Tone control is an equalization procedure of adjusting different frequency bands’ volume within audio, images, or other signals. It makes particular frequencies or pitches within an audio signal louder or softer. So, it allows a listener to regulate the sound tone generated by an audio system. It can also allow them to balance recording shortages, room acoustics, hearing impairments, and shortcomings through playback equipment. Generally, audio engineers use tone controls to regulate an audio signal during recording. You can find these controls in various sound systems, including portable music players, radios, boom boxes, and musical instrument amplifiers, as well as in public address systems. This article elaborates on the LM1036 IC, pin-out, specifications, and its applications.
What is LM1036 IC?
The LM1036 IC is a DC-controlled volume, tone (treble or bass) & balance circuit used in stereo applications like TV, car radio & audio systems. In addition, four control inputs decide the treble, balance, bass functions, and volume with DC voltages from a remote control system. On the other hand, you can achieve control using four potentiometers, which the circuit biases from a Zener-controlled supply.
So this IC is an outstanding choice for those who require an easy-to-assemble and affordable stereo control circuit. You can define every tone response by selecting a single capacitor that provides the desired characteristic. In addition, it is easy to utilize and has a lot of flexibility that permits loudness control.
How does LM1036 IC Work?
The LM1036 IC works as a dual DC-operated volume/tone/balance circuit, which allows accurate control above the volume, treble, or bass audio signal frequencies throughout a sequence of DC voltage inputs. Thus, it is perfect for applications like stereo systems wherever users desire to regulate sound characteristics with outside controls like a potentiometer.
The main function of this module is to control the overall audio signal’s volume through a DC voltage input pin by enabling a huge dynamic range mainly for volume adjustments. Separate pins permit independent control of both treble and bass frequencies by allowing users to regulate the tonal stability of the audio.
Some LM1036 IC variants comprise a loudness feature that boosts bass automatically & treble frequencies at lower volume levels to compensate for how human hearing recognizes quieter sounds. Unlike a lot of other audio circuits, this IC can be controlled through DC voltages by allowing simple integration through potentiometers or other DC control systems.
LM1036 IC Pin Configuration:
The LM1036 IC pin configuration is shown below. So, this IC includes 20 pins, which are explained below.
LM1036 IC Pin Configuration
- Pin-1 (Internal Supply Decouple): It is an internal decouple supply pin of the module.
- Pin-2 (IN-1): It is an input pin-1 of the module.
- Pin-3 (Treble CAP-1): It is a treble capacitor pin-1 of the module.
- Pin-4 (Treble control pin): It is the treble control pin of the module.
- Pin-5 (AC bypass-1): It is an AC bypass pin-1 of the module.
- Pin-6 (Bass cap-1): It is a bass capacitor pin-1 of the module.
- Pin-7 (Loudness comp): It is the input pin of the loudness compensation control of the module.
- Pin-8 (OUT-1): It is an output pin-1 of the module.
- Pin-9 (Balance control-in): It is a balance control input pin of the module.
- Pin-10 (GND): It is the ground pin of the module.
- Pin-11 (VCC): It is a voltage supply pin of the module.
- Pin-12 (Volume Control In): It is a volume control input pin of the module.
- Pin-13 (OUT-2): It is an output pin-2 of the module.
- Pin-14 (Bass Control In): It is a bass control input pin of the module.
- Pin-15 (BASS CAP-2): It is a bass capacitor pin-2 of the module.
- Pin-16 (AC Bypass-2): It is an AC bypass pin-2 of the module.
- Pin-17 (Zener Voltage): It is a Zener voltage pin of the module.
- Pin-18 (Treble Cap-2): It is a treble capacitor pin-2 of the module.
- Pin-19 (IN-2): It is an input pin-2 of the module.
- Pin-20 (GND): It is the ground pin of the module.
Features & Specifications:
The features and specifications of the LM1036 IC include the following.
- The LM1036 is a 20-pin IC.
- It is available in through-hole PDIP or SOIC surface-mounted packages.
- Its wide voltage supply range is from 9V to 16V.
- The typical large volume control range is 75 dB.
- Channel separation is typically 75 dB.
- The typical low distortion for 0.3 Vrms input level is 0.06%.
- High S/N is 80 dB for 0.3 Vrms input level.
- It needs some external components.
- Typical tone control is ±15 dB.
- The typical distortion is 0.06%.
- Extra control input simply allows for loudness compensation.
- The operating temperature range is from 0°C to +70°C.
- Its storage temperature range is from -65°C to +150°C/
Equivalents & Alternatives:
Equivalent LM1036 ICs are; PGA2310, PGA2320, PGA4311 and PGA2311. Alternative LM1036 ICs are; TEA2025B, TDA2003, TDA2822, TDA7377, BA5406 or TDA2030.
Tone Control Circuit with LM1036 IC
The tone control makes particular frequencies (or) pitches within an audio signal louder or softer. This is a type of electronic circuit that includes a set of filters that modify the signal before it is fed to headphones, speakers, or any recording devices through an amplifier. This IC allows listeners to change the sound and compensate for hearing impairments, recording deficiencies, and room acoustics (or) shortcomings through playback equipment.
The tone control circuit with the LM1036 IC is shown below. The required components to make this circuit mainly include; LM1036N IC, 47KΩ resistors, 47KΩ variable resistors, 0.01uF, 0.39uF,0.22uF, 10uF,0.47uF, 10nF and 47uF capacitors, 16V battery and connecting wires.
Tone Control Circuit with LM1036 IC
Working
The tone control circuit uses an LM1036 IC as a significant component, which is a DC-controlled tone control IC. So it provides dual treble, bass & balance output volume from an audio signal in between both the right & left channels. This IC is generally the most suitable choice for stereo applications in radios, TVs, and car audio systems.
It operates with a voltage range of 9V to 16V DC and features a typical large volume control of 75 dB, ±15 dB tone control for optimal channel separation, low distortion at 75 dB, and a high signal-to-noise ratio of 80 dB for a 0.3 Vrms input level.
This stereo audio tone control circuit allows you to adjust the treble and bass levels, as well as the tone and balance between two channels, such as input-1 and input-2. You can use this circuit in various stereo applications, including car radios, audio systems, TVs, DVD players, and MP3 players.
Additionally, an extra control input enables you to implement loudness compensation easily. The circuit operates effectively with a supply voltage of 9V to 15V DC. You can find these tone control circuits in many sound systems, including radios, boom boxes, portable music players, musical instrument amplifiers, and public address systems.
Advantages & Disadvantages
The advantages of LM1036 ICs include the following.
- It has a wide voltage supply range, from 9V to 16V.
- This module has a low distortion, typically 0.06% at 0.3 Vrms input level.
- It has a high signal-to-noise ratio – 80 dB.
- It needs a few external components.
- This IC has a wide frequency range: The LM1036’s basic response is typically 1 dB down at 250 kHz.
- This IC DC control makes it easy to include other features.
- These ICs are more reliable, smaller, and energy efficient than discrete components.
The disadvantages of LM1036 ICs include the following.
- These ICs are specially designed for audio purposes.
- It has limited power-handling ability.
- This IC has difficulty with higher voltage operation.
- It is the potential for amplified noise generation.
- These are susceptible to harm from ESD (electrostatic discharge).
- This IC has challenges with the on-chip incorporation of huge passive components.
- Its design constraints can restrict flexibility within higher power or voltage applications.
- Its modifications or repairs are difficult because of the integrated circuitry nature.
Applications
The applications of LM1036 ICs include the following.
- The LM1036 IC is used within stereo applications to control tone, balance & volume.
- This IC can be utilized for wide-band equalization through scaling Ct and Cb.
- It has an extra control input that permits loudness compensation.
- This IC controls the treble, volume, and bass within car radios, TVs, audio systems, etc.
- This IC dual DC-operated circuit can be controlled with DC voltages from potentiometers or a remote control system.
Please refer to this link for the LM1036 IC Datasheet.
Thus, this is an overview of LM1036 IC, which is an outstanding choice for an affordable & simple stereo control circuit. In addition, users can easily utilize this IC with great flexibility, as it supports extra functions like loudness control. This makes it one of the simplest and most affordable audio control chips available. With its robust design and low power consumption, this IC finds applications across various fields. As compared to other audio-specific ICs like the NE5532 and TDA2030 ICs, these ICs might have different abilities or particular applications. Here is a question for you: What is TDA2003 IC?