Messages

http://me.aquataur.guru/musicstuff/fsh-1.html

aquataur suggests using the b/e junction of the noise transistor (i.e. base to -9v and emitter connected to the opamp) and leaving the collector open. this is a change from the original fsh-1 arrangement, and I can attest that it seems to be a more reliable way to get random blipping from pretty much any old transistor. when I tried out the original arrangement, I had to try out quite a few different types before I got one that was reliably random.

http://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=23670&hilit=Flipmode

/quote]
Yes you have to find some trans with matched HFE because it is important for the fuzz face. It is very important.....

I don't think it is necessary to "match" transistors for a fuzzface (i.e. sort through a whole bunch of transistors to find a pair with identical hFe). Matching hFe transistors are needed in SOME circuits, e.g. for the "long-tailed pair" used in a superfuzz to generate the most prominent octave-up sound, but this is not the case for a fuzzface.

Some experienced builders will recommend particular hFe values for Q1 + Q2 for specified transistor types that they claim sound good, and some vendors even sell germanium transistors in pairs, supposedly pre-tested and chosen for the fuzzface, but these are not "matched".

"buzz" makes this sound like a lack of ground connection between the shields/sleeves of the input and output jacks, but unless you are switching the ground when you switch the guitar signal I can't see why it would be any different in bypass compared to going "circuit in" direct to circuit out.

Can you share a diagram or description of how you have wired the board, focusing on the bypass switching and power connections?

I think the fuzzface. It's very popular as a first build, presumably because newbies can't believe how simple it is for such an iconic circuit. DIY forums carry hundreds of threads about the 'face - Ge vs Si, biasing, hFe recommendations, oscillation at max gain, popular mods etc etc. Also, despite having half a dozen fuzzes on my pedalboard I still always get the breadboard out when the schematic for a "new" boutique FF-based pedal comes to light to try out these new tweaks.

Breadboard is essential
Germanium is pointless

black is negative, red positive, green blue is in, yellow is out.

x-post

It's a fuzzface (quite fuzzy) with diode clippers on the output to make it even more fuzzy. The 1 k gain pot could be replaced with a 2k pot (so get rid of the extra 1k resistor as well) which would allow lower gain settings, and you could replace the 10k pot attached to the diode clippers with a bigger value, e.g. 50k, which would also reduce the amount of distortion. However, it's not going to achieve anything approaching a gentle low gain overdrive sound, just a little less fuzzy.

Since this is a kit and presumably comes with all parts, I guess you might not want to order more parts on the off-chance it improves the sound. I'd suggest you maybe build this one as it is, see how you like it and either mod it in the future or use it to inform your further adventures in the land of DIY pedal making (once you start, it's hard to stop).

I have a Jonny Octave in my possession. I intend to take photos and upload it to Freestompboxes.

Do you recommend that I upload the photos? Or is it likely to be censored from all sides?

I have no idea what sort of censorship you are referring to: freestompboxes.org welcomes all gutshots and tracings of EVERY pedal ever made and NO pedal is considered off limits for tracing. References to any FSB "blacklist" earlier in this thread are mistaken: FSB was set up originally because Aron at DIYSB had list of schematics/pedal makers he had personally agreed NOT to allow to be shared at DIYSB.

http://www.geofex.com/article_folders/juggler/juggler.htm

The link runs through how to get an order switcher/juggler.

You need a minimum of three SPDT switches working simultaneously to alter the signal path, and a fourth if you want LED indication of what order it is set to (not absolutely necessary if you are using a toggle switch, since the position of the bat show you, but pretty much essential if using a footswitch). Perfectly possible with a soft click DPDT footswitch driving relays, or electronic logic switching.

C1 (from Tagboard) is 680pF on the CF, FYI.

Is the rest of it correct?

Ok, I visit many different diy pedal forums and post at most of them. They all have a different reason for existing, and therefore a different vibe.

I want to make clear I am in no way defending modman's accusations about the provenance of the schematics used for Brian's kits, but I wanted to provide some context to the perceived "icy atmosphere" of the place and attitude towards Brian personally, and commercial/"kit" sites and forums generally:

1. FSB was set up in 2007 by two individuals with the mission simply to document the schematic of EVERY pedal ever released. This was in response to Zvex, Teese and some other pedal builders having a personal guarantee from Aron at DIYSB that their schematics would never be posted at DIYSB.

2. Because of this remit, FSB has been the target of many attempts to shut it down on spurious grounds of "IP abuses", which on one occasion was successful for a few months as the provider got scared of a spurious DMCA violation accusation, and modman had to secure a different provider who would never cave in.

3. The pedal threads at FSB are meant to document each pedal, not be a "how to clone" guide, so posts that do not provide gutshots, partial traces, or discussion pertaining directly to the circuit itself are generally viewed in a dim light.

4. Whilst the vast amount of information hosted at FSB is provided on the understanding that it is for educational/diy personal use only, the number of amateurish "clones" available for barely more than the cost of parts on eBay, the number of "pedal companies" springing up knocking out nearly-clones, and the number of pcb fab companies using info gleaned from FSB must grate with modman, particularly since it seems to support the case against FSB made by pedal builders accusing FSB as enabling "pedal piracy".

5. There is some bad blood between [Brian and culturejam] and modman relating to an offer to trace a very expensive pedal purchased by the "FSB tracers fund" contributed to by ordinary FSB members.

6. Brian left FSB and deleted all his contributions there.

7. culturejam was a very active member there, and contributed a tonne of information, and always maintained the FSB ethic that every schematic for every commercial pedal should be available to all for educational etc purposes. He even claimed that if he ever set up a pedal company, he would provide a schematic inside each pedal. Now he has set up a commercial company, it seems that this might not be the case.

I understand that CJ did not design this pedal on his own, so it would be perfectly fair for him to claim that he alone could not provide permission to supply the schematic.

However, this "poacher turned gamekeeper" state of affairs is probably the main source of friction between modman at FSB and every other commercial pedal "diy" websites.

Let me re-iterate: I have no dog in this fight - I regularly visit madbean AND FSB, I value all the contributions both madbean and CJ have made to FSB and all other DIY pedals over the years, and I totally get the perception that FSB's owner can come across as an unnecessarily confrontational individual. I also want people to realise that it is by far the greatest resource for information about what is inside effects on the web, and this exists ONLY because there is literally zero commercial intent to it.

Flipper switch, let him choose

+1

Two flippers, input to first that selects either red lama or TS/BB first, and another juggler to swap the order of TS and BB.

Time will tell what Trump will do in the US, but in the foreign policy department at least I'm breathing a sigh of relief with Trump. I for one didn't relish the chance of a potential WWIII because Hillary wanted to shoot down Russian aircraft over Syria. If Trump wants to be best pals with Putin I'm fine with that.

There is a major concern in Europe that after Putin effectively annexed a large part of Ukraine, other formerly Soviet states that are currently democratic will be similarly re-absorbed. Trump has publicly relished Brexit (just like Putin), and whilst the desire for less war is commendable, the potential for the break-up of the EU and the stability it has provided since the end of the cold war is quite possibly at risk. Obama and the Democrats have always supported a united Europe, and I question Trump's motivation in celebrating the UK'S exit: The fact that both he and Nigel Farage are extremely wealthy individuals posing as "defenders of the working poor" whilst spouting racially divisive rhetoric is seriously troubling.