PEQ-503 EQ - 500 Series Equalizer

DIY-Central.com Administrator — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:00:52 GMT

Back in July, I showed you how to design an Eagle CAD Library for a switch. After a month or so, I've released a new product. My PEQ-503 EQ, which incorporated this switch library I designed.

Here are some photos:

The FiveFish Studios PEQ-503 is a beautiful, high-quality, single-channel three (3) band Inductor-based equalizer, designed for the popular API VPR500 Rack format.

Each frequency band has two (2) selectable frequencies, and a bypass switch. It also has an overall EQ In/Bypass switch to let you easily make sound comparisons.

The equalizer's smooth broad curves makes tonal adjustments easy and fast. You can go from small, subtle changes to extreme carving or boosting up to +/- 18dB per band. The SUB and AIR frequency bands can give your tracks the chest-thumping punch you want, and that extra sparkle at the top end without sounding harsh. The mid frequencies band takes care of adding that extra bite to your sound to make it pop.

The PEQ-503 Equalizer uses the following:

A balanced line level receiver using InGenius® high-common mode rejection technology.
An ultra-low distortion, low noise, operational amplifier optimized for high performance audio is used in the EQ section, along with imported Carnhill inductors from the UK, to perform the musical tone shaping and sculpting of your sound.
Using OutSmarts technology for the Balanced output driver, thus capable of driving difficult loads, with short-circuit protection.

The PEQ-503 is all about choices. You can outfit the EQ with optional Discrete 2520/990 type op amp*, and an Output Transformer*. You can also request special panels colors*, just email us for availability. There are also on-board jumpers on the EQ that allows you to experiment and change the Low Frequency and Mid Frequency bands from the factory default setting, to better suit your taste or musical style. Output Bypass jumpers also allow you to change between an active balanced direct output, or transformer output coupling.

Join the other professionals that have discovered the PEQ-503 Equalizer's quality performance. The PEQ-503 is equally at home for use in the mix bus, or individual tracks and channels. You will love it!

* Available separately, extra charges may apply.

FiveFish Studios and the PEQ-503 Equalizer is part of the API VPR Alliance.

The VPR Alliance is a program of standardization and consistency guidelines set by API Audio for manufacturers, to make our products physically fit and electronically conform to API's 500 series rack specifications. As stated on API's website, "Customers benefit from the VPR Alliance through the elimination of any confusion as to which products are endorsed for placement in API racks. Customers also benefit from a wider range of module choices for their racks, safety in the knowledge that the specification of the third party unit is correct, and that there is no risk of damage occurring. "

PEQ-503 Features:

3-Band EQ - Inductor Based EQ
Two Frequency Selection switch per band + independent flat/bypass position
12K/AIR HF control +/- 18dB gain
1.1K/3.2K MF control +/- 18dB gain
SUB/120Hz LF control +/- 18dB gain
EQ On/Bypass switch
Relay-controlled Bypass
Electronically Balanced Inputs using inGenius Technology
Electronically Balanced Outputs using OutSmarts Technology
Output Tranformer option
Discrete OpAmp option, or PDIP chip
Using Carnhill/UK VTB inductors for LF and MF control
WIMA caps for EQ filters
1% metal resistors
Bourns Potentiometers
Solid Machined Aluminum Knobs
CNC-milled/engraved/paint-filled front panel
Double-sided, plated through PCBs
Low Noise Equalizer
Jumper settings for experimentation, changing the EQ filter frequencies

You can buy this EQ using this link.
http://fivefishstudios.com/500-series-modules/peq-503-equalizer

This Is My Workflow When Designing A New Eagle Part Library I Like To Buy The Part Before

DIY-Central.com Administrator — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:59:14 GMT

This is my workflow when designing a new Eagle part library.

I like to buy the part beforehand, if possible. This gives me the chance to touch it and visually inspect the part and verify that the part dimensions match the working drawings from the manufacturer.

If working drawings from the manufacturer are not available, I use my digital caliper to make detailed dimensions of the part outline, and pin spacing and pin diameters.

If official PDF working drawings/datasheet are available, I use it though. Trust, but Verify.

Today, we're creating an Eagle part library for a switch.

Opening the datasheet, we look for the part dimensions.

In this case, we also take note of the switch positions, to see which terminals are connected depending on the switch position (up or down).

Next step is creating the schematic symbol for the part. In this case, an SPDT switch.

We also add "pins" to the schematic symbol. I use a "point" when defining pins on the schematic symbol.

I also like to match the "pin numbers" with the actual pin numbers used by the manufacturer.... makes life simpler.

Next, is creating the physical outline of the part. This is the FUN part for me. I like to make the part looking as authentic as possible. We also take care that we're following the part dimensions specified by the manufacturer. Don't forget to check pin spacings, and most importantly... pin DIAMETER. Since the PCBs will have plated through holes, I make the pad diameters just a hair-thin slightly bigger.

To make working easier, make sure to set your snaps and grid to 0.05" square, and 0.01" for the fine grid spacing.

And make sure holes/pads are centered on each "snap."

Make a print out your part and overlay the real part against your "printed part outline." Check if the holes, dimensions are correct and aligned. You may need several passes to get this right if you don't have official working drawings and just relying on caliper measurements.

If everything looks good, then we proceed to the next step.

Now, we tie together (match) the pin#s we created in the schematic symbol with the actual pin#s in the part outline.

This is also a good time to enter a part description field. I try to include Mouser or Digikey part #s in the description.

Next step is I try to use the new part library in a test schematic.

I want to verify that when I connect other components to this new part, that the correct pins correspond with the PCB design.

This is a good time to catch any errors you've made in pin-matching.

Here's our test schematic. R1 is connected to terminal #1 of the switch, R2 connected to terminal #2 and R3 connected to terminal #3.

Then we switch to the Board Layout view and verify that it's correct.

And we see that everything is OK. The pin #s in the schematic match the pin#s in the board layout.

In Eagle, the text ">NAME" and ">VALUE" are special. Eagle will substitute these text with the actual part name and part value in your schematic.

So in the symbol editor, let's add these text. Put the ">NAME" in the NAMES layer and put ">VALUE" in the VALUES layer.

In the Device Editor, click the Prefix button. Enter a prefix text.

Since this is a switch, we could use the prefix "SW" or "S". Now when you add multiple parts in your schematic, it will be renamed "SW1", "SW2", "SW3".... (Of course, you need to have ">NAME" present in the symbol, see step above.)

And we're done.

DIY-Central.com - Go Create something! - PCB Design, Electronics - Eagle CAD

PEQ-503 EQ - 500 Series Equalizer

FiveFish Studios and the PEQ-503 Equalizer is part of the API VPR Alliance.

PEQ-503 Features:

This Is My Workflow When Designing A New Eagle Part Library I Like To Buy The Part Before