Steiner Parker VCF

Posted on March 6, 2022 by Harald

This is my take on the Steiner Parker filter. It is based an article in Electronic Design 25, December 6. 1974. You can find various implementations on the net. Very interesting are those from YuSynth and Ken Stone. You can still find them on the web as well as the original article. With my input stage it is possible to use the three filter inputs LP, HP, BP in parallel. The LP input is normalized to the others, so only one patch cable is needed. All inputs have attenuator.

Specs and features

Low pass, high pass, band pass input with attenuator
Positive and negative ENV control with sign changer
CV inputs for linear TM, log TM, envelope, V/Oct tracking and emphasis
Runs on +/-12V and +/-15V (with minor resistor value changes for best performance)
Power consumption below 20mA each rail

The documentation and the Gerber files for download can be found in my website.

**Steiner Parker VCF: Schematic control board**

**Steiner Parker VCF: Schematic main board**

**Steiner Parker VCF: Populated control PCB**

**Steiner Parker VCF: Populated main PCB**

12dB Multimode VCF

Posted on November 30, 2021 by Harald

This is the Eurorack version of my NGF 12dB Multimode VCF.This filter type is widely used in many synthesizers. You can find it in Electronotes or in the SEM modules and in many other synthesizers as well. Nonetheless I have made some changes and adds. I wanted the filter to sound clean with no feedback and the feedback going from soft to very harsh. And usable for pinging (percussion). So I used the the CA3280 for good clean audio (You can use the newly available AS3280 instead). And added a voltage controlled feedback loop going from soft to harsh. This can give the filter a harsh sound and a lot of character. You can adjust the this behavior over a wide range with the calibration trimmers or changing one resistor and capacitor.

Specs and features

12dB voltage controlled multimode filter
Two inputs for easy mixing
Low pass, high pass, band pass and notch filter output
Positive and negative ENV control with sign changer
Temperature compensation with KTY81-110
CV inputs for linear TM, log TM, envelope, V/Oct tracking and emphasis
Runs on +/-12V and +/-15V (with minor resistor value changes for best performance)
Power consumption around 80mA each rail

The documentation and the Gerber files for download can be found in my website.

**12dB Multimode VCF: Control board schematic**

**12dB Multimode VCF: Populated control PCB**

**12dB Multimode VCF: Populated main PCB**

24dB Ladder filter with gain loss compensation

Posted on November 11, 2020 by Harald

This is the Eurorack version of my NGF Moog Ladder Filter. I have brought out the 6dB, 12dB, 18dB and 24dB poles. Gain loss is corrected when turning up the emphasis/feedback. As a side effect off the gain corrections I got the emphasis voltage controlled as well. The exponential circuit is temperature compensated with KTY81-110. If the 12dB output is patched back to input 2 the filter can serve as a sine oscillator.

Specs and features

Two inputs for easy mixing
6dB, 12dB, 18dB, 24dB output
Gain loss compensation when emphasis is turned up
Temperature compensation with KTY81-110
Voltage controlled emphasis
Usable as sine oscillator
Runs on +/-12V and +/-15V (with minor resistor value changes for best performance)
Power consumption around 40mA negative rail, 50mA positive rail

The documentation and the Gerber files for download can be found in my website.

This is a classical Moog Ladder design implementation, nothing special to say about. All poles are brought out with instrumentation amplifiers. The voltage controlled emphasis is realized with means of one half LM13700 OTA (IC1OTA1). The control voltage for the emphasis is used to control the gain of four OTA (IC6OTA2, IC6OTA1, IC9OTA2, IC9OTA1) as well, one for each pole. The outputs of this OTA’s are added to the instrumentation amplifiers for each pole to compensate for the gain loss with high emphasis. The added amount is adjustable by changing one resistor (R28, R47, R66, R69). Higher values means higher gain. The temperature compensation for the expo-converter is realized with KTY81-110. This is not realy needed for a filter but a nice additional feature if you use the filter as sine VCO. If not wanted it is easily replaced with a 1k resistor.

**24dB Ladder filter:** **Screenshot High Q1**

**24dB Ladder filter:** **Screenshot High Q2**

24dB Ladder filter screenshot sine out — **24dB Ladder filter: Screenshot sine out**

**24dB Ladder filter: Populated control PCB**

24dB Ladder filter: Populated main PCB front — **24dB Ladder filter: Populated main PCB** **front**

24dB Ladder filter: Populated main PCB back — **24dB Ladder filter: Populated main PCB** **back**

24dB Ladder filter: Module back — **24dB Ladder filter: Module** **back**

24dB VCF LP/HP with gain loss compensation

Posted on January 13, 2019 by Harald

VCF This is a 24dB lowpass / highpass with gain loss compensation for high Q. This one is basically derived from my 24dB VCF LP/HP which i build for my Next Generation Formant Elektor project. I just added the compensation circuitry from my Moog Ladder filter to compensate for the volume loss when Q is turned up. I have brought out all 4 filter stage outputs. Depending on your wiring you can use a switch to select between the outputs or/and bring all outputs out in parallel. The LP/HP switching is done with electronic switches on the PCB to avoid the problems (hum, noise…) of the wiring with a mechanical switch.

Specs and features

24dB voltage controlled low pass and high pass filter
Switchable output 6dB, 12dB, 18dB, 24dB
Volume loss compensation with high Q
10Vpp signal level
Voltage controllable Q
Voltage controlled lin and log timbre modulation
Positive and negative ENV control with sign changer
Runs on +/-15V and +/-12V (with minor resistor changes)
Power consumption below 60 mA each rail

The documentation and the Gerber files for download can be found in my website.

24dB VCF LP/HP with gain loss compensation at high Q: Schematic back PCB .

24dB VCF LP/HP with gain loss compensation at high Q: schematic front PCB

Straight forward design. Four state variable filter cells are connected together in series, The output of each filter cell is brought out. There are a lot descriptions of those state variable filters out there. I feel no need to add another one. The resonance (Q) is voltage controlled with means of the OTA IC2OTA1 in the upper right corner (page 1). To compensate the volume loss when the resonance (Q) is turned up a second OTA (IC2OTA2) is used. This two OTA shares the same Iabc source. The amplification of this second OTA is increased when Q is going high and add volume to the output signal.

24dB VCF LP/HP with gain loss compensation at high Q: back view

24dB VCF LP/HP with gain loss compensation at high Q: populated front PCB

24dB VCF LP/HP with gain loss compensation at high Q: populated back PCB

24dB VCF LP/HP with gain loss compensation at high Q:side view

36dB VCF LP/HP

Posted on November 25, 2017 by Harald

36dB VCF LP/HP populated PCB

I just wanted to know how a 36dB VCF sounds like. So i build one. This one is basically derived from my 24dB VCF LP/HP which i build for my Next Generation Formant project. I just added two more filter stages and the compensation circuitry from my Moog Ladder filter to compensate for the volume loss when Q is turned up. I have brought out all 6 filter stage outputs. Depending on your wiring you can use a switch to select between the outputs or/and bring all outputs out in parallel. The LP/HP switching is done with electronic switches on the PCB to avoid the problems (hum, noise…) of the wiring with a mechanical switch.

Specs and features
36dB voltage controlled low pass and high pass filter
Switchable output 6dB, 12dB, 18dB, 24dB, 30dB, 36dB
Volume loss compensation with high Q
10Vpp signal level
Voltage controllable Q
Voltage controlled lin and log timbre modulation
Positive and negative ENV control with sign changer
Runs on +/-15V and +/-12V (with minor resistor changes)
Power consumption below mA each rail
Volume indicator (optional)

The documentation for download can be found in my website.

36dB VCF LP/HP schematic page one

Straight forward design. Six state variable filter cells are connected together in series, The output of each filter cell is brought out. There are a lot descriptions of those state variable filters out there. I feel no need to add another one. The resonance (Q) is voltage controlled with means of the OTA IC16OTA2 in the upper right corner (page 1). To compensate the volume loss when the resonance (Q) is turned up a second OTA (IC16OTA1) is used. This two OTA shares the same Iabc source. The amplification of this second OTA is increased when Q is going high and add volume to the output signal (See page 2 of the schematic).

36dB VCF LP/HP schematic page two

36dB VCF LP/HP module back view

36dB VCF LP/HP module front

NGF-E Project: 24dB LP / HP

Posted on July 2, 2017 by Harald

NGF-E Project: 24dB LP / HP VCF

This is my take on the 24dB LP / HP VCF. This filter type is widely used in many synthesizers. Because this one is for my Next Generation Formant project i started with the original Elektor Formant schematic and added my changes to the design. All parts are updated to today (2017/7) available parts. The connections are the same as in the original to keep the possibility for internal wiring. If you don’t need those features just leave them out. This PCB provides all basic functions as in the original Elektor Formant. The additional functionality is put on an add-on board. The CA3080 are replaced with LM13700. The LP/HP switch is replaced with DG419 to avoid wiring problems. The signal level is raised to 10Vpp for a better signal to noise ratio. The exponentiator for generating Iabc for the OTA’s is temperature compensated. The additional function on this PCB is the linear TM input and the sign changer for the ENV input for easier use when the filter is switched to high pass mode. All other additional functions are on the add-on board. The add-on board provides voltage control for Q and the volume indicator.

The documentation for download can be found in my website.

NGF-E Project: 24dB LP / HP VCF schematic

NGF-E Project: 24dB LP / HP VCF PCB

NGF-E Project: 24dB LP / HP VCF rear view with AddO PCB

NGF Project: Update

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Harald

The site for the 12dB Multimode filter is online. You can download the documentation with schematic, BOM and parts overlays. The NGF Project site is (slightly) updated as well.

NGF Project: 12dB Multimode VCF

Posted on April 15, 2017 by Harald

This is my take on the 12dB Multimode VCF. This filter type is widely used in many synthesizers. You can find it in Electronotes or in the SEM modules and in many others as well. Because this one is for my Nest Generation Formant project i started with the original Elektor Formant schematic and added my changes to the design. All parts are updated to today (2017/4) available parts. The connections are the same as in the original to keep the possibility for internal wiring. If you don’t need those features just leave them out. This PCB provides all basic functions as in the original Elektor Formant. The additional functionality is put on an add-on board. The The CA3080 are replaced with LM13700. The JFET transistors are replaced with OpAmps. The signal level is raised to 10Vpp for a better signal to noise ratio. The exponentiator for generating Iabc for the OTA’s is temperature compensated. The only additional function on this PCB is the linear TM input. All other additional functions are on the add-on board.

The add-on board provides voltage control for Q, a sign changer for the ENV input for easier use when the filter is switched to high pass mode and volume indicator. This will be covered in another post.

Specs and features

12dB highpass filter, 12dB lowpass filter, 6dB bandpass filter, notch filter
Temperature compensated exponentiator
10Vpp signal level
TM log input
TM lin input
Positive and negative ENV control (with AddOn PCB)
Volume display (with AddOn PCB)
Voltage controlled Q (with AddOn PCB)
Runs on +/-15V and +/-12V (with minor resistor value changes)
NGF Project: NGF 12dB Multimode VCF stuffed PCB

NGF Project: 12dB Multimode VCF schematic

NGF Project: 12dB Multimode VCF Front view

Vocoder: Synthesizer mechanic

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Harald

I am in the process of completing the synthesizer part of my vocoder project. So far I have the faceplate, the mechanic, the VCA part and a few filters ready. Still a lot of work ahead. Stuffing all the filter PCB and trimming, doing the voiced/invoiced detection, input/output section, exciter part and housing. Here are some pictures.

Faceplate and the mechanical parts sawed and drilled.

Vocoder: synthesizer mechanic parts ready

Waiting for PCB.

Vocoder: Synthesizer mechanic parts mounted

Vocoder: Synthesizer mechanic back

Does the VCA PCB fit for the Vocoder fit?

Vocoder: Synthesizer VCA PCB mounted

Some Filters to the Vocoder added.

Vocoder: Synthesizer VCA with some filters added

Moog Ladder Filter – Add on. Bringing out 6, 12 and 18dB

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Harald

When designing my Moog Ladder PCB it was a goal to bring out the 6, 12 and 18dB filter poles. I have done it with an additional PCB of the same size. You can easily stack the PCB on each other. The connectors are lined up for easy connection. The schematic follows the same way as the output stage of the basic PCB. With the circuitry to compensate for the gain loss with increasing emphasis. I added a basic level indicator and a linear VCA as well.

Moog Ladder Filter Add On PCB

Moog Ladder Filter add on schematic:

Moog Ladder Add On schematic

Connecting the PCB’s:

Moog Ladder Filter connecting the PCB’s

Moog Ladder Filter basic PCB mounted:

Moog Ladder Filter basic PCB mounted

Moog Ladder Filter add on PCB mounted:

Moog Ladder Filter Add on PCB mounted

Moog Ladder Filter Faceplate:

Moog Ladder Filter Faceplate

VocLog

Analog Synthesizer DIY

Category Archives: VCF

Steiner Parker VCF

Specs and features

12dB Multimode VCF

Specs and features

24dB Ladder filter with gain loss compensation

Specs and features

24dB VCF LP/HP with gain loss compensation

Specs and features

36dB VCF LP/HP

NGF-E Project: 24dB LP / HP

NGF Project: Update

NGF Project: 12dB Multimode VCF

Specs and features

Vocoder: Synthesizer mechanic

Moog Ladder Filter – Add on. Bringing out 6, 12 and 18dB