26
Contents
SURROUND SOUND PROCESSOR
Based on a design by D. Laues
The processor described in this article expands the sound of
an existing stereo TV receiver or audio installation with a
centre channel and a surround channel. It does not use
special Dolby ICs. Additional output amplifiers are not
needed, because they are provided in the processor.
C reating surround sound in a domestic room
can be approached in two ways: by a
processor that generates the four signals required:
left-hand, right-hand, centre and surround, or
by one that adds the two missing channels,
that is, centre and surround, to the existing stereo
sound. The first is the most elegant, but also
the most complicated and most expensive.
Moreover, it requires an additional line to re-
turn the left-hand and right-hand signals to
the input of the TV/audio equipment. The sec-
ond way is much more straightforward and
has proved in practice to give an excellent spa-
tial effect. Moreover, it can be accomplished
in a compact and fairly inexpensive unit. The
design in this article is of the second kind.
The basic setup in a domestic room is shown
in F i g . 1. The left-hand and righthand chan-
nels are reproduced as before, that is, via the
loudspeakers in the TV receiver, as shown, or
by those of the audio installation to which the
TV receiver is connected. The extra items are
the processor and three loudspeakers. The in-
puts of the processor are linked, possibly via
the SCART connector, with the line
out terminal of the TV receiver, or
audio amplifier, while the extra loud-
speakers are connected to the out-
puts of the processor. The processor
contains two integral amplifiers each
of which provides 20 W output into
4 Ω: quite sufficient for the centre
and surround loudspeakers.
As briefly discussed in last month’s
article on Dolby surround sound,
the additional loudspeakers need
be no more than compact (bookcase
type) hi-fi types that are not too ex-
pensive. If possible, however, choose
types whose efficiency is about the
same as that of the main loudspeakers:
this affords rather more freedom when
the system is set up as a whole.
Basic design
A block diagram of the basic design
is given in F i g . 2. The design of the
processor is similar to that of the
active decoder discussed in last
month’s article on Dolby surround
sound. There are some differ-
ences between the two, since the
present processor not only functions
as a decoder, but also provides the signals for
the centre and surround channels and con-
tains two output amplifiers.
As explained last month, the two additional
channels are processed (whence the name of
the unit) from the sum and difference of the two
stereo channels. The centre channel is the sim-
pler to produce, because it suffices to add the
left-hand and right-hand channels together
and apply the sum to a suitable output ampli-
fier via a voltage-controlled amplifier (VCA).
To produce the surround signal, the right-
hand signal is deducted from the left-hand sig-
nal (or vice versa) and the resulting signal is
applied to a delay network via a low-pass fil-
ter. The delay can be preset between 10 ms and
30 ms. The signal is then applied to an ex-
pander via a band-pass filter. The expander is
essential because the surround signal is com-
pressed during recording. The output of the ex-
pander is applied to a second output amplifier
via a VCA.
The dynamic compensating network, in
conjunction with the VCAs, reflects the dif-
left
LINE OUT
K1 K2
SOUND
PROCESSOR
C S
+ – +
–
centre
= existing equipment
+
surround surround
950012 - 11
Fig. 1. Basic setup of a surround sound system
in a living room.
ference between an active and a passive (ma-
trix) design. In this network, the correlation be-
tween the two stereo channels is analysed con-
tinuously. The results of the analysis are con-
verted into control signals for the VCAs which
constantly adjust the levels of the centre and
surround signals. This arrangement ensures a
much larger channel separation than possible
with a passive design.
Centre channel
From the inputs of the left-hand and right-
hand channels, K1 and K2 in F i g . 5, the sig-
nals are taken via buffer amplifiers IC1a and
IC1b to R51 and R52, and then summed in pre-
set P6. From there, the signal is applied to
pin 5 of IC9. This IC contains four electronic
potentiometer circuits (of which only two are
used) which function as VCAs; their amplifi-
cation is governed by a control voltage at pins
9 and 10. The output of one of the circuits is
available at pin 7, from where it is applied to
output amplifier IC10. This circuit
provides an output of up to 20 W into
4 Ω.
right
The output of IC10 is applied to
the centre channel loudspeaker via
relay contact Re1b. The relay is con-
trolled by a simple delay circuit, T1,
and obviates any clicks and plops in
the speaker caused by the switching
on and off of the processor.
Surround channel
The signals at the outputs of IC1a and
IC1b are also applied to the invert-
ing and non-inverting inputs of IC2b
respectively, so that the output of the
op amp is the difference of the two
stereo signals (L–R). The difference
signal is applied to a 4th-order low-
pass filter based on IC2a, which lim-
its its upper bandwidth to 7 kHz.
+
This anti-aliasing filtering serves to
obviate the formation of spurious
mixing products of the signal and
the clock of the following delay
line, which is based on IC4. This IC
is a 2048-stage bucket brigade de-
vice. The rate at which the internal
electronic switches are operated is
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS FEBRUARY 1995

left-hand
track
(R51/R52/P6)
(IC2b)
LP
(IC2a)
right-hand
track
Fig. 2. Block diagram of the surround sound processor.
determined by IC3. This CMOS-IC is designed
especially to generate a low-impedance, dou-
ble-phase clock. The specified values of its fre-
quency-determining components, R15, R16, C9
and P1 allow a delay between 10 ms and 30 ms
to be set with P1.
The outputs of IC4 are applied via buffer IC5a
to a low-pass filter based on IC5b (identical to
that based on IC2a) which filters out any residue
of the clock signal. The cut-off frequency is
7 kHz. The signal is subsequently fed to com-
pander IC6, whose input network contains a
high-pass filter, R55-C43, the specified values
of which give a lower cut-off frequency of about
50 Hz. The overall effect of the low-pass and
high-pass filters is, of course, that of a band-
pass filter as shown in Fig. 2.
The compander IC contains two circuits
each consisting of a rectifier, a variable gain cell
and an op amp. In the present processor only
one of these circuit is used and that as an ex-
pander. The values of external components
Fig. 3. Completed prototype board.
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS FEBRUARY 1995
dynamic
compensation
(IC7/IC8)
∆t BP expander
(IC4) (IC5b/C43) (IC6)
R27–R32 and C23–C29 allow for an expansion
factor of 1:1.3.
The surround signal is then applied to the
second electronic potentiometer circuit in IC9,
whose output is available at pin 17. From there,
the signal is fed to output amplifier IC11, whose
amplification is identical to that of IC10. The
output of IC11 is applied to the surround loud-
speaker(s) via a second contact on Re1.
Dynamic compensation
The outputs of buffers IC1a and IC1b are also
applied to twin comparators IC7b and IC7c via
C31 and C32. The output of each of these com-
parators is a rectangular voltage the frequency
of which is a measure of the variation in the rel-
evant input signal. Both outputs are applied to
XOR gate IC8c. (Remember that an XOR gate
has an output only when its inputs are dissim-
ilar). Integration of the output pulses of the gate
by R37-C36 results in a direct voltage whose am-
Fig. 4. Completed prototype processor.
SURROUND SOUND PROCESSOR 27
Contents
centre
(IC10)
(IC9)
VCA
surround
(IC11)
(IC9)
VCA
950012 - 12
plitude is a measure of the phase difference be-
tween the two stereo signals.
This direct voltage is applied via IC7a (in-
verted) and IC7d (non-inverted) to the control
inputs (pins 9 and 10) of IC9. This arrangement
ensures that when a mono signal is present at
the inputs (no or hardly any phase difference),
the amplification of the VCA controlling the cen-
tre channel is raised. Conversely, when a sur-
round signal is present (large phase difference),
the amplification of the VCA controlling the sur-
round channel is increased.
The degree to which the amplification of the
VCAs is influenced by the control signals is
preset by P2 and P3. When the wipers of these
controls are at earth potential, the amplifi-
cation is fixed; when they are at the opposite
end of their travel, control is maximum.
Presets P4 and P5 serve to shift the operat-
ing point of the VCAs to some extent. They thus
make the preset range wider and, in fact, sup-
port the operation of P6 and P7. If, for instance,
 ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS FEBRUARY 1995
R
R3
1k
* C1
D
K1
2µ2
2
1
* see text
D1
IC1a
2x * 3
4V7
47k
Contents

D2
R1
* C48 C47
16V
220µ 25V 100n
47k

D4 R2
R51 R52
2x *

1k

1k
5 R59
4V7 8V 8V
D3 7 10k
IC1b
K2 *C2 6 5
L
R4
* R8
R41
P4
C45
560k

1k 1
G 10k0 10k C42
re1a
2µ2 4
R7 R40 150n
2µ2 IC10
6 P6 2
10k0 560k R45
R13 7 8V 10k R57
IC2b

47k

47k
C5 C3 R5 R39 R53 R60

560Ω
LSP C
4k32

10k

4Ω7
5 2
10k0 270k TDA2040 3
1 R54 R58
2n2 2n2 IC7a R46
10k0

R12 R11 R10 R9 R38 3 47k C46 C51

3 R6 39k

Fig. 5. Circuit diagram of the surround sound processor.

6k98 10k0 11k0 11k8 8V 2k7
1 R47 9 11 4 3 2 5
IC2a 22µ 40V 100n
C37
D6

1k
2 7
P2 C50 C49
R14 C32 C31 10k 6
47µ
100k

C6 C4 R36
16V IC9 16V
5k62

8 220µ 25V 100n

R42 R49
TDA1074A 17
1n 3n9 100n 100n 8V IC8d C38
P3 C39 C44

10k

1k
5 13 10k
16
11
7 12 =1 100n 100n
IC7b 47µ C55 C54
6
IC8c
R48 16V 10 18 1 12 13 14 15 16V
R15 13 R56
8 R37 39k C40
14 220µ 25V 100n
18k

10 47k
9 =1 10k IC7d R50
12 C41 R55
100µ

47k
R16 9 R63
8V

47k
L3 25V
8
22k

P1 C9 R43 10k
IC7c 100µ 25V
8V 10 15k 150µH 5
100p
IC8a R44 C43
50k R33 R34 1 C36 C52 LSP S
8V

12k
3 1
7 6 5 =1 P5 re1b
10k

10k

100Ω

C10 2
R35 68n 4
OX1 OX2 OX3 47µ 10k 2µ2 IC11
3 25V 2
100n VDD IC8b 8V
C11 IC3 8 5 8V R61
VGG 4 P7
=1 R64

560Ω
100n MN3101

10k

4Ω7
1 6
GND 10k TDA2040 3
C25 13
CP2 CP1 8V 2µ2 R62
R17 R18 2 8 C53 C58
D5 4 2
100k

100k

1N4148 2 6
C16 C18 9
8V"

4k32
R25 R29 C24
22µ 40V 100n
3 10
R19 2k2
2n2 2n2 IC6
3 3 11 C57 C56
1µ

6k8
5k6 R21 R22 R23 R24 R30
7 IC4 1 5 12
R20 IC5a 11k8 11k0 10k0 6k98 C71 C26
220µ 25V 100n 16V
MN3008 4 2 7 7 14
5k6 IC5b C30
6 15
820n NE571

2k2
R31 4µ7
L1 63V 16 100n
8V 1 5 8 C17 C19 R32 12V

5k62
C15 6 1 D7 Re1
R26 6k8

5M6
100µH C12 C13 C14 3n9 1n R65
C27
270p 2µ2 5 4
47µ 100n 4µ7 63V D9 C22
25V
R66 1N4001
R27 R28 C28
D8 10Ω 12V 68p T1
8V

47k

47k
2x C60
C23 1µ 63V
2x 12V 1N4004 10µ C29 C59
80VA 47µ 25V
BC517
K3
63V 220µ 10µ 63V
C67 C70 IC12
IC1 = NE5532 10V
16V 8V
IC2 = NE5532 7808
B1
IC5 = TL072 SB102 8V 8V Re1 = V23037-A0002-A101
AUDIO & HI-FI

IC7 = TL084
8 8 C7 8 C20 4 C33 14 C35
IC8 = 4030 C68 C69 C65 C63 C61
IC1 IC2 IC5 IC7 IC8
4 4 100n 4 100n 11 100n 7 100n
C67...C70 = 4x 100n 4700µ 25V 100n 10µ
63V
C66 C64 C62
4700µ 25V 100n IC13 10µ C8 C21 C34
63V
L2
100n 100n 100n 100µH
8V 950012 - 13
8V 8V"
7908
28
16V
 SURROUND SOUND PROCESSOR 29
Contents
T T P7 has already set the surround level
IC10 C S IC11
IC12 C63 to maximum, P5 enables this to be
C65 C66 C48 C55

C47

C54
C49 increased slightly. The same ap-
C56

R61
R58
R59 R63 plies to P4 insofar as the level of
the centre channel preset with P6

R57

R62
C61
IC13 is concerned.
C62 C45
C70 C52 The currents through R45 and

RE1
B1 C46 C53 R46 and those through R48 and
C58 R64

C51
R60
R50 are simply added together:
C50 C57 there is, therefore, no interaction
T1 C41
C67

C64
C69

C36 R44 D7 R65 C59 between P2 and P4 nor between P3

C35 R42 R43 L3 and P5.
R37
L2 R41
R40 P3 R54
C40

R39
Further circuit details

C44
K3

R56
P2
C33

IC9
C68
~ C39
IC8

IC7

C34
D8
C60
P4
C38
Resistors R3 and R4 and diodes
O R66 P5 D1–D4 limit the level of the input
~ D9 signal to a safe value and are im-
R35 C37 R49
R46 R47
perative if the stereo signals are
R17
R18

R55
R23 D6 R38 C25 R36 R48
taken from the loudspeaker out-

R33

R53
C17

C18 R45 C42

R22

puts of the TV receiver. Note that

C16

R50
R20

R34
even line out terminals sometimes
R24
R25

C28

C30
L1

R21

provide a signal at a level well

C23

C43
IC5

IC6
R19

C15

P7 P6
R27

C32
C24
C20

R26

D1 K1 above 1 V. If it is absolutely cer-

R28

R
C21 C31 D2 tain that the line output level is
R32

R3
C19 C27
1 V, and this is the only input, the
C1
C29
R29

C14 C22 R14

IC4

C26

C12 resistors can be replaced by a wire

C7
C71 R13 C8 R1 bridge and the diodes may be omit-
C13
C10

C6 K2
D5

R52 ted.
R12
C4 R30

R31 IC2 IC1

R16
R15

C5
R51 Bi-colour LED D6 functions as
P1
IC3

a kind of signal monitor that shows

C11

R7 D4
R10 R11 L
R5 D3 the change from surround channel
R9
C2

to centre channel and vice versa.

C3
R8

C9 R6 R2 R4
In the case of a surround signal, the
output of IC8c is high. Since one
output of IC8d is at +8 V, both in-
puts of this XOR are then high, so
that its output is low. This results
in the red segment of D6 lighting.
In the case of a centre signal, pin 12
of IC8d is low, so that its output is
high, resulting in the green segment
of D 6 lighting. In practice, the
changes between the signal are
so rapid that the LED shows a
fluent transition from red to green
and back to red again.
The power supply provides three
different voltages. The secondary
of the mains transformer is con-
nected to K 3. The 12 V input,
after rectification and smoothing,
results in a symmetrical supply of
±16 V, which is used to power
output amplifiers IC10 and IC11.
From the ±16 V lines, voltage
regulators IC12 and IC13 derive a
supply of ±8 V, which is used to
power the remainder of the circuit.
The 12 V line for the relay is
taken directly from K3 and recti-
fied by D8-D9.

Construction
The processor is best constructed
on the PCB illustrated in F i g . 6.
Since this board is double sided and
through-plated, it is not possible
to make it without special tools
and equipment.
Fig. 6. Printed-circuit board for the surround sound processor. (See also next page) Populating the board is straight-

ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS FEBRUARY 1995

30 AUDIO & HI-FI
Contents
forward and should not present
undue difficulties. Note that when
the specified enclosure is used, ca-
pacitors C65 and C66 must be not
higher than 38–40 mm.
Use gold-plated connectors for
K1 and K2 to ensure good, lasting
connections. The positions for these
connectors are at the edge of the
board so that all that is necessary
when fitting the board into the en-
closure is drilling a few holes in
the back panel through which these
sockets can protrude. Note that
they must not touch the enclos-
ure.
Output amplifiers IC10 and IC11
are located at the edge of the board
so that they can be fitted readily
to a heat sink. The ICs must be elec-
trically isolated from the heat sink
by ceramic washers and heat con-
ducting paste.
The photograph in Fig. 3 shows
the completed prototype board.
The main requirements of the
enclosure are that it is made of
metal and that it provides ade-
quate space for the finished board.
Apart from K1 and K2, fit suit-
able sockets or spring-loaded ter-
minals at the back of the enclos-
ure for connecting the centre and
surround loudspeakers. Link these
terminals with heavy-duty insulated
wire to points ‘C’ and ‘S’ and the adjacent lower ones. Thus, for the surround channel, two Start by setting presets P2–P7 to the centre of
earthing points on the board. The specified 8 Ω loudspeakers may be connected in paral- their travel, and P1 to maximum (fully clock-
mains entry with integral fuse holder should lel only if it is absolutely certain that the im- wise).
also be fitted at the back of the enclosure. pedance is 8 Ω. If it is not, connect the speak- Inject a (mono) speech signal and adjust P6
The mains on/off switch and D6 should be ers in series: this is safer. It is essential that the until the sound appears to come from the cen-
fitted at the front panel (for which a ready- two speakers are in phase: the +terminals tre speaker. Wait for a surround signal (indi-
made foil is not available). The diode should must go to the same terminal on the board: cated by the red segment of D6 lighting) and
be connected to the relevant points on the whether this is earth or ‘S’ does not matter. turn P7 till sound emanates from the surround
board via lengths of flexible stranded wire. The centre loudspeaker must be in phase speakers. Do not set the level too high, be-
Finally, link the centre pin of K3 to the mass with the main speakers. Since the relevant cause this leads quickly to an exaggerated ef-
of the enclosure with the aid of a solder tag. VCA functions as an inverter, the +terminal fect. If, however, it is felt that the desired level
The completed prototype is shown in the pho- of this speaker must be connected to the earth can not be obtained with P6 or P7, as the case
tograph of F i g . 4. point on the board; the –terminal to point ‘C’. may be, adjust P4 or P5, or both, as required.
The output amplifiers are suitable for op- Next, create a spatial effect by slowly turn-
eration with load impedances ≥ 4 Ω, but not Calibration ing P2 and P3 until the centre channel and the

Elektor DEFAULT AMPL(dBr) vs FREQ(Hz) 27 OCT 94 13:14:19 Elektor DEFAULT AMPL(dBr) vs FREQ(Hz) 27 OCT 94 11:24:16
3.0000 3.0000

0.0 0.0

-3.000 -3.000

-6.000 -6.000

-9.000 -9.000

-12.00 -12.00

-15.00 -15.00

-18.00 -18.00

-21.00 -21.00

-24.00 -24.00

-27.00 -27.00

-30.00 -30.00
10 100 1k 10k 20k 10 100 1k 10k 20k
950012 - 17 950012 - 18

Fig. 7. Frequency response of the centre channel. Fig. 8. Frequency response of the surround channel.

ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS FEBRUARY 1995

 SURROUND SOUND PROCESSOR
Contents
surround channel seem well ‘separated’. It is C49, C51, C54, C56, C58 = 100 nF
more than likely that P6 and/or P7 must then C9 = 100 pF polystyrene, axial
be readjusted. Note that these controls give an C10, C11, C13, C35, C63, C64, C67–C70 = 100 nF,
instinctive ‘wrong’ feel: turning them clock- ceramic
wise reduces the level. C12, C36, C60 = 47 µF, 25 V, radial
If the surround speakers give exaggerated C14, C26 = 4.7 µF, 63 V, radial
reverberation, reduce the delay with P1. In C15 = 270 pF
the average living room, a delay of 25 ms ap- C22 = 68 pF
pears correct: this corresponds to P1 being al- C23, C59, C61, C62 = 10 µF, 63 V, radial
most at its maximum setting. C24 = 1 µF, polypropylene, pitch 5 mm
Do not be surprised if after watching and lis- C28 = 1 µF, 63 V, radial
tening to a number of films, some readjust- C29 = 220 µF, 10 V, radial
ment of the controls are found desirable. C37, C38 = 47 µF, 16 V, radial
C40, C41 = 100 µF, 25 V, radial
Characteristics C42 = 150 nF
C43 = 68 nF
The curves in F i g . 7 and 8 show the ampli- C46, C53 = 22 µF, 40 V, radial
tude vs frequency characteristics of the centre C48, C50, C55, C57 = 220 µF, 25 V, radial
channel and surround channel respectively. C65, C66 = 4700 µF, 25 V, radial
The curves were obtained with an audio ana- C71 = 820 nF
lyser. It is evident that they correspond closely
with the descriptions. The –3 dB point of the Inductors:
centre channel is at 30 Hz. The –3 dB points L1, L2 = 100 µH
of the surround channel are at 50 Hz and 6 kHz; L3 = 150 µH
the –6 dB bandwidth is roughly 30 Hz to 7 kHz.
Figure 8 shows that it does not make sense Semiconductors:
to use tweeters with a linear characteristic up D1–D4 = zener diode, 4.7 V
to 20 kHz for the surround channels. D5 = 1N4148
Both curves make it clear that a subwoofer D6 = bi-colour LED (green/red)
must be connected to the main channels and D8, D9 = 1N4004
not to the centre channel or surround channel. B1 = SB102, 10 A, 100 V, for PCB
mounting
Parts list T1 = BC517

Resistors: Integrated circuits:

R1, R2, R27, R28, R45, R50, R53–R56 = 47 kΩ IC1, IC2 = NE5532
R3, R4 = 1 kΩ (see text) IC3 = MN3101
R5–R8, R11, R23 = 10.0 kΩ, 1% IC4 = MN3008
R9, R21 = 11.8 kΩ, 1% IC5 = TL072
R10, R22 = 11.0 kΩ, 1% IC6 = NE571
R12, R24 = 6.98 kΩ, 1% IC7 = TL084
R13, R25 = 4.32 kΩ, 1% IC8 = 4030
R14, R26 = 5.62 kΩ, 1% IC9 = TDA1074A
R15 = 18 kΩ IC10, IC11 = TDA2040
R16 = 22 kΩ IC12 = 7808
R17, R18, R36 = 100 kΩ IC13 = 7908
R19, R20 = 5.6 kΩ
R29, R31 = 2.2 kΩ Miscellaneous:
R30, R32 = 6.8 kΩ K1, K2 = audio socket for PCB mounting
R33, R34, R37, R42, R57, R59, R61, R63 = 10 kΩ K3 = 3-way terminal block, pitch 5 mm
R35 = 100 Ω Re1 = relay 12 V, 5 A, 270 Ω
R38 = 2.7 kΩ Heat sink SK57, 37.5 mm high*
R39 = 270 kΩ Ceramic washers Type AOS220*
R40, R41 = 560 kΩ Enclosure 300×45×210 mm (W×H×D)
R43 = 15 kΩ (117/8×13/4×81/4 in)
R44 = 12 kΩ Mains transformer with 2×12 V, 80 VA
R46, R48 = 39 kΩ secondary
R47, R49, R51, R52 = 1 kΩ Mains entry with integral fuse holder and
R58, R62 = 560 Ω 500 mA slow fuse
R60, R64 = 4.7 Ω Loudspeaker terminals (spring loaded) or
R65 = 5.6 MΩ suitable audio sockets
R66 = 10 Ω Mains on/off switch
P1 = 50 kΩ preset PCB Order No. 950012-1
P2–P7 = 10 kΩ preset [950012]

Capacitors: * Available from Dau (UK) Ltd, 70–75

C1, C2, C25, C27, C45, C52 = 2.2 µF, Barnham Road, Barnham PO22 0ES, tele-
polypropylene, pitch 5 mm phone (01243) 553 031
C3, C5,C16, C18 = 2.2 nF
C4, C17 = 3.9 nF
C6, C19 = 1 nF
C7, C8, C20, C21, C30–C34, C39, C44, C47,

ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS FEBRUARY 1995