madbeanpedals::forum

Projects => Build Reports => Topic started by: Vallhagen on August 03, 2012, 07:46:40 AM

Title: SUB-Commander
Post by: Vallhagen on August 03, 2012, 07:46:40 AM
Finally... done. Damm ambitious build  ::) ... almost tired me out.

I still have some tweaking to do, but basically its ready to go:)

(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10190945/SubCommander/IMG_0410.JPG)

...and one during wiring:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10190945/SubCommander/IMG_0408.JPG)

... and thanx to user Sigesmundninja, who mailed me some missing resistors back in ... May? I thought i should be ready that weekend......

Cheers!
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: Sigesmundninja on August 03, 2012, 08:17:08 AM
Man I've been waiting to see this one! was wondering how the build was going. Very glad to see you've finished it! Please to describe your experience a little more, how hard was it, anything special to should think about If one was to tackle this project?

and please, mooooore pic's! :)
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: jimmybjj on August 03, 2012, 08:40:37 AM
Nice build. Need more details :) what is it?
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: Vallhagen on August 03, 2012, 01:47:00 PM
:)

I promise to get back with better pics, i cant find the "real" digital camera, the pics above are from my iPhone. Later this evening swedish time!

And i will get back with a full build report too. But i can say it was timeconsuming indeed.

@jimmybjj: It is the "SUB-Commander" from http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/. There is a youtube video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrj7XrCliKY&feature=related

Cheers again
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: GhostofJohnToad on August 03, 2012, 04:39:23 PM
Congratulations that is a monumental build!  I've been tossing around the idea of building it.  Looks very daunting.  Does it sound good to you?
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: alanp on August 03, 2012, 04:41:50 PM
That wiring harness must have been a "lot" of fun! I've been thinking about getting one of the MFOS boards.

Can't wait to hear what kind of sounds you can eke out of it :)
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: Loztboy on August 03, 2012, 05:52:35 PM
Sick! :D
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: lincolnic on August 04, 2012, 03:45:53 AM
Dare I ask how long it took to wire this up?
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: Vallhagen on August 04, 2012, 07:46:47 AM
Quote from: GhostofJohnToad on August 03, 2012, 04:39:23 PM
Congratulations that is a monumental build!  I've been tossing around the idea of building it.  Looks very daunting.  Does it sound good to you?

Yes it sounds fun and "synthy". I dont know if you have looked up the demo video i linked to above, but it is very informative. Gives you a good feel about the project.

And yea, i guess daunting is the word  ::) ...

Quote from: Loztboy on August 03, 2012, 05:52:35 PM
Sick! :D
well yea, i guess. lets say sick and daunting, then. lol.

Quote from: alanp on August 03, 2012, 04:41:50 PM
That wiring harness must have been a "lot" of fun! I've been thinking about getting one of the MFOS boards.

Can't wait to hear what kind of sounds you can eke out of it :)
Quote from: lincolnic on August 04, 2012, 03:45:53 AM
Dare I ask how long it took to wire this up?

Damm, i dont want to count hours ;D. But for sure it took longer time than expected. Also, this has been a project that i have been workin on some hours now n then, between other projects. It was actually one of the first boards i ordered, when i got into this pedal-building-hobby earlier this spring.

if i would recommend the build? Would i do it again? Hmm. Yes i would, even though it was close to tire me out. If you are ready to put the same effort in one project as you normally do in - say - 10 difficult stompboxes. The documentation is great, every part of the 6 page schematic is well explained in detail. So you (me) get to learn a lot on the way.

But its not a beginner project, and you really need an oscilloscope to follow whats happening in the box.

Next post will be more pics and some sort of captured build report:). Im typing on it.
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: GrindCustoms on August 04, 2012, 07:53:26 AM
That is impressive, really love those type of builts.

Props to you for making it! 8)

The enclosure layout is awesome aswell!
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: Vallhagen on August 04, 2012, 12:28:44 PM
Build report:

A few questions had to be answerred before i started to build.
* What enclosure
* How to feed the board with bipolar +/- 12VDC.

I decided to feed the whole box with a VAC/VAC wallwart (transformer), and put the regulated AC-DC-board inside the box. I am still not sure that this is the "best" way to do it, but sure it works. The AC-DC-board is from swedish electronic parts shop "electrokit.se", but i think ggg "Bipolar Power Supply Project" is pretty much exactly the same.

I designed a face-decal in inkscape, and looked for a box that suited. The model i found is Hammond 1456KH3 (ordered from mouser).

***

Also, as this not really is a "stomp"-box, but a machine that i will put on a stand or table, i use a toggle 3PDT switch, not a foot/push switch for the true bypass wiring.

***

Populating the board(s)... just follow and tick off the BOM:) ... check

Drill and paint and put the waterslide decal on the enclosure.. check

Mount the pots, switches, LEDs and jacks to the enclosure... check

***

Then...........wiring ::) Geez...

First i wired everything offboard; grounds, switches, jacks, LEDs. Then..

I took a piece of masonite - say - 50x100 cm, where i "folded out" the enclosure interior, and taped the board and pot/jack layout to it. Then i put a pin/nail in every wire position (both ends).

Then i fastened some nails to the masonite as well, which acted as guides for the wiring. From there i planned to wire up 3 "cable whips" (not sure if thats translated correctly).  and wrapped the whips with old fasion hemp yarn (?) technique.


(Not sure if i express myself clear above... ask if you dont get me... here is a picture of the masonite board, some pins still there).
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10190945/SubCommander/IMG_0417.JPG)

Then... solder all wires to the main board. 40+ wires.

Then... solder it all to the pots and switches.

Lastly i attached the wires to the power supply.

***

Well... thats about it i guess.

***

I havent glued (sticky tape) the board standoffs to the enclosure yet, i will still have an easy way to change/replace some components during tweaking. Even though; the board only have one trimmer. And as it is set, I am pretty much up and going:)

Some more pics:

(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10190945/SubCommander/078.JPG)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10190945/SubCommander/079.JPG)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10190945/SubCommander/080.JPG)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10190945/SubCommander/081.JPG)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10190945/SubCommander/083.JPG)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10190945/SubCommander/084.JPG)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10190945/SubCommander/086.JPG)

Cheers!
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: Hangingmonkey on August 04, 2012, 03:14:37 PM
Wow just wow!
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: icecycle66 on August 04, 2012, 04:49:46 PM
 :o
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: nzCdog on August 04, 2012, 05:46:52 PM
hehe. cool ;D
very cool! well done
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: Vallhagen on August 04, 2012, 07:43:35 PM
Thanx folks:) I am happily reading your cheerioos!

Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: murdog47 on August 04, 2012, 08:06:43 PM
Super cool! I have a panic attack just thinking about taking on this project  :D
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: bigrigg on August 04, 2012, 11:36:20 PM
Well done.  Ridiculously involved build.
I watched the youtube link...other than the LFO, Tremolo stuff it sounds very similar to my EHX micro synth.  Which by the way is insane fun.
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: Sigesmundninja on August 05, 2012, 01:08:30 AM
This is a masterpiece!!! If we did have a "hall of fame builds", wich we should have, you would have the gold medal here sir! I tip my hat for you!
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: midwayfair on August 05, 2012, 02:24:11 AM
Jeez, that's a lot of pots. :P

Excellent work.
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: lincolnic on August 05, 2012, 05:27:08 AM
I've never said this about a pedal before, but this build is inspirational.
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: Vallhagen on August 05, 2012, 07:04:31 AM
Thanx guys:)
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: juansolo on August 06, 2012, 07:36:45 AM
superb  :o  8)
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: raulduke on August 06, 2012, 08:29:05 AM
Good stuff mate.

Kudos to you for persevering with what looks like a megaton of wiring!
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: pickdropper on August 06, 2012, 01:25:45 PM
Very nice project and execution.  I really want to give one of these a go.
Title: Re: SUB-Commander
Post by: Vallhagen on August 07, 2012, 12:29:02 PM
Thank you and thank you again:) I feel honoured to receive so much positive comments among all you talented folks! Really inspiring.

Thanks once more! And cheers!