madbeanpedals::forum

Projects => Build Reports => Topic started by: beneharris on February 07, 2016, 07:33:34 PM

Title: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: beneharris on February 07, 2016, 07:33:34 PM
This took me an insane amount of time. I had to redo the enclosure once, repaint it probably 4 times, and I kept ordering wrong, or forgetting things. Needless to say I learned a lot. I had enough room on the bottom to move my test rig into, so now its kind of an all-in-one rig tester.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/massamuneblade/20160203_204305_zpscdttocqv.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/massamuneblade/media/20160203_204305_zpscdttocqv.jpg.html)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/massamuneblade/20160203_204227_zps7d3gzcrn.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/massamuneblade/media/20160203_204227_zps7d3gzcrn.jpg.html)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/massamuneblade/20160207_121457_zpso1at2neu.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/massamuneblade/media/20160207_121457_zpso1at2neu.jpg.html)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/massamuneblade/20160207_121450_zpsdht5mqjr.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/massamuneblade/media/20160207_121450_zpsdht5mqjr.jpg.html)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/massamuneblade/20160207_121440_zpso93hgdr7.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/massamuneblade/media/20160207_121440_zpso93hgdr7.jpg.html)


My envirotex pour came out really nicely I thought:

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/massamuneblade/20160126_183512_zpsjv6yjnoe.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/massamuneblade/media/20160126_183512_zpsjv6yjnoe.jpg.html)

I have each row with individual breadboard jumpers so that I can have as many as 5 pots at a time. I'll never need that many, nor will each row necessarily line up to what I need, but that is okay. The wires are messy, and I have some ideas on how to clean them up, but for now the book is closed on this one. All in all a really fun build, and thanks to Leevibe for sharing his OSHpark boards for this.

I painted it too dark the last time around. I was in a hurry to get it done, and it started snowing on me, and I just was too heavy with the trigger finger. Here is how I intended it to come out; much more visible than what I ended up with:

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/massamuneblade/20160111_065020_zpsnmxj0lpe.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/massamuneblade/media/20160111_065020_zpsnmxj0lpe.jpg.html)
(That was my first attempt before I figured out my envirotex pour was too soft.)
Title: Re: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: HamSandwich on February 07, 2016, 09:11:15 PM
Super dope man! Love the look and the envirotex looks excellent. Nice neat wiring too.
Title: Re: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: m-Kresol on February 07, 2016, 09:19:20 PM
looks awesome! I agree, the envirotex is spot on and you nailed the wiring.

One thing I was wondering though: is there a GND connection to the enclosure? I couldn't spot any and this could lead to LOTS of noise when using the testing rig without grounding the jacks. Just wanted to make sure.
Title: Re: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: beneharris on February 07, 2016, 09:26:09 PM
Thanks guys!

Kresol, no I didn't put a ground in. I was going to try and see if just using the enclosure-jack as a ground would be enough or not. You're thinking it won't be enough? Or do you mean from the DC jack to the enclosure? Because, yes, I did forget that part.  :D
Title: Re: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: m-Kresol on February 07, 2016, 09:30:03 PM
I kind of doubt it, but the fastest way to be sure would be to try it out :) you could even clip in a finished pedal that's known to work properly
Title: Re: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: beneharris on February 07, 2016, 09:31:59 PM
It'll be easy enough to try out, you're right! Thanks again.
Title: Re: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: jimilee on February 07, 2016, 10:06:22 PM
Hun, that's amazing, what's it do exactly?
Title: Re: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: beneharris on February 07, 2016, 10:37:22 PM
Quote from: jimilee on February 07, 2016, 10:06:22 PM
Hun, that's amazing, what's it do exactly?

So basically its an easy way to put pots into a circuit on a breadboard, veroboard, etc. It's got a lot of the most common ones in it, so that way I don't have to wait for an order to arrive to test them. Pop one in, if I don't like it, change it around. Leevibe's original design had a rotary switch at the bottom to select which row you'd be using, but I just wired in individual test leads of each row.

So my real idea for using this is for example, I'm putting together another retrograde right now, and it needs a 500ka, and a 1kb, so instead of soldering pots in, and having a super unweildy mess of wires to test, I can do it all contained in this box. Just put the proper pots in their spot, and adjust them as needed.
Title: Re: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: jimilee on February 07, 2016, 11:48:41 PM
Thad really fantastic. I gotta learn more about my breadboard.
Title: Re: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: Leevibe on February 08, 2016, 01:47:21 AM
Amazing job, Ben. I love your implementation. Your ET came out perfect! Way better than mine. Haha! Beautiful wiring too!
Title: Re: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: beneharris on February 08, 2016, 02:30:21 AM
Quote from: Leevibe on February 08, 2016, 01:47:21 AM
Amazing job, Ben. I love your implementation. Your ET came out perfect! Way better than mine. Haha! Beautiful wiring too!

Thanks Lee. I really appreciate the encouragement. I had to redo the ET a few times, so it better have come out well, haha.
Title: Re: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: SmoothAction on February 08, 2016, 05:25:14 PM
Spectacular work here, beneharris. Not only is this a great tool to have on the bench, you've made it look gorgeous too!

Props to Leevibe for the concept/pcb and props to you for great execution.
Title: Re: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: beneharris on February 08, 2016, 05:36:57 PM
Thanks, SmoothAction!


Just fyi for anybody interested in envirotex, I bought this toaster oven to help bake it and the paint. It came out soooo much better. It has a "bread cupboard" style opening, so its got tons of room to get the pedal in and out without worrying about bonking it on anything. So worth the $35 investment if you plan to go envirotex.

http://www.target.com/p/hamilton-beach-4-slice-easy-reach-oven-gray-31334/-/A-14563456#prodSlot=_1_4
Title: Re: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: Leevibe on February 08, 2016, 06:03:52 PM
Quote from: beneharris on February 08, 2016, 05:36:57 PM
Thanks, SmoothAction!


Just fyi for anybody interested in envirotex, I bought this toaster oven to help bake it and the paint. It came out soooo much better. It has a "bread cupboard" style opening, so its got tons of room to get the pedal in and out without worrying about bonking it on anything. So worth the $35 investment if you plan to go envirotex.

http://www.target.com/p/hamilton-beach-4-slice-easy-reach-oven-gray-31334/-/A-14563456#prodSlot=_1_4

That is a sweet looking little oven. That would be nice for powder coating.
Title: Re: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: beneharris on February 08, 2016, 06:13:12 PM
Quote from: Leevibe on February 08, 2016, 06:03:52 PM
Quote from: beneharris on February 08, 2016, 05:36:57 PM
Thanks, SmoothAction!


Just fyi for anybody interested in envirotex, I bought this toaster oven to help bake it and the paint. It came out soooo much better. It has a "bread cupboard" style opening, so its got tons of room to get the pedal in and out without worrying about bonking it on anything. So worth the $35 investment if you plan to go envirotex.

http://www.target.com/p/hamilton-beach-4-slice-easy-reach-oven-gray-31334/-/A-14563456#prodSlot=_1_4

That is a sweet looking little oven. That would be nice for powder coating.

Yep, that is another reason I bought it, I'd like to try my hand at that sometime. Just gotta talk the wife into letting me buy the stuff :)
Title: Re: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: GrindCustoms on February 08, 2016, 06:52:40 PM
Really well put and looking, congrats!
Title: Re: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: chuckbuick on February 09, 2016, 12:10:55 AM
Who ever thought a bunch of pots could look so good?  Nice work, man.
Title: Re: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: beneharris on February 09, 2016, 12:19:33 AM
Thanks! I think you guys might be being a bit generous, but heck, I'll take it.
Title: Re: Pot Matrix build - Finally Finished
Post by: lincolnic on February 09, 2016, 04:49:25 AM
Quote from: beneharris on February 09, 2016, 12:19:33 AM
Thanks! I think you guys might be being a bit generous, but heck, I'll take it.

We get pretty generous with the compliments when someone posts an amazing build like yours.