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DIY Stompboxes => Building your own stompbox => Topic started by: BrunoFerreira on March 02, 2022, 06:40:34 AM

Title: MXR noise gate line driver repair
Post by: BrunoFerreira on March 02, 2022, 06:40:34 AM
I know this thread is old but i need some help.

I have an old block logo MXR Noise Gate Line Driver that does not work.
I've found one blue diode (i think it is a diode) with one black stripe and i need to put another in there because the old one fell apart through time.
The problem is that i do not know what diode i could use to fix the MXR.

In this thread https://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=104211.0 MrStab has made a picture showing it and even there is a foto here https://www.dropbox.com/s/hjhovm23d71arb6/2.jpg


Thanks

picture of MrStab here also:

(https://i.postimg.cc/cgsN0bzT/MXR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cgsN0bzT)
Title: Re: MXR noise gate line driver repair
Post by: antonis on March 02, 2022, 06:58:02 AM
Original MXR Nose gate schematic https://benadrianaudio.wordpress.com/2010/06/29/mxr-noise-gate-now-with-more-flatness/ (https://benadrianaudio.wordpress.com/2010/06/29/mxr-noise-gate-now-with-more-flatness/) calls for 1N5331 Power Rectifier Diode..

IMHO, any kind of Si diode (e.g. 1N400X or even 1N4148/1N914) should work fine..
Title: Re: MXR noise gate line driver repair
Post by: BrunoFerreira on March 02, 2022, 07:10:25 AM
Thank you Antonis :)
Title: Re: MXR noise gate line driver repair
Post by: BrunoFerreira on March 02, 2022, 08:12:16 AM
Antonis, i  have 1N448 diodes around, so you think this will work fine as a substitute?
Title: Re: MXR noise gate line driver repair
Post by: antonis on March 02, 2022, 08:18:41 AM
If you mean 1N4148, yes.. :icon_wink:
(proceed with no fear - after all, there is nothing you can damage..)
Title: Re: MXR noise gate line driver repair
Post by: BrunoFerreira on March 02, 2022, 08:22:15 AM
No, i really mean 1N448
Title: Re: MXR noise gate line driver repair
Post by: BrunoFerreira on March 02, 2022, 09:48:41 AM
I guess the 1N448 will not work since you have not replied.

I will try the others you point me to. Thanks again Antonis
Title: Re: MXR noise gate line driver repair
Post by: Fender3D on March 02, 2022, 11:15:05 AM
Watch out!!!
diode is 1N5231B NOT 1N5331, and it's a Zener diode not a power rectifier.
If you look at schematic, albeit uncorrect, it sets bias voltage.
Any 5.1V zener will work
Title: Re: MXR noise gate line driver repair
Post by: BrunoFerreira on March 02, 2022, 11:31:36 AM
I've used a 1N4004 and it lets the signal to pass (thanks Antonis) but when i hit the Switch on it does nothing, moving the pot left or right does nothing to sound.  :icon_cry:

Does anyone knows what could be the problem?
Title: Re: MXR noise gate line driver repair
Post by: BrunoFerreira on March 02, 2022, 11:34:32 AM
Quote from: Fender3D on March 02, 2022, 11:15:05 AM
Watch out!!!
diode is 1N5231B NOT 1N5331, and it's a Zener diode not a power rectifier.
If you look at schematic, albeit uncorrect, it sets bias voltage.
Any 5.1V zener will work


Oh  :icon_eek:   can it damage the pedal or the amp since i did put an 1N4004 there?
Title: Re: MXR noise gate line driver repair
Post by: Fender3D on March 02, 2022, 12:04:41 PM
Quote from: BrunoFerreira on March 02, 2022, 11:34:32 AM
Oh  :icon_eek:   can it damage the pedal or the amp since i did put an 1N4004 there?

Nope.
It simply just won't work...
Title: Re: MXR noise gate line driver repair
Post by: BrunoFerreira on March 02, 2022, 12:40:48 PM
Quote from: Fender3D on March 02, 2022, 12:04:41 PM
Quote from: BrunoFerreira on March 02, 2022, 11:34:32 AM
Oh  :icon_eek:   can it damage the pedal or the amp since i did put an 1N4004 there?

Nope.
It simply just won't work...

Thank you Fender3D

Quote from: Fender3D on March 02, 2022, 11:15:05 AM
Watch out!!!
diode is 1N5231B NOT 1N5331, and it's a Zener diode not a power rectifier.
If you look at schematic, albeit uncorrect, it sets bias voltage.
Any 5.1V zener will work

Can you tell me the correct watts?
Also the other diode on MXR is the same or another model, if another can you tell me the correct?

Title: Re: MXR noise gate line driver repair
Post by: antonis on March 02, 2022, 02:49:09 PM
Quote from: BrunoFerreira on March 02, 2022, 12:40:48 PM
Can you tell me the correct watts?

Less than 1mW..
Any 5.1V handy Zener should be fine..

Quote from: BrunoFerreira on March 02, 2022, 12:40:48 PM
Also the other diode on MXR is the same or another model, if another can you tell me the correct?

Can't find any reliable diagram with second diode..
Title: Re: MXR noise gate line driver repair
Post by: antonis on March 02, 2022, 03:06:24 PM
Quote from: BrunoFerreira on March 02, 2022, 11:31:36 AM
I've used a 1N4004 and it lets the signal to pass (thanks Antonis) but when i hit the Switch on it does nothing, moving the pot left or right does nothing to sound.  :icon_cry:
Does anyone knows what could be the problem?

Federico already explained it to you.. :icon_wink:

That diode actually is a Zener which sets T1 bias (Emitter sits at slightly lower than 4.5V, which is almost ideal for T1 configuration..)
In case of that diode is an ordinary rectifier, T1 Emitter is biased from +9V via R22 (with negligible voltage drop) resulting into almost topping T1 Emitter..
(no room for signal positive waveform swing)
Title: Re: MXR noise gate line driver repair
Post by: BrunoFerreira on March 03, 2022, 05:15:50 AM
Thanks again Antonis
Title: Re: MXR noise gate line driver repair
Post by: BrunoFerreira on March 08, 2022, 06:50:52 AM
Now it works, thanks again Antonis and Fender 3D.