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How to Make a Noise Reducer

A noise reducer, also referred to as a noise suppressor, is a filtering device. The job of a noise reducer is to eliminate unwanted sound without cutting required sound. To do this, the circuit has an adjustable threshold parameter, so you can determine at what volume the reducer kicks. For example, when used on guitar, you would set the threshold above the level of latent hiss, but below the level of your guitar. Because there is very little signal processing in this circuit, a noise reducer is a suitable DIY electronics project for a beginner.

Things You'll Need

  • Schematic
  • Blank circuit board
  • Resistors
  • Capacitors
  • Potentiometers
  • Soldering iron
  • Solder
  • Wire
  • Jacks, 2 1/4-inch
  • Pedal chassis
  • Screwdriver
  • Circuit board screws
  • 9-volt battery snap
  • Dials
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Instructions

    • 1
      Schematics denote the layout and connection method of circuits.

      Color-code the schematic. A schematic illustrates the correct order of the board-mounted parts as well as the correct mounting turret. By marking the part, the circuit board turret and the schematic symbol in the same color, you can more quickly cross-reference your work when assembling the board.

    • 2

      Fit the resistors, capacitors and potentiometers into the circuit board. The resistors stop current flowing when the signal is below a certain threshold, capacitors accept discharged current and the potentiometers govern the resistance threshold. Push each into the board with sufficient force to drive the connector pins through to the base. Note that the potentiometer tops will protrude through the top of the chassis when assembled.

    • 3

      Put the board face-down and press each connector pin flat against the copper conductor strip.

    • 4

      Put a small amount of solder on the tip of your iron and press it against the connector pin and conductor strip simultaneously to fuse the component to the board. Repeat this step for each pair of connector pins.

    • 5

      Screw the board into the base of the chassis, using a Phillips screwdriver and standard circuit-board screws. A typical pedal chassis comes with predrilled holes for mounting screws and jacks.

    • 6

      Slot a 1/4-inch jack into each of the two 1/4-inch holes on the side of the chassis. Fasten the outside of the jacks against the chassis with the supplied washers. As you look at the pedal, the jack on the right is the "Input," the jack on the left is "Output."

    • 7

      Cut two, 1-inch pieces of wire. Solder a piece of wire to the output terminal of each jack. Solder the end of the input wire to the board eyelet next to the first resistor from the right. Solder the end of the output wire to the board eyelet next to the first resistor from the left.

    • 8

      Solder the red wire attached to the battery snap to the board eyelet marked "+." Solder the black wire to the eyelet marked "-."

    • 9
      A typical guitar effect pedal chassis is predrilled and finished.

      Fit the top half of the chassis. Line up the chassis top so the potentiometer tops stick through the predrilled holes. Screw the chassis top onto the base.

    • 10

      Fit dials to the top of the potentiometers. Ensure you line up the notch on the potentiometer with "0" on the dial.

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