EHX Silencer project

[redkurn]

We really need one of these projects, I've searched the forums and people have asked for the one knob solution, but this is the one.

[jimilee]

So many questions. You got a bunch of diodes in one spot and an ac adapter.


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[redkurn]

So many questions. You got a bunch of diodes in one spot and an ac adapter.


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It's a schematic someone made of it or the original?
I figure Madbean would know for sure, but the idea is there.

[madbean]

So many questions. You got a bunch of diodes in one spot and an ac adapter.


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It's a schematic someone made of it or the original?
I figure Madbean would know for sure, but the idea is there.

I'm pretty sure that's an EHX factory schem. Could be a cool one to do.

[jimilee]

That’s what I’m thinking too. Just curious about the parts and the layout of said parts.


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[redkurn]

That’s what I’m thinking too. Just curious about the parts and the layout of said parts.


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So many questions. You got a bunch of diodes in one spot and an ac adapter.


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It's a schematic someone made of it or the original?
I figure Madbean would know for sure, but the idea is there.

I'm pretty sure that's an EHX factory schem. Could be a cool one to do.

Hope it can be done, the layout of the parts shouldn't be too hard to work out from a gutshot maybe?
Maybe someone has one and can provide it, not finding anything other than the external case, also hoping the schematic is for the one below.

[madbean]

Without a gutshot it's impossible to say whether the most recent version is based on the old one or something completely new (like a modern VCA). You could at least adapt the old one a bit for the four cable method or just use an external jack option if you want to trigger the gate from the beginning of your pedal chain.

The whole thing is so simple I wonder how well it works. Off to youTube!

[redkurn]

Without a gutshot it's impossible to say whether the most recent version is based on the old one or something completely new (like a modern VCA). You could at least adapt the old one a bit for the four cable method or just use an external jack option if you want to trigger the gate from the beginning of your pedal chain.

The whole thing is so simple I wonder how well it works. Off to youTube!

You're right, it does look like the schematic for the old version, not the one I attached.

I can't find the 3 knob at all, no internal pics, this one has two knobs and I suspect one is internal, but it is missing the release or reduction... not sure what the trimpot does.

My second choice is the tc electronic sentry, but doubt that can be done or found diy...

Back of PCB

Clearer back of PCB

[oeslicoalfin]

My second choice is the tc electronic sentry, but doubt that can be done or found diy...

If you're open to other choices, here is the ISP Decimator G-string in vero and etch layouts.
I haven't gotten around to building either layout of the circuit.
Looks like Mouser is on backorder with the THAT 2181C SIP-8, but they have the SOIC version in stock.
The SIPs arrive later this month.

The only other noise gate I have built or used is the STFU! from Lectric-FX.
I have the PCB for the PedalPCB's classic Muzzle, but it's somewhere in my build queue that seems to be on hold until I carve out some free time

[redkurn]

My second choice is the tc electronic sentry, but doubt that can be done or found diy...

If you're open to other choices, here is the ISP Decimator G-string in vero and etch layouts.
I haven't gotten around to building either layout of the circuit.
Looks like Mouser is on backorder with the THAT 2181C SIP-8, but they have the SOIC version in stock.
The SIPs arrive later this month.

The only other noise gate I have built or used is the STFU! from Lectric-FX.
I have the PCB for the PedalPCB's classic Muzzle, but it's somewhere in my build queue that seems to be on hold until I carve out some free time

If it works as good as the video I just watched, It would solve some of my problems.
I've gotten to the point of muting that I now only get the ringing and haven't been able to suppress that, even with foam behind the nut.

[oeslicoalfin]

So, the problem is your axe and not high gain static being introduced by a pedal (train) interacting with your amp?
I guess I as thinking you were advocating another EHX-based project in line with the charlatan and polytrog we've all been drooling over for awhile as well as Bean just not having a noise gate in the shop...

I've never heard of sticking foam under the nut. It seems counterintuitive to me. Do you have this problem you want to resolve with a noise gate when your axe is just jacked straight into your amp with no pedals in the mix?
Do you have access to another axe just to confirm it's your guitar that is the problem?

[redkurn]

So, the problem is your axe and not high gain static being introduced by a pedal (train) interacting with your amp?
I guess I as thinking you were advocating another EHX-based project in line with the charlatan and polytrog we've all been drooling over for awhile as well as Bean just not having a noise gate in the shop...

I've never heard of sticking foam under the nut. It seems counterintuitive to me. Do you have this problem you want to resolve with a noise gate when your axe is just jacked straight into your amp with no pedals in the mix?
Do you have access to another axe just to confirm it's your guitar that is the problem?

All of my down tuned guitars have some noise when I'm chugging away, foam behind the nut between the tuner and nut.

The main issue is on my 7 string, I've been working on learning some slipknot songs and after adding the foam the ring mostly stopped when muting steccato parts of the riffs.

As for static, I don't have much other than what one amp produces, but to eliminate extra noise I figure I need one of these pedals when I am learning a song because it's very distracting.

It's the ping when you hit the strings a little harder or do a big bend that with high gain turns into a ringing high note.

[oeslicoalfin]

I took a second look at that schematic and noticed it only had one knob and a slide switch like this 1978 EHX Silencer on Reverb (https://reverb.com/p/electro-harmonix-the-silencer-1978) instead of three nobs and send/return jacks like the new Silencer in the review link. If you want a comparison to late 1970s tech, check out this DOD 230 clone vid:

. It's an optical noise gate, so it works a little different than original Silencer, but you get the gist... I don't think 1970s tech will do what you want it to do after someone reverse engineers it for us.

If you want to see the new EHX Silencer pitted against the Zuul, check out this video:

.
TBH - I can't tell much difference between the two in that vid.

Since the Decimator and Zuul run on 21st Century tech, I think this is a better way to go than trying to reverse engineer that late '70s schematic, and I can't really tell the difference between them in this vid:

.  Since you can get a PCB of the Zuul (as the Muzzle) @PedalPCB this might be the path of least resistance and easiest way to resolve your issues. The P-Dip version of the THAT chip was obsoleted around the time I bought the classic version of the PCB. I was lucky to find one. It looks like the SMD version of the 4301 is hard to find now, too. THAT has a newer SMD-only chip (4305) that PedalPCB has available as a retrofit module for the classic Muzzle. This vid by Ola England is what influenced me to buy the classic muzzle:

[redkurn]

I found a TC Electronics Sentry for $80, bought it and got a nice gate working in a few minutes, loaded a tone print (The Wall) and tried it out.

Pretty cool, but I still think a project needs to exist and hope Brian can work one up like the modern pedal.
The schematic you shared is interesting too, when I get a chance and have parts to do it I think I'm going to try and build it point to point if it can be done.

I have a line 6 vetta amp sitting next to me that may be a part donor since it's dead with the 8 block of death and my friend didn't want to pursue it further, so I'll have a bunch of pedal type parts soon that should be good. Betting it's a DSP chip or micro controller that died.

[jimilee]

I took a second look at that schematic and noticed it only had one knob and a slide switch like this 1978 EHX Silencer on Reverb (https://reverb.com/p/electro-harmonix-the-silencer-1978) instead of three nobs and send/return jacks like the new Silencer in the review link. If you want a comparison to late 1970s tech, check out this DOD 230 clone vid:

. It's an optical noise gate, so it works a little different than original Silencer, but you get the gist... I don't think 1970s tech will do what you want it to do after someone reverse engineers it for us.

If you want to see the new EHX Silencer pitted against the Zuul, check out this video:

.
TBH - I can't tell much difference between the two in that vid.

Since the Decimator and Zuul run on 21st Century tech, I think this is a better way to go than trying to reverse engineer that late '70s schematic, and I can't really tell the difference between them in this vid:

.  Since you can get a PCB of the Zuul (as the Muzzle) @PedalPCB this might be the path of least resistance and easiest way to resolve your issues. The P-Dip version of the THAT chip was obsoleted around the time I bought the classic version of the PCB. I was lucky to find one. It looks like the SMD version of the 4301 is hard to find now, too. THAT has a newer SMD-only chip (4305) that PedalPCB has available as a retrofit module for the classic Muzzle. This vid by Ola England is what influenced me to buy the classic muzzle:

This is a badass gate. The way you can put it in the loop but also front of amp is genius.


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