DIY Effects

[JackLondon]

[quote name='escholl' post='784611' date='Mar 24 2010, 12:47 PM']The volume drop is normal, there is a way around it though. As for the chorus part not being loud enough, the first thing I would would be to double and then triple check all solder connections, and the same with component orientation and values.

By the way, did you ever decide on a power supply design?[/quote]

What would you suggest for the volume drop? Bear in mind that this effect will be used for guitar only!

I'll check all the solder points later on and see if it's all good! But if there are any badsolder points would the signal still go through?

I'm still thinking about the power supply, just doing a bit if research at the moment and trying to get an idea of what is going to work best!

[JackLondon]

It's working now Lovely sound The trimpot was f*cked so I've replaced it and it works like a dream!

Edited March 24, 2010 by JackLondon

[JackLondon]

Had a long play with it now and the sound is very very good, very clear across all the range and when on full whack it changes into amazing vibratto. I'm well pleased with it and can really recommend this for anyone wanting a good clean chorus, with all the mods that are available it can be really good competitor for some of the mass market units but at a fraction of the cost!

[Al Heeley]

Excellent - well persevered, its so frustrating when you can't find the fault but great once you've managed to trace it and get it working properly.

[JackLondon]

yeah it was a learning step for me! There was signal but the wiper wasn't making anything, I've put the new one and presto! I'm especially happy knowing that on tonepad it's considered very advanced so I'm not that scared of other projects now! I still have the envelope filter and the delay to do!

[LukeFRC]

well done! you made less of a pigs ear to it than I did to mine! I read your first 'its not working post' and thought the wee trim pot cant be working... but you worked that out!

[JackLondon]

Yeah I've been inhaling too much lead It's a great little effect, so simple with just 2 pots, I love simple stuff that sounds great and I can't stop playing through it

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='JackLondon' post='785357' date='Mar 24 2010, 11:55 PM']Yeah I've been inhaling too much lead It's a great little effect, so simple with just 2 pots, I love simple stuff that sounds great and I can't stop playing through it [/quote]

the thing gets me is what's the stock one like with just a wee switch?

[karlthebassist]

Hey Chaps

Two things really,

First of all, I have built an MXR microamp from a schematic online, and I get the most horrible thump when switching it on and off. Is there something that can be done to a switching circuit to stop this thump/click?

Other thing is, I'm collecting up a few effects these days, and want to make a loop selector or two to try and get the signal path down when im not using things. plus the boss effects SUCK tone like nothing else. I can think of how to make a loop pedal, with a loop on/bypass function, but it would be literaly wires, jacks and a footswitch. there are some seriously expensive loop pedals out there - what else is in them? i assume something to stop the clicking thump, but what else?

I'm no stranger to electronics, as I did a lot of it during my apprenticeship, and have copied preamps and other circuites before. but the building from scratch thing allways seems to defeat me for some reason.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers

[JackLondon]

[quote name='karlthebassist' post='786218' date='Mar 25 2010, 07:31 PM']Hey Chaps

Two things really,

First of all, I have built an MXR microamp from a schematic online, and I get the most horrible thump when switching it on and off. Is there something that can be done to a switching circuit to stop this thump/click?

Other thing is, I'm collecting up a few effects these days, and want to make a loop selector or two to try and get the signal path down when im not using things. plus the boss effects SUCK tone like nothing else. I can think of how to make a loop pedal, with a loop on/bypass function, but it would be literaly wires, jacks and a footswitch. there are some seriously expensive loop pedals out there - what else is in them? i assume something to stop the clicking thump, but what else?

I'm no stranger to electronics, as I did a lot of it during my apprenticeship, and have copied preamps and other circuites before. but the building from scratch thing allways seems to defeat me for some reason.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers[/quote]

For a good fix of ''pop'' noise go here [url="http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/box_pop.htm"]http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/box_pop.htm[/url] , this method works really well at least in my experience.

With regard to loops your imagination ( and technical abilities ) are your limit. You can put anything on them, blend pots, volume pots, tone pots, feed them back through the loop again, integrate DI etc. Go here for some simple examples [url="http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/PedalHacker/index.htm"]http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/PedalHacker/index.htm[/url] . Once you set on what you want it is pretty straight forward.

When you think that something is going to defeat you then you have to change this attitude. About 2 months ago a pcb for some of the effects I've done recently would scare me sh*tless but now I'm more confident and thanks to other guys on here as well as wealth of info available on the net you can get through anything.

Visit those websites for some ideas

[url="http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/"]http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/[/url]
[url="http://www.smallbearelec.com/Projects/ProjandProd.html"]http://www.smallbearelec.com/Projects/ProjandProd.html[/url]
[url="http://www.tonepad.com/projects.asp?projectType=fx"]http://www.tonepad.com/projects.asp?projectType=fx[/url]
[url="http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/"]http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/compon...tpage/Itemid,1/[/url]
[url="http://freestompboxes.org/index.php?sid=827fc59a9f9a3fb5157f15392712416e"]http://freestompboxes.org/index.php?sid=82...57f15392712416e[/url]

Visit those websites for parts
[url="http://www.bitsbox.co.uk/"]http://www.bitsbox.co.uk/[/url]
[url="http://www.musikding.de/"]http://www.musikding.de/[/url]
[url="http://www.banzaimusic.com/"]http://www.banzaimusic.com/[/url]
[url="http://www.smallbearelec.com/StoreFront.bok"]http://www.smallbearelec.com/StoreFront.bok[/url] ( Make the order worth postage, I've done 2 orders and haven't been stung by customs because the value on the invoice is put lower so it goes through no problem and they have some parts that are almost impossible to find in Europe )

Once you know what you want to do then go buy parts and have hours of fun, it will be frustrating but in the end worth it.

Cheers
Jack

[JackLondon]

Look what the guitard brought to me for mods and repairs

Here's some pics :

[attachment=45661:Wah1__2_.JPG][attachment=45662:Wah1__4_.JPG][attachment=45663:Wah1__6_.JPG]
[attachment=45664:Wah1__7_.JPG][attachment=45666:Wah1__5_.JPG]

As you can see the state of it leaves a lot to be desired, he told me that he just sanded of the bits he could and then sprayed straight onto the surface.

With a good bit of sanding I put the first 3 coats of primer

[attachment=45665:Wah1__10_.JPG]

Once the coats dry out properly I will sand them back, use a filler where there are big gaps and then put another 3 coats of primer. Once it's done it will get a two tone finish, white and orange.

In terms of mods it will have all the usual stuff that can be found on the net, vocal, mid boost, bass boost, auto on/off etc. On top of that it will have 2 LEDs that will be constantly on located on the right and left side of the bypass switch, the underneath of the foot pedal itself will then be lined with reflective foil which will bounce the light back on to the wah, it should look cool but it will take a lot of work before I get there.

Cheers
Jack

Edited March 25, 2010 by JackLondon

[karlthebassist]

[quote name='JackLondon' post='786269' date='Mar 25 2010, 08:15 PM']For a good fix of ''pop'' noise go here [url="http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/box_pop.htm"]http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/box_pop.htm[/url] , this method works really well at least in my experience.

With regard to loops your imagination ( and technical abilities ) are your limit. You can put anything on them, blend pots, volume pots, tone pots, feed them back through the loop again, integrate DI etc. Go here for some simple examples [url="http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/PedalHacker/index.htm"]http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/PedalHacker/index.htm[/url] . Once you set on what you want it is pretty straight forward.

When you think that something is going to defeat you then you have to change this attitude. About 2 months ago a pcb for some of the effects I've done recently would scare me sh*tless but now I'm more confident and thanks to other guys on here as well as wealth of info available on the net you can get through anything.

Visit those websites for some ideas

[url="http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/"]http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/[/url]
[url="http://www.smallbearelec.com/Projects/ProjandProd.html"]http://www.smallbearelec.com/Projects/ProjandProd.html[/url]
[url="http://www.tonepad.com/projects.asp?projectType=fx"]http://www.tonepad.com/projects.asp?projectType=fx[/url]
[url="http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/"]http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/compon...tpage/Itemid,1/[/url]
[url="http://freestompboxes.org/index.php?sid=827fc59a9f9a3fb5157f15392712416e"]http://freestompboxes.org/index.php?sid=82...57f15392712416e[/url]

Visit those websites for parts
[url="http://www.bitsbox.co.uk/"]http://www.bitsbox.co.uk/[/url]
[url="http://www.musikding.de/"]http://www.musikding.de/[/url]
[url="http://www.banzaimusic.com/"]http://www.banzaimusic.com/[/url]
[url="http://www.smallbearelec.com/StoreFront.bok"]http://www.smallbearelec.com/StoreFront.bok[/url] ( Make the order worth postage, I've done 2 orders and haven't been stung by customs because the value on the invoice is put lower so it goes through no problem and they have some parts that are almost impossible to find in Europe )

Once you know what you want to do then go buy parts and have hours of fun, it will be frustrating but in the end worth it.

Cheers
Jack[/quote]

Sweet. Thanks for that - I'll be kept busy over the weenend then.
Cheers

[escholl]

[quote name='JackLondon' post='784628' date='Mar 24 2010, 01:04 PM']What would you suggest for the volume drop? Bear in mind that this effect will be used for guitar only!

I'll check all the solder points later on and see if it's all good! But if there are any badsolder points would the signal still go through?

I'm still thinking about the power supply, just doing a bit if research at the moment and trying to get an idea of what is going to work best![/quote]

Glad to read you got it working, if you've still got the volume drop problem there are two resistors near IC1b, a 10k and a 33k. Raise the value of the 33k. The ratio between them will determine the gain of that final output stage (33k/10k) and by changing the 33k instead of the 10k, hopefully the de-emphasis network which is also there (comprising of the 0.01uF cap and 6.8k resistor) won't be affected too much.

As far as power supplies go, for a linear supply the extra complexity of an LM317 circuit is worth it I think, as they have nearly 10dB better typical ripple rejection when properly set up. I personally like switch mode supplies for pedal boards however as they are multi-voltage and generally smaller. Most of them are properly filtered as well nowadays so no worries there -- if I was to do it on the cheap and wanted to build it myself, what I would probably do is find a small power supply off of a disused laptop, smaller is better as they should all easily be able to meet your needs in terms of current. This should output around 19 volts, feed that into a LM317 circuit, and there you go. I suppose it depends how far you want to go, you could always try something like an op-amp regulated supply, if you really wanted to go crazy...

Although unless you are really set on having separate regulated outputs for cheap, or on building it yourself, I would probably just buy one -- it will work out about the same price or possibly less.

[JackLondon]

No pictures so it didn't happen right ? Ever wondered how an orgasm sounds ?

[attachment=45737:Chorus.JPG]

Cheers
Jack

[Al Heeley]

nICE jACK, THAT LooKS SO CooL!

[Al Heeley]

Quick facelift on a pedal I put together last year.
Classic Red Llama distortion pedal modded with 'phat' switch for bass freq boost. Great agressive overdrive sound with big gain stage.

[mancunianfox]

Just made the Devi Ever Dark Boost from the schematic verified by her on her website. Sounding good..whacked two of them on the board with a DPDT to switch between the Dark Boost and Ruiner models. Pretty pleased.

[JackLondon]

Guys, HELLLLPPPP

I've got a problem with one of the circuits, here's the spec as per diystompboxes.

1.What does it do, not do, and sound like? – Doesn’t put enough signal to the output, it’s very very very silent. In bypass mode there is no signal at all.
2.Name of the circuit = Agua Filter
3.Source of the circuit (URL of schematic or project) = [url="http://www.tonepad.com/project.asp?id=4"]http://www.tonepad.com/project.asp?id=4[/url]
4.Any modifications to the circuit? – Yes, Emphasis control, reverse sweep, filter range, all from the schematic

5.Any parts substitutions - No.

6.Positive ground to negative ground conversion - No

7.Voltage at the circuit board end of the red battery lead = 9.11
Voltage at the circuit board end of the black battery lead = 0.79


IC1
P1 0.34
P2 0.19
P3 0.20
P4 0.18
P5 0.14
P6 0
P7 0.79
P8 0.20
P9 0.21
P10 0.20
P11 0.21
P12 0.22
P13 0.74
P14 0.17

IC2
P1 0.56
P2 0.21
P3 0.21
P4 0.21
P5 0.70
P6 0.24
P7 0.79
P8 0.71
P9 0.23
P10 0.20
P11 0.23
P12 0.23
P13 0.75
P14 0.17

IC3
P1 0.66
P2 0.69
P3 0.70
P4 0.68
P5 0.73
P6 0.71
P7 0.79
P8 0.14
P9 0.00
P10 0.14
P11 0.47
P12 0.71
P13 0.74
P14 0.17

D1
A = 0.04
K = 0.17

D2
A = 0.10
K = 0.15


Cheers for any help
Jack

[disssa]

Here is my "BassAmuser"



from [url="http://www.musikding.de/product_info.php/info/p2160_Bass-Amuser.html"]Musikding.de[/url]

and [url="http://www.musiker-board.de/faq-workshop/274608-workshop-bass-amuser.html"]Musiker-Board.de[/url]

[Al Heeley]

Hey Jack,
Have u posted up this info on the DIY stompbox forum, see if anyone can help? I'm no whizz at pin voltages on these things, all I can say is that most of the time mine don't work properly its due to a tiny break in the copper trace or its something shorting out against enclosure when I squeeze the lid in place.

[JackLondon]

Hi All,

Yeah I posted in on diystompboxes.com and so far they've told me to check off board wiring which I did and it seems fine to me,

here's the schematic for wiring I've followed :

[attachment=46805:wiring.jpg]

This is the picture of the box :

[attachment=46806:IMG_0204.JPG]

There can't be any problems with shorts as the circuits sits on 2 standoffs and a bit of foam, there's signal on C4 and R1 but's it's so quiet that it is almost impossible to hear.

I'm now thinking about the IC's as someone said that pin 7 should be 0V and pin 14 should at least a couple of V, having read the build reports on tonepad I think that my IC's are the ones that are reported as non-working in this circuit.

[Al Heeley]

thats a bummer. Your pic looks like the E pot leg is shorting against the casing of the A pot. I'm sure it's not but double check it?!

[JackLondon]

Right, managed to get it sort of working, I've changed the 4066IC and it now has a signal going through the circuit (a bit lower in volume than bypass) but it's not doing any wah wahing. When turning pots there's sometimes a sort of high pitch hiss constantly and when the emphasis pot is fully turned it has a sort of popping sound when nothing is played...don't even know where to start looking...

[Daquifsta]

[quote name='TraceAmp' post='800726' date='Apr 9 2010, 12:05 PM']Here is my "BassAmuser"



from [url="http://www.musikding.de/product_info.php/info/p2160_Bass-Amuser.html"]Musikding.de[/url]

and [url="http://www.musiker-board.de/faq-workshop/274608-workshop-bass-amuser.html"]Musiker-Board.de[/url][/quote]

That's very pretty

I've been looking at the kits for these - do you know of any sound samples or videos floating around? Or can you describe the sound?

[JackLondon]

Right I had enough if this bugger. Anyone can fix it for me? Willing to pay!