Analog Mojo Reborn: Sound Semiconductor Unveils the SSI2100 Bucket Brigade Delay Chip

Guitar effects enthusiasts and stompbox addicts, prepare yourselves: Sound Semiconductor (SSI) has officially announced a new generation Bucket Brigade Delay (BBD) integrated circuit, the SSI2100. This innovative chip promises to deliver the authentic, much-sought-after analog warmth of vintage BBD delays while introducing modern features that simplify pedal design and unlock new creative possibilities for guitarists and audio designers.

The Sound of Classic Analog Delay, Simplified

The SSI2100 is a 512-stage BBD, a classic configuration beloved for its signature “mojo” and organic sound. SSI states that special attention was paid to faithfully reproducing the original bucket brigade chain, ensuring that the warm, quirky character of these classic analog circuits is preserved.

But the SSI2100 isn’t just a clone; it’s a major technical leap. Leveraging a modern CMOS IC process, Sound Semiconductor has dramatically reduced the chip’s die size while adding key features:

• Integrated Clock Driver: The chip includes an on-chip clock driver with anti-phase outputs, accepting a single 5V or 3.3V TTL/CMOS input. This completely eliminates the need for a separate, traditional companion clock generator IC, streamlining the circuit board and reducing component count—a huge win for pedal builders.
• Wider Delay Range: The chip supports clock frequencies from 1kHz to over 2MHz, allowing for a vast range of delay times suitable for everything from short slap-backs to long, ethereal echoes.
• Internal $\text{V}_{\text{GG}}$ Supply: The SSI2100 internally generates the legacy “14/15 VGG” supply voltage, requiring only a single external capacitor.

Patent-Pending Innovation for Long Delays and Reverb

One of the most exciting innovations is a patent-pending circuit that provides noiseless gain. This feature makes daisy-chaining multiple SSI2100 chips effortless for achieving much longer delay times without the common issue of signal degradation or the need to recalibrate inputs and outputs.

Furthermore, this daisy-chain architecture allows designers to access intermediate feedback taps, opening the door to creating sophisticated effects like realistic analog reverb, complex choruses, and other unique psychoacoustic sounds that push the boundaries of classic BBD modulation.

“Before we could even start development in earnest of the SSI2100, we had to fully understand how these unusual devices work,” stated Neil Johnson, the designer of the SSI2100. “From there it became a very fun project to complete.”

Price, Availability, and Package

The SSI2100 marks another historical first: it is believed to be the first BBD IC offered in a surface mount package (SOP-8). This compact form factor is ideal for modern, small-footprint effects pedals.

The chip is currently available from production stock, with pricing set at a highly competitive $1.08 per piece at the 1,000-unit level. Samples are available to qualified OEM developers.

For guitar pedal manufacturers and DIY builders focused on crafting high-performance, affordable analog delay, the SSI2100 represents a significant new core component. Sound Semiconductor, comprising musicians and technologists, continues its mission to develop integrated circuits specifically designed for music creation.

For more information, visit Sound Semiconductor’s official website.

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#Sound Semiconductor #Bucket Brigade Delay Chip