DIY Stereo Volume Control Module(easy)

by Mr.Gizmo in Circuits > Audio

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DIY Stereo Volume Control Module(easy)

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Hello, I am new here at this site and would love to share my projects with everyone who finds them interesting. This particular project was inexpensive and easy to make. All you need is some basic soldering skills and how to read the easy schematics. In my free time if I am not producing or recording music, I am building electronics projects. This one came in mind when I found it annoying to reach all the way or walk all the way up to my audio source to turn down the volume or mute it. It is a volume control module which controls the volume and mute and even has gain. All the electronics can be purchased at radio shack the only thing you will probably have trouble finding is a housing for all the electronics. When I made mine, I had an old tin box that I got off a broken TV set and its rare to come across so just try and find an alternative like perhaps a wooden pox or an altoids tin box should do. Also, the knobs on the potentiometers were off an old car stereo you don't really need them to turn the volume though. The parts you will need are as follows:
2- stereo audio potentiometers
2- stereo 3.5mm input jacks
1- toggle switch
soldering iron and solder
wire cutters-/strippers
a drill depending on material used for box
and some wire(gauge is your choice)

volume module schematics.bmp
Here is the simplified schematic drawing for the circuit. I drew the back side of the potentiometers a bit different than they will look to simplify the view. When you have all of your electronics ready you will first need to drill the holes for everything in the order you would like it. All of the components used in this project come with thread and a nut and washer for tightening on a surface. Once your box and holes are done, place in your components then start soldering the wires.

Hopefully yours comes out nice like I think mine did. If it doesn't work try to inspect all the wiring and make sure nothing is rubbing up on metal if you decide to go with a tin box. Mine was designed to use the Gain as the primary volume adjuster and the volume knob will adjust the volume after the gain. Works great if you think the volume goes too high because all you do is preset the Gain. Good luck and shoot me any questions.