Weird Sound Generator needs more volume

rresistor · Joined: Aug 14, 2010 Posts: 2 Location: rresistor

Hello fellow builders,

Just joined the forum in an effort to find the answer to my question about Ray Wilson's weird sound generator. Basically my first project.

I finished it a few weeks ago, built into an old jewelry box I found at a thrift store. The front panel is all wood but coated the back where the pots are mounted with aluminum foil tape as was suggested.

All functions are working except for one thing, I can't get a usable volume out of it. Sound great when plugged directly into computer recording hardware and a fender champ (though i have to turn volume up to 8 for satisfying weirdness). Other amplifiers and PA systems are not workable due to static and outside noise that's picked up when turning them to such high volumes.

So the question I pose: where is the capacitor/resistor I can swap to a higher/lower value to make this thing LOUD. Could research this on my own but thought I would try to save time.

Thanks in advance.

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 4:22 am Post subject:

The output of the WSG is actually quite loud, as long as you've wired up the output stuff properly. The oscillators in it are basically a 9V p-p wave. Normal line elevels are only about 1V p-p. I'd be checking the output wiring with a fine tooth comb to make sure you haven't gotten anything mixed up.

rresistor · Joined: Aug 14, 2010 Posts: 2 Location: rresistor

Thanks uncle krunkus. I've checked all of my wiring multiple times and only found one error, filter pots were placed in reverse positions.

During a frustrated effort, I started touching the bottom of the PCB where the components were soldered and bending the board to see what would happen. Noises would come and go at very loud levels. Finally I've realized that touching the WK2B and WD1A etc etc points with one finger and the Output with the other results in certain oscillator sounds at a loud and usable volume. Placing my entire hand on the entire PCB makes everything a loud and usable volume.

Does this mean I should re-solder every component to the board? Or that maybe only one part is draining all of the voltage?

Danno Gee Ray · Joined: Sep 25, 2005 Posts: 1351 Location: Telford, PA USA

Do you have a metal or non-metal faceplate?

All your grounds good?

kkissinger · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 7:43 pm Post subject:

You may have some cold solder joints... they may look ok but they are actually loose.

It is possible that you have a broken trace somewhere on your board.

One way to check this is to power down your WSG then check every trace and solder joint with a continuity tester (most VOM have them). You will need to work through the schematic and check every connection to be sure they are secure. Also, look for solder bridges -- they can be almost microscopic. Simply use you continuity tester and touch adjacent traces and be sure that you do not have continuity between traces that should NOT have continuity.

Good luck!

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 9:47 pm Post subject:

It also sounds like the possiblity of a mis-read resistor value. It's very easy to put in a 10K instead of a 1K for example. Check all values around the filter and output signal path. You can do this without desoldering anything first. Any resistors should be their rated value or lower, not higher. If you find one that looks too high, desolder and check it.