beaver Posted July 25, 2009 Share Posted July 25, 2009 I am currently in the process of making a very retro analog synthesiser from a set of plans I got from a 1970 hobby electronics book. The plan uses no ICs but has some obscure parts, but I think they are replaceable. The plan calls for paper capacitors, but I couldn't find any lying around in my electronics stuff, so I am using tantalum and oil capacitors instead, would these work fine? They are the right voltage rating and everything. The other obscure thing in the plans is the values of the capacitors. The ones that I can't find that it calls for are: 0.5uf, 50uf, 0.25uf, 0.12uf, and maybe a 4uf, but I think I may have one. Do any of you think that it would be acceptable to use the nearest substitute? e.g. 0.47uf, 0.22uf, 0.1uf. If any of you want to look at the plans, I'll post them up for you. A build diary will go up as soon as I actually get all the parts together. Once I've finished I plan to amend the plans and release a modern version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keltha Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 I am currently in the process of making a very retro analog synthesiser from a set of plans I got from a 1970 hobby electronics book. The plan uses no ICs but has some obscure parts, but I think they are replaceable. The plan calls for paper capacitors, but I couldn't find any lying around in my electronics stuff, so I am using tantalum and oil capacitors instead, would these work fine? They are the right voltage rating and everything. The other obscure thing in the plans is the values of the capacitors. The ones that I can't find that it calls for are: 0.5uf, 50uf, 0.25uf, 0.12uf, and maybe a 4uf, but I think I may have one. Do any of you think that it would be acceptable to use the nearest substitute? e.g. 0.47uf, 0.22uf, 0.1uf. If any of you want to look at the plans, I'll post them up for you. A build diary will go up as soon as I actually get all the parts together. Once I've finished I plan to amend the plans and release a modern version. Regarding the capacitor materials, i don't think tantalum would be suitable as some are polarized , the oil capacitors should be alright tho. Capacitors values have a pretty large effect on the synth sound, but i don't think its going to stop it from working, to be safe trying combining caps to get the right values Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W4RP3D Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Keltha right, capacitors are normally used for filters and timings, a small change will effect the sound however the different filters that ive built a small change like that is virtually undetectable. Plus in the real world (as opposed to in theory) components are never the value they say. Im unsure on the type of capacitor, above all just make sure its not polarised, otherwise your likily to find a sticky puddle of dielectric which is a right pain to clean off. When it explodes/leaks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beaver Posted August 26, 2009 Author Share Posted August 26, 2009 I have all the components except the 3 transistors and all the pitch changing resistors. I'm gonna go get the transistors from the local store this weekend. Also what about when they are polarised, would it be alright to use non-polarised caps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keltha Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 Can't be exactly sure without the schematics, but i highly doubt it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manouche Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Also what about when they are polarised, would it be alright to use non-polarised caps? Thats fine to use non polarised caps for polarised, (Just not the other way arround). -All other things being equal of course (Capacitance and voltage rating) Only problem is main reason for using polarised is they are easyer to produce for large capacitance levels (different physical principal is used, eg electrolytics). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keltha Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Thats fine to use non polarised caps for polarised, (Just not the other way arround). -All other things being equal of course (Capacitance and voltage rating) Only problem is main reason for using polarised is they are easyer to produce for large capacitance levels (different physical principal is used, eg electrolytics). Oh, whoops, I misread his post and thought he was asking it the other way around. My bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beaver Posted September 10, 2009 Author Share Posted September 10, 2009 Hmmm, now one more question and I'll be set to go. Does ot matter what sort of transistor I use? As long as they are bipolar NPN transistors like specified, it doesn't matter what make they are. That's right isn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keltha Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 As long as the specs are similar (current handling and other things) it should be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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