Circuit Simulators
- Greg
- Old Solderhand
I couldn't find much on them ...
Who uses 'em ?
What do you use ?
What are the choices ?
Are there any good freeware or budget choices ?
Who uses 'em ?
What do you use ?
What are the choices ?
Are there any good freeware or budget choices ?
culturejam wrote: We are equal opportunity exposure artists.
- HydrozeenElectronics
- Resistor Ronker
Information
I would be interested in a good shareware version as well.
Hi,
I've used (and still using) a lot LTspice http://www.linear.com/designtools/software/ to check a number of quantitative data about a given circuit such as frequency res., biasing, gains, shape of clipped waveforms etc. before actually build anything.
I applied this mainly to dist./fuzz, but also compressors.
Example: I have entered in LTspice a modified Shredmaster schematics (my favourite pedal) I built and I've been using since five years. Then, I recently build a modified version of the Tube Driver that relly did not cut through, so I used extensively simulation to adjust the pre and post clipping (tubes) stage signal frequency shaping to match the "reference" Shredmaster behaviour. I was amazed about how similar the two pedals sounded similar once I adjusted that parameters.
A word of warning: the models available do have limitations (that add up to mine... )e.g.
1) I failed simulating Ge biasing and leakages thermal behaviours (I've never achieved a reliable simulation of simple Ge FF !)
2) I could not find suitable models for simulating properly starving plate tubes circuits . Grid current vs, Anode voltage dependency for low anode voltage value is usually not or wrongly taken into accout by the availble models.
One last thing: LTspice can be fed by .wav files, so you can virtually "ear" the circuit characteristic in simulation.
I've never got the time to explore this possibility which IMO has limited practical value anyway
Best Regards,
lcv
I've used (and still using) a lot LTspice http://www.linear.com/designtools/software/ to check a number of quantitative data about a given circuit such as frequency res., biasing, gains, shape of clipped waveforms etc. before actually build anything.
I applied this mainly to dist./fuzz, but also compressors.
Example: I have entered in LTspice a modified Shredmaster schematics (my favourite pedal) I built and I've been using since five years. Then, I recently build a modified version of the Tube Driver that relly did not cut through, so I used extensively simulation to adjust the pre and post clipping (tubes) stage signal frequency shaping to match the "reference" Shredmaster behaviour. I was amazed about how similar the two pedals sounded similar once I adjusted that parameters.
A word of warning: the models available do have limitations (that add up to mine... )e.g.
1) I failed simulating Ge biasing and leakages thermal behaviours (I've never achieved a reliable simulation of simple Ge FF !)
2) I could not find suitable models for simulating properly starving plate tubes circuits . Grid current vs, Anode voltage dependency for low anode voltage value is usually not or wrongly taken into accout by the availble models.
One last thing: LTspice can be fed by .wav files, so you can virtually "ear" the circuit characteristic in simulation.
I've never got the time to explore this possibility which IMO has limited practical value anyway
Best Regards,
lcv
- JiM
- Diode Debunker
Information
- Posts: 967
- Joined: 11 Mar 2008, 22:56
- Completed builds: Completed builds :
Proco Rat
MXR MicroAmp in a volume pedal
TubeDriver (w/ NoS russian tube and big muff tone contol) + Phase 45 (w/ univibe cap ratio)
Dallas Rangemaster (w/ noisy OC75, negative ground)
SubCaster tube booster (w/ NoS russian tube, PtP)
Hot Harmonics
Music From Outer Space SubCommander in progress
Crackle Not OK
Simple bass blender in a 1590A
Bazz Fuss with a photo-darlington - Location: France
- Has thanked: 70 times
- Been thanked: 66 times
- Contact:
After searching for some time a simple-to-use, open-source, circuit simulator compatible with Linux, i eventually settled for LTSpice too, using wine emulator.
I would prefer a genuine Free Software out of a proprietary freeware, but anyway it works fine. The .wav input/output feature is great, but it takes a long time to simulate a suitable amount of signal time. There is a shitload of Linear Technology opamps models (hey, they give it for promotional purpose !) but you can add any other Spice model by hand.
There is also Qucs : http://qucs.sourceforge.net/ including some HF and digital stuff.
And of course all the command-line-based variations of the original Berkeley Spice ... Most CAD software can export compatible netlists.
I would prefer a genuine Free Software out of a proprietary freeware, but anyway it works fine. The .wav input/output feature is great, but it takes a long time to simulate a suitable amount of signal time. There is a shitload of Linear Technology opamps models (hey, they give it for promotional purpose !) but you can add any other Spice model by hand.
There is also Qucs : http://qucs.sourceforge.net/ including some HF and digital stuff.
And of course all the command-line-based variations of the original Berkeley Spice ... Most CAD software can export compatible netlists.
I only give negative feedback.
- DrNomis
- Old Solderhand
Information
- Posts: 6807
- Joined: 16 Jul 2009, 04:56
- my favorite amplifier: Self-Built Valve Amp Head :)
- Completed builds: Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face,Tone Bender Professional Mk 3,Tone Bender 3-Knob,Baja BK Butler Tube Driver,Baja Real Tube Overdrive,Roger Mayer Octavia,EH Soul Preacher,Tech 21 XXL Distortion,MFOS Weird Sound Generator.
- Location: Darwin,Northern Territory Australia
- Has thanked: 98 times
- Been thanked: 279 times
Greg_G,
At one point I had Circuitmaker 2000 installed on my computer,but i ended up not trusting the results of it because it sometimes gave very strange results,even though I was getting it to simulate an electronically correct circuit....
At one point I had Circuitmaker 2000 installed on my computer,but i ended up not trusting the results of it because it sometimes gave very strange results,even though I was getting it to simulate an electronically correct circuit....
Genius is not all about 99% perspiration, and 1% inspiration - sometimes the solution is staring you right in the face.-Frequencycentral.