MUTE FEATURE ADDITION FOR THE BIG BRIAR ETHERWAVE® THEREMIN,

VERSION 2

DESCRIPTION: This is a new version of the Etherwave® Theremin mute circuit. Like the original version, it
provides a "popless" muting function and has a two-color light-emitting diode to indicate when the instrument is
muted (red) or unmuted (green).

This version was installed in a unit that was provided with an external DC power supply to reduce mains hum in
the output. (With the external DC power supply, the -18 volts required for the original version of this circuit is
not available, so this version was designed to require just -12 and +12 volts.) This version may be used in either
stock units, or ones modified to accept external DC power.

The prototype of this circuit was constructed on a small circuit board installed inside the theremin. The MUTE
CONTROL switch and MUTE STATUS light-emitting diode were mounted on the front panel, near the output
jack.

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION: U1 is a six-section logic inverter. Sections A and B and associated components
form a bistable circuit which alternately provides a 0 volt or +12 volt level at U1B-4. Each momentary actuation
of switch S1 alternates the states. U1B-4's output drives a LED control circuit comprised of U1C through F.
LED1 illuminates red when the theremin is muted, and green when it is unmuted. R5 is the LED current-limiting
resistor. R2 protects U1A's input from static transients.

U1B-4's output also controls the input of PhotoMOS® optical coupler U2. U2's output acts as a switch that pulls
the control input of the theremin's VCA (U3) to -12V for full muting and opens for unmuted operation.
 PARTS TABLE
SUPPLIER
MANUFACTURER
ITEM DESCRIPTION VALUE MANUFACTURER SUPPLIER CATALOG QTY
PART NUMBER
NUMBER
CAPACITOR,
C1 1 uF KEMET T350A105K035AS DIGI-KEY 399-1429-ND 1
TANTALUM
C2 CAPACITOR,CERAMIC 1 uF KEMET C330C105K5R5TA DIGI-KEY 399-4389-ND 1
LIGHT-EMITTING
LED1 RED/GREEN LITE-ON LTL-293SJW DIGI-KEY 160-1038-ND 1
DIODE
10K OHM, ±5%,
R1 RESISTOR YAGEO CFR-25JB-10K DIGI-KEY 10KQBK-ND 1
1/4 WATT
1K OHM, ±5%, 1.0KQBK-
R2, 5 RESISTOR YAGEO CFR-25JB-1K0 DIGI-KEY 2
1/4 WATT ND
100K OHM, 100KQBK-
R3 RESISTOR YAGEO CFR-25JB-100K DIGI-KEY 1
±5%, 1/4 WATT ND
2700 OHM, 2.7KQBK-
R4 RESISTOR YAGEO CFR-25JB-220K DIGI-KEY 1
±5%, 1/4 WATT ND
SPDT CKN4022-
S1 SWITCH C&K 8125SHZBE DIGI-KEY 1
MOMENTARY ND
CMOS HEX TEXAS 296-3518-5-
U1 INTEGRATED CIRCUIT CD4069UBE DIGI-KEY 1
INVERTER INSTRUMENTS ND
U2 OPTICAL COUPLER PANASONIC AQY210EH DIGI-KEY 1
 FORM "A" 255-1430-5-
PhotoMOS® ND
RELAY

Note: Only major items are indicated in the Table. Items such as wire, terminals, circuit board, and fasteners are
not shown.

August 29, 2009

Text and images ©2009 by Arthur Harrison

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