAT Corporation's technical support group at apps_support@thatcorp.com

45 Sumner St, Milford, MA 01757-1656 USA; www.thatcorp.com; info@thatcorp.com

Copyright © 2000 - 2010 by THAT Corporation; All rights reserved.

Document 600155 Revision 01
 Techniques for Stereo Volume Control
THAT Corporation Design Note 116 (with optional compressor/ limiter)

This design note includes techniques for implementing:

1. Stereo control of a VCA with a single, linear potentiometer
2. Multiple adjustment slope across the range
3. Push-button control to change adjustment slope
4. Integrating a compressor limiter into the volume control
Figure 1 shows two THAT2181 VCAs controlled by a single volume control potentiometer.
Given a supply voltage of ±15V and a VCA control voltage constant of 6.1mV/dB, the potenti-
ometer span is calculated as follows:
51
30V % 51 + 3.01k
PotSpan = = 81.9 dB => !40.9 dB
6.1 mV
dB

V+
R9 C1
VR2
50k V+ C2
240k V+ 22p
Symmetry
V- 2 R4 R10 22p
Left EC+ 4 7
VR3
In C3 R2 1 SYM V+ 20k Left 50k 240k R6
IN OUT
8 2
1 Out V+
2 20k
Right V-
V- 3
47u 20k GND
EC+ 4 7
U1 EC-3 6
5
U3A C4 R5 Right
5532 In 1
SYM
V+ 6 Out
2181B R7 IN OUT
8
7
V- 5
V+ 5k1 47u 20k GND
5
Volume U2 EC- 6 U3B
R1 V- 2181B 3 5532
VR1 R8
5k 3k01 5k1
R3
51R
V- +3300ppm/degC V-

Figure 1. Controlling 2 channels with a single, linear volume control potentiometer

There will be some additional distortion due to the increased control port impedance, but
using an op-amp follower to buffer the control port will eliminate this problem. Control port
linearity could result in a worst case mis-match of 2.4 dB at -60 dB gain, but this is
extremely unlikely. A more realistic cause of error would be thermal mis-matches between
devices. This problem can be greatly reduced by careful layout. First, both THAT2181 VCAs
should be placed side-by-side (touching if possible) , with corresponding pins aligned (pin 1
to pin 1, etc.) Second, keep these devices away from other devices dissipating significant
amounts of power, as those devices can cause thermal gradients which can result in thermal
mismatches between VCAs. If the designer knows the direction of gradients and/or convec-
tion currents in the housing, the VCAs should be aligned with that gradient to eliminate
temperature differentials between parts. One final note on this circuit: R3 should be a
+3300 ppm/ºC resistor to properly temperature compensate the VCAs' control.

Copyright © 2000 - 2010 Design Note 116

by THAT Corporation Page 2 of 6
All rights reserved 45 Sumner St; Milford, MA 01757 USA; www.thatcorp.com; info@thatcorp.com Doc. 600155 Rev. 01
 Techniques for Stereo Volume Control
THAT Corporation Design Note 116 (with optional compressor/ limiter)

C1 Symmetry V+
C2
VR2 R8
100n 50k U3
V+ 240k 2181B 22p
+25 dB
R2 Channel In R6
R1 V- 2 V+
4k99
Volume VR1 EC+ 4 7 Channel
20k 2 U1A 20k
125k
3
1
C3 R5 1
SYM
V+ 8 2 Out
-100 dB
V- R3 IN OUT 1
47u 20k V- 3
1k25 5532 GND
EC- 6 5 U2B
D1 D2 3 R7
1N4148 5532
1N4148 5k1
R4
V-
V- 100k

Figure 2. Dual slope volume control with breakpoint

Figure 2 shows a circuit that uses a linear potentiometer, but has different volume
control slopes on each of the 2 halves of the potentiometer’s range. While the output of U1A
is positive, D1 is reverse biased, and the gain of this stage is:
−R2 −4.99k
Gain = R1 = 125k = −0.04
which results in a volume swing of 0 to -100 dB as the potentiometer is rotated from its
center to CCW. While the output of U1A is negative, D1 is forward biased, and the gain of this
stage is:
−R2||R3 −999
Gain = R1 = 125k = −0.008
which results in a volume swing of 0 to 25 dB as the potentiometer is rotated from its
center to CW. Figure 3 shows a SPICE simulation of this circuit with the input to R1 swept
from -15V to +15V. Note the change of slope as the input, plotted against the x axis, is
swept from -15V to +15V. Note also, that D2 properly compensates the temperature coeffi-
cient of D1.

+33dB +25 dB -200mV

0 dB
0dB 0V
U1A Output
VCA Gain

-33dB +200mV

-66dB +400mV

-99dB -100 dB +600mV

-15V -10V -5V 0V 5V 10V 15V
Figure 3. SPICE simulation of breakpoint performance

Copyright © 2000 - 2010 Design Note 116

by THAT Corporation Page 3 of 6
All rights reserved 45 Sumner St; Milford, MA 01757 USA; www.thatcorp.com; info@thatcorp.com Doc. 600155 Rev. 01
 Techniques for Stereo Volume Control
THAT Corporation Design Note 116 (with optional compressor/ limiter)

The circuit in Figure 4 demonstrates how to make the span of the volume control poten-
tiometer selectable with a switch. The swing of the volume control potentiometer is calcu-
lated in the same way as for the circuit in Figure 1, except that for low sensitivity, we use a
12.1 kW resistor for R1 in the divider equation, and for high sensitivity, we use the total
equivalent resistance of the parallel combination of R1 and R4.
51
30V % 51 + 3.01 k
PotSpanHighSens = = 81.9 dB => ! 40.9 dB
6.1 mV
dB

51
30V % 51 + 12.1 k
PotSpanLowSens = = 20.6 dB => ! 10.3 dB
6.1 mV
dB

C3 smoothes the step when SW1 is closed.

V+
Symmetry
R10 C2
VR3
50k 240k V+ 22p
Volume U2 R6
V- 2 2181B
4
Control EC+ 7
20k Channel
Channel In C4 R5 SYM
V+ 1
IN
V+
OUT
8 6
7
Out
20k GND
V- 5
R1 47u 5
VR1 EC- 6 U3B
5k 12k1 High
3 5532
R8
R4 SW1 5k1
V- 4k02 SW-SPST V-
Sensitivity R3 C3
51R 1u
+3300ppm/°C

Figure 4. Volume control with switch selectable sensitivity

Copyright © 2000 - 2010 Design Note 116

by THAT Corporation Page 4 of 6
All rights reserved 45 Sumner St; Milford, MA 01757 USA; www.thatcorp.com; info@thatcorp.com Doc. 600155 Rev. 01
 Techniques for Stereo Volume Control
THAT Corporation Design Note 116 (with optional compressor/ limiter)

Figure 5 shows the correct method for connecting THAT2252 RMS detectors in parallel.
Using this connection in stereo applications will prevent "image shifting" due to one channel
compressing while the other is not, which can be a problem in stereo systems with 2 detec-
tors. This technique requires that the 0 dB reference point for both detectors be the same.
Since there is a 3dB tolerance on Iin0, VR1 is provided to adjust this parameter.

V+ V+

C7 C10 C9 C11
100n 10u 100n 10u
R6 R7
C6 C8
20R 100n 20R 100n
Left 4 8 5 4 8 5
In C1 R1 V- Right In C2 V-
SYM VCC VEE R2 SYM VCC VEE
IN RMS OUT IN RMS OUT
1 7 U1 60k4 1 BIAS GND CAP 7
47u 28k8 BIAS GND CAP
2252A 47u RMS
2 3 6 2 3 6 Output
VR1 R21 U2
20k 52k3 2252A
R4 C4 C3 R3 R5 C5
560k 1u 22u 1M1 560k 1u
V- V-
V-

Figure 5. THAT2252 RMS detectors connected for true RMS power summing

The schematic in Figure 6 is titled VCA Volume Control w/ Compressor. This schematic
shows a compressor/limiter which also has the dual slope volume control with breakpoint
shown in Figure 2.
Also in the Figure 6 schematic, the RMS detector is configured to have a 0 dB reference
point ( the input level which results in 0 volts out) of -10 dBu. This level is easily changed by
adjusting R7. R11 is configured to by-pass the detectors symmetry adjustment. This is the
same connection which is implemented internally on the THAT4301. Otherwise, the detector
is designed per the THAT2252 datasheet recommendations.

Copyright © 2000 - 2010 Design Note 116

by THAT Corporation Page 5 of 6
All rights reserved 45 Sumner St; Milford, MA 01757 USA; www.thatcorp.com; info@thatcorp.com Doc. 600155 Rev. 01
 V+
-40

R15 R16 R17

Threshold 50K
390k 150k

All rights reserved

+20

by THAT Corporation
R11 D2
V+ V- C6 1N4148

Copyright © 2000 - 2010

20R
5% 4 8 5
C3 SYM VCC VEE
V- 22p
R7 1 7 R14
IN RMS OUT D1
16k9 BIAS GND CAP U2 5k1
10u 2 3 6 2252
V+ 1N4148
2 U4A Compression
C5 CT C4 1
R12 3
1u RT 10u 10u R19 R20 R9
560K 2M20 5532
V+ 2K 150k 5k1
V-
+20 6
7
THAT Corporation Design Note 116

V+ V- R22 C1 R10
Volume R21 5
VCA Symmetry R5
50k C2 Control 50K 125k 100n 5k1 U3B
-20 5532
R4 R18 R13
240k cw 22p V- 130k
4k99
V- R6 R3 6 U4B
2 V+
4 7
EC+ 7
20k0 1k25 5
Input C2 SYM U1
R1 1 V+ 8 2 U3A Output D3 5532
IN OUT 1
20k0 V- 3
1N4148 D4
10u GND 5
EC- 2181B
6 5532
3 1N4148

45 Sumner St; Milford, MA 01757 USA; www.thatcorp.com; info@thatcorp.com

R2 R8
5k1 100k
5%
V- V-
(with optional compressor/ limiter)
Techniques for Stereo Volume Control

Figure 6: VCA Volume Control w/ Compressor

Page 6 of 6
Design Note 116

Doc. 600155 Rev. 01