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Guys.. need some help.

Received a request from a local player to create a custom volume pedal. His idea is to have a pedal with two or three foot switches that would allow him to adijust the volume Up, Down and possibly bypass. He later added maybe having leds that showed the current output level. So after talking to him what it looks like he wants is a pedal that will allow him to step the volume down at set increments (with 10 to 16 steps) and then step the volume back up to unity.

What I think I would need is an IC that would allow we to step up/down thru several resistor values to emulate turning a pot up / down. Not looking to boost the signal. From there I would imagine a second IC of the same type to control LEDs representing the current "level". Then wire up a standard bypass.

Any help would appreciated if anyone knows of a sample circuit or IC that would help get me started. I just started searching thru google, but figured someone here may already have an idea of where to start.

AllenM
MadTone

Link to project
https://aionelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/aion-cerulean-bb-documentation-v2.pdf

I had a friend request a build for a Prince Of Tone - after some research I decided to go with Aion's Cerulean board built as a King of Tone with a couple of the recommended mods. Based on the build document I included the Clipping Mod and changed the Drive pot to 250kB. For D1-4 I used 1n914, for D5-8 I also used 1n914 but asymmetrical and for DX1-2 I used 1n4148.

The pedal does work but I have a few questions / concerns - first is the volume control, I am having to turn to about 3-4 o'clock to get above what sounds like unity versus bypassed signal. This may be normal as I have never built this circuit before. My other concern is the Clipping Mod and Hard Clipping feature, with the pedal in gaged I am not noting any "sound" difference when changing the positions of either switch ( I used SPDT on/on). I figured I would at least have some signal / gain changed or even a "pop" when changing the settings awhile the pedal was active.

One concern is that using the same diodes for the two Clipping mods even though the second set is asymmetrical may not be noticeable and I need to use something more varied. But I was expecting to hear something change when engaging the Hard Clipping option.

Anyway.. any insights or suggestions would be appreciated. I will include some pics from the build process.

AllenM
Madtone

https://www.flickr.com/gp/17129774@N06/Z71P0m

https://www.flickr.com/gp/17129774@N06/1o0w94

https://www.flickr.com/gp/17129774@N06/26VcJG

Hey guys.. I put together a multi build http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=27708.0 and I am getting a "whine" from the Boost section. After some testing I have verified that the boost circuit when removed from the multi build works normal. Upon further testing I noticed the whine would change pitch when touching the TC1044S on the boost and the Klon, so it appears I am getting some type of interference with them both in the same enclosure. Hoping there is a solution to possibly isolate the circuits from each other, otherwise it looks like I will need to replace the boost with a different circuit.

Here is the link to the tech support on the noise issue under the JMK section with a video link.

http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=27698.0

Any help or suggestions appreciated.

AllenM

This is a custom one off by request. The layout is a Boss FA-1(Aion Prism) into a Klon(Aion Refractor) into a Wakizashi Boost (JMK). Things were pretty smooth over all and the enclosure had plenty of room to work in. I have some trouble shooting to do on the boost but nothing major.

The pedal sounds really nice in front of my 18 Watt clone. I set the Prism up as my clean drive and eq'd to taste, then the Refractor setup as my crunch and then finished it up with the boost set to push it up a notch for leads.

The finish was my standard wet sanded bare enclosure with labels.

I did get a new label maker and now I have 4 tape sizes to work with.

AllenM

Anyone seen a similar tap tempo kit available in the US?

http://uk-electronic.de/onlineshop/product_info.php?products_id=3099

I like that it is more compact than the current option from diystompboxes and possibly more budget friendly.

AllenM

I just completed my build and was testing it before boxing it up noticed the volume control works in reverse. Trying to figure out what part of the build could cause that. The pot is PCB mount so I know it is correct.

Any ideas on what I should be looking at? I thought maybe the transistor as I had to substitute it, but the one I am using is only reversed orientation of the one specd.





Here is a link to the project page

https://aionelectronics.com/project/prism-boss-fa-1-fet-amp-pcb/

Just looking for som insight on what part or parts could cause the volume pot to act in reverse.

Thanks

AllenM

Hey guys.. need some transistor help / education.

I am working on the Aion Prism (Boss FA-1) and wondering if there is a substitute part I can use for the 2SK246 and what other changes may be required. I did a little google research and most of the info I found gave recommended substitutes and even mentioned biasing but did not have any details. I would like to learn from this experience as much as get the answer as it were.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Link of the project... https://aionelectronics.com/project/prism-boss-fa-1-fet-amp-pcb/

AllenM

This is a one off custom build I did to help raise money for a local bartender / friend who is going thru cancer treatment. The bar he works for, and the place I hang out to watch bands is putting on a benefit concert with some local bands. Part of the event will be a silent auction which I am making this for.

Basically it's a Aion Refractor (Klon) and a JMK Beauty Booster in a dual pedal layout. I have included an order switch to move the Boost before or after the Klon. For the diodes I used a matched pair of D9Es and made substitutions based on the BYOC Silver Pony specs. Overall this is a really nice sounding combo form my initial play thru. This coming Friday it will be put thru the paces at a live show by a good friend and local guitar master and then he will again play the pedal during his set at the benefit before being auctioned off.

BTW Golden Child is his nickname at the bar.. no idea why but I figured it made a great pedal name

AllenM / Madtone

Received and email from Mammoth about their new branded 16mm pots @ .55 cents each and just wanted to pass this along....

https://www.mammothelectronics.com/collections/mammoth-16mm-potentiometers

AllenM
MadTone

Interesting Idea for touring / working musicians.. a little pricey for normal use.

http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Knobs/Loknob.html?lac_guid=21ae655d-fd5e-e611-80cb-ecb1d775572a&utm_campaign=M1150&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NPA&utm_content=M1150_C_20160810


And not sure how these relate... need a demo video

http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Knobs/Fuggedaboudit_Tour_Cap.html


Madtone

Hey guys... I have been thinking about ordering a video recorder to help record pedal demos (been using my iPhone but it has its limits) and had been researching the Zoom Q2HD that was selling for$199... then today I decided to start reading up again and now its selling for $99 (fits my budget much better) and it looks like they are releasing a newer model hince the price drop. So I was wondering if anyone had any experience with these type devices..  I would also like to use is to record jam nights at the local bar for the jammers, nothing fancy just like to make some clips for Facebook / Youtube. If I do get it I would also order the accessorie kit with all the extras ($39)

http://www.zzounds.com/item--ZOMQ2HD

Thanks

AllenM

Hey Guys!

A buddy of mine asked me to help him find some 12" speakers for his 412 and I have never actually really shopped for them since my combos already had nice celestions in them. Was wondering if anyone has some preferred online resources or recommendations, especially for good / decent speaker brands at a reasonable price. My buddy is a weekend warrior type player that just jams with friends.. no regular gigging so his bugdet will be moderate.

For reference he mainly plays blues/rock and will be using a 30 to 50 watt head. I figure something in the 25-30watt range speaker wise.

Thanks

AllenM

If there are any gamers around who would interested in this weekends Beta Stress Test for ESO (Elder Scrolls Online) send me a PM....

I have (2) Beta keys available so first come first serve.. be warned that being a Stress Test odds are you may have trouble logging at some points and there can be server crashes.. the whole point of the weekend is to help push the server to its limits so they can make adjustments before the April release

Oh and this is for PC

AllenM

Not a rant or complaint.. mainly a funny observation

So Sunday I put together a massive parts order $272.00 (for me anyways) from Mouser. It inlcuded resistors, caps, etc. I get an email Monday showing a seperate order basically saying they forgot to include (2) of the resistors values and were sending them in a seperate package. So today some boxes so up at the office and I am all excited... (1) box from Mouser and (1) box from Smallbear! Let the building begin.. then I notice the Mouser box is very small and lite.. its just the (2) resistor values they forgot in the original order.. I look at the box and they shipped them Priority 1 - day.. I have to wonder how much they just spent on shipping $1.08 worth of parts!?! I laugh and check on line and the other package has no tracking yet but I hope it will show up tomorrow and then the fun can begin

What really makes this funny to me is that I live in Fort Worth, TX and Mouser is in Mansfield, TX... they are 26 minutes from my office... I should see if they offer will-call and just run there during lunch next time I need something The USPS likes to ship stuff across town and then back again taking 2-3 days to deliver a local package.

Hey guys.. looking around Mouser for a better price on resistors (been using Xicon) and found these...

KOA Speer

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/KOA-Speer/MF1-4DCT52R1003F/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMu61qfTUdNhG%2fEkWIe81Doqh9FYW5y%2fjd8%3d

Not sure what to look for in the specs.. one thing I noticed was the Temperature Coefficient : 100 PPM/C vs 50 PPM/C on the Xicon

Any input or advice would be appreciated

AllenM

Just wanted to see if these will work or is another brand / series recommended...

http://www.mouser.com/Panasonic/Passive-Components/Capacitors/Aluminum-Electrolytic-Capacitors/Aluminum-Electrolytic-Capacitors-Leaded/KS-Series/_/N-75hqwZscv7?Ns=Capacitance%7c0&P=1yzxea6Z1z0s3r1Z1yzr8m7Z1z0wv5kZ1yzvjj0

Thanks

AllenM

I have a Mangler board on my bench that I was rehousing for a buddy. When I went to test the board after removing it from the old enclosure I only got a "clean" tone thru the effect and the volume and fuzz had no real effect. I noticed that it even passed audio with the battery disconnected. I tested my BYOC fuzz face and without a battery no sound as I would expect. I removed the trannys and still had audio battery powered and unpowered... tried it on my other fuzz face and no output. Checked the board for a solder bridge and everything looks clean. Wondering if any of the other parts could fail and cause this issue.

Any help would be appreciated.

AllenM

Any problem with me subbing the Fuzz pot with a 2kB instead of the 1kB? Rehousing one for a friend and want to use  right angle PCB mount pots instead of solder lugs.

thanks

AllenM

Hey guys.. looking for some Relay Bypass options for a special project. I have a friend who started placing some of his pedals in the FX loop on his amp and while at a show I noticed he kept walking to the amp to bypass the FXs... so I had the idea to build a looper with a harness/snake that would allow me to put a control pedal (3-4 switches) on his pedal board to remote switch the pedals. Simple project was just wanting to get some input on possible prefabbed PCBs and etc.

AllenM

Bumped into Vinney Paul...



He's the one wearing the cowboy (from hell) hat!!
Nuff said!

AllenM