so being the know-it-all newbie i was, i jumped headlong into an overly complicated project first time around and i ended up giving up and now im selling off the parts i will never ever use. *sigh* but now i am ready to live again (what?) i use an MXR distortion plus in my band and love the sound. my bandmates father has one so i use it ALL THE TIME when we gig. anyway, i want to build one of my own since it is a fairly simple project. i have the PCB and such from tonepad, any suggestions on mods?
Just checking - you gave up on your first project because it was too complicated to finish, so you are now ready to go back and work on something simpler, but you want to to evaluate a batch of modifications different from the basic circuit before you have built anything that works.
Is that right?
well, you see, i would like to incorperate the mods into the pcb so they are simply part of the pedal, so i guess not "mods" more like changes to original design (which is a - say it with me now- modification).
EDIT!!!
you know what RG, sry bout being a jerk like that, yes, i did get ahead of myself, that was stupid. in fact, i dont even know what transistor i need for the circuit. need help.
You could try different clipping diodes (various LEDs, Germanium diodes, etc.) and switch between them with a rotary switch for example...
thats what i meant, but what transistor should i use? (im a transistor newb, i know tubes well enough, but solid state confuses me)
There are no transistors in a Distortion+.
http://www.muzique.com/schem/mxrdist2.gif
You need an opamp for this circuit, no transistors! If you want it noisy, use the original 741 opamp, otherwise get a more modern opamp like the TL071 or NE5534 for example. Use a socket for the opamp on the PCB and you can swap them later on...
Before you get going, decide what you like about the Dist. + sound.? What things don't you like about it's sound? What doesn't it do that you'd like it to do?
Once you decide what you want the pedal to do, you can incorporate any mods right into your build from the start. You want an organized game plan before you even pick up the soldering iron.
The Dist. + does not use transistors, but an operational amplifier. The little square black thing with spider legs coming from it. You'll see terms IC, OA, chip, etc. You can use a 741 or TLO71 for your's.
ya, general guitar gadget has a nice parts list, and they say you can use LM741 or JRC741 or LF351 IC's, but are there other options and what are the effects? i love the fact that the dist plus sounds like my old tube 4 track overdriven to the point of unpleasentness then compressed, i guess thats the only way i can describe it. idk, the trebly but not tinny sound is nice. so what are my options as far as IC's and diodes go?
EDIT
and what differance does it make if the two letters before the 741 are differant? should i just buy a bunch of differant ones and an IC socket and just toy around with differant ones?
well if you build it for a single opamp and use a socket you can use any standard pinout SINGLE OPAMP> I CAN"T TYPE NUMBERS CUZ THIS PUTER IS PUKIN'> TL ZERO SEVEN ONE OR THE ABOVE MENTIONED FIVE FIVE THREE FOUR ARE GOOD?BETTER/BEST CHOICES DEPENDING ON YOUR PREFERENCE>
I CAN RECOMMEND THE WARP OR SATURATION CONTROLS DEPICTED AT AMZ'S LAB NOTEBOOK>
ONE N NINE ONE FOUR IS THE DIODE TYPE I'M USING ON THE DIST+ GE DIODES OR EVEN MOSFETS LEDS OR OTHER TYPES WORK BUT WITH DIFFERING OUTPuT LEVELS AND HARDNESS OF CLIPPING>I SOCKET THESE THINGS
ADDING BOOSTER TO THE FRONT OF IT HAMMERS IT INTO A MORE DRIVEY SOUND. THERE ARE MYRIAD CHOICES FOR WHICH, FETZER VALVE I HAVE WITH MY DIST+ IN THE BOX< SIMpLE AND SOuNDS REALlY GOOD.
I SAW YOU MENTIONED GE TRANSISTORS< IF YOU HAVE ONE WITH HFE OF SAY SIXTY OR A HUNDRED AND LOW LeaKAGE< A RANGEMASTER OR VOX TREBLe BOOSTER WITH SOCKETTED INPuT CAp MIGHT BE TO YOUR LiKING< AND WILL puT YOUR FF's NEARER TO [VERY NEAR TO] TONEBENDER SOUNDS.
The numbers in the front are pretty much who made them. LM741=National, JRC741=NJM, UA741=TI. It's the numbers after that really matter, they describe the package. You want a DIP-8 pin. Any correct 741 will basically sound the same. The TLO71 will sound different.
There are plenty of diode options to swap. You could use a switch, but that's extra wiring to go wrong, and you've already had one build go to the scrap heap. Use sockets for the diodes, that way you can still switch them.
Back to what RG was saying, you kind of got the cart before the horse.
more/less bass
more/less treble
more/less gain (distortion)
different type of gain (clipping diodes)
more output (volume)
switchable options
These are what people tend to change. Once again, what do you want that Dist.+ to do. Describe your goals and it will be easy to recommend changes. Getting one running is the first step.
Hey Pete, did you accidentally hold down your shift key, or one of the other keys too long while typing? I did that a couple of times before, and got the same problem. I couldn't figure out how to get back to the keyboard default settings, so I just reistalled the keyboard software.
wait, you can socket diodes? or should i just breadboard this and buy the options that sound good?
You can socket diodes, transistors, resistors, capacitors, IC's. For diodes, resistors, and caps, use the strip sockets, and break off the length needed.
where would one find the sockets for these diodes?
Are you going to be building more FX in the future? If not, just buy a used Distortion+ and mod that.
MOST ANY ELECTRONICS OUTLET INCLUDING RADIO SHACK WILL HAVE SOCKETS
FOR THE OA USE AN EIGHT PIN IC SOCKET
I ALSO LiKE TO GET THE LONG ONES WITH THE SOLID pINS< FOR CAPS OR SINGLe RoW SoCKETTING.
USE OF SOCKET FOR IC pREVENTS IC THeRMAl DAMAGE, I ALWAYS USE SoCKET FoR IC/oA.
fret wire~
i admire your willingness to help out a newbie.. IMO that is what makes this forum different than alot of other intenet stops that i make..
i lack the abilitly to explain things in a simple way like you..
My point was this: if you're having trouble getting started, don't trip yourself up with a lot of modification options. It's like putting tank traps all over your back yard, then going out to play touch football.
You get two things out of building your own effect. One is the resulting effect. Frankly, I consider that the leftover garbage of the second thing, which is the increase in your own skill and understanding.
I strongly advise you to build the plain vanilla version first, then start messing with it. Better yet, build two plain vanilla ones, then mod one to see how much the same/different they are. When the first one runs, you then have a base of understanding and experience to go to the fancy stuff.
If you incorporate a lot of mods, you muddy up the inevitable mess you have when the first one doesn't work, and you make it harder for people here that want to help you to figure out whether it's the basic build or the mods that have you messed up.
Believe it or not, that really is friendly advice.
I completely agree with R.G.'s advice. It's much, much easier to ask for help on a pedal that many of us have built stock as well. If it's your first time I would definitely go with something stock and popular. While some people have tackled a SansAmp as a first build, going exactly where many others have gone before can only help you should problems arise.
Plus, you may like the stock sound once you put all the higher-than-normal quality parts in. Start with sockets, plug the defaults in, then go from there.
Fret Wire - I think Pete has said before it's an unknown computer problem. There are some accessability programs you can turn on by accident (StickyKeys = press shift five times, or there used to be one where you held down shift or caps lock for 5 seconds). Some letters appear to be in lowercase randomly, so it's probably not StickyKeys. That's got to be frustrating.
RG's RIGHT< I GET TO TAKING THINGS FOR GRANTED.
ACTUALLY BUILDING A SIMpLE BOOSTER IS RECOMMENDABle< aND USEFUL FoR THE CHAIN AND THE LeArNING proCESs, plus A low parts Count means generally easier to wire and debug, and low cost for startup.
LPB IS A SIMPLE BOOSTER THAT USES AN SI NPN TRANSISTOR
Oy.
Did I hear breadboard? That's a great way to learn and get more comfortable with this. I love my breadboard and would be so screwed without it. So, I'd build the circuit as close to the stock version as possible, see how I like it and debug it if needed (check your wiring, re-check your wiring, and then check your wiring again). Then when it's up and working, there's a few simple mods you can do:
-Use a bigger value pot to get more gain.
-Try different diodes.
-Try different input and output caps.
You can read about those kinds of simple mods in the DIY FAQ (up there).
Good luck. Ciao.
Thanks Nightingale :) , but half the time, I don't think I come across clearly.
I thought I was backing what RG said, and I ended up talking about mods. I was trying to say, stop and get a game plan before you proceed. Some people have their mind made up to mod, and I guess all we can do is help them. On the flipside, we're guilty sometimes of bombarding a newbie with a million suggestions too.
Travissk: If you hold the shift key down, you get stickykeys, and a pop-up telling you activated them. Been there and done that. There are other keys you can hold or hit in combo that cause what Pete is going through. Like I said, I had the same problem. I can't tell you the fix, because I couldn't find it, and just re-installed my keyboard software. But if you figure it out, let Pete know, because he is the one pulling his hair out.
BTW, we're got a little OT here. Tube Man, are you still out there? We didn't scare you away did we? The Dist. + is an excellent project if you don't get ahead of yourself.
ya, im out here, my comp at home is messed up, so i have to use work comp and i am only here in the mornings. ya, i understand the jist of it, the only "mod" im going to make isnt really a mod 'tall, i love the stock sound, but i would like to experiment w. dif OPs and diodes and such, so im simply going to socket them. the other thing id like to do is add a bit more bass in the sound rather than simply using the amps preamp, but whatever. im not going to incorperate that mod into the circuit, im just gonna build it stock w/ the sockets and then play around with part substitution. although i havent built it yet id like to hear from any of you if there would be a way to add a preamp circuit but put it on a differant board and put it in the box. or maybe simply add a bass and treble control circuit (this pedals sound, IMHO, doesnt sound particularly good w/ mid). thanks.
OOO! and what are the compatable OPs and diodes that i could use w/ this pedal so i know what all to get. im going to buy all the diferant options w/ the main parts so i can tinker right off.
guys? *cough* BUMP!!!!!! *cough*
Any single channel opamp(such as LM741 or NE5534) and any Si(such as 1N4148 or 1N914) or Ge diode.
RDV
ya, ummmm dont know what you mean by single channel op amp. what constitutes a single channel opamp? and a GE diode? what? i have no idea man, spell it out. hahaha.
Quote from: tube man in a kiltya, ummmm dont know what you mean by single channel op amp. what constitutes a single channel opamp? and a GE diode? what? i have no idea man, spell it out. hahaha.
Then read this. http://www.diystompboxes.com/cnews/FAQ.html
RDV
ok, well, went to radioshack last night just to see if they had anything (my radioshack updates its electronic componenets every oh... 5 years. they had the IC socked and a digital 714 opamp. i picked both up. well, i think the final build plan is to socket the diodes and the input/output capacitors as well (to aid me in my quest for more bass). although if anyone could think of an easy way to wire up a bass control pot that would be great.