Automatic Gain Control PreAmplifier Circuit Diagram
The preamp circuit uses an easily obtained 741 op amp set for an internal gain about 200.
PARTS LIST | |
R1 | 100kΩ |
R2 | 470Ω |
R3 | 10kΩ |
R4 | 10kΩ |
R5 | 560kΩ |
R6 | 100kΩ |
R7 | 10kΩ |
R8 | 10kΩ PRESET |
R9 | 100kΩ |
C1 | 1µF 16V |
C2 | 1µF 16V |
C3 | 10µF 16V |
C4 | 1µF 16V |
C5 | 0.1µF (104) |
C6 | 10µF 16V |
C7 | 0.22µF (224) |
D1 | 1N4148 |
D2 | 1N4148 |
Q1 | BF245 |
IC1 | LM741 |
A portion of the op amp’s output signal is rectified by the 1N4148 diodes, then filtered and fed to the gate of the FET input shunting circuit. As the output rises, more and more input shunting takes place. That is, more of the input signal is bypassed, effectively keeping the output level constant.

BF245
This preamp circuit offers a 100:1 limiting action. The input level can change over a 100:1 ratio with little or no effect on the output level.

741 PIN CONFIGURATION
The output output level itself can be set from less than unity all the way up to nearly the gain of the amplifier, making the circuit usable in other applications as well.
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