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Projects => Build Reports => Topic started by: Vallhagen on December 26, 2013, 06:07:30 PM

Title: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: Vallhagen on December 26, 2013, 06:07:30 PM
*** EDIT: Schematic added to this post ***

Heyo folks:)

This is my latest creation. I boiled down my latest breadboard experiments around thee 4049 IC and came up with this multifaceted but hopefully not unduly complex thing; ACE!

There is a lot of madbeans Mysterioso (Blackstone Mosfet OD) in here, but also addons and differences, as a tonstack based on Jack Ormans expanded Big Muff tone control, a diamonds-to-clubs switch and a control for the ride between hearts and spades... More colors:)

I will probably start a project thread about it, but really, i need to play it through some more loud amps before i go completely hubris about this as my pedal of the year:)

Horrible picture quality (rainy outdoors and dark indoors), but here we go:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/ACE/pics/20131226_180427.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/ACE/pics/20131226_144437.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/ACE/pics/20131226_125344.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/ACE/pics/20131226_125354.jpg)

Cheers!


... and here is the schematic. Feel free to ask any questions. SW1 is an offboard 3pdt switch, arranged to pull the input of the unused diamonds/clubs channel to ground.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/ACE/ACE_1_0_Schematic_150.png)
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: pickdropper on December 26, 2013, 06:11:12 PM
Clean on the outside and inside.  Great looking build.
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: muddyfox on December 26, 2013, 06:16:46 PM

What's with the holes?
Other than the ventilation because the build is smoking hot?  ;D
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: pickdropper on December 26, 2013, 06:21:44 PM
Quote from: muddyfox on December 26, 2013, 06:16:46 PM

What's with the holes?
Other than the ventilation because the build is smoking hot?  ;D

They look like mounting holes for 9mm pots.
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: rullywowr on December 26, 2013, 06:22:12 PM
Great clean looking build!  Nice.

The holes appear to be for the 9mm pot 'legs' which need to go through the PCB.  I like the "non square" look to the PCB too...very 'angular'.  :)
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: bcalla on December 26, 2013, 06:23:21 PM
Quote from: muddyfox on December 26, 2013, 06:16:46 PM

What's with the holes?
Other than the ventilation because the build is smoking hot?  ;D
Maybe to lighten it because it's so heavy!  Beautiful work.
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: muddyfox on December 26, 2013, 06:31:18 PM

Hmmm... never dealt with the 9mm pots, gotta look into it...
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: Vallhagen on December 26, 2013, 06:39:25 PM
Thanx guys.

Yeah, it is holes for 9mm-pots. Funny, as i look at the interior pic, i hardly see those legs from the pots, even though they are there...

I had no bigger reason to go with 9mm ones in this build, besides that i felt like trying. I bought them at Tayda.

Cheers
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: Cortexturizer on December 26, 2013, 06:47:27 PM
We demand a sound clip :-D great build man, really interested in this one
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: muddyfox on December 26, 2013, 06:54:42 PM

Yeah bud, let it rip!

Wil you be selling/oshing this?
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: Vallhagen on December 26, 2013, 06:57:50 PM
I read you guys:)

Yes, i will come up with a soundclip. And yes, i think this will be one of my for sale-pcbs, if theres enuff interest:) ... Again, i just need to verify its audible qualities through some amps and on high volume first:)

Cheerio
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: Cortexturizer on December 26, 2013, 07:04:00 PM
Quote from: Vallhagen on December 26, 2013, 06:57:50 PM
I read you guys:)

Yes, i will come up with a soundclip. And yes, i think this will be one of my for sale-pcbs, if theres enuff interest:) ... Again, i just need to verify its audible qualities through some amps and on high volume first:)

Cheerio
It's extremly awesome that you are doing that, lots of times I would build a pedal on vero decide it's the greatest thing ever and then be completely disappointed in the rehearsal...
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: jubal81 on December 26, 2013, 07:07:56 PM
Sounds really interesting. I'll probably build one up if you get more.
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: lincolnic on December 27, 2013, 05:02:51 AM
Bengt, something's wrong. There aren't any umlauts on this one.
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: kothoma on December 27, 2013, 09:17:47 AM
Great build! Excited to read/hear more about it.
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: muddyfox on December 27, 2013, 09:21:17 AM
Quote from: lincolnic on December 27, 2013, 05:02:51 AM
Bengt, something's wrong. There aren't any umlauts on this one.

I'm also guessing it's not the kid's drawing on it?
B. is going soft on us...
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: juansolo on December 27, 2013, 09:23:40 AM
Much awesomness!  8)



Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: Vallhagen on December 27, 2013, 09:38:05 AM
Quote from: muddyfox on December 27, 2013, 09:21:17 AM
Quote from: lincolnic on December 27, 2013, 05:02:51 AM
Bengt, something's wrong. There aren't any umlauts on this one.

I'm also guessing it's not the kid's drawing on it?
B. is going soft on us...

Argh!  ;D

True, no umlauts. How come? ... I actually spent more time on the enclosure design this time, than i think can be seen. I tried ACË and ÄCE, but it just didnt feel right! Then i found the lowër-umlaut-like cedilj (cédille?) and all fell into place!

Also, not often but sometimes, i miss not having a color printer. It would have been cool to make the hearts n diamonds red.

True also, that jester skull is painted (traced?) by me and a mouse in inkscape. It would be better with some kids art. I'll definately consider that for the next version!

***

Thanx guys!
Cheers
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: culturejam on December 27, 2013, 04:43:17 PM
That's a fantastic project.
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: Vallhagen on December 28, 2013, 04:19:56 PM
Thanx again for kind and encouraging words guys:)

A question, as i am a bit in doubt... if i make a version for sale, what to prefer; these 9mm pots or the more common 16mm angled board mount pots? I will do some minor adjustments to the design anyway, and changing to 16mm isnt too much of a problem. Opinions appreciated!

Cheers
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: muddyfox on December 28, 2013, 04:28:54 PM
ive got quite a few 16mm spares by now. if you go with 9mm make sure to design around ones that tayda stocks. :)
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: alanp on December 28, 2013, 07:42:26 PM
16mm gives you more flexibility in layout, since you don't have to worry about the metal frame on the back of the 9mm pot shorting everything out.
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: selfdestroyer on December 29, 2013, 01:38:40 AM
I would be interested in one with whatever size pots you go with but if I had a choice I would say 16mm since I have tons on hand. lol
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: jubal81 on December 29, 2013, 03:15:18 AM
It's gotta go in a wide case, anyway. I'd probably just use the typical 16mm.

Edit: Can we get a peek at the schematic? This thing sounds really sweet and I'd love to know what you did in there.
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: culturejam on December 29, 2013, 07:21:53 AM
Quote from: alanp on December 28, 2013, 07:42:26 PM
16mm gives you more flexibility in layout, since you don't have to worry about the metal frame on the back of the 9mm pot shorting everything out.

What? The 9mm pots I've been using have plastic backs. The only metal part on the back is the strain relief bits that solder to the board.
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: Vallhagen on December 29, 2013, 08:04:37 AM
Quote from: culturejam on December 29, 2013, 07:21:53 AM
Quote from: alanp on December 28, 2013, 07:42:26 PM
16mm gives you more flexibility in layout, since you don't have to worry about the metal frame on the back of the 9mm pot shorting everything out.

What? The 9mm pots I've been using have plastic backs. The only metal part on the back is the strain relief bits that solder to the board.

Interesting. Where do you get your pots from, Culturejam? I use these (with "metal backs"), and i am pretty sure alanp refer to the same ones:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/div/20131229_085505.jpg)

Quote from: jubal81 on December 29, 2013, 03:15:18 AM
Edit: Can we get a peek at the schematic? This thing sounds really sweet and I'd love to know what you did in there.

Sure. Gimme a few minutes, i can present the schematic.

***

Thanx for opinions guys. I will prolly go with the 16mm pots.

Cheerio
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: Vallhagen on December 29, 2013, 08:33:19 AM
I updated the first post with schematic.
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: m-Kresol on December 29, 2013, 02:49:13 PM
Impressive. Love the design, especially the diamonds and clubs switch. That gives the pedal something out of the ordinary! I don't really need a distortion pedal any time soon, but just for ease-to-build I'd go with the 16mm pots as well.
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: pickdropper on December 29, 2013, 03:01:36 PM
Btw, I just noticed that the way distortion is broken up with capitilization:

DI
sto
RT
ion

Focus on DIRT.  :-)
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: Vallhagen on December 29, 2013, 03:17:06 PM
Quote from: pickdropper on December 29, 2013, 03:01:36 PM
Btw, I just noticed that the way distortion is broken up with capitilization:

DI
sto
RT
ion

Focus on DIRT.  :-)

Ah, man, i am happy that someone noticed! I played around quite a bit with those letters before i chose their positioning. I even concidered renaming the effect type to "Dirtostion". Im quite happy about how it turned out.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/ACE/Dirtostion.png)

Cheerio
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: kothoma on December 29, 2013, 04:58:24 PM
Quote from: Vallhagen on December 29, 2013, 08:33:19 AM
I updated the first post with schematic.

Thanks! This looks great. Has quite a few interesting spots for me to contemplate on.
Title: Re: ACE ... DIstoRTion
Post by: Cortexturizer on December 29, 2013, 05:00:48 PM
Could you contemplate out loud? I wanna learn something :D
I'm serious, why don't we make an exercise out of it. It would be awesome if Bengt could walk us through signal-wise and all. I would love to hear it. I am a tweaker, not a circuit designer, I would love to know even more about how things work.