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DIY Stompboxes => Building your own stompbox => Topic started by: dano12 on September 11, 2006, 08:58:20 PM

Title: The ClipBoard
Post by: dano12 on September 11, 2006, 08:58:20 PM
(http://www.beavisaudio.com/Projects/MiscPedals/Clipboard1.jpg)

(http://www.beavisaudio.com/Projects/MiscPedals/Clipboard2.jpg)

Ok, what the hell is it?

I've spent a lot of time over the last few months twisting diodes together, using alligator clips, breadboard--all in an effort to play around with different clipping configurations in various distortion and overdrive circuits.

This wack idea actually came to me in a dream :) Why not put it all on a piece of perfboard with a switch. Have the standard diodes pairs I like and add sockets to try others. Add a DIP switch to turn each pair on or off and a volume pot at the end. It is completely passive, no power required.

The in and out pads have sockets on them, so I can plug it directly into the pedal enclosure as shown, or just use the clipper board with various prototypes.

As it turns out that it is quite fun to put this after various clean boosts, and cook my own distortion with the DIP switches.
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: KerryF on September 11, 2006, 09:06:20 PM
You willing to post a schematic or layout or something?  ;D  It looks awsome!
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: dano12 on September 11, 2006, 09:18:56 PM
Quote from: call1800ksmyazz on September 11, 2006, 09:06:20 PM
You willing to post a schematic or layout or something?  ;D  It looks awsome!

Sure, I'll try to find time tomorrow to sketch it out. Pretty simple stuff.
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: KerryF on September 11, 2006, 09:25:00 PM
haha thanks  sounds good.  also, where can you get that little thing with all those slide pots on it to control the things?
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: MartyMart on September 12, 2006, 04:20:49 AM
Nice - "Thinking outside the box" again Dano  :D :D

The option to use either jacks or alligator clips would be cool, just so you can
clip this into an FB loop as well.

MM
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: trevize on September 12, 2006, 05:46:05 AM
very cool dano! when you switch on more than one "clipping device" are them in parallel or in serie?
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: any on September 12, 2006, 06:53:03 AM
Say, mayebe a bit off topic... but what are the details on the Fuzzlab junior?
I saw the picture in the "pictures" thread but that's all I saw off it....
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: bancika on September 12, 2006, 07:18:15 AM
interesting work dano. I've been thinking about the same thing for a while. Also with DIP switch but on much smaller board so it can be inserted into any existing pedal instead of clipping diodes. I call mine FlexiClip ;)
How do you wire MOSFETS to clip?
Cheers
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: trevize on September 12, 2006, 07:25:21 AM
look at the shaka braddah 3 schematic
http://www.diystompboxes.com/pedals/shaka3.jpg
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: dano12 on September 12, 2006, 09:12:19 AM
Here's the general idea. I drew this up from memory this morning pre-coffee but I think it is accurate:

(http://www.beavisaudio.com/Projects/MiscPedals/Clipboard.gif)

Nothing revolutionary but rather versatile. Thanks to Jack Orman for the MOSFET clipper design.

Bancika: FlexiClip, I like that. See the above diagram and Jacks' SB 5 for MOSFET ideas

Any: The fuzzLab Junior is still being wired up. The concept comes from Keith over at BYOC who put together a cool PDF that shows how to build his "Super Tricked Out Fuzz - No Circuit Board Required" project. Check it out at: http://board.buildyourownclone.com/viewtopic.php?t=1132 (http://board.buildyourownclone.com/viewtopic.php?t=1132)

MartyMart: Outside the box, heh. Thanks.

KissMyAss: Dude, what's your real name? I have trouble conversing with that moniker. :) The switch is called a DIP switch. You can get them in a variety of switch counts and they fit in the same general size as a DIP IC. They consist of individual SPST switches. You can pick some up at Radio Shack or online at Mouser.com.

Thanks all, feel free to suggest any improvements.
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: WGTP on September 12, 2006, 09:25:57 AM
Cool idea.  True Mosfet Clipping.   :icon_cool:

http://www.elixant.com/~stompbox/smfforum/index.php?topic=38581.0
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: bancika on September 12, 2006, 11:27:40 AM
I have different approach, with two 10 pole DIP switches - one for each side of waveform... Maybe you're approach is better, it takes less switches and only one input and output...
I'll think about it
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: KerryF on September 12, 2006, 11:55:36 AM
Thanks for the schematic/layout type thing.  Now, I want to order one of those switches, but dont quite know which to order.  From www.fairchildsemi.com which should I get?  I want to try to get it from there, because I may be able to get it as a free sample.  Thanks.
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: bancika on September 12, 2006, 11:58:57 AM
by the way, can I use other FETs? I have only BS170, MPF102 and J201
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: KerryF on September 12, 2006, 12:00:51 PM
^-he says you can use anything pretty much.  Just sample and try things.  The IRF520s are MOSfets.  You can use BS170s and 2N7000s which are also MOSfets.  You can use different clipping stages with different transistors and diodes and stuff.
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: bancika on September 12, 2006, 12:04:37 PM
by the way, can I use other FETs? I have only BS170, MPF102 and J201
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: KerryF on September 12, 2006, 03:39:14 PM
Quote from: call1800ksmyazz on September 12, 2006, 11:55:36 AM
Now, I want to order one of those switches, but dont quite know which to order.  From www.fairchildsemi.com which should I get?  I want to try to get it from there, because I may be able to get it as a free sample.  Thanks.

Anyone?
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: bancika on September 12, 2006, 04:53:42 PM
do they sell mechanical switches at all? search for "DIP switch"
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: KerryF on September 12, 2006, 05:11:22 PM
^-they have all kinds of switches.  theres Analog Switches, Audio Switches, Bus Switches, USB Switches, Video Switches, and Load Switches.  Can you look on the site and send me a link of what I need.
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: KerryF on September 12, 2006, 06:23:42 PM
I think I am going to go to Radio Shack today and I think they have the switches so I may get one or two...

But dano12, it still seems strange that theres no buffers or low/high pass filters...  I guess its not really to be used alone, but with other pedals in before and after it...  Have you tested it?  Does it sound good?
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: bancika on September 12, 2006, 06:36:53 PM
Hey Dano,
here's layout for my version. Since you're more than averagely acquainted with this can you take a look
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c22/bancika/flexi_clip.gif)
First five rows are for one direction and rows 6-10 are for the other. It should give plenty of room for experimenting
Tnx
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: dano12 on September 12, 2006, 09:02:08 PM
Quote from: call1800ksmyazz on September 12, 2006, 06:23:42 PM
I think I am going to go to Radio Shack today and I think they have the switches so I may get one or two...

But dano12, it still seems strange that theres no buffers or low/high pass filters...  I guess its not really to be used alone, but with other pedals in before and after it...  Have you tested it?  Does it sound good?

That's the question isn't it? I originally envisioned just the PCB part. It acts as a test-bed for plunking around inside various circuits. I was also thinking about passive clipper devices like the Black Ice. I figured it would be fun to see what these passive clippers would do when driven by other boost or overdrive pedals.   

I need a few more evenings to determine if it sounds good this way.

BTW, if your local Radio Shack stocks a parts inventory you'll likely find an 8 or 12 pin DIP on the wall.
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: lumpymusic on September 12, 2006, 09:05:37 PM
Quote from: bancika on September 12, 2006, 06:36:53 PM

First five rows are for one direction and rows 6-10 are for the other.
It should give plenty of room for experimenting

Does putting the clipping diodes in parallel have the same effect
as putting them in series?


Lumpy
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: KerryF on September 12, 2006, 09:23:03 PM
I got an 8-Pin switch which I guess is definately enough.  8 clipping stages is a lot!  I will build it soon.

Heres a schematic I drew up for it.  I am in the process of a layout.
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a303/call1800ksmyazz/TheClipboard.jpg)
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: bancika on September 12, 2006, 09:31:43 PM
you should have some settings with asymmethrical clipping. But with concept where both diodes go to one switch pole you would need more diodes. When you split to positive and negatve side of waveform you need less parts...just my .02 euros

edit:
Quote from: lumpymusic on September 12, 2006, 09:05:37 PM

Does putting the clipping diodes in parallel have the same effect
as putting them in series?

Lumpy

well, only one diode per waveform side is ON at the moment (one of switches 1-5 and one of 6-10) so there are no paralleled diodes
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: newbie builder on September 12, 2006, 11:10:57 PM
Very cool!
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: KerryF on September 13, 2006, 06:55:07 PM
CRAP!!!!  ;)  This pedal is freaking amazing!!!  I love it!  I did it bancika's way with all seperate diodes and MOSfets, and its insane!
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: bancika on September 13, 2006, 07:26:46 PM
so it works, great man  :icon_wink:
Here's new layout
(http://storm-software.co.yu/diy/flexi_clip/flexi_clip_layout.gif)
and project page here
http://storm-software.co.yu/diy/index.php?project=flexi_clip (http://storm-software.co.yu/diy/index.php?project=flexi_clip)
I made board for it but my TS808 is not here at the moment so I can't test it.
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: handlefras on June 07, 2009, 01:43:07 AM
bancika, if I build the clipboard your way is it possible to clip asymmetrically? Would I have place two diodes in series on Switch 8 say, and just turn Switch 8 on at the same time as Switch 1 for example? Effectively I would have two diodes (in series) clipping one side of the wave and one diode clipping on the other side. is there an easier or more versatile way to do this?
Title: Re: The ClipBoard
Post by: bancika on August 10, 2009, 12:38:06 PM
If you want to play with diodes in series another idea is to wire diodes between two lugs of the same switch in zig-zag, so when switch is on, diode gets bypassed. You would leave switches OFF for diodes you want to use.
Here's how it would look like for one side of the waveform
(http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5121/diodesseries.png)
hope that helps