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Projects => Build Reports => Topic started by: chuckbuick on August 28, 2014, 12:27:23 AM

Title: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: chuckbuick on August 28, 2014, 12:27:23 AM
Here's a Boss HM-2 clone I did in SMD form, of course.  First off I want to give a shout out to the3secondrule for helping me sort out the schematics for this one.  Thanks again, Jeremy, you were a big help.

I added a Mid control and did a few of the Wampler mods (some simple component value changes) to reduce fuzziness.  The mods weren't major but they were a little help.

Now I've never used an HM-2 so I can't do a direct comparison, but this isn't quite what I was hoping for.  I was thinking of something a bit more compressed, maybe.  I'm not very good at describing pedal tones so that may not be the best word for it.  But I do have an Amptweaker Tight Metal clone and I guess that is more of what I was expecting.  This is not quite on par with that. 

Anyhow, here's some pics.  I was going for a Swedish metal thing, in case you can't tell. :)

(http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad124/v4hor/Pedals/20140827_164459_zps1fd95949.jpg)

(http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad124/v4hor/Pedals/20140827_164619_zpsc176b8de.jpg)

(http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad124/v4hor/Pedals/20140827_164709_zpsc7ccdacd.jpg)
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: karter2000 on August 28, 2014, 12:41:19 AM
Wow, very nice. If you have an extra board I'd be interested.


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Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: Leevibe on August 28, 2014, 12:52:15 AM
That is such incredibly beautiful, detailed work in and out. I love that you have everything cranked to 11 for the pic!
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: wgc on August 28, 2014, 01:45:03 AM
Sweeeeeet!  Another awesome layout Mark!  Gotta say the graphic looks more Danish though, aside from the colors.  I love it anyway.  ;)   (And Sweden is awesome.)

I was never really a fan of the boss distortions in general, not sure why, but even the hm2 never had the crunch I was looking for, so I think I know what you mean.  I had much better luck with the distortion plus, and the rat. The led colors might make a difference here too.

Is that water slide?  I gotta get some of that wire...
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: culturejam on August 28, 2014, 02:19:38 AM
Whoa, very nice.  8)
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: chuckbuick on August 28, 2014, 03:27:11 AM
Thanks dudes.
Quote from: karter2000 on August 28, 2014, 12:41:19 AM
If you have an extra board I'd be interested.
I do.  And you're welcome to it.  PM me your address and it's yours.
Quote from: Leevibe on August 28, 2014, 12:52:15 AMI love that you have everything cranked to 11 for the pic!
Yeah, I learned that in this video of how to get the proper Swedish death metal sound.

Quote from: wgc on August 28, 2014, 01:45:03 AM
Sweeeeeet!  Another awesome layout Mark!  Gotta say the graphic looks more Danish though, aside from the colors.  I love it anyway.  ;)   (And Sweden is awesome.)

I was never really a fan of the boss distortions in general, not sure why, but even the hm2 never had the crunch I was looking for, so I think I know what you mean.  I had much better luck with the distortion plus, and the rat. The led colors might make a difference here too.

Is that water slide?  I gotta get some of that wire...
If you rotate it CW 90 degrees it's an elongated Swedish flag.  When I was looking for the flag I ended up reading quite a bit of the Swedish wikipedia page and it made me want to go.  Sounds like a pretty nice place they have there.

It is indeed a waterslide decal over a semi-polished box.

BTW, the jumper is there because I decided to try it with the stock tone setup and foolishly cut the trace from C17 to the Mid pot instead of just pulling the cap.  I decided the Mid pot was definitely a go so had to jumper it to get it back.
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: lincolnic on August 28, 2014, 03:28:34 AM
Incredible layout, incredible wiring. Love the decal as well.
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: the3secondrule on August 28, 2014, 03:32:33 AM
Awesome. Love it!
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: icecycle66 on August 28, 2014, 03:49:40 AM
You're kill in' me, Smalls.
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: karter2000 on August 28, 2014, 06:22:31 AM
Your SMD solder work is amazing! What technique do you use? Do you use a solder mask stencil?
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: GrindCustoms on August 28, 2014, 08:22:02 AM
Very nice as usual Mark!

There's not much other setting than everything full blast on these.

Dont know why Wampler wants to take the Fizz out, it's what it's all about..

Also, using C-taper pots for bass and treble is probably the best thing you can do on it, these at least become responsive and have à greater useable range.
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: wgc on August 28, 2014, 12:25:04 PM
I did pick up on the flag, it's a great graphic- just busting chops!

Sweden is a wonderful place. I used to travel to Denmark for work, 14-15 times I think. Denmark is great too but everything closes at 5, and some of the food isn't so good. So I'd spend my free time in Sweden instead.  :)
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: Cloverleaf on August 28, 2014, 02:13:14 PM
Super clean, looks great! Any chance for an audio demo? :)
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: pickdropper on August 28, 2014, 04:05:23 PM
Awesome. 
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: chuckbuick on August 28, 2014, 06:28:32 PM
Thanks again, guys.
Quote from: karter2000 on August 28, 2014, 06:22:31 AM
Your SMD solder work is amazing! What technique do you use? Do you use a solder mask stencil?
The basics are apply flux to all the pads, apply solder to one pad for each component, grab part with tweezers, heat pad with solder on it and place part.  I usually place all caps and resistors first.  Once I have them all placed and am sure I have all the parts in their correct locations I go around and solder the other side.  Then I move on to IC's, diodes, etc. using the same basic method.  With IC's I tack it down with one corner pad and make sure all legs are lined up on their pads.  Then I tack the opposing corner making sure everything is still lined up.  Then I solder the rest of the legs.
Quote from: Cloverleaf on August 28, 2014, 02:13:14 PM
Super clean, looks great! Any chance for an audio demo? :)
Sorry, man.  I have no recording gear other than my phone.  The sound quality is worse than my playing quality.  But I checked out a few more youtube vids and I feel confident that it is a solid representation of an HM-2.
Quote from: pickdropper on August 28, 2014, 04:05:23 PM
Awesome. 
You are!
Quote from: wgc on August 28, 2014, 12:25:04 PMSweden is a wonderful place. I used to travel to Denmark for work, 14-15 times I think. Denmark is great too but everything closes at 5, and some of the food isn't so good. So I'd spend my free time in Sweden instead.  :)
I went to Reno once for work.  Not quite the same, though :)
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: Govmnt_Lacky on August 28, 2014, 06:42:27 PM
Awesome work!

Was there a missed trace in the layout between Mid Pot Lug 2 and C17? Looks like a tiny jumper fix there..  8)

Ever tried to populate SMD with paste and a heat gun?
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: chuckbuick on August 28, 2014, 11:20:47 PM
Quote from: Govmnt_Lacky on August 28, 2014, 06:42:27 PM
Awesome work!

Was there a missed trace in the layout between Mid Pot Lug 2 and C17? Looks like a tiny jumper fix there..  8)

Ever tried to populate SMD with paste and a heat gun?
Thanks, man.  After I finished this build I decided to give it a try with the original tone set-up and instead of pulling C17 I cut the trace.  Then when I went back to the Mid pot set-up (which makes it much more versatile) I had to jumper that cut.  Total lapse of common sense cutting that trace.

I have done one board with paste.  I liked it and it sped things up.  I need to get a finer tip for my paste syringe and I think it will come out better.  I was basically winging it based off a youtube vid I had watched about 6 months earlier but it worked out OK.  I have the Eagle monkey on my back so I have quite a few opportunities to refine the process in the near future.
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: GammaFlex on August 29, 2014, 02:09:24 AM
Is the jumper on C17 something in the range of 48 gauge wire?  :o

That is sick, makes my eyes hurt (in a good way) just looking at it
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: chuckbuick on August 29, 2014, 02:03:17 PM
Quote from: GammaFlex on August 29, 2014, 02:09:24 AM
Is the jumper on C17 something in the range of 48 gauge wire?  :o

That is sick, makes my eyes hurt (in a good way) just looking at it
The label on the spool is old and hard to read but it looks to be 28 gauge.

BTW, I have one more board if anyone is interested.  The price is right.  Free!
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: juansolo on August 30, 2014, 08:35:17 PM
Made of the blackest metal awesomeness!
Title: Re: Norstortion - HM-2 Stereotype Content
Post by: pickdropper on August 31, 2014, 12:41:35 AM

Quote from: juansolo on August 30, 2014, 08:35:17 PM
Made of the blackest metal awesomeness!

Yep, destined to cause herring damage.  ;-P