1 pedal, 3 effects and a lot of questions

[vendettav]

Hey guys, gonna a make a pedal with 3 FX in it. (little effects really)
i need
1. Booster
2. Fuzz
3. Fuzz or anything else

I am thinking of putting the bass fuzz in it or the metal simplex (I've got it on the board, soldered and idk it doesnt sound as heavy as it's said). with booster I have no clue which one to do but i need a very simple clean booster with either 2n5088/2n3904 or may be a JFET

the fuzz... I'm still thinking, I can't go with a Ge fuzz so I am thinking either a sillicon fuzz face either a Push me Pull you (haven't tried this one, gonna get some resistors and breadboard it)

so any ideas on those?


Also I don't know how to do the switching for this. i want 1 3pdt as bypass and a switch that chooses the effect. the switch could be rotary but i don't think i'll have much room in the enclosure. it's a little enclosure from Banzai Music. anyways may be have a 2 spst switches?

[Steben]

You need to think about the way you want it to be used.

If you have a SS amp and you want some enhancement of the tone I would suggest a series combo set up, where the effects can be used together (AND AND).
This means for example: clean boost (MOSfet), fuzz face and warm overdrive (OCD like). The overdrive can spice up the basic amp tone.

If you have a great (tube) amp that goes well with pedals already, I would suggest parallel use, where the effect are used seperately. (OR OR)
This means for example: dirty boost (rangemaster), fuzz (face) and distortion (rat like). These are effects that are rarely used together but make a perfect match for your amp.

[tasos]

you should definitely built the microamp!
as for the fuzz...i am also looking to built something but ge!

[digi2t]

Hmmm... almost sounds like a Skyripper. Either that or my silicon version, the Frankenripper. See this thread; http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=90585.0, there is a sound clip at the bottom of the thread. It was recorded with a 2N3904/2N5088 combo, but yesterday I swapped them out for a pair of BC109C's. LOTS more bite now. The fuzz works better with the 2 trannies almost the same. The BC109C's aer Q1-hfe 550, and Q2-hfe 600. I'll try to get a new clip up tomorrow. If the tranny gains worry you, I must admit I run through a power amp, so I don't have any tubes to push. If you're pushing tubes, then go for lower gain trannies.

If you decide to go with this silicon version, let me know. I'll send you the updated layout, and parts list. I've made some mods lately, so it will give me an excuse to update everything.

Cheers,
Dino

[petemoore]

  Take a look at WGTP's amalgum circuits, suggestions close to what your goal is, boost a fuzz distorter types, there are many others, Joe Gagans Ge stuff with the switches are really cool.
  Starting with stage 1, I think this one deserves enough attention that it got chosen either for good reasons or trial by fire [setup various likely-winner boosts and see what works]. That said Jfet if it's set up right, CMOS can be very nice, Opamp is another...basically anything that gets the signal up from SC or medium humbucker output range, aside from setting up DC bias and attaining operational status, sometimes it's the little mod that makes any booster light up, worth messing with design that is 'close' or other design.
  Getting that to boost fuzz the distorter or whatever...another bout of engineering/experimentation won't hurt, and this can sometimes be a simple matter of getting signal voltage just strong enough say across some clipping diodes or maybe a slightly distorting active component to make distort.
   Figure out what the 'distortion engine' likes for fuel [dry guitar direct or preboosted or Q-voiced or whatever], then figure out what boost makes amp happy or meaner...then...somehow amalgumate the two or add a third mix-balance circuit that engages on one side of a bypass or A/B switch so the distorter is fed 'distortion prepared signal' and the booster can be set as chosen boost sounds best.
  Third stage is generally so compressed it's a matter of attenuating so something doesnt get mashed into signal-ducking, or lightening up on the hard clipping or putting it later or...the options start and finish with whatever all the settings and etcetera-ings are included or excluded.
  the mega-dynamics of multiple stage distortaboost processing possibilities is open to so much variance and interpretation that words really don't cover it. 

[digi2t]

Pete's nailed it right on the head. Creating a silicon version of Joe Gagan's Skyripper was a real adventure for me. In the end, like Pete says, you really do end up tailoring the pedal to your setup. Even when I built Joe's original Skyripper, I ended up swapping a bunch of components to suit the sound in my head. Believe it or not, my original version Skyripper is now running silicon PNP trannies. Yup, ditched the Ge ones. I just needed more edge. Since I EQ everything before the amp, I've found that having more edge, and toning it down, is easier than not enough, and having to EQ up.

Decisions, decisions....

Cheers,
Dino

[digi2t]

Hey Ven, here's 2 out of 3 for you;



A Digital Octave Fuzz, and a Logan 5 ring modulator. Loads of square wave, with a pinch of madness  

I'll try to get a sound clip up today. OK, here's the sound clip; http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?q=hi&songID=10490290
First is DOF, bridge pup, then neck. Then Logan kicks in (DUH!), and then some farting around, with Logan on/off (with neck pup). Chain is as follows; RG570 custom w/Motherbuckers - DOF/Logan5 - RP2000 (for reverb and Fender Blackface sim, gain 50%, cab=direct) - Rane MPE14 EQ, BBE 422, QSC 1450 power amp (split stereo).
Recorded with 2 SM58 mics - Korg D888 (with just a pinch of studio delay).

Cheers,
Dino

[digi2t]

OK, I really thought about this one. The old "if you were stuck on a desert island, and could have only 3 effect in a single box" type deal, these would be it;

-DOF
-Parallel Universe
-Logan 5

I would put them in that order as well. You can power starve the DOF and/or PU, that should yield some neat sounds. And then, really mangle things up with the Logan 5. You'd have enough knobs to twiddle with as well, until your ship shows up to save you. 11 actually.

Too bad you can't open multiple instances of DIY Creator, I have the veros for these 3. I could just cut and paste then.

[vendettav]

Hey man thanx for the support, that clip sounds insane!
However i guess i'll have hard times locating the ICs and well, putting everything in an enclosure. I have a drilled one with two knobs. might be able to add the third one somehow but i was thinking of having like master volume and a dual gang gain or something... idk

I had an eye on the parallel universe 2 weeks ago. breadboarded it and it didn't work for some reason

I used this schematic http://experimentalistsanonymous.com/diy/Schematics/Fuzz%20and%20Fuzzy%20Noisemakers/Parallel%20Universe%20Schematic%20(old).gif

I'll try and do it again cause it's really simple! can't see what i could have done wrong... but i def-ly need oscillation. Logan 5 also looks cool but as I said i'll try and see if i can find the IC LMC567. but reading some info I found people get some hiss problems and whatnot?
and finally, I'm trying to build a Fuzz Factory (pots are missing so that's why I haven't breadboarded it yet) so if it works I might even just take the fuzz idea from here out

also I breadboarded the Pushme Pullyou and it didn't give me any octave up at all...  ehh what's wrong with me lately lol

[digi2t]

If you want, I can send you the vero for a PU, but the new version. Be wary of the veros that are on the net, because I found errors in at least one of them. The new version really is the cats ass. If you want to hear a sample, go to the Soundclick Asian Icemen link at the bottom of my posts, and play the song `IPod Shuffle`. The guitar solo in the middle of the song is the PU in voltage starve mode. Also, the type of LM386 chip you use makes a HUGE, I MEAN HUGE, difference. There are 3 or 4 different types, and only 1 will give you the proper oscillation. I can`t rmember which off hand right now (I`m at work), but I can let you know if you wish. Trust me, I bought, and tried them all.

For octave up, I built a `What the Fuzz`. I have a vero layout for that as well. The octave is a cross between a FTM and a Scrambler, and the circuit is based on the Push me pull you. Low parts count. Again, on the Asian Icemen site, check the solo on `Unemployed in Nebraska`. It`s a WTF run through a wah.

I can`t say that I`ve encountered any hiss with the Logan5. I think tuning and wiring play a big part. If you decide to do a DOF, or DOF/Logan combo, let me know, and I`ll send you gut shot pics for the layout and wiring routes. I have 2 volumes on mine, one for the DOF, and the other for the Logan. I adjust each independantly.
WARNING!!! There are 2 mods on the board for the DOF. So let me know if you`re going to build, and I`ll send you the updated the vero.

Cheers,
Dino

[vendettav]

Hey man, that solo sounded nice. yeah if you would be able to find time to send it to me i'd be delighted.
ahh i could only find LM386 n-1 here which sux. ordering from outside is gonna cost 25 bux at minimum... so that's out of question  however let me know which one you got

ahh i breadboarded it yesterday and couldn't get it working. can you link/send me the layout you used for this one as well??

and damn couldnt get to the store today for Fuzz Factory... so hopefully tmaro

[digi2t]

Try and get that to you tonight.

Cheers,
Dino

[vendettav]

great, thanks.

oh and to avoid Outlook express or something here's my e-mail here: v.shred@yahoo.com

[digi2t]

OK, here goes;
What The Fuzz (great little octave pedal)


and the parts list;
Capacitors C1 33uF   1
Capacitors C2 47uF   1
Capacitors C3 22nF   1
Capacitors C4, C5, C6 100nF   3
Capacitors C7 100uF   1
Circuit boards Board   22H X 10R 1
Diodes D1 1N4001   1
Integrated circuits IC1   LM386 1
Potentiometers FILTER B10K     1
Potentiometers VOLUME A100K     1
Resistors R1, R6 100R   2
Resistors R2, R5 470K   2
Resistors R3 10K   1
Resistors R4 1OK   1
Resistors Ra 1M   1
Transistors Q1   2N3904 1
Transistors Q2   2N3906 1

This pedal isn't fussy about which LM386 you throw in there. I haven't tried different trannies in here though. Might be fun.

Next, Parallel Universe. I love this pedal!;


I built mine as per this layout, and it works great BUT... it works BEST with a UTC LM386L chip. I've tried all sorts, from N-1 to N-4 and M's, but this chip shines like no other when it comes to oscillating. Espescially when you start to starve it, it's sweet. Also, R19 (2K2) is the a fixed starve voltage resistor. I pulled it out, and wired in a B5K pot in it's place. Use just lugs 1 & 2, and also solder a 6.8K resistor across the lugs. It will give you more usable sweep. Or, a 25K trimmer, and adjust it until the pot gives you a nice full sweep. Switch 1 is the Starve, and Switch 3 is Oscillator. Switch 2 would be your Bypass. Wire it so you ground the effect input when you bypass..

OK, moving right along, my DOF/Logan5 combo. There is a 100K trimmer (R9) for tuning the DOF, on the right of the layout. The trimmer is HIGHLY IMPORTANT!!! It acts as a voltage divider, allowing the chip to open up, and not gate hard. Lug 1 is connected to +9v, and lug 3 to -9v. You run lug 2 to the input of the chip, which in this layout is pin8. When you fire this sucker up, you tune it by turning the trimmer until it starts squeling, and then JUST backing off until it stops. It's a small sweet spot, and you have to play with it a bit, but when you find it, your ears will let you know. Also, the 500K (R5) resistor has been removed, and a B1M pot has been wired in here in it's place. This pedal will sustain, but when it gates.... it gates dead. I found that turning down the pot just gates the pedal even more, giving you a funky chop note sound, if you set it just right. If you turn it right up, you'll get the max sustain the chip can give you. As for the Logan 5 end of things, the tuning and mods guide is here; http://www.forrestwhitesides.com/files/up/docs/LOGAN5_Build_Guide.pdf .



and the parts list;
Capacitors C1 22uF   1
Capacitors C11 .001uF   1
Capacitors C2 2nF   1
Capacitors C3, C7 100nF   2
Capacitors C4, C5, C9, C10, C12 .1uF   5
Capacitors C6 10nF   1
Capacitors C8     1
Circuit boards Board   24H x 17R 1
Diodes D1   1N4148 1
Diodes D2   1N4148 1
Diodes D3   1N4001 1
Integrated circuits IC1   CD4070BE 1
Integrated circuits IC2   LMC567 1
Potentiometers VR1     1
Resistors R1, R3, R8 10K   3
Resistors R4, R2, R6, R7, R9 100K   5
Resistors R5 500K   1
Transistors Q1   2N5089 1

Don't forget about resistor R5 (500K), replace it with a B1m pot, or a 1M resistor for max sustain. I have this wired as follows; INPUT - DOF (or Bypass) - Logan5 (or Bypass) - OUT.

That's about it. If you need anymore info, hollar.

Cheers,
Dino

[vendettav]

Hey Man, thanx for the whole info. really appreciated and helpful.
that what the fuzz looks a bit different from what i breadboarded. hope this will work

PU will have to wait I guess cause 2 ICs is gonna be big a bit for my little enclosure

as for the DOF/Logan 5, i'll try and find the IC for Logan and breadboard it from the PDF

so in like half an hour im going to that store and will hopefully get the pots for the fuzz factory (also for he others: aint got any 10k left) and the IC for Logan 5. I seem to have the rest of the parts needed for both Factory, Logan 5 and WTF. ahh hope at least one out of the fuzzes will work *cough* fuzz factory *cough*

thanx again

[digi2t]

The WTF is based on the Push me Pull you, but no, it isn`t the same. Great sounding pedal though. And like I mentioned before, I haven`t tried other trannies in it yet. Got it from the same site as the Logan 5, Transistors and Beer.

Cheers,
Dino

[vendettav]

yeah i read it somewhere that it's from PMPU, anyways, got the trannies for this one, might try it later. as for now, im back from the store and got the pots for fuzz factory and going to breadboard it

they also didn't have the LMC567 
hope i'll be able to get it from some other store.. but for now - Fuzz factory!

[pinkjimiphoton]

hey v, this thing sounds good and takes up virtually no real estate if you need a nice, simple, crunchy distortion that actually sounds pretty good:

http://www.forrestwhitesides.com/node/93



i built one recently, it sounds good and is wide open to tweaking some

[vendettav]

nice i'll try that out, might try to add the oscilating cap from pin 7 to 5 as in the PU