Topics

My issue seems to be random. Sometimes I can use Madbean libraries in Eagle but sometimes I just cannot get them to work in a design. I'll add the libraries and they just don't show when I go to add a component.

This has only started happening since I updated to version 9.3. Before that it was fine. Is it just me? (I'm used to that. )

I guess I'm venting.  It costs a lot of time and money to build a pedal and it just seems so wasteful.  So far I've built a VFE Tractor Beam, a Wumpus and a Dig Dug 2.

The Tractor Beam (I got the early version with the original VFE switching board) works and I'm happy with the sound.  The Wumpus worked for a while and then crapped out.  I haven't had the gumption to tear into it to figure it out, mostly because I wasn't happy with it's limitations.  I know it's not a production pedal and was a freebie board when I bought the Dig Dug 2 so I wasn't too frustrated with it and I just shelved it.

Today, I finally got the parts for the Dig Dug 2 today and put it together.  I even made an engraved enclosure for it.  It's a pretty neat pedal and I was having fun playing with it but in the same manner as the Wumpus it quit after a few minute of use.    I imagine it's the expensive photocoupler parts.

I guess I'm just disappointed and I'm going to give up on putting together designs that aren't my own.

I'm probably going to pick up a Triumvirate PCB so I checked out the PDF. 

Can someone explain the purpose of the series stacked EQs for the Treble, Mid and Bass?

Just wondering.

When I hook up the Dig Dug 2 (unboxed) I get a very low signal.  This is with the gain trimmers and effect volumes all the way up.  I can hear the tremolo pulse and the wah does filter but the volume is very low. It is as if the  guitar signal is being attenuated but the effect sans original  signal is still coming out of the output.

Two issues I noticed is that on the CD4017 I'm getting 0v at pin 3 and 15.  I don't see anything missing and I checked that the diodes are properly aligned.  All other voltages seem to be correct. 

What's to check next? 

Thanks for the assistance.

I didn't have a 15nF cap so I stuck in a 18nF to get it tested.  It actually works.  I've got some 15nF caps coming in so I'll swap it out later.

In its current configuration it seems that I've got to max out all the trimpots (except BRIGHT is at the other extreme at zero) to get it to work properly.  Is this normal? No adjustment seems to be available.

Is there any reason to not use 5mm LEDs for the DigDug2 build? Will the holes be too close? Is it a concern considering the height of the LEDs?

Just wondering because I have a ton of 5mm LEDs on hand and only a few mixed colors of 3mm. 

Regardless, I should use the same color and manufacturer because the FV of the LED affects the CD4017, correct?

I have an MXR 95 and I'm just not exactly thrilled with it.  It sounds awful in the loop and is weak in front of the amp.  I decided to replace it. 

The Tractor beam was a bit challenging because of the small parts and tight fit.  You have to put the pots in last but there are capacitors surrounding the solder pads.  I scorched a few components with the side of my soldering iron but that's no big deal.  I made a huge mistake while building.  I originally put a 1/8w 1k resistor in the power input but after some calculations figured I better go with the 1/2w as suggested. Unfortunately, I pulled out the 10M resistor and put the 1/2w 1k resistor in it's place instead.  That didn't work.  It's really no fun to pull out those Neutrik jacks after soldering them in. 

Regardless it turned out well:

(that's with the 1k resistor in the 10M resistor's place  )

It's earned a permanent spot on my pedalboard:


Worst part about this pedal: I'm so pissed it wasn't called Tractor Bean. :p

I finally got the Neutrik jacks I needed in the mail today and got the Tractor Beam all buttoned up.  I noticed that when the effect is engaged that I get a rather significant volume drop.  The phasing works as it should and it has TONS of adjustment and versatility.  I really like it.  The 20k LEVEL trim pot is dimed and it still has the volume drop.

Any tips?

I have a 1/2W 1k resistor near the Zener and the other 1k resistor in the schematic comes off the switch on the silkscreen it's marked P1k but I'm not familiar with the P.  What does it mean?

Is there a such thing as an app like Eagle or Kicad that instead of making a PCB view it allows you to design a point to point circuit?

I put a build together today with some MOSFETs in and I didn't leave enough lead so I can't bend them far enough down for clearance in the enclosure.

Can I snip the heatsink off?  They shouldn't get hot as I'm not using them for amplification.  I just shorted the drain and gate and am using them to clip the signal.

I was looking at the Klon schematic and noticed there are components in the path when the effect is off so can I just leave those out?
The original schematic:


Can I leave out these bits:

and then connect the output pot wiper to the out jack?

Bah!!!  I was just boxing up a project I guess I didn't move the transistor out of the way and while putting the screws in the enclosure I cracked the casing of the OC75.  FEH!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, it still works.  so I slipped the cracked piece back on the transistor to cover the internal leads and shoved the pedal together.

Any problem with running a transistor without its covering?

As Red Green says "This is all temporary, unless it works"!

Anyone know a nice and inexpensive place to get enclosures.  I'm looking for about 6 1590A, 2 1590LB and 3 125B.  I don't really care if they are official Hammond brand. 

Where do you go?

When I'm putting together a schematic I can make it look nice and correct and it checks out electrically but then when I want to lay out the PCB I have to make sure I choose the correct footprint.  Shopping for components is also confusing.

I think the issue is I don't know how to differentiate between the different parts of the same value.  I guess in Eagle it's called "package".

Is there a tutorial concerning choosing the package for the PCB layout and shopping for the components? 

Before I was directed to this forum I wanted to build a treble booster for my pedalboard.  I found a schematic and PCB layout on fuzzcentral and used the laser printer toner transfer method to make the board at home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mibkmXFkjpY

I'm liking the sound a lot.

The inside is a mess because I didn't consider the size of the jacks when picking the 1590a but I got it all stuffed inside (rather sloppily) and this was the first time I touched a soldering iron in probably 28 years so that's not so nice either.

Next one will be better though.