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PROJECT NAME
POLYPHEMUS
BASED ON
Pigtronix
Philosopher's Tone
®
EFFECT TYPE
Compressor / Overdrive
PROJECT SUMMARY
An inventive optical compressor noted for its long sustain and blendable overdrive, designed by Howard
Davis, best known as the designer of the EHX Memory Man and Electric Mistress.
Actual size is 2.3" x 2.68" (main board) and 1.78" x 0.90" (bypass board).
POLYPHEMUS OPTICAL COMPRESSOR
BUILD DIFFICULTY
Intermediate
DOCUMENT VERSION
1.0.0 (2023-07-04)
1
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Summary of Contents for aion POLYPHEMUS
- Page 1 An inventive optical compressor noted for its long sustain and blendable overdrive, designed by Howard Davis, best known as the designer of the EHX Memory Man and Electric Mistress. Actual size is 2.3” x 2.68” (main board) and 1.78” x 0.90” (bypass board). POLYPHEMUS OPTICAL COMPRESSOR...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
15V or 18V adapter. This is the only one currently manufactured as of this project’s release. The Polyphemus is an amalgamation of all of these, primarily based on the original Philosopher’s Tone (which had more features than any subsequent versions) but incorporating various modifications and tweaks from some of the later versions, including the charge pump, germanium diode, and improvements to the sustain control. -
Page 3: Parts List
Film capacitor, 7.2 x 4.5mm 33pF MLCC capacitor, NP0/C0G 1000uF/10V Electrolytic capacitor, 8mm See build notes for sizing precautions. 1000uF/10V Electrolytic capacitor, 8mm See build notes for sizing precautions. Electrolytic capacitor, 4mm 22pF MLCC capacitor, NP0/C0G Electrolytic capacitor, 4mm POLYPHEMUS OPTICAL COMPRESSOR... - Page 4 Operational amplifier, dual, DIP-8 IC2-S DIP-8 socket IC socket, DIP-8 RC4558P Operational amplifier, dual, DIP-8 IC3-S DIP-8 socket IC socket, DIP-8 LM741 Operational amplifier, single, DIP-8 IC4-S DIP-8 socket IC socket, DIP-8 LT1054CP Charge pump, DIP-8 Can also use TC1044SCPA. POLYPHEMUS OPTICAL COMPRESSOR...
- Page 5 Switchcraft 111X or equivalent. 1/4" mono 1/4" phone jack, closed frame Switchcraft 111X or equivalent. 2.1mm DC jack, 2.1mm panel mount Mouser 163-4302-E or equivalent. 3PDT Stomp switch, 3PDT 125B Enclosure, die-cast aluminum Can also use a Hammond 1590N1. POLYPHEMUS OPTICAL COMPRESSOR...
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Page 6: Build Notes
VTL5C6 specifically for use in this circuit, so it’s recommended to use this type. We have not tried the Polyphemus circuit with the VTL5C9 and 470R resistor, but if that’s all you can find, it may work. Electrolytic capacitor selection The original Philosopher’s Tone used a massive 2,200µF capacitor in the bridge rectifier section. -
Page 7: Schematic
100uF 470n LT1054CP 470uF 10uF IC1B TREBLE 100kB NE5532 IC1A 150R IC2B 680pF 100k TL072P NE5532 560n IC2A IC3A 220k TL072P RC4558P 33pF IC3B RC4558P 22pF VACTB 1N914 1N914 1000uF 1000uF 1N60 1N914 1N914 1N914 1N914 1N914 POLYPHEMUS OPTICAL COMPRESSOR... -
Page 8: Drill Template
-0.775, y: +1.71 x: 0, y: +1.71 x: +0.775, y: +1.71 ø9/32” ø9/32” ø9/32” BLEND VOLUME x: -0.775, y: +0.41 x: +0.775, y: +0.41 ø9/32” ø9/32” CENTER (0,0) FOOTSWITCH x: -0.775, y: -1.775 x: 0, y: -1.775 ø5/16” ø15/32” POLYPHEMUS OPTICAL COMPRESSOR... -
Page 9: Enclosure Layout
ENCLOSURE LAYOUT Enclosure is shown without jacks. See next page for jack layout and wiring. 125B POLYPHEMUS OPTICAL COMPRESSOR... -
Page 10: Wiring Diagram
WIRING DIAGRAM NC OUT GND +V +V JACK GND JACK GND GND PCB 125B POLYPHEMUS OPTICAL COMPRESSOR... -
Page 11: Document Revisions
(In other words: you don’t have to go out of your way to advertise the fact that you use these PCBs, but please don’t go out of your way to hide it. The guitar effects industry needs more transparency, not less!) DOCUMENT REVISIONS 1.0.0 (2023-07-04) Initial release. POLYPHEMUS OPTICAL COMPRESSOR...
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