Utility Mixer I

Utility Mixer I
Utility Mixer I

This is an often used utility module. The mixer comes in handy for mixing CV sources. The mixer is DC coupled, so you can use it for DC and AC mixing. The input impedance is constant 1MOhm. The input signals are amplified by a maximum factor of two. It is possible to offset every input with +/- 5V. The offset is signaled with LED’s for every channel and for the summing output. The outputs are normalized, so you can remove selected channels from the output mix. The summed output has a -6dB switchable attenuator. There is an inverted summed output added as well. The added volume indicator us useful for finding the appropriate signal level.

Specs and features

  • Three inputs, three outputs
  • Inverted and non- inverted summed output
  • 2x amplification
  • +/- 5V offset for every channel
  • -6dB switch
  • Volume indicator
  • Normalized outputs
  • Runs on +/-12V and +/-15V
  • Power consumption below 20mA each rail

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

Utility Mixer I: Main board
Utility Mixer I: Main board
Utility Mixer I: Control board
Utility Mixer I: Control board

Control board: Straight forward design. The mixer is completely DC coupled. So you can use it for CV mixing as well as audio mixing. IC1B,C,D buffers the three inputs and and keeps the input impedance constant. P2, P4, P6 sets the amplification from zero to 2X. P1, P3, P5 sets the offset voltage. The LED indicates the offset and signal level.

Main board: IC3B, IC4B, IC6B adds the offset voltage and the signal. IC1C, IC1D, IC1B, IC1B drive the low current LED. IC2A sums the signals and drives the negative output. IC2B drives the positive output.

Utility Mixer I: Populated control board
Utility Mixer I: Populated control board
Utility Mixer I: Populated main board
Utility Mixer I: Populated main board
Utility Mixer I: Side view
Utility Mixer I: Side view
Utility Mixer I: Back view
Utility Mixer I: Back view

Mixer, DC coupled with volume indicator

Mixer: Front view
Mixer: Front view

This is an often needed utility module. The mixer comes in handy for mixing CV sources and audio sources as well. This version is DC coupled, so you can use it for AC and DC mixing. There is an inverted output added. You can reverse the DC-CV mix with it or experiment with feedback loops in the audio domain. The added volume indicator us useful for finding the appropriate signal level. The volume indicator is optional. You can leave it out with no problems for the other functions.

Specs and features

  • Five inputs
  • Inverted and non- inverted output
  • Volume indicator (optional)
  • Runs on +/-12V and +/-15V
  • Power consumption below 20mA each rail

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

Mixer: Schematic control board
Mixer: Schematic control board

Control board: Straight forward design. The mixer is completely DC coupled. So you can use it for CV mixing as well as audio mixing. IC1D sums the five inputs and inverts the signal. P3 is used to adjust the overall signal level. IC1B inverts the signal again. IC1C and IC1A buffers the outputs.

Mixer: Level indicator
Mixer: Level indicator

Level indicator: The circuitry around IC2 build an precision full wave rectifier. The output is smoothed with C1. The parts around the BC560C build a constant current source for driving the LED’s. The comparator LM393 (IC1A/B) switches the LED on and off according to the input level.

Mixer: Populated control PCB
Mixer: Populated control PCB
Mixer: back view (with populated level indicator board)
Mixer: back view (with populated level indicator board)