Add an external volume control - write up

[OSCAR]

I added an external volume control to my cab today and documented the construction of it.  I realize that this doesn't pertain to most of you that use PC speakers [like the Creative Labs with the volume pod] in your projects, but since it seems that using car amps has been discussed more often lately I figured somebody might pick up an idea or two (good or bad) from what I did.  

www.oscarcontrols.com/volume

[Tehrasha]

Here is something you may wish to experiment with ...

In Oscar's setup, the volume control is in series with the amplifier and is limiting the current flow more than the voltage.  So even when turned all the way down, some sound is going to get through.



Mine is hooked up in parallel with the amplifier, and adjusting the voltage level.  With this you can turn it all the way down to -zero- literally.  I think you will find that this gives you a much wider range of volume control.


Oh!  make sure when you do this that you are hooking the SoundCard side across the pot to ground, and the Amplifier side is across the wiper to ground.  You do NOT want to hook it up backwards.  Otherwise when volume=0 you are placing a dead short across the output of your sound card.

[OSCAR]

Thanks for the suggestion, Teh.  I might change mine, because like you said, the range is fairly limited with the pot in series.

[OSCAR]

Teh, that gives a much better range!  Thanks again for the suggestion! (I did say "good or bad" in my original post! )

I have updated my write-up to reflect wiring the pot in parallel.

www.oscarcontrols.com/volume

[Sasquatch!]

VERY cool info!  Thanks much, Oscar and Tehrasha!