Really Simple Transistor Compressor

effect pedal project by mirosol

Here's the Really Simple Transistor Compressor effect pedal project from mirosol.

This project has been described using terms like compressor, stripboard, and vero.

Beyond the specs and details found on this page, you'll want to check out these stripboard resources too.

Project Resources

Parts List

  • C1
    10u
  • C2
    1u
  • C3
    10u
  • C4
    47u
  • C5
    100u
  • C6
    47u
  • C7
    10u
  • C8
    47u
  • D1
    1N4148
  • D2
    1N4148
  • D3
    1N4001
  • P1
    10k Level
  • R1
    1M
  • R2
    15k
  • R3
    330k
  • R4
    27k
  • R5
    10k
  • R6
    330k
  • R7
    100k
  • R8
    2k2
  • R9
    1k
  • R10
    680R
  • R11
    2k2
  • T1
    BC213L
  • T2
    BC183L
  • T3
    BC183L
  • T4
    BC183L
  • U1
    9V

Similar transistors & Potential Alternatives

Can't find an exact match for the recommended transistors in this project within your stash? Or maybe you just feel like experimenting. Use these tables below to get started finding a suitable or otherwise interesting transistor substitution.

There may be 4 alternatives for the BC213L mentioned above in the parts list for this project. These suggestions were derived by considering the original component's hFE, Pol, Ic, Vcb, and Vce values and finding comparables in our database. These alternatives are suggestions for further exploration (fun!) and have not been tested in the context of this project. You can also to suit your preferences.

BC213L
more info
Cc
10
pF
ft
200
MHz
hFE
70
β
Ic
0.2
A
Pc
0.3
W
Pol
PNP
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
45
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
5
V
BC213K
more info
Cc
10
pF
ft
200
MHz
hFE
70
β
Ic
0.2
A
Pc
0.3
W
Pol
PNP
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
45
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
5
V
SFT242
more info
ft
1
MHz
hFE
70
β
Ic
0.55
A
Pc
0.225
W
Pol
PNP
Tj
85
°C
TranMat
Ge
Vcb
45
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
25
V
STN888
more info
hFE
70
β
Ic
5
A
Pc
1.6
W
Pol
PNP
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
45
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
6
V

There may be 13 alternatives for the BC183L mentioned above in the parts list for this project. These suggestions were derived by considering the original component's hFE, Pol, Ic, Vcb, and Vce values and finding comparables in our database. These alternatives are suggestions for further exploration (fun!) and have not been tested in the context of this project. You can also to suit your preferences.

BC183L
more info
Cc
5
pF
ft
150
MHz
hFE
120
β
Ic
0.2
A
Pc
0.3
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
45
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
5
V
2SC1173Y
more info
Cc
300
pF
ft
1
MHz
hFE
120
β
Ic
3
A
Pc
25
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
175
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
45
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
5
V
BC183
more info
Cc
5
pF
ft
150
MHz
hFE
120
β
Ic
0.2
A
Pc
0.3
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
45
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
5
V
BC183A
more info
Cc
5
pF
ft
150
MHz
hFE
120
β
Ic
0.2
A
Pc
0.3
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
45
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
6
V
BC183AP
more info
Cc
5
pF
ft
150
MHz
hFE
120
β
Ic
0.2
A
Pc
0.3
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
45
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
6
V
BC183K
more info
Cc
5
pF
ft
150
MHz
hFE
120
β
Ic
0.2
A
Pc
0.3
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
45
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
5
V
BC183KA
more info
Cc
5
pF
ft
150
MHz
hFE
120
β
Ic
0.2
A
Pc
0.3
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
45
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
5
V
BC183LA
more info
Cc
5
pF
ft
150
MHz
hFE
120
β
Ic
0.2
A
Pc
0.3
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
45
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
5
V
D28A8
more info
ft
80
MHz
hFE
120
β
Ic
0.5
A
Pc
0.5
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
45
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
5
V
D28D2
more info
Cc
12
pF
ft
100
MHz
hFE
120
β
Ic
1
A
Pc
6.5
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
45
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
5
V
D33D4
more info
ft
80
MHz
hFE
120
β
Ic
0.5
A
Pc
0.4
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
45
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
5
V
D40D2
more info
Cc
12
pF
ft
100
MHz
hFE
120
β
Ic
1
A
Pc
6.5
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
45
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
5
V
D40DU2
more info
Cc
12
pF
ft
150
MHz
hFE
120
β
Ic
1
A
Pc
6.5
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
45
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
5
V