[sdiy] Interested in Tau Pipe Phaser / Flanger boards ?

[JH.]

Hi,

many of you may already know about this strange effect device,
which sounds more like a flanger (some say, like a thru-zero flanger!),
but actually is a phaser with 20 (twenty!) all pass filter stages.

If you haven't heard it yet, go to
http://www.keyboardmuseum.org/soundsheet/soundsheet.html ,
scroll down to "The Pipe Phase Demo Record" and listen to the demo.

The service manual is located here:
http://www.musicsynthesizer.com/Diode%20Phaser/Diode%20Phaser.html

I think it's quite impressive and extreme sounding, and it's closely
related to the ARP Quadra Phaser which I've cloned some years ago:
http://home.debitel.net/user/jhaible/additional_schemos.html

And, looking for a project to further develop my pcb layout skills with
RIMU before I start that big Vocoder, I thought the Tau Pipe would be
a good choice.

I've redesigned the original circuit, such that there are no more exotic
components (no more obsolete dual FET), and all the circuitry that
originally was potted in the infamous PD-10 modules, is part of the main
circuit board in my version.
I plan to make the layout such that you can
*either*
(1) use cheap CA3086 transistor arrays
*or*
(2) - for an ultra low noise version - SSM2210, MAT-02, LM394 (expensive! 20 
pairs needed!)
*or*
(3) use hand matched discrete transitors (unexpensive, but requires a lot of 
work.)

Also on the board will be the complete power supply (except the mains 
transformer),
and you can either connect a small transformer with 2 * 18V AC secondary 
voltage,
*or* connect a single 18V AC source such as a Wall Wart.

All pots and jacks and LEDs will be connected externally with flexible wires
to allow some flexibility on the form factor (19" rack enclosure, or 
tabletop box,
or even an oversized stomp box).
The PCB has a rather small size for what it contains (90mm * 160mm), but 
it's probably
too big to fit behind MOTM or other typical modular front panels.

I'm currently in the process of having a first prototype made.
I may also create a Schaeffer front panel later (haven't decided on 19" 1U 
or Tabletop
version yet.)

So, is there any interest for others to buy these PCBs, when / if the thing 
works as
intended?
In the past, I've mainly built on veroboard and had to turn down requests 
for pcb boards,
or even for readily assembled modules. Now, that I've bought a layout 
software, the
situation has slightly changed for the better :)

So, if you're interested in getting a board, let me know.
Right now, I have no idea what it will cost - keep in mind the whole project 
will not
be cheap, with all these transistor pairs!
I won't offer complete kits. If there's enough demand, I'll sell the naked 
PCB boards,
and publish the building information on my web site.

Let me know if you're interested, to find out if it's worth the effort.

JH.