Sims style VCA for Eurorack

Sims style VCA: Front view
Sims style VCA: Front view

This is the Eurorack version of my Sims VCA. This VCA is AC coupled. I made my own implementation of the Sims-VCA introduced by Mike Sims in the EDN Magazine January 1995. With this architecture it is possible to achieve THD of 0,02%. Unfortunately I can not confirm the statement from Mike Sims that trimming the circuit for minimum THD achieves minimum control voltage feedthrough. Trimming for minimum THD causes an constant DC bias at the output. I have had to add a output capacitor to avoid the bias at the output. And you need test equipment to measure the THD for correct trimming. If you can not measure THD better build my DC-VCA. You can achieve 0,2 % THD there. Still good. Or, for Eurorack, my Quad VCA.

Specs and features

  • AC coupled, 0,02% THD
  • Two inputs
  • Lin and log response
  • CV 0..+5V
  • CV attenuator
  • Adjustable bias
  • Power consumption below 25mA each rail

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

Sims style VCA: Schematic control PCB
Sims style VCA: Schematic control PCB
Sims style VCA: Schematic main PCB
Sims style VCA: Schematic main PCB
Sims style VCA: Populated control PCB
Sims style VCA: Populated control PCB
Sims style VCA: Populated main PCB
Sims style VCA: Populated main PCB
Sims style VCA: Side view
Sims style VCA: Side view
Sims style VCA: Back view
Sims style VCA: Back view