madbeanpedals::forum

Projects => Build Reports => Topic started by: benny_profane on April 09, 2020, 09:14:21 PM

Title: Man O' War DX
Post by: benny_profane on April 09, 2020, 09:14:21 PM
Here's a stock build of the Man O' War DX (based on the Maxon AD-900). I've got an MN3005 version of the AD-900, and the modifications added here really add a lot to an already great pedal.

This was my first BBD delay project. I've built a few BBD modulation effects, but the delay proved to be quite a departure. The layout is nicely designed and population was smooth. I ran into problems when I got to biasing, though. Thanks to all who helped me via the Tech Help page. Those problems turned out to be me not seeing things through properly. After populating a new board and many redundant components later, I dug into the schematic and the actual engineering of the circuit. I think that with BBD-based effects (especially in the absence of an oscilloscope) understanding the interaction of the biasing controls is really key. I plan on revisiting this when I have access to a scope, but I'm very happy where it's at now.

Again, thanks to everyone that gave insight and helped me better understand this circuit, I really appreciate it.

The enclosure is finished with acrylic faceplates. They are white with a black substrate and laser etched.
Title: Re: Man O' War DX
Post by: Bio77 on April 09, 2020, 11:39:36 PM
That's gorgeous, I love everything about it!  Did you engrave the plates yourself? 
Title: Re: Man O' War DX
Post by: gordo on April 09, 2020, 11:43:53 PM
What a seriously cool build. Acrylic plates look fantastic.
Title: Re: Man O' War DX
Post by: cooder on April 10, 2020, 12:02:56 AM
That came out fabulous! What a great build!
Title: Re: Man O' War DX
Post by: Thewintersoldier on April 10, 2020, 12:17:33 AM
Beautiful. The colors, the faceplates, the build is super clean. I bet it sounds amazing. Great job!
Title: Re: Man O' War DX
Post by: jimilee on April 10, 2020, 02:07:40 AM
Makes my builds look silly. I love everything about them also.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Man O' War DX
Post by: TGP39 on April 10, 2020, 03:02:34 AM
Yes, the faceplate is very well thought out, but the guts and the wiring
are immaculate!!!     :o
Title: Re: Man O' War DX
Post by: Boba7 on April 10, 2020, 07:28:17 AM
Stunning! Love the faceplates
Title: Re: Man O' War DX
Post by: Timko on April 10, 2020, 01:00:46 PM
Very clean.  The artwork looks like something you'd see on a commercial pedal.
Title: Re: Man O' War DX
Post by: benny_profane on April 10, 2020, 01:28:43 PM
Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the feedback!

Quote from: Bio77 on April 09, 2020, 11:39:36 PM
That's gorgeous, I love everything about it!  Did you engrave the plates yourself? 

I've engraved pedals/faceplates myself in the past, but these were done via ponoko.com. I took advantage of their first-time user discount and made a bunch for different pedals at once. Not sure if I'd keep on using them at full price, though. So far, I think that the acrylic faceplates are my favorite finishing technique. As long as you don't mind a more muted aesthetic, they look good and are really durable. Also, it makes final assembly extremely easy—and no need to wait for paint to dry after you've finished the board!

I enjoy making more elaborate designs with waterslides, but acrylic faceplates can't have extremely fine lines or a lot of detail. I actually like working with these design restrictions, though; I've always appreciated minimalist and typographic design. Here, I decided to make it really straightforward and leaned on establishing functional distinctions with the control blocks. The location of the modulation LED was actually not planned. I had designed the faceplate but hadn't considered that indicator. I got lucky that there was an empty space in the corner. I ended up measuring the location on the faceplate then marking and drilling it. I mounted the faceplate with some hardware and center-punched the location on the enclosure before drilling.
Title: Re: Man O' War DX
Post by: Bret608 on April 10, 2020, 02:33:55 PM
That is stunning! Congrats on an awesome build.
Title: Re: Man O' War DX
Post by: Hexjibber on April 11, 2020, 02:02:48 PM
Wow! I love this! Superb work all round! Quite fancy doing one of these myself actually


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk