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I'd kinda like to build the Organ Donor, but I've noticed that the schematic/build notes still haven't been released. So, I dunno.

Don't really care about the actual pedal but I sure like the idea of the switching!

Esp. considering the "free month" actually gets charged to you if you stick with the service! G'ah.

Yes you have to call to activate it.

So, I am confused. The email I received said the second/new account is complimentary yet the sign-up says it is a free 30 day trial for Endicia Pro. Did you notice this?

I think he just forgot to list the 1k (Peter created the image) and I forgot to mention that it was missing. But it is in Shopping List. Use 65k if you have it but a 68k sub is okay. Or, use a 47k and 22k in series.

Anyway, how do I set it up?  Is it true I have to call them?  I tried this morning and went through their menu for setting it up, but finally had to hang up after 20 minutes.

You have to set up a new account for some reason, but there is no service fee in addition to the normal monthly one. Here's what they sent me (I haven't done this yet).

Thank you for contacting Endicia Customer Support.

We understand your concerns. Please be advised that this change affecting First-Class International Flats rate class is a direct edict from the USPS and forced upon them by the Universal Postal Union.

The only option you can do at this moment is to create another Endicia account that uses Endicia Multi-rate Service (EMS) so that you can use Global Advantage Program (GAP). Please note that your information on your account will not be migrated over to the second account. Each account is independent of the other. One is your original account and the second is an EMS account that you will use for GAP. The new EMS account will be complimentary and will not charge any service fees.

To get started with creating that second account, please go to:

https://www.endicia.com/resellers/multi-rate-service-signup?id=UBZ3TH7QRILYDBL8

I got an email response to my support ticket which confirmed what Josh said, so I'm going to see about getting it set up.

Interesting tidbit from the email:
We also recommend that you call our Tech Support line to speak to an agent who can remote into your computer and guide you through the process.

JFC. I cannot believe they would even suggest that. Who's going to let some IT guy remote into their computer for something like that? No thanks.

There's no real con to having a clean blend....it's simply an "additive" option that can be completely removed by turning the knob down. I guess I'd describe the "pro" as being able to create a more unique compression mix than you would have without a clean through. You can get a lot of compression pumping through without it feeling overdone (as is the case with many one knob compressors)...IOW added sustain without overly-compressed dynamics.

Gearing up for the 2018 pedalboard. I am going to build two loopers with soft-touch switching. It won't be anything fancy with presets - just straight bypass. There will be 9 mono bypass loops and then three momentary switches that plug into the Mobius for preset/TT control. The bypass loops are actually based on the Coda bypass! The Mobius/Alter Ego and T2 are all run in stereo so they won't be included in the looper.

There's an empty spot where I hoped to add either the Freekout (Digitech) or Quintessence (TC) but I don't think I'll have the cash for that right now. I think I will replace the 2-knob Bloviator with the newer 3-knob 1590A version. And, maybe the 4:1 with the White Horse (haven't decided).

This is my commercial/ambient PB. I have another one that's all DIY/MBP stuff which I am constantly changing!

I still like my B9. The Synth9 is the one I should really get. I'm always looking to make my guitar sound less like guitar 

There's always a chance they will reverse the policy, I guess. But it's hard to hope for. USPS has been on a general trend of pretty dramatic price increases over the last ten years. I used to be able to ship international regular first class for three or so dollars. 10 years later that's gone up over 400%. Part of the problem is they used to be legally required to keep something like 70 billion in reserves for pensions which was consistently causing huge shortfalls. Don't know if this is still the case. I just can't grok not being able to mail a package that weighs 2 or 3 ounces for less than $10. It seems outrageous.

Kind of a drag that he's so focused on the new pedal that everything else has fallen by the wayside.  I hope his students aren't getting the same lack of attention.  I love the projects and am truly excited for the guy to be making something this unique but after paying all the money I did to Patreon for what amounted to a couple of undocumented circuit boards the novelty is wearing a bit thin and I'm feeling a little burned.

More than the circuit boards, I wanted to get in on the educational side and none of that happened.

Brian, hopefully we get a few more MB-VFE projects unless that end falls apart too.

<<stepping down from soap-box>>

My understanding is the lack of being able to spend time on the educational component of the Patreon campaign is why he stopped it. The Kickstarter was incredibly successful and that's a big "get" for his students. He did make all his Eagle files for everything VFE available to his Patrons, including the ones for the PCB offerings through Patreon. But, yeah, I don't know if there was ever actual documentation on those (honestly, I have two of the boards and haven't had time to build them yet). I think he's stretched pretty thin as it is.

As far as continuing VFE projects there is no worry there. I have 9 or 10 more coming after the next two (Dark Horse and Triumvirate). And, I do have permission to make some of the newer designs down the road if I want to.

The old VFE site appears to be gone, including the pages with all the discontinued stuff (vfecustom.com is still running). Therefore all the links I have in the VFE project docs to the old site are no longer working. FYI. Not sure if this is a temporary or permanent change. I'll contact Peter to see what I can find out.

None of those changes/differences should cause a problem. I'll wait for the pic and see if I can spot something.

If you've been following this thread you know that USPS has made a major change in international shipping. The cheap "Flats" option which I used to ship orders (under $40) is no longer available for anything other than "documents" - which definitely does not cover PCBs. Consequently, all non-USA shipments will now require 1st Class International postage which is a significant price increase over Flats. Priority International has increased up to 30% from 2017 and will no longer be required for international orders over $100. Domestic Priority has also increased and I will no longer be able to offer free Priority on USA orders of $100 and over. So, the following shipping rates go into effect today:

1st Class Shipping (only option)
USA - $3.00 for orders under $75, and free for $75 and over
Canada - $9.50
Mexico - $11.70
Everywhere else - $13.30

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(1) Supposedly, there may be an option to continue to use Flats through some mail services by sending it to a separate "processing center" where they re-label shipments for a fee. This might be a way to lower the new shipping costs eventually but I don't know enough about this yet to use it (and it appears it may not be an option with the Dazzle software I use for international postage ((I have a support ticket submitted))). So, until I know something different or better this is how it is.

(2) I'm really sorry for the impact it will have on all customers and especially the international ones. I'm also worried about how it will impact MBP since nearly half my business is from outside the US. I guess time will tell.

(3) One positive footnote - since all shipments will require 1st Class all the VFE projects are now priced exactly the same whether or not they include custom pots. No more "shipping adjusted prices" to deal with.