madbeanpedals::forum

Projects => Build Reports => Topic started by: Vallhagen on August 10, 2013, 10:59:19 PM

Title: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: Vallhagen on August 10, 2013, 10:59:19 PM

BLÜE MONSTER
Dual Band FET OD, ver 1.1

Late 2012 i designed and build the Blüe Monster highgain thing. The story, schematic, a onesided pcb-etch design, and sound clips are here: http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=6968.0

... and evolution shrinks stuff, even here at my workbench. And as i kept developing my EAGLE skills (all thanx to this fantastic Place, that must be said again and again!) and also realized that i can order fabbed PCB-s for a ... reasonable amount of money, i decided to design a twosided PCB for the Blüe Monster myself. Definately exciting to populate and box a fabbed pcb of my own design. And scary to hit the stomp for the first Power up.

***

It is still the same Circuit as linked to above^^, but redesigned as a twosided pcb. The only main difference is the addition of a CLR and LED pad. The goal was to use boardmounted pots, make it fit in a BB enclosure, and i wanted to keep the "six pots gives a triangle"-design.

***

In short: This is a dual band highgain overdrive. It splits the signal in two fully phase-compensated frequency bands after the input buffer. Those two signals are then separately distorted/overdriven in two dirt Circuits based around a 4049UBE, before they are mixed together and run through a tunable two-pole LP filter for additional soundshaping. Finally a master volume.

It has been some interest around here to buy these fabbed PCB-s. I will come back regarding that subject, i want to try this very box a bit more before i start to spread them:)

***

Some pics:

the PCB
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/Blue%20Monster%20TWOSIDED/IMG_0576.JPG)

and the PCB with pots mounted:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/Blue%20Monster%20TWOSIDED/IMG_0583.JPG)

Guts:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/Blue%20Monster%20TWOSIDED/DSC01856.JPG)

The Look:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/Blue%20Monster%20TWOSIDED/DSC01852.JPG)

again:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/Blue%20Monster%20TWOSIDED/DSC01832.JPG)

***

Look! I'm shrinking! Same same but different.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/Blue%20Monster%20TWOSIDED/DSC01839.JPG)

Cheeeeeerio folks!
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: muddyfox on August 10, 2013, 11:16:12 PM
very cool! what are the jumper wires? i cant really tell on my phone screen...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: wolfingsworth on August 10, 2013, 11:27:52 PM
Quote from: muddyfox on August 10, 2013, 11:16:12 PM
very cool! what are the jumper wires? i cant really tell on my phone screen...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
looks to me like ribbon cable connecting a dual gang pot. This is really cool! All those pots in a really nice layout. Good work Bengt!
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: Vallhagen on August 10, 2013, 11:38:02 PM
Thanx gentlemen!

And yes, it is ribbon wire connecting the dual gang pot to the pcb. I decided to go with a dual pot with solder lugs, not boardmounted.
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: hammerheadmusicman on August 11, 2013, 12:13:30 AM
Awesome work again! Now the board is verified, does that mean some are up for grabs? If so, put me down for one!!

George
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: jkokura on August 11, 2013, 12:35:01 AM
Love it! Basically the same look as I was going for with my build.

Jacob
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: midwayfair on August 11, 2013, 04:22:43 AM
Excellent PCB layout, Bengt!
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: lincolnic on August 11, 2013, 04:31:58 AM
This looks great!
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: kothoma on August 11, 2013, 05:20:17 AM
Mønströüs, so to say.
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: Vallhagen on August 11, 2013, 07:19:18 AM
Quote from: midwayfair on August 11, 2013, 04:22:43 AM
Excellent PCB layout, Bengt!

Thanx Jon!

Quote from: lincolnic on August 11, 2013, 04:31:58 AM
This looks great!

Thanx again!

Quote from: kothoma on August 11, 2013, 05:20:17 AM
Mønströüs, so to say.

Yep. a lil scaaary :o ... Hehe i dont have that "danish ö" on my kb ;D

Quote from: jkokura on August 11, 2013, 12:35:01 AM
Love it! Basically the same look as I was going for with my build.

Jacob

Thanx Jacob! And thank you for teachin me/us so much about EAGLE. Without your videos i wouldnt have this design done!

Quote from: hammerheadmusicman on August 11, 2013, 12:13:30 AM
Awesome work again! Now the board is verified, does that mean some are up for grabs? If so, put me down for one!!

George

Thanx:)

Yes, some are up for grabs... verrrrry soon. I have one more thing to do, that is to take it down to my rehearsal room and do some fullvolume A/B testing, comparing this one to the earlier version. I want to verify that i haven't added anything strange ... as increased noise level or other artefacts. I think this can be done today.

I have re-read through the project thread, taking notes about earlier interest of the PCB. And i have one pcb put aside for each of you who has raised your hand in interest. So, i have one pcb for you George, as well as one for kothuma.

I'll be back:)
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: kothoma on August 11, 2013, 07:33:15 AM
Quote from: Vallhagen on August 11, 2013, 07:19:18 AM
Quote from: kothoma on August 11, 2013, 05:20:17 AM
Mønströüs, so to say.

Yep. a lil scaaary :o ... Hehe i dont have that "danish ö" on my kb ;D

Neither do I... (It's [Alt]+155 on Win and [Alt]+o on Mac.)

Quote from: Vallhagen on August 11, 2013, 07:19:18 AM

And i have one pcb put aside for each of you who has raised your hand in interest. So, i have one pcb for you George, as well as one for kothoma.

Thanks a lot! I'm really excited about it.
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: Vallhagen on August 11, 2013, 07:35:19 AM
Quote from: kothoma on August 11, 2013, 07:33:15 AM

Neither do I... (It's [Alt]+155 on Win and [Alt]+o on Mac.)
..

pørfëct!
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: pickdropper on August 11, 2013, 11:36:34 AM
That looks fantastic, Bengt.  Great job!
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: ThePastRecedes on August 11, 2013, 02:02:16 PM
Hey there,

I'll take a PCB too if there are any left.

Thanks!
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: Vallhagen on August 11, 2013, 04:10:21 PM
Thank you Pickdropper!

***

ThePastRecedes: Yes, i have one for you too:) ... But actually i think that was the last one.

***

Cheers!
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: juansolo on August 11, 2013, 04:24:27 PM
Totally awesome! Love the monster.
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: TreeSlayer on August 11, 2013, 04:32:38 PM
when you re-up, i'll take two!

LT
Title: Re: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: ch1naski on August 11, 2013, 04:37:58 PM
Beautiful PCB, vall .

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: Vallhagen on August 11, 2013, 05:31:40 PM
Wow... im overwhelmed by the response. And the interest in PCBs.

Quote from: ch1naski on August 11, 2013, 04:37:58 PM
Beautiful PCB, vall .

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Thanx!

Quote from: juansolo on August 11, 2013, 04:24:27 PM
Totally awesome! Love the monster.

Thanx Juansolo! I also noticed your post in the project thread. As it looks right now, i have run out of PCBs allready. But if this interest hangs on, ill order more just in a few days. I will hold one for you for next delivery.

Quote from: TreeSlayer on August 11, 2013, 04:32:38 PM
when you re-up, i'll take two!

LT

That is noticed TreeSlayer (the mad Axeman?) :) ... ill hold for you too.


Cheeers all you good guys:)

Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: juansolo on August 11, 2013, 06:04:28 PM
Cheers dude  8)
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: ThePastRecedes on August 11, 2013, 06:04:52 PM
Quote from: Vallhagen on August 11, 2013, 05:31:40 PM
Wow... im overwhelmed by the response. And the interest in PCBs.

Its such a different design it makes it really interesting. I'm sure you could do a small batch of pedals and advertise them on various forums and they would go this quick.
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: Vallhagen on August 11, 2013, 06:22:06 PM
Quote from: ThePastRecedes on August 11, 2013, 06:04:52 PM

Its such a different design it makes it really interesting.

I'm actually happy that you put the words like that. Because i find it partly unique too, i hope it is.
... and i have thought about selling ready-made boxes too. I have started with ppl here around me locally.

Cheers
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: ThePastRecedes on August 19, 2013, 06:10:47 PM
Got mine today! Can't wait to get started!
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: Vallhagen on August 19, 2013, 07:04:00 PM
Quote from: ThePastRecedes on August 19, 2013, 06:10:47 PM
Got mine today! Can't wait to get started!

Great to hear that they are coming out to you ppl :) Lookin forward to hear your verdict:)

Cheers!
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: TreeSlayer on August 20, 2013, 12:43:11 AM
Blue Monsters arrived today! lookin forward to the build. thanks a million!!
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: ThePastRecedes on August 20, 2013, 01:10:04 AM
Quote from: Vallhagen on August 19, 2013, 07:04:00 PM
Quote from: ThePastRecedes on August 19, 2013, 06:10:47 PM
Got mine today! Can't wait to get started!

Great to hear that they are coming out to you ppl :) Lookin forward to hear your verdict:)

Cheers!
I've just soldered all the components on the board and I'm a few short  ::) I'm moving next week so there will no verdict for a while  :-\
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: Vallhagen on September 29, 2013, 05:21:52 PM
... I just recorded a short semi-crappy soundclip:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/Blue%20Monster%20TWOSIDED/BlueMonstertest20130929.mp3 (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/Blue%20Monster%20TWOSIDED/BlueMonstertest20130929.mp3)

... I guess you can hear what is happening. Just some chords/tones while tweakin the knobs.

Cheers
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: Gledison on September 29, 2013, 07:40:58 PM
This is pro league! looks amazing!
might be very difficult to align the all the pots with the labels...(it is a decal?)
if its a decal, do you put a clear coat on the top and sand it?
cheers
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: GrindCustoms on September 29, 2013, 10:06:48 PM
Dang! That's badass!

Excellent work all way around.... 8)
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: juansolo on September 30, 2013, 08:14:10 AM
Everyone should build themselves one of these. It's really refreshing to build something that not only does something new, but sounds bloody brilliant with it!

Cleggy's is done and tested also, I'm just waiting for him to decide what to put on his decal.
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: Vallhagen on September 30, 2013, 02:40:36 PM
Quote from: juansolo on September 30, 2013, 08:14:10 AM
Everyone should build themselves one of these.

Hear hear!!
:D

...will you enter yours in the aug/sep contest, Juan:) ?

***

Quote from: GrindCustoms on September 29, 2013, 10:06:48 PM
Dang! That's badass!

Excellent work all way around.... 8)

thank you thank you:)

Quote from: Gledison on September 29, 2013, 07:40:58 PM
This is pro league! looks amazing!
might be very difficult to align the all the pots with the labels...(it is a decal?)
if its a decal, do you put a clear coat on the top and sand it?
cheers

Yea it is a decal. And well... nah not really difficult in my opinion. I drill the holes first, then spraypaint, then apply the decal, which is a waterslide one.. Then I clearcoat on the applied decal. No sanding after that.The hard part might be to drill the holes "perfectly spaced", but with some care and a correct drillguide it is - after all - just 6 holes.

Thanx for compliments:)

Cheers
Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: ch1naski on October 01, 2013, 01:08:38 AM
Every time I see that pic with both blue boxes, I'm amazed.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 4

Title: Re: the two-headëd BLÜE MONSTER rise again, as ver 1.1 :)
Post by: juansolo on October 01, 2013, 07:25:11 AM
Quote from: Vallhagen on September 30, 2013, 02:40:36 PM
Quote from: juansolo on September 30, 2013, 08:14:10 AM
Everyone should build themselves one of these.

Hear hear!!
:D

...will you enter yours in the aug/sep contest, Juan:) ?

***

Missed it :( 

Though I have something special for the next one that I've been working on for the last week... ;)