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DIY Stompboxes => Building your own stompbox => Topic started by: stm on March 09, 2007, 09:37:12 AM

Title: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: stm on March 09, 2007, 09:37:12 AM
May I announce our newest project, Omega.

Omega was conceived as an improved FET booster that covers the ground from the Range Master treble booster on one end up to the fat and gainy LPB-2 on the other extreme.  In between, different shades of bass content can be dialed at will to find that sweet spot that better matches your gear, tastes and playing style.

Omega uses modern components and exploits their sonic characteristics to achieve great sound without the need for that rare germanium transistor.

Hope you enjoy it!

PD: This is the direct access link http://www.runoffgroove.com/omega.html (http://www.runoffgroove.com/omega.html)
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: tcobretti on March 09, 2007, 09:42:12 AM
That looks really cool.  I haven't built a booster in a while, so I guess it's time!
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: JimRayden on March 09, 2007, 09:42:57 AM
Oh the rare yet celebrated occasion of ROG update. :)

I could definately imagine that thing slamming into a Thor. (Love the name explanation by the way. Clever.)

---------
Jimbo
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: MartyMart on March 09, 2007, 09:47:19 AM
Cool to see this released STM :D
I had a "sneek" preview a few weeks ago after the "Thor" mp3 competition :D
It sounds really great, I recommend anyone who wants this type of booster to give it a go .
The range of tones available is very impressive !

MM.
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: alderbody on March 09, 2007, 09:49:02 AM
Let's keep our soldering irons hot!....

thanks stm!...

Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: B Tremblay on March 09, 2007, 09:52:04 AM
Quote from: JimRayden on March 09, 2007, 09:42:57 AM
I could definately imagine that thing slamming into a Thor.

No need to imagine, check out clip 2: http://runoffgroove.com/salvo.html#omega
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: JimRayden on March 09, 2007, 10:06:46 AM
Ahh didn't notice the fx chain description.

Luv it. :D

----------
Jimbo
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: WGTP on March 09, 2007, 10:14:16 AM
Great work again guys.  Hmmm, what happens when your run one into another one.... :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: bancika on March 09, 2007, 10:48:27 AM
looks interesting, I'll try it!
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: MikeH on March 09, 2007, 11:06:10 AM
This is totally awesome!!  I was trying to acheive this sort of a idea a while back using 2 different boost circuits and a blend control, but much like the rest of my original ideas, I couldn't get it to sound the way I wanted (that is, not sound like total crap).  I stoked to build this!
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: Steben on March 09, 2007, 11:55:56 AM
Again, a nice project that avoids hard-to-find-to-bias-to-construct circuits.
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: zachomega on March 09, 2007, 12:03:23 PM
haha...great, now I'm going to have people thinking my "Omega Drive" is a copy... :P

-Zach Omega
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: mac on March 09, 2007, 09:02:57 PM
I would replace the trimpot with a pot so as to go from RM to fat boost.

mac
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: bluesdevil on March 09, 2007, 10:27:21 PM
This one sounds very rich and natural to my ears. I gotta give this some space on the ol' breadboard for sure to check out and hopefully build, thanks!!
     Maybe that Thor and Valve Jr. amp might've helped a bit too. :icon_smile:
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: KerryF on March 09, 2007, 11:29:05 PM
Very cool!  I love ROG updates!  I saw the Thor clips today for the first time, then hours later a whole new circuit.  Looks and sounds pretty cool and different.

Kerry
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: sfx1999 on March 10, 2007, 12:40:55 AM
Can you get Sabbath tones out of it?
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: ambulancevoice on March 10, 2007, 06:06:28 AM
Quote from: JimRayden on March 09, 2007, 09:42:57 AM
Oh the rare yet celebrated occasion of ROG update. :)

I could definately imagine that thing slamming into a Thor. (Love the name explanation by the way. Clever.)

put em together in together in one enclosure
call it "the omega thor"

---------
Jimbo
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: markm on March 10, 2007, 11:07:42 AM
Kudos to the ROG team for yet another great circuit!
I'm building one this weekend to check it out, the clips sound fabulous!
Nice job there fellas!  8)
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: MartyMart on March 10, 2007, 11:12:30 AM
Quote from: markm on March 10, 2007, 11:07:42 AM
Kudos to the ROG team for yet another great circuit!
I'm building one this weekend to check it out, the clips sound fabulous!
Nice job there fellas!  8)

I just KNOW that you're going to like it Mark !!!

MM.
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: markm on March 10, 2007, 11:57:41 AM
I gotta feeling your right Marty.
Matter of fact, the board is in the etchant right now!
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: lenwood on March 13, 2007, 11:56:56 AM
Just a question:

On the mosfet section , does it need a led or zener diode to prevent static damage?
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: Auke Haarsma on March 13, 2007, 12:08:42 PM
quite funny, I've been working on a likewise booster (jfet into mosfet), also based on Fetzer Valve. Interesting circuit, will have to give it a try soon!

Kudos' to ROG!
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: stm on March 13, 2007, 12:24:48 PM
Quote from: lenwood on March 13, 2007, 11:56:56 AM
Just a question:

On the mosfet section , does it need a led or zener diode to prevent static damage?
I don't think it needs protection as it is driven by a stage whose output levels are well defined, and also due to the relatively high resistors around the gate.  I foresee more possibility of damaging the MOSFET with manipulation previous to its final installation in the circuit.

Nevertheless, if you'd like to be extra sure, a conventional (i.e. not the hi-eff newer types) red or lime-green LED wired in anti-parallel with the gate-source junction of the MOSFET should be just fine.
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: slacker on March 13, 2007, 02:00:26 PM
Looks good, I'll have to find some breadboard space for it. Especially nice to see a new design in light of the recent discussions that have been going on here.
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: lenwood on March 13, 2007, 02:16:04 PM
Thanks STM!
Title: Re: New at Runoffgroove.com: OMEGA!
Post by: chemman on April 02, 2007, 07:28:07 AM
Amazing projects at runoffgroove.

Threw an omega together using spare parts with 2n7000 as the mosfet.

Biased the 2n5457 to 4.5V easily and truthfully it sounds great. Perfect boost for my needs. has grit at lower settings but the natural tone of the guitar is preserved. Maxed out it has a very nice sounding overdrive to it. Rangemaster vs. Omega..??? haven;t biased omega to 7v but so far omega is a more versatile pedal and adds inspiring color to the tone.

Other boosters i have built:

MicroAMP - not very transparent, never liked opamps for pure boost
Mosfet boost - most transparent and clean boost but can hum at high boost.
sparkle boost deluxe - used it a few times, nice sound but it didn't have enough magic to stay in my pedal chain   
LPB-1  - not very transparent, lots of grit

Hands down OMEGA is the best because there is NO noise. Out of a casing this circuit can be maxed out and its puzzling how there is no hum. Through my modded valve junior this pedal fvcking rocks with distortion leads.

GREAT job at runoffgroove and very excited to see how THOR will sound. Gotta love the quality of Mosfet based circuits.

-chemman