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2N5172 Selected NPN Noise Transistor

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Description
These 2N5172 NPN transistors have been tested and selected for their emitter base reverse bias
noise.
They give greater than 3V peak to peak noise with a non-inverting gain of 100. While
testing I observed
a wide range of noise levels with > 3V p-p as what I consider the lowest
acceptable level. However several of the tested transistors caused clipping at a gain of 100
because they are very noisy. Due to this fact it is often necessary to
reduce the gain in the
white noise generation section of many MFOS circuits when using one of these selected 2N5172
noise transistors. Below you will find information for several MFOS projects regarding which
component(s) to adjust the value of to reduce the noise signal gain if necessary.

Notice the pinout of the 2N5172 (ECB, remove the middle C lead) and be sure to
install it correctly into your board.
The 2N5172 pinout when viewing the flat side with pins
down is ECB. You may be replacing a 2N3904 whose pinout when viewing the flat side with pins
down is EBC.

See the 2N5172 data sheet for complete specs.

Adjusting Noise Cornucopia Rev 01 White Noise Gain

As can be seen the first stage gain of U1-A is about 48 and the next stage allows
trimming of
the gain. However a really noisy transistor may cause clipping
in the first stage so if you need to
reduce the gain lower the value of R10 or
increase the value of R9. Gain = (R10 Value)/(R9
Value) + 1. Adjust R8 noise trim as
necessary to achieve the correct p-p level out of U1-B
(about 10V p-p).

Adjusting Sound Lab ULTIMATE White Noise Gain

As can be seen the first stage gain of U14-B is about -50 and the next stage allows
trimming of
the gain. However a really noisy transistor may cause clipping
in the first stage so if you need to
reduce the gain increase the value of R137. Gain = -(R141 Value)/(R137 Value). Adjust R144
noise trim as
necessary to achieve the correct p-p level out of U1-B (about 10V p-p).

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Adjusting Sound Lab Mini-Synth White Noise Gain

The Sound Lab Mini-Synth's noise generator is a bit different from the other
noise generators in
that it really gains up the first stage with a whopping gain of 4701.
The second stage is
designed to then use whatever noise signal it gets from the first stage and practically turn it into
digital noise with it's comparator scheme.
I don't think it is necessary to use one of these
selected noise transistors in this circuit.
Of course if you needed to reduce the gain of the first
stage I suggest you decrease the
value of R100.

Adjusting Synth-DIY Experimenter White Noise Gain

As can be seen the first stage gain of U9-C is about 101 and the next stage allows
trimming of
the gain. However a really noisy transistor may cause clipping
in the first stage so if you need to
reduce the gain reduce the value of R146
or increase the value of R148. Gain = (R146
Value)/(R148 Value) + 1. Adjust R150 noise trim as
necessary to achieve the correct p-p level
out of U9-D (about 10V p-p).

Adjusting Sound Lab Mini-Synth PLUS White Noise Gain

As can be seen the first stage gain of IC7-C is about 43 and the next stage adds another
multiple of 10 to the gain. However a really noisy transistor may cause clipping
in the first stage
so if you need to reduce the gain reduce the value of R100
or increase the value of R98. Gain =
(R100 Value)/(R98 Value) + 1. Adjust R229 IC7-D feedback resistor as necessary to achieve the
correct p-p level out of U9-D (about 10V p-p).

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