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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

2281.0. "Vocal Eliminator plans" by KEYBDS::HASTINGS () Tue Mar 06 1990 15:52

    When C.J. MOUTON signed in, he mentioned a vocal eliminator. I contacted
    him for the plans and put this together from the info that he provided.
    ' Thought it would be a fitting topic for the COMMUSIC notesfile.


    VOCAL ELIMINATOR (actually a center band eliminator)

THEORY:

    This circuit will eliminate anything that is common to both the left
    and right channels (ie:centered). Since the lead vocal is usually
    centered, it is the usually the thing that is eliminated. Any signal
    positioned between the left and right channels, but not panned fully to
    one side will be attenuated proportional to its distance from the
    center of the mix.

    The reason the circuit works is because it contains op amps, otherwise
    known as difference amplifiers. When both the left and right channels
    are fed into an op amp, the only thing amplified is the *difference*
    between the two channels. This means that a signal panned fully to the
    right and not to the left will be amplified. A signal centered will
    appear to be equal on both channels and will effectively filtered out.

    In this circuit the OUTPUT L puts out the amplified signal formed from
    the Left channel minus the right channel. The OUTPUT R outputs the
    Right Channel minus the Left Channel. Consequently nothing is lost
    except the signals common to both channels. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parts:

       qty  item
	1 - TL082 (from radio shack)
        8 - 100K ohm resistors.
	4 - 9V batteries or +- 15VDC source
	4 - connectors (optional)

The pinout of the TL082 is very straightforward.  Pin 1 is the output of the
first op-amp.  Pin 2 is the minus input of op-amp 1. Pin 3 is the plus input
of op-amp 1.  Pin 4 is the -15 volt input.  Pin 5 is the plus input of op-amp
2.  Pin 6 is the minus input of op-amp 2. Pin 7 is the output of op-amp 2.
Pin 8 is the +15 volt input.

Note: All resistors are 100K ohm

                                       -15v
                                        |
                                        |4      
 LEFT CHANNEL                      3  |\|    OP2
     ___________.___NNN_______________|+\
    V           |       |             |  \  1                 OUTPUT L
^--------       |       Z             |   \_______.___________
        |       |       Z          2  |   /       |           V
     ___________|_._____|___NNN__.____|- /        |       ________^
    V   |       | |     |        |    | /        /       |
^_______.       | |     |        |    |/        /        |
RIGHT   |       | |   _____      |             /         |
CHANNEL |       | |    ___       |______NNN___/        _____
        |       | |     _                               ___
      -----     | |                                      _
       ---      | |  
        -       | |                   +15v
                | |                     |
                | |                     |8
                | |                5  |\|     OP2
                | |_NNN_______________|+\
                |       |             |  \  7                 OUTPUT R
                |       Z             |   \_______.___________
                |       Z          6  |   /       |           V
                |_______|___NNN__.____|- /        |   
                        |        |    | /        /        --------^
                        |        |    |/        /        |
                        |        |             /         |
                        |        |_____NNN____/          |
                      _____                            -----
                       ___                              ---
                        _                                -
          


IMPLEMENTATION:

    By using 100K ohm resistors we can cross connect the two op amps in
    such a way that the outputs become left-right and right-left.  The
    stereo separation is usually maintained with such an arrangement.

    Pin 1 output is connected to pin 2 minus with a resistor. The same
    between  pins 6 and 7. Pin 2 is additionally attached to the right
    channel input through another resistor. Pin 6 is connected through a
    resistor to the left channel. Pin 3 is connected through a resistor to
    the left channel input.  Pin 3 is also connected through a resistor to
    ground. So pin 3 is between 2 resistors, one going to the left channel,
    the other from pin 3 to ground. Connect pin 5 through 2 more resistors
    the same way as pin 3. You can use 4 batteries (9 volt size) connected
    in series to obtain the proper voltage.  The connection between the two
    center batteries is ground.

    to pin 8---+___- +___- GND +___- +___- to pin 4

    And that's it!! Attach whatever connectors are necessary to the
    LEFT channel and ground and the RIGHT channel and ground. Also add
    connectors between the outputs and ground.

VARIATIONS:

    By the way, for some unique variations on patches, you can separate the
    resistors going to pins 2,3,5, and 6 with separate connectors.  Since
    the op-amp's real name is a difference amplifier, you can come up with
    some pretty unique effects by sending 2 patches through this circuit,
    or sending your voice in with a  patch, and get the difference of the
    two!!

Have fun.......let me know if it is useful....

C.J.

(editing and comments by Mark Hastings)
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
2281.1MILKWY::JANZENNoting is a privilege not a rightTue Mar 06 1990 17:553
    There was a similar PAiA project years ago; I doubt it's still in their
    catalogue.
    Tom
2281.2ACESMK::KUHNvox et praeterea nihilTue Mar 06 1990 18:541
    how much to get one built?
2281.3cost estimateKEYBDS::HASTINGSTue Mar 06 1990 19:506
    re: last
    
    CJ says that it can be done for under $7. It'll probably be more if you
    add connectors.
    
    	Mark
2281.4ACESMK::KUHNvox et praeterea nihilWed Mar 07 1990 14:202
    how much would it cost for someone to build it for me? if i tried
    something like that i would blow up the house.
2281.5worth trying.....LEDDEV::ROSSshiver me timbres....Wed Mar 07 1990 14:2811
    
    Use 1% resistors for best results....OR use trim pots instead
    of resistors in the feedback path, and then set those for
    same gain as the non-inverting sides (read: set for best elimination).
    
    Since vocals usually have reverb, and reverb is a stereo, not
    mono signal usually, this circuit wont remove it. (might get
    some neat effects...)
    
    ron
        
2281.6don't spend a lot of moey, thoughSWAV1::STEWARTAs a matter of fact, it's all darkWed Mar 07 1990 14:3414
	It's real difficult to blow up anything with just a couple of
	batteries...add a fuse and some plastique though...

	These vocal eliminator things are sold commercially.  Check out
	magazines related to music (Stereo Review, Electronic Musician,
	???).  In the back pages where the cheap ads live, you'll sometimes
	find a real small photo ad with a picture of a guy (who looks like
	Freddy Prinze before he died) singing.  Sorry I don't have
	specific publication dates or issues for you.
	
	If you need somebody to put one of these together for you, you
	should probably post a note in the ELECTRONOTES (???) conference
	where all the circuit builders hang out.
2281.7Just take this little pill...FSTVAX::MOUTONWed Mar 07 1990 14:5831
    Hi Gang!!!
    
    C.J. here....
    
    Tried to find Mr/Mrs/Ms Kuhn in the ELF, but you don't have enough
    info in your note to locate you.
    
    I am building some for my friends here....for cost (and an optional cup
    of coffee) I could build it for you.
    
    Where are you? Your DTN?
    
    How far from Boston, Mass, etc.
    
    As far as the ad is concerned I checked the ad out ( a couple of years
    ago ) and got a price list....
    
    A complete setup would run over $500.00!!!!
    
    The eliminator alone cost over $200.00!!!
    
    And it was in MONO!!!!
    
    I have a demo record they sent me around somewhere....
    They also had a number you could call to hear an over the phone sample.
    
    Send me mail at FSTVAX::MOUTON to help you.....
    
    C>J>
    c.j. (10 thumbs strikes again)
    
2281.8yoACESMK::KUHNvox et praeterea nihilWed Mar 07 1990 15:145
    yo c.j.
    
    i'm contacting you offline. 500 bucks??? i dont think all my
    'equipment' is worth that!   :-)
    
2281.9It really worksACESMK::KUHNMKO2 - 264-1319Mon Mar 12 1990 17:008
    I tried out the circuit over the weekend. All claims made are true. It
    works as advertised. I also found that It removes some of the tape hiss
    that gets created when i bounce tracks from deck to deck. 
    I didn't blow up the house,but when i plugged in the 4th 9V battery,
    all the lights in the neighborhood dimmed.  :-)
    
    jay
    
2281.10Hole In The Middle?LUDWIG::RAPHAELSONTue Mar 13 1990 14:174
    What effect did seem to have other normally centered stuff, such
    as kick drum or snare drum?  Perhaps the real expensive commercial
    unit includes some bandwidth selectivity to limit the effect to
    certain frequency areas...............................Jon.........
2281.11its center channel quad :-)ACESMK::KUHNMKO2 - 264-1319Tue Mar 13 1990 17:5011
    ANYTHING common to both channels is virtually removed. Maybe the
    expensive models let you select bandwith but its not worth the price
    for me. This circuit is fine for low-tech thrills. 
    A workaround is to have a Y output from your cd and mix in the other
    (non vocal eliminator) source when there are no vocals.
    I didn't really notice a hole in the music i was playing with (Procol
    Harum Grand Hotel), but (of course) everything sounds different.
    I like the effect on the stuff I do myself. I cant explain exactly
    how its different...for 7 bucks worth of parts, its well worth it.
    
    jay