Systech - Harmonic Energizer

bajaman · Post by **bajaman** » 28 Mar 2009, 19:59

Hello rwalborn - great to here from the designer of this and ther Systech pedals - welcome to the forum

.
cheers
bajaman

SpencerPedals · Post by **SpencerPedals** » 12 Jan 2010, 03:50

Finally built this a few weeks ago using PurplePeopleEater's pcb. It's confirmed. I used a J201 for the FET. It's a cool little circuit for adding color of various types. Very vintagy tones available from this thing. It is noisy if you turn up the gain, but if you keep it down, you're set. I'm a fuzz guy, but I still enjoy this thing and the tones you get when using it clean.

devastator · Post by **devastator** » 13 Jan 2010, 16:04

There's one to sell in a french shop , 360euros I believe . (maybe a useless information but maybe someone here wants an original, I can find again the link by the way)

joegore · Post by **joegore** » 15 Jan 2010, 22:24

So a year after starting this thread, I FINALLY build one based on Purple People Eater's Layout posted earlier in this thread. It turned out GREAT — nicer than the original unit, actually. Got me sort of excited about using this filter again. A few post-build observations:

1. 90% of the fun happens with the gain and resonance at maximum settings. If I made another, I'd consider fixing these at their maximum value, omitting controls, and just having a single pot with an Option Knob ([url]http://www.optionknob.com)[/url].

2. I lazily replaced the 5K1 and 510R resistors with the more common 4K7 and 470 values. Works fine.

2. It's super-noisy — and how could it not be, with so much frequency-dependent boost?

3. It's super-ugly-sounding — but it reminds me of why I liked to use it 10 years ago. The sizzling filter peaks will slice through ANY mix. Great for tweaky overdubbed parts.

Thanks to everyone who made this happen. Here's a link to my very revealing audio demo: http://files.me.com/joegore/nugr5a.mp3

xoJ

Post by **Brink** » 29 Jan 2010, 05:58

Does anyone have Torchy's vero for this?

TELEFUNKENUSA · Post by **TELEFUNKENUSA** » 09 Feb 2011, 12:39

Hello, My name is Toni Fishman. I'm the CEO at Telefunken Elektroakustik. I have an interest in reproducing the Systec Harmonic Energizer & producing a new line of effects for Telefunken.... Here is my back story regarding Frank & Dweezil.
I'm looking to reproduce and re market vintage effects and would like your help and I'm willing to discuss the hire of an expert design team to get the job done...

Telefunken | USA™ Completes Restoration of Zappa Microphone Collection
Rare Systec Harmonic Energizer Now on Tour With Dweezil

Los Angeles, CA, June, 2007 — The restoration of Frank Zappa's vintage mic collection, begun in 2005, is now complete. The project began with a visit and evaluation by Telefunken | USA CEO Toni Fishman and was completed by Charlie Bolois, the company's West Coast service specialist. Zappa also took possession of a new Telefunken | USA U47, one of a new line of microphones which faithfully recreate the legendary vintage Telefunken sound.

Toni Fishman explained, "Frank Zappa had assembled a very original and complete collection of extremely rare and valuable German and Austrian microphones, unused since his death. We dismantled and carefully evaluated the condition of the mics, performed numerous minor repairs, replaced some of the tubes with NOS (New Old Stock) tubes, and then worked on mic systems integration by matching up the correct power supplies and cables.

"We went through three Telefunken U47s, four Neumann M49s, a beautiful matched pair of Neumann M50s, circa 1950, and four AKG C24s, circa 1960. We also worked on an AKG C-12A that was missing a cable and power supply and rebuilt a custom Telefunken Ela M251 using the existing capsule. It was an impressive collection, but if microphones are unused they tend to deteriorate, so we've given them a renewed life and got them up and running for Dweezil's upcoming projects."

In the second phase of the project, Zappa met with Toni Fishman and Charlie Bolois to evaluate the remaining mics and other Zappa gear. Bolois concentrated on two U67s, nicknamed "The Champ" and "Schneider" by Frank Zappa. "Neither had a power supply," explained Bolois. "First I worked with a number of Zappa cables with various problems and made two good working cables with swivel mounts. Toni Fishman provided two custom power supplies which I adjusted to the correct voltages specifically for each mic. I also replaced the tubes in both, using NOS selected for low noise and low microphonics. A third mic, a vintage M49, required repair of the original Neumann power supply, various tune-ups and a capsule replacement."

After the restoration of the microphone collection, Dweezil unearthed various family treasures, including the rare Systec Harmonic Energizer guitar pedal. Bolois restored the unit to working order and Dweezil identified it as one used by Frank in the 1970s "Roxy and Elsewhere" album period. He has incorporated it in his current "Zappa Plays Zappa" concert tour.

"There is just nothing like it, and it's definitely a treat to have this for our performances of Frank's music." It is hoped that Telefunken | USA will be able to reverse engineer and recreate the unit, as they have done with numerous vintage microphones of the past.

Among other treasures pulled out of storage is "some form of a compressor," explained Bolois. "It's definitely hand made. Somebody adapted a compressor/limiter circuit board that utilized a Telefunken device. Once we figure out what it is and get it working, we'll hear what it sounds like and take it from there..."

For more information on Dweezil Zappa and the Zappa Plays Zappa project, please visit http://www.zappa.com.

Please contact me at 860 306 8080 mobile or 860 882-5919 office / studio

http://www.telefunken-elektroakustik.co ... ration.php

hbo · Post by **hbo** » 11 Feb 2011, 22:41

I see Torchy's vero layout s missing. Here's one I did a while ago, verified and all.

RnFR · Post by **RnFR** » 12 Feb 2011, 03:56

TELEFUNKENUSA wrote:Hello, My name is Toni Fishman. I'm the CEO at Telefunken Elektroakustik. I have an interest in reproducing the Systec Harmonic Energizer & producing a new line of effects for Telefunken.... Here is my back story regarding Frank & Dweezil.
I'm looking to reproduce and re market vintage effects and would like your help and I'm willing to discuss the hire of an expert design team to get the job done...

Telefunken | USA™ Completes Restoration of Zappa Microphone Collection
Rare Systec Harmonic Energizer Now on Tour With Dweezil

Los Angeles, CA, June, 2007 — The restoration of Frank Zappa's vintage mic collection, begun in 2005, is now complete. The project began with a visit and evaluation by Telefunken | USA CEO Toni Fishman and was completed by Charlie Bolois, the company's West Coast service specialist. Zappa also took possession of a new Telefunken | USA U47, one of a new line of microphones which faithfully recreate the legendary vintage Telefunken sound.

Toni Fishman explained, "Frank Zappa had assembled a very original and complete collection of extremely rare and valuable German and Austrian microphones, unused since his death. We dismantled and carefully evaluated the condition of the mics, performed numerous minor repairs, replaced some of the tubes with NOS (New Old Stock) tubes, and then worked on mic systems integration by matching up the correct power supplies and cables.

"We went through three Telefunken U47s, four Neumann M49s, a beautiful matched pair of Neumann M50s, circa 1950, and four AKG C24s, circa 1960. We also worked on an AKG C-12A that was missing a cable and power supply and rebuilt a custom Telefunken Ela M251 using the existing capsule. It was an impressive collection, but if microphones are unused they tend to deteriorate, so we've given them a renewed life and got them up and running for Dweezil's upcoming projects."

In the second phase of the project, Zappa met with Toni Fishman and Charlie Bolois to evaluate the remaining mics and other Zappa gear. Bolois concentrated on two U67s, nicknamed "The Champ" and "Schneider" by Frank Zappa. "Neither had a power supply," explained Bolois. "First I worked with a number of Zappa cables with various problems and made two good working cables with swivel mounts. Toni Fishman provided two custom power supplies which I adjusted to the correct voltages specifically for each mic. I also replaced the tubes in both, using NOS selected for low noise and low microphonics. A third mic, a vintage M49, required repair of the original Neumann power supply, various tune-ups and a capsule replacement."

After the restoration of the microphone collection, Dweezil unearthed various family treasures, including the rare Systec Harmonic Energizer guitar pedal. Bolois restored the unit to working order and Dweezil identified it as one used by Frank in the 1970s "Roxy and Elsewhere" album period. He has incorporated it in his current "Zappa Plays Zappa" concert tour.

"There is just nothing like it, and it's definitely a treat to have this for our performances of Frank's music." It is hoped that Telefunken | USA will be able to reverse engineer and recreate the unit, as they have done with numerous vintage microphones of the past.

Among other treasures pulled out of storage is "some form of a compressor," explained Bolois. "It's definitely hand made. Somebody adapted a compressor/limiter circuit board that utilized a Telefunken device. Once we figure out what it is and get it working, we'll hear what it sounds like and take it from there..."

For more information on Dweezil Zappa and the Zappa Plays Zappa project, please visit http://www.zappa.com.

Please contact me at 860 306 8080 mobile or 860 882-5919 office / studio

http://www.telefunken-elektroakustik.co ... ration.php

yeah, you are going to reverse this pedal? why? its obviously been done already. and you are very welcome, Mr. CEO. why don't you just take whatever money you were going to give your "expert design team" and split it among everybody that contributed to this thread? i made a couple schematics that were rife with errors. that's gotta be worth something. pm me - i'll tell you where to send the check.

PurplePeopleEater · Post by **PurplePeopleEater** » 12 Feb 2011, 15:12

SpencerPedals wrote:Finally built this a few weeks ago using PurplePeopleEater's pcb. It's confirmed. I used a J201 for the FET. It's a cool little circuit for adding color of various types. Very vintagy tones available from this thing. It is noisy if you turn up the gain, but if you keep it down, you're set. I'm a fuzz guy, but I still enjoy this thing and the tones you get when using it clean.

joegore wrote:So a year after starting this thread, I FINALLY build one based on Purple People Eater's Layout posted earlier in this thread. It turned out GREAT — nicer than the original unit, actually. Got me sort of excited about using this filter again. A few post-build observations:

1. 90% of the fun happens with the gain and resonance at maximum settings. If I made another, I'd consider fixing these at their maximum value, omitting controls, and just having a single pot with an Option Knob ([url]http://www.optionknob.com)[/url].

2. I lazily replaced the 5K1 and 510R resistors with the more common 4K7 and 470 values. Works fine.

2. It's super-noisy — and how could it not be, with so much frequency-dependent boost?

3. It's super-ugly-sounding — but it reminds me of why I liked to use it 10 years ago. The sizzling filter peaks will slice through ANY mix. Great for tweaky overdubbed parts.

Thanks to everyone who made this happen. Here's a link to my very revealing audio demo: http://files.me.com/joegore/nugr5a.mp3

xoJ

I'm glad you guys were able to use the PCB layout !

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » 17 Feb 2011, 16:17

Ooh, the Telefunken guy bought one of my Harmonic Energizer clones on ebay. True story.

Here's the layout I've done. It adds a few bits and bobs like a op amp buffer and fuzz circuit. I add an expression pedal in for the center freq control. Makes things much more fun. Uses two TL074s quads.

Here's the DIY layout creator (java version) file:
muff_fuzz_energizer_17022011.diy

And a Youtube demo:

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » 17 Feb 2011, 16:20

Ha. Here's the DIY layout creator (java version) file:
http://www.fredric.co.uk/misc/muff_fuzz ... 022011.diy

JustinFun · Post by **JustinFun** » 02 Jul 2011, 08:53

Just built this from purplepeopleeaters layout - I absolutely love it! It's amazingly flexible, you can dial in just the right 'cocked wah' sound, or narrow the frequencies for all sorts of bizarre octave up noises or synthy buzzes.

It's a quick PCB to populate - took me about an hour and a half including offboard wiring (haven't boxed it yet) Anyone pondering a build - go for it!

There's a slight typo on PPE's layout by the way - one of the box caps is labelled '47u' when it should be '47n'.

Now to trawl back through the thread and add the appropriate 'thanks' to all who helped...

JOHNO · Post by **JOHNO** » 02 Jul 2011, 10:54

I think this is going to be my next project. I'm going to use 3 TL072 op amps. But I'm thinking of using half the first op amp for the buffer stage and the other half as a voltage follower to supply V bias to the rest of the op amps. Can anyone think of any reason why this approach won't get me close to the original sound?

JOHNO · Post by **JOHNO** » 02 Jul 2011, 11:16

Like this.

Schem 1.png

JOHNO · Post by **JOHNO** » 03 Jul 2011, 02:18

I couldn't make the layout above fit on my board size so i stuck to the original design. Well almost.

Systech harmonic energizer.png

JOHNO · Post by **JOHNO** » 03 Jul 2011, 15:48

Sorry guys my last layout was wrong again and it was messy.
I have taken the liberty with this layout to change the op amps around a little, it just made the layout much easier to work with. It is based on Grizzlytones schem but now the input and gain sections are on IC1 and the rest of the circuit on the other op amp. I don't think this will cause any problems.

Systech harmonic energiser.png

JOHNO · Post by **JOHNO** » 03 Jul 2011, 15:55

This is the schem i used minus the input stage and power supply which is the same as the original schem.

Photo 2.jpg

JOHNO · Post by **JOHNO** » 04 Jul 2011, 07:35

Can anyone see anything wrong with my schem? Any reason it wouldn't work?

JOHNO · Post by **JOHNO** » 04 Jul 2011, 11:00

Ok got it, i put a trace cut in the wrong place. Took me half the day to find it. This is built and VERIFIED. If you like you can drop the transistor power filtering. Up to you i dont care. Sorry for cluttering up the thread with crap.

Systech harmonic energizer.png

kaycee · Post by **kaycee** » 04 Jul 2011, 17:00

My build of this one from Harold's layout on stripboard.

Inside are a disgrace

I had a play at putting it in a treadle, then boxed it and had a cold joint - smudged the transfer too! it was one of those builds

looks greenish in the pics, is actually banana yellow! I've added on the Jen Double Sound Fuzz/wah Fuzz via the slide switch, wired so you can run it after the HE or on its own after the HE buffer. I like this circuit, but I think I need to work on it a bit more, its rather noisy - particularly through the fuzz which has a fixed gain, might put an input trim on that to dial it in better. Certainly on its own it can drive a fuzz very nicely.

Systech - Harmonic Energizer [schematic]