Parts · Opto
NSL-32
Optocoupler (LED + LDR).6 circuits use this part. Listed as: Vactrol/opto-isolator, NSL-32.
Datasheet · archived copy from Silonex; the part is discontinued and the maker no longer publishes it
Substitutes same kind
Optocouplers and photoresistors of the same construction; the response speed and resistance range set how an effect sounds. The figures are read off each part's datasheet (this one's from page 1), typical where the sheet gives a typical value, otherwise the maximum. Closest first; the last column says what differs. A different part can change the sound, and a circuit may lean on one particular figure, so read the build document's notes before you swap.
This part
| Part | On | Dark | Rise | Decay | Boards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSL-32 | 500 @ 20 mA | 500k | 3.5 ms | 500 ms | 11 |
Slow decay (up to 500 ms to 100 kΩ), which suits optical compressors and tremolos.
Alternatives
| Part | On | Dark | Rise | Decay | Boards | Differs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VTL5C9 | 1.5k @ 0.5 mA | 2M | 4 ms | 50 ms | 3 | higher on resistance; higher dark resistance; faster decay. Fast-decay vactrol (about 50 ms to 100k) suited to tremolo; this is the Xvive 5C9 sheet. |
| VTL5C2 | 10k @ 0.5 mA | 2M | 3.5 ms | 500 ms | 13 | higher on resistance; higher dark resistance. Xvive's 5C2-R equivalent; decay to 100 kΩ takes up to 500 ms. |
| VTL5C6 | 6k @ 5 mA | 400k | 3.5 ms | 50 ms | 1 | higher on resistance; faster decay. Xvive 5C6 equivalent: 40 to 80 kΩ at 0.5 mA, 6 kΩ max at 5 mA, decay to 1 MΩ in about 50 ms. |
| VTL5C4 | 1.2k @ 1 mA | 400M | 6 ms | 1500 ms | 2 | higher on resistance; higher dark resistance; slower decay. Very low on-resistance (125 Ω at 10 mA) but a slow decay of up to 1.5 s. |
| VTL5C3 | 30k @ 1 mA | 10M | 2.5 ms | 35 ms | 21 | higher on resistance; higher dark resistance; faster decay. Low light memory and temperature drift; the sheet prints its 10 mA and 40 mA on-resistance as 5 Ω and 1.5 Ω, almost certainly meaning kΩ. |
| Faceplate | Circuit | Based on | Category | Vendor | Box | Knobs | Price | BOM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gale Booster / Limiter 4558 · LM386 · LM386N-1 · NSL-32 SoloDallas SVDS · 125B | SoloDallas SVDS | Boost | Aion FX | 125B | 3 | $12.50 | 53 | |
| Oceanid Optical Compressor BC549C · BC550C · LM358 · LM358N Cornish OC-1 · 125B | Cornish OC-1 | Compressor | Aion FX | 125B | 3 | $12.50 | 95 | |
| SoloDallas Storm Vero20×17 Unverified 4558 · LM386 · LM386-1 · NSL-32 SoloDallas Storm | SoloDallas Storm | Boost | Dirtbox Layouts | — | 3 | — | 22 | |
| SoloDallas Storm Perfboard Verified 4558 · LM386 · LM386N-1 · NSL-32 SoloDallas Storm | SoloDallas Storm | Boost | Effects Layouts (blog) | — | 3 | — | 21 | |
| Closed Circuit Booster Limiter 4558 · LM386 · LM386N-1 · NSL-32 SoloDallas Storm · 125B | SoloDallas Storm | Fuzz | PedalPCB | 125B | 3 | $10.00 | 43 | |
| SoloDallas Storm Vero21×18 Verified 4558 · LM386 · LM386N-1 · NSL-32 SoloDallas Storm | SoloDallas Storm | Boost | Tagboard Effects | — | 3 | — | 24 |