Fitzgrevye

Polymoog Resonator
Euro format (14hp)
Version 1.9
Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Options (read me first!) .......................................................................................................................... 4
“Vintage” or “modern” build: ........................................................................................................... 4

Level Matching .................................................................................................................................... 4

Gain and clipping................................................................................................................................. 5

PCB Versions ........................................................................................................................................... 6

Power Consumption ............................................................................................................................... 6
PCBs......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Schematics .............................................................................................................................................. 7
Input-Output ....................................................................................................................................... 7

Filters (3 off) ........................................................................................................................................ 7

BOM ........................................................................................................................................................ 8
Component Placement ........................................................................................................................... 9
Assembly ............................................................................................................................................... 11
Input-output PCB .............................................................................................................................. 11

Filter PCBs ......................................................................................................................................... 13

Interconnecting IDC Cable ................................................................................................................ 14

Putting it together............................................................................................................................. 15

Adjustments. ......................................................................................................................................... 17
Afterthoughts – Mixer Phase ................................................................................................................ 18

© Mark Graves 2017

Introduction

The resonance filter is intended to emulate static resonances that are typically found in acoustic
musical instruments.

There are three non-overlapping frequency bands:

- Low range - 60 to 300 Hertz

- Medium range – 300 to 1k5 Hertz

- High range - 1k5 to 7k5 Hertz

Emphasis (or Q) can be adjusted between 0.5 and 10, and each band has its own gain control.

There are separate output level controls for the resonator (filter) and dry signal mix.

The build consists of four PCBs – one doing the input and output, plus three filters.

Polymoog

The Polymoog used a 4016 CMOS switch for filter mode switching (here, we just use a slide
switch). As this integrated circuit operated on the positive supply only, Polymoog internal signals
used a virtual ground (Vch) at 1/3 of the supply voltage. This may form part of the character and
“vintage” sound of the filter.

The Polymoog’s filter could be switched between Low pass (LP), band pass (BP) and high pass
(HP) modes. In addition, a band notch (BN) mode is available, that inverts the polarity of the
middle frequency band in relation to the high and low bands.

Note that the filter circuits emulate those in the Polymoog – warts and all.

“Moog” is a registered trademark of Moog Music Inc.

“Polymoog” is not currently registered as a trademark.
No copyright infringement is intended.
Options (read me first!)

“Vintage” or “modern” build:

1. “Vintage”
a. Use MC1458 or equivalent dual op amps the same as the original Polymoog. The
Polymoog specified MC1458C, I used MC1458P. Any 8 pin DIL package dual op-amp
should work.
b. On the input-output PCB:
i. Install the Vch voltage reference components (R12, R13, R14, C5)
ii. Install the four resistors R17 – R20 (located behind the mode switch).
iii. Jumper set to Vch position.
2. “Modern”:
a. Use TL072 op-amps (or a lower noise op-amp can be used if they have the same
pinout).
b. On the input-output PCB:
i. Do not install the Vch components.
ii. Do not install the four resistors R17 – R20.
iii. Jumper set to 0V position.

Level Matching
The internals of the Polymoog run at roughly “line” level – Eurorack signal levels (±5V) are hotter
than this.

You have the following build options:

a. Default level -
R4 = 47k, R9, R21 = 47k – the input buffer has a gain of 0.5, the output buffer a
gain of 2.0 : the overall gain through the filter (Dry signal) is 1.0.
This gives a lower noise level, but will more readily clip if Eurorack input signal
levels (±5V) are used with high filter emphasis (resonance) settings.
b. “Eurorack” level –
R4 = 10k, R9, R21 = 220k – the input buffer has a gain of 0.1 (1/10), the output
buffer a gain of 10.0 : overall gain through the filter (Dry signal) is still 1.0.
Less risk of clipping with Eurorack signal levels, but you can get noticeable noise
at the output if you then use the module with line level signals using HP or BP
modes with high emphasis settings.
c. Something halfway between the above two options as a compromise – adjust R4
and R9 values to suit (e.g. R4=22k, R9,R21=100k).
d. Note that R9 and R21 must always have the same value.
e. Switchable level (use a DPDT switch) - can be added but not supported on the
supplied PCB or panel.
f. Variable gain (using a stereo potentiometer to replace R4 and R9) - can be added
but not supported on the supplied PCB or panel.

Gain and clipping

At maximum emphasis (Q), each filter has a gain of around x4 (+12dB) at the resonant
frequency. Careful use of the gain controls is therefore need if you want to avoid clipping. If
using the Vch reference option (virtual "ground" at +4 volts) there is less headroom on the
positive waveform. Some of the resonator output waveforms are not symmetric so you can get
significant positive or negative clipping.

With the component values given, the resonator has a gain (dry signal path) of approximately
unity. The maximum signal level through the filters is set by R4 (on the input buffer), the
corresponding resistors on the output buffer are R9 and R21. R9 and R21 must always have the
same value.

Sawtooth wave input, with high resonance, high gain but no clipping.

“Modern” build, Input level turned up – “Vintage” build, Input level turned up – clipping
symmetrical clipping. is more asymmetrical.
PCB Versions

This build document refers to PCBs of 2016 manufacture:

- Input/output is marked - “PCB (c) M.Graves 2016”

- Filter PCB is marked - “PCB (c) M.Graves v1-3 2016”

If you have PCBs marked with earlier dates or versions, please refer to version 1.7 of this build
document.

Power Consumption

+12V 18 mA
-12V 17 mA

(using MC1458)

PCBs

The Input/output PCB is on the left, the filter PCB on the right (3 filter PCBs are required).

Note that component numbers are specific to each PCB type (i.e. the input-output PCB and the
filter PCB both have an R1, R2 etc.).
Schematics

Input-Output

Filters (3 off)
BOM

Resistors 1 off 220nf polyester film (PCB is 5mm lead

pitch)
5 off 470
1 off 220nf polyester film (PCB is 5mm lead
6 off 2k4 pitch) (if Vch used)
12 off 10k Optional:
14 off 22k 6 off 100nf SMT 1206 ceramic capacitors
3 off 47k Semiconductors
9 off 100k 8 off TL072 or MC1458 (or you can use TL072
1 off 1M for the input and output, and 1458 for the
filters). The original Polymoog used
3 off 4k7 (if Vch used) MC1458CR, I used MC1458P.

2 off 8k2 (if Vch used) Potentiometers

1 off 10k (if Vch used) 3 off 10K Lin dual (stereo) Alpha 16mm

1 off 56k (if Vch used) 3 off 10K Lin Alpha 16mm

I recommend using 0.25W resistors if possible 5 off 10K Log Alpha 16mm

Capacitors Hardware/Misc

2 off 100uF 25V 8 off 8 pin DIL sockets

6 off 10 to 100uf 25v (filter boards C5,C6) 1 off 2P4W (2P4T) slide switch (SK-24D04 )

1 off 10uF 25v 1 off 10 way PCB header plug

8 off 100nf ceramic 4 off 8 way PCB header plug

1 off 22pf Ceramic 1 off 8 way (or 10 way ) IDC header cable – 4
connectors spaced at 47mm approx. intervals
2 off 2.7nf polyester film (PCB will take 2.5mm
on the cable.
or 5mm lead pitch)
11 off knobs to suit your system (I used Davies
2 off 12nF polyester film (PCB will take 2.5mm
1900H clones)
or 5mm lead pitch)
2 sockets to suit your system (the panel is
2 off 68nF polyester film (PCB will take 2.5mm
drilled 6mm for 3.5 mm jacks)
or 5mm lead pitch)
Component Placement
Input-Output PCB

Component Value R8 100k

C1 100uF 25V R9 47k- see text.

C2 100uF 25V R10 470

C3 220nF R11 100k

C4 22pF R12 (only if Vch used) 10k

C5 (only if Vch used) 220nF R13 (only if Vch used) 4k7

C6 10uF 25v R14 (only if Vch used) 56k

C7 100nF ceramic - R15 10k log Alpha 16mm

mounted across pins
of C1 R16 10k log Alpha 16mm

C8 100nF ceramic - R17 (only if Vch used) 4.7k

mounted across pins
R18 (only if Vch used) 4.7k
of C2
R19 (only if Vch used) 8.2k
R1 1M
R20 (only if Vch used) 8.2k
R2 470
R21 47K - see text.
R3 100k
SW1 2 pole 4 way slide
R4 47k - see text.
switch – SK-24D04
R5 22k U1, U2 TL072 or MC1458 –
R6 22k see text.

R7 470
Filter PCB

Component High Filter Medium Filter Low Filter

C1 100nf 100nf 100nf

C2 100nf 100nf 100nf

C3 2.7nF 12nF 68nF

C4 2.7nF 12nF 68nf

C5 10 – 100uF 10 – 100uF 10 – 100uF

C6 10 – 100uF 10 – 100uF 10 – 100uF

R1 22k 22k 22k

R2 10k 10k 10k

R3 (HP sum) 10k 10k 10k

R4 22k 22k 22k

R5 100k 100k 100k

R6 470 470 470

R7 2.4k 2.4k 2.4k

R8 (LP sum) 100k 100k 100k

R9 10k 10k 10k

R10 10k 10k 10k

R11 (BN sum) 22k 22k * connected to 22k

additional pad marked
“-BP” on the PCB

R12 (BP sum) 22k 22k 22k

R13 2.4k 2.4k 2.4k

R14 10K Lin dual Alpha 10K Lin dual Alpha 10K Lin dual Alpha
16mm 16mm 16mm

R15 10K Lin Alpha 16mm 10K Lin Alpha 16mm 10K Lin Alpha 16mm

R16 10K Log Alpha 16mm 10K Log Alpha 16mm 10K Log Alpha 16mm

U1, U2 TL072 or MC1458 TL072 or MC1458 TL072 or MC1458

Assembly

Input-output PCB
Populate the Main PCB as shown on the silkscreen, starting with the lowest profile components, so:
• Resistors
• IC sockets. Note that pin 1 has a square pad and is marked with a dot.
• Non-electrolytic capacitors
• Power and interconnecting headers
• Electrolytic capacitors. The positive pin has a square pad.
• Potentiometers, switch (if the potentiometers have plastic dust covers, you may need to
remove them). Make sure the potentiometers are all well seated on the PCB as clearances
are small.

Please observe correct polarity of the electrolytic caps, ICs etc!

Connections to the input and output sockets:

- The input connection is marked “J1” on the PCB.

- The output connection is marked “J2” on the PCB.
- On both input and output, the pin with the square pad is the signal, the pin with the round
pad is 0V.
- You can solder wires directly to the PCB or use a (molex or similar) plug and socket.

If you are not installing the components for the Vch virtual ground, it will look like this.

If you are using Vch, it will look like this:

Filter PCBs
Populate each of the filter PCBs as shown on the silkscreen, starting with the lowest profile
components, so:
• Resistors
• IC sockets. Note that pin 1 has a square pad and is marked with a dot.
• Non-electrolytic capacitors.
o There are pads to take 5mm or 2.5 mm pitch filter capacitors. If using 2.5mm pitch
capacitors, make sure you use the correct pads.
• Inter-connecting headers.
• Electrolytic capacitors. The positive pin has a square pad.
• Potentiometers (if the potentiometers have plastic dust covers, you may need to remove
them). Make sure the potentiometers are all well seated on the PCB.

The components are identical for each filter PCB, with the exception of the two filter capacitor
values.

I recommend that you mark the filter board as L/M/H as you assemble them.

Take care with R11. On the “middle” range filter PCB, it connects to the pad marked “-BP” to give
the “band notch” mode, and will look like this:

On the “low” and “high” PCBs, it will look like this:

I recommend that you trim the pins of the filter PCB potentiometers, especially the centre pin. The
PCB’s are close together and you need to avoid shorts between these potentiometer pins and the
body of the potentiometer on the adjacent filter.
Filter Board Decoupling capacitors

There are several earlier filter board versions – all 2016 manufacture PCBs have the following
decoupling capacitors:

- positive power rail:

- C5: 100uF 25V electrolytic (or anything you have handy e.g. 10uF 25v, 47uF 25v)
- C1: 100nf ceramic

- negative power rail:

- C6: 100uF 25V electrolytic (or anything you have handy e.g. 10uF 25v, 47uF 25v)
- C2: 100nf ceramic

If you find the filter is noisy (particularly at high Q in HP or BP mode if you are using a high gain
at the output amplifier), there is then the option to add an additional 100nf SMT capacitor
between the power rails (located underneath each op amp on the filter board) to try and fix this.
These were an afterthought in case anyone had an issue.

Note that it is possible to "over bypass" things. Depending on the exact op-amps being used I
would have either:
- C5, C6, with C1 and C2, with no SMT caps
- C5, C6, with C2 and the SMT capacitors between power rails, but with no C1.

Don’t install the SMT capacitors unless you find you have a specific problem with excessive noise in
HP and/or BP modes on your system.

Interconnecting IDC Cable

This needs four female connectors spaced at approximately 47mm intervals. The required total
cable length is approximately 160mm.

As 8 way IDC sockets are quite rare (and relatively expensive), a 10 way cable can be used instead.
Putting it together
If using the commercially made panel, remove the protective film from both sides of the panel first.

The follow approach is recommended; I would assemble each PCB to the panel and test individually
in order:

Input-output PCB testing:

• Check for power rail shorts on the input-output PCB.

• Install the PCB on the panel and wire up the input and output sockets

• Power up and check for +12V at pin 8 of the op-amps, -12V at pin 4.

• If using the Vch option, check that there is approx. +4V present on the Vch wire link.

• Connect the input to a signal source, and the output to some suitable amplification.

• Check that the “Dry Level” control operates correctly (the “Res Level” control won’t have any
effect yet – no filters are connected!).

• If that works, we know that the input and output buffers are working OK.

Connect the IDC inter-connecting cable. This can be an 8 or 10 way cable – if a 10 way it will
overhang the header:
Filter PCBs

I recommend that you assemble these to the panel in the order Low, then Medium, then High
(moving up the panel one at a time).

• Check for power rail shorts on the filter PCB.

• Install the PCB on the panel and connect the IDC inter-connecting cable.

• Check that pins of the potentiometers do not short against the pots on the board below:

• Power up. Check for +12v at pin 8 of the op-amps, -12v at pin 4. Note that if using Vch , the
ground plane (upper foil) of the filter PCBs are at +4V, not 0V !

• If using Vch, check for approx. +4v at pin 3 or pin 5 of U1 or U2 (on the filter board). Ensure you
measure against a 0V reference (see above note!).

• Connect the input to a signal source, and the output to some amplification.

• Check that the “Dry Level” control still operates correctly.

• Advance the “Res Level” control, you can now check that the filter Gain , Emph and Freq
controls work. Remember:

o You won’t get any output from “Res Level” if the filter “Gain” is set at zero.

o You need to feed in a signal that has content that is within the filter band being tested –
for the “low” band, this means bass!

If that all works OK, we know that this filter PCB is working OK.

Repeat for the other two filter PCBs. It should now look like……….
Adjustments.

There are no adjustments – use creatively and enjoy!

Afterthoughts – Mixer Phase

The latest Input-output PCB is designed to mix the RES and DRY signals “in-phase”, as on the original
Polymoog - note that I am totally ignoring the effect of the complex frequency dependant phase
changes that occur within the filters themselves, just the effect of the mixer itself.

Earlier versions of this resonator, and a similar design published by the late Juergen Haible, mixed
these signals out of phase - the RES signal was inverted in relation to the DRY signal.

It is possible to modify the current mixer PCB to mix RES with DRY “out of phase”.

This can be achieved by modifying R5 and R6:

- Solder R5 to the PCB at both ends.

- Solder the end of R6 that is closest to the potentiometers to the PCB.

- Do not soldering the end of R6 that is closest to C6 to its PCB pad, instead solder it to the
adjacent lead of R5 and its pad. Make sure that R6 does not touch the original “R6” pad. It
should look something like this (note: this is a mock up without the PCB joints soldered):

I am not going to recommend which is the better solution; it depends on how you use your
resonator and on your individual taste.