Article

Dynamic Limiter

(Summer Circuits 2010 article)

This circuit is a revised version of the Audio Limiter published in the 2002 Summer Circuits edition, which is intended to limit the (possibly excessive) dynamic range of the audio signal from a TV set or DVD player (for example). The original circuit is based on attenuating an excessively strong source signal. Here we take the opposite approach of amplifying the quieter passages. To minimise the typical ‘breathing’ effect of compressors, the control range is limited to only 24 dB.

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Materials

090944-PCB.pdf

Gerber file

CAM/CAD data for the PCB referred to in this article is available as a Gerber file. Elektor GREEN and GOLD members can exclusively download these files for free as part of their membership. Gerber files allow a PCB to be produced on an appropriate device available locally, or through an online PCB manufacturing service.

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PCB

Download Gerber file: 090944-1-V20

Components

The BOM (Bill of Materials) is the technically exhaustive listing of parts and other hardware items used to produce the working and tested prototype of any Elektor Labs project. The BOM file contains deeper information than the Component List published for the same project in Elektor Magazine. If required the BOM gets updated directly by our lab engineers. As a reader, you can download the list here.
Want to learn more about our BOM list? Read the BOM list article for extra information.

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Component list

Resistors
R1,R5,R6,R10,R14,R18 = 10kOhm
R2,R7 = 13.7kOhm 1%
R3,R8 = 22.6kOhm 1%
R4,R9 = 49.9kOhm 1%
R11,R15 = 1.24kOhm 1%
R12,R16 = 2.94kOhm 1%
R13,R17 = 9.09kOhm 1%
R19,R20 = 100Ohm
R21,R22 = 3.3kOhm
R23,R24 = 18kOhm
R25 = 270kOhm
R26 = 100kOhm
R27,R28,R29 = 1MOhm
R30,R31 = 270Ohm
P1 = 5kOhm trimpot,horizontal

Capacitors
C1,C2,C5–C8,C15–C18 = 100nF ceramic, lead pitch 5mm
C3,C4,C13,C14 = 220µF 25V radial, lead pitch 3mm
C9 = 10nF , lead pitch 5 or 7.5 mm
C10 = 470nF, lead pitch 5 or 7.5 mm
C11 = 2.2µF, lead pitch 5 or 7.5 mm
C12 = 220 n, lead pitch 5 or 7.5 mm

Semiconductors
D1,D2 = zener diode 8.2V /1.3W (e.g. NXP BZV85-C8V2)
IC1,IC2 = TL082CN
IC3,IC4 = 4052
IC5 = LM339D
IC6 = 4538
IC7 = 4093
IC8 = 4516

Miscellaneous
K1,K2,K3,K4 = cinch socket, right angled, PCB mount, type JB0115-B-G (Conrad Electroncis # 736899)
PCB # 090944