I haven't had much build time lately, but this board has been sitting around too long waiting to be boxed, so I snuck it in.
This is basically the first version of the EP Booster with the bass boost instead of the unity switch. I added an internal 18V charge pump circuit as well as a switch to go between 9V/18V. I think this will be useful for me for multi-builds as there is a switched 9V/18V output pad on the PCB for pairing it with another circuit. I am planning on putting it with a Tube Screamer in a future build with the switch.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/pickdropper/Guitar%20Pedals/TheLayingOnOfHands1_zps6e772f26.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/pickdropper/media/Guitar%20Pedals/TheLayingOnOfHands1_zps6e772f26.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/pickdropper/Guitar%20Pedals/TheLayingOnOfHands2_zpsd13bf1c7.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/pickdropper/media/Guitar%20Pedals/TheLayingOnOfHands2_zpsd13bf1c7.jpg.html)
A couple of miscellaneous notes about the build:
1.) If you can't read the text by the 9V/18V switch it's because the pedal is speaking in tongues NOT because I chose an absurdly small font.
2.) I used a slightly lower CLR than I usually do with this type of LED, so when the pedal is turned on, you are blinded by a bright white light.
That is so tight. Layout, laser etch, so clean.....Love those little blue caps too, they look like candy! What brand are those?
Quote from: rullywowr on April 09, 2014, 12:45:00 PM
That is so tight. Layout, laser etch, so clean.....Love those little blue caps too, they look like candy! What brand are those?
Those are TDK MLCC caps (stocked at Mouser). I'm a really big fan of those. Those are big ones, too: 10uF/25V
Awesome work again Dave! I hadn't heard anything about the EP booster but it must be good if it's worthy of a pickdropper build!
Gotta say my prayers! This could only be more awesome if you had a blue dip sw.
Very, very cool. As always.
Edit: you should start your own pedal company.
I had an EP Booster and liked it a lot. But then I got into DIY, built several Fatpants, and sold it.
Did you compare the two?
Huh, Pickdropper's a Paladin. And here I was sure he was a wizard.
That is so beautifully done Pickdropper. Wow
Class! 8)
Quote from: midwayfair on April 09, 2014, 01:34:14 PM
Huh, Pickdropper's a Paladin. And here I was sure he was a wizard.
I'm a Manna of many faces. :-)
Quote from: midwayfair on April 09, 2014, 01:34:14 PM
Huh, Pickdropper's a Paladin. And here I was sure he was a wizard.
Paladin's are just Church approved mages. Dispensations can be made to allow for "other" learning. Just ask Sparhawk ;)
All this talk is making me miss my D&D books! ::)
Yep... I'm one of THOSE guys!! 8)
Pick, your just determined to get your font size under 10 points with that laser aren't you? lol
That PCB looks great in there. I lust love your layouts.
Cody
Hey Dave that looks great but when are you going to wire it up? Oh wait I think I can see a wire there? :D
This is awesome Dave! Very clean and the black PCB looks killer. If only the 3pdt board were black! :o
Man what a sweet build. I too am a fan of the TDK MLCC's. I've used them in place of film caps for size restraints in the past but I've wondered if they have the same "performance" as films do. I read a couple articles that suggested that they may have varying capacitance under certain circumstances. Of course I also could be completely mistaken. :)
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This one is really gorgeous.
Ridiculous and awesome as usual. 8)
Quote from: selfdestroyer on April 09, 2014, 10:35:09 PM
Pick, your just determined to get your font size under 10 points with that laser aren't you? lol
Yeah, I think it was an 8 point font. Definitely too small.
Quote from: Stomptown on April 10, 2014, 02:31:16 AM
This is awesome Dave! Very clean and the black PCB looks killer. If only the 3pdt board were black! :o
I agree, that would look much better. Maybe I'll get some black switch boards in the future.
Quote from: Jabulani Jonny on April 10, 2014, 05:07:48 AM
Man what a sweet build. I too am a fan of the TDK MLCC's. I've used them in place of film caps for size restraints in the past but I've wondered if they have the same "performance" as films do. I read a couple articles that suggested that they may have varying capacitance under certain circumstances. Of course I also could be completely mistaken. :)
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No, you are correct that some ceramic caps (not just MLCC) do vary with temperature and voltage, but there are some qualifiers.
1.) Dielectric type: C0G/NP0 are rock solid and basically don't vary with temperature or voltage. Unfortunately, they are difficult to find in larger densities (and when you find them, they are usually pricier). X7R/X5R are still usable caps provided you get them in a voltage level high enough above where you will use them. As you get close to their rated voltage, their capacitance level drops. Z5U and Y5V rated caps are basically rubbish and I don't use them anymore.
2.) Voltage rating: as mentioned above, you really want to give yourself some headroom if at all possible. The other option is to put more capacitance in there and expect derating, but that gets a bit more complicated and predicting the level of derating might be tricky.
The whole conversation does bring up some important questions: If you look at a lot of vintage effects, many of them used cheap ceramic disc caps. In addition to the changes with voltage and temperature, those types of caps were particularly sensitive to their capacitance drifting downward over time. If tracing a build that sounds particularly good, you'd probably want to measure the actual components and not just read their value.
I've posted this before, but it's worth reading: it's a good article on MLCC construction from Johanson Delectrics.
http://www.johansondielectrics.com/technical-notes/product-training/basics-of-ceramic-chip-capacitors.html#.U0aTpVe9aKI
And thanks for the kind words, everybody.
Wow. Stellar as usual.
Oh my, Oh my.
Na-hice!