TUNING FORK AMPLIFIER

Design by T. Giesberts

An amplifier Is described which, after a tuning fork has

been struck, gives a continuous 440 Hz tone
(= International A), so that the user has both hands free
to tune the relevant instrument.

T' e setup of the tuning fork ampli-

fie^ is shown in the block diagram
of Fig. 1.The operation is comparable
to that of a crystal oscillator, in which
the rrystal has been replaced by a
tuning fork and a pick-up coil. The
tone produced by the tuning fark is
~ickedUD bv the eoll and mafntakned
by positibe ieedback in the ampliflcr,
after which it is made audible by the
loudspeaker.
The pick-up coil is similar to that in
an electric guitar. The vibrations of the
tuning fork disturb the magnetic Aeld
in the core, which causes a small al-
t m t l n g voltage to be induced tn the
coil
The cotl voltage is applied to a nar-
row-band440 Hz fflter. which removea
the harmonics and other unwanted termbe the properties of the mter.
frequencies. The 440 Hz slCpral is then such as the central frequency. f,, the
applied to an a.f. amplltler, whose out- Qballty) factor and the amplifIcaUon.
put is apphed to a small loudspeaker. The most important parameter for
Note that as long as the fork vibrates. the present application is the central
the loudspeaker wUl sound and as frequency which must be 440 Hz to

l
long as the loudspeaker sounds, the
fork wlll vibrate. The circuit thus acts
as an oscillator.
1 The c d ts a solenoid from a second-
hand relay. preferably a 24 V type be-
cause of its greater sensitivity. A small
permanent magnet is ffxed at the back
of the solenold to create a permanent
comply with the International tuning
frequency (note A). Preset PI allows f,
to be varied from 352 Hz to 528 Hz.
The 440 Hz signat is applied to a.f.
amplifier IC2 via Cs.This stage has
been designed to give maximum am-
puflcatton at 440 IIz to ensure further
attenuation of any harmonics. The
amplifkation. a. is set with Pz.
The output of ICI is applied to
'power' amplifier TI-T%Feedback re-

- -
Fig. l. Block dtelparn of the tuning
Fork amplilkr.
magnetic Add.
The coil potential is applied to
440 Hz fflter ICI.The reaistm and ea-
pacttors assodated with the IC, except
decoupling capadtors C3 and C4,de-
sistors RrRlo determine the gain of
the ampliiler:-ihe amplification factor Is
IRo+Rd/Ro
. " .v.. S
.
= 430/100 = 4. Slnce the
ampmer can be drtven almost to the
level of the supply b e . the output sig-

Fig. 2. Circuit diagram of the brk amp&.

ELFzToB R L m O N I a OCKm1995
)

Fig. 3. Printed-circuit board for the tuning fork amplifier.
nal of IC2 must be not greater than 1/4
of the supply voltage.
The power output of the amplifier is
applied to the loudspeaker via Cg. To
make this capacitor also function as
additional impedance to limit the
power to the loudspeaker and thus the
total current drain, its value has been
kept relatively smalI.
As already stated, the sound waves
emanating from the loudspeaker keep
the tuning fork in vibration.
/1
/ ! \
/
I I
Fig. 4. Artist's impression of the completed
amplifier in its enclosure.
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS OCTOBER 1995
Cl0~
Construction
The amplifier is intended to be built on
the printed-circuit board shown in
Fig.3. In the design of the board, par-
ticular attention has been paid to the
avoidance of earth loops.
During the building of the board ,
make sure that enough space is left for
the heat sinks of Tj and T2: these must
not touch any components.
Note that CIO and CIl must be
mounted in opposite directions on the
Fig. 5. Photograph of the completed amplifier with
the rear panel removed.
TUNING FORK AMPLIFIER
board.
Make sure that IC! and IC2 are
placed correctly in their sockets.
In the assembly of the electronics
and tuning fork in the enclosure. it Is,
of course. important that the tuning
fork can vibrate freely just as in man-
ual operation. Also. the pick-up coil
must be placed close to the tuning fork
to avoid undue attenuation of the volt-
age induced in the coil.
As stated earlier, the pick-up coil is
the solenoid removed from a discarded
(preferably 24 V) relay. Using super-
glue, fix a small permanent magnet at
the back of the solenoid (where the ter-
minals emerge).
Superglue is also used to fix the
loudspeaker and the pick-up coil as-
sembly to the enclosure as shown in
Fig. 4. For the prototype. perspex was
used, but wood ts, of course, also per-
fectly all rtght. If perspex is used, be
careful with the glue, because every
spilt drop remains visible.
The board is fixed to the enclosure
on spacers as shown in Fig. 4 and
Fig.5.
Note that the distance between the
tuning fork and pick-up coil should not
be greater than 1-1.5mm. The block in
which the tuning fork is clamped may
be made from a piece of perspex into
which two holes are drilled at rtght an-
gles. The smaller one is tapped for the
fixing screw. Alternatively. it may be
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made from two pieces of wood a s near 440 Hz will be heard from the Capacitors:
shown in Fig. 6. Whatever material is loudspeaker. If nothing is heard, turn Cl. C2 = 10 nF
used. the block is glued on to the en- P2 for full volume and try again. If this C3. C4 = 100 nF
closure (superglue in the case of per- produces no results either. switch off C5 = 150 nF
spex, good woodglue in the case of and inspect all connections and the C6 = 330 nF
wood). board again. C, = l nF
The batteries are best f i e d in place The unit may he set to exactly C; = 3 3 pF
with double-sided sticky tape. 440 Hz (which is a must for musi- C9 = 10 pF. 40 V, bipolar. radial
cians) with the aid of a frequency Cl@CI1= 220 pF. 25 V
Setting up meter. The frequency is set with P I .
Note that if a tuning fork of differ- Semiconductors:
Switch on the supply, set P2 to the ent frequency is used. the values of D,. D2 = IN4001
centre of its travel, and lightly tap the the components in the low-pass filter T1 = BC327
tuning fork. If all is well. a tone a t or and the various RC networks must be TZ= BC337
recalculated.
Integrated circuits:
Parts list IC,. IC2 = LF411

Resistors: Miscellaneous:
RI = 47 kR LI = see text
R2 = l kR Lsl = loudspeaker 28 R. 0.5 W
R3 = 1 MR Btl. Bt2 = 9 V (PP3) battery with
h.R5 = 4.7 kR connecting leads
R+j=lOkR 2 off heat sinks for Tl. T2
R-/.R~ = 220 n PCB not available ready made
RQ= 1 0 0 R (9360091
= 330 R
R ; ~
Fig. 6. The clamp for the tuning fork P, = 500 R (470 R) preset
may be made from two blocks of wood. P2 = 100 kR. linear

ELEKTOR EI.ECTRONICS OCTOBER 1995


Fig. 3. Printed-circuit board for the tuning fork amplifier
nal of ICz must be not greater than %
of the supply voltage.
The power output of the amplifier is
applied to the loudspeaker via C9.To
make this capacitor also function a s
additional impedance to limit the
power to the loudspeaker and thus the
total current drain, its value has been
kept relatively small.
A s already stated. the sound waves
emanating from the loudspeaker keep
the tuning fork in vibration.
Fig. 4. Artist's impression of the completed
amplifier in its enclosure.
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS OCTOBER 1995
Construction
The amplifier is intended to be built on
the printed-circuit board shown in
Fig. 3. In the design of the board. par-
ticular attention h a s been paid to the
avoidance of earth loops.
During the building of the board.
make sure that enough space is left for
the heat sinks of Tl and Tz: these must
not touch any components.
Note that C l o and CI1 must be
mounted in opposite directions on the
Fig. 5. Photograph of the completed amplifier with
the rear panel removed.
board.
TUNING FORK AMPLIFIER m
Make sure that IC1 and IC2 are
placed correctly in their sockets.
In the assembly of the electronics
and tuning fork in the enclosure. it is.
of course. important that the tuning
fork can vibrate freely just a s in man-
ual operation. Also. the pick-up coil
must be placed close to the tuning fork
to avoid undue attenuation of the volt-
age induced in the coil.
As stated earlier. the pick-up coil is
the solenoid removed from a discarded
(preferably 24 V) relay. Using super-
glue. fx a small permanent magnet at
the back of the solenoid (where the ter-
minals emerge).
Superglue is also used to fix the
loudspeaker and the pick-up coil as-
sembly to the enclosure a s shown in
Fig. 4. For the prototype, perspex was
used. but wood is. of course. also per-
fectly all right. If perspex is used, be
careful with the glue. because every
spilt drop remains visible.
The board is fixed to the enclosure
on spacers a s shown in Fig. 4 and
Fig. 5.
Note that the distance between the
tuning fork and pick-up coil should not
be greater than 1-1.5 mm. The block in
which the tuning fork is clamped may
be made from a piece of perspex into
which two holes are drilled at right an-
gles. The smaller one is tapped for the
fixing screw. Alternatively. it may be