How to built an effects pedal

[GuitarStv]

. . . in 9 easy steps:


Step 1 - Find a circuit online that sounds interesting online:
(I was looking at these two: http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Effects/Fuzz-ODs/DBA/01-DBA_ROBOT_VERO.png, http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbkA3stWJAk/UZeKULtChlI/AAAAAAAAFmo/0Mg9UHdBPUc/s1600/Death+By+Audio+Robot+Mod.png).

Step 2 - Figure out how you want to modify the original design:
. . . by checking the datasheets for the components (I wanted to use a rotary switch, but also wanted to be able to toggle on and off the vibrato feature of the HT8950). Then you just modify the circuit diagram to include whatever additional links/components you need.

Step 2 - Solder your board together with awesome components:

Step 3 - Get a box and draw some dots on it:

Step 4 - Drill some holes in your box:

Step 5 - Stick your components in the holes:

Step 6 - Solder some wires on:

Step 7 - Solder your board on:

Step 8 - Test your pedal, close up the back, and stick some knobs on and label stuff

Test complete (and awesome as of last night) *knobs/labels to do later tonight*

Step 9 - Laugh at people who spend hundreds of dollars on these simple things!

 

[rumy22]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

Building is one thing, getting a good sound is another matter.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

If you start with a circuit you like, it's pretty easy to make a good sounding pedal. When you built it yourself you can pick better components, and can modify anything about the original that you don't like. You can pick lower noise op amps than the original, you can pick higher spec components, you can add switching to add or remove things from the circuit, also you can completely control the bypass . . . build your own buffer if you want, or go with true bypass. Most importantly, you can use really big LEDs . . . which are proven to make pedals sound better. FACT.

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

Step 2 - Figure out how you want to modify the original design:
. . . by checking the datasheets for the components (I wanted to use a rotary switch, but also wanted to be able to toggle on and off the vibrato feature of the HT8950). Then you just modify the circuit diagram to include whatever additional links/components you need.

Simple if you know nothing about electronics..:banghead:

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

Simple if you know nothing about electronics..:banghead:

The last time I'd dealt with electronics before building pedals was our introductory course in second year university (like 8 years or so ago) . . . which was all theory. Worst case scenario, breadboard the circuit, and swap out stuff at random until you get sounds that you like. Step 2 is also COMPLETELY optional if you just want to build a clone of another pedal.

Datasheets are pretty decent at explaining how stuff works:

https://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Components/General/8950v110.pdf

If you check out the end of the datasheet there are like five or six circuit diagrams that show you how to use the different triggers on the chip.



FWIW, I had to go to the library to check out some books about electronics and read for a couple nights before I felt confident to put everything together. Guitar pedals are pretty straight forward though . . . you've got resistors, capacitors, a few diodes, and some transistors.

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

this post is broken.

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

I know all that but to the non electronically minded you may as well be suggesting knitting a pedal.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

That's like saying that babies can't walk, so it's virtually impossible for anyone to run ever. Your average person can learn to run . . . it's not too hard. Much like building effects pedals. There's no 'electronically minded', just people who have learned very simple stuff about electronics and people who haven't.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

i use roll your own pedals these days. I'm going to sell my boutique ones. Don't use them at all.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

Step 9 - Laugh at people who spend hundreds of dollars on these simple things!

I have better things to do with my time than building pedals. That's why I buy them.

Get back to me when you can clone a Strymon Mobius for $89 (with free shipping)

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

I have better things to do with my time than building pedals. That's why I buy them.

Get back to me when you can clone a Strymon Mobius for $89 (with free shipping)

Too many knobs and SMDs on the mobius boards for me:

They sound pretty cool though, especially for a straight up digital effect!

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

That's like saying that babies can't walk, so it's virtually impossible for anyone to run ever. Your average person can learn to run . . . it's not too hard. Much like building effects pedals. There's no 'electronically minded', just people who have learned very simple stuff about electronics and people who haven't.

No ; It's more like being colour blind. Some people have no aptitude for maths and most can walk, not all can run.
I've tried instructing/explaing the simplest stuff to people who play electric guitars but wouldn't have a peanut of an idea about what happens after the guitar strings. They can plug them in and turn controls. They can't even grasp the concept of making your own guitar lead let alone actually , physically do it.

Your linear engineer mind is myopic to the millions that surround you and don't grasp electronic devices beyond the on/off button and a few basic functions. Many people can drive cars. Vast amounts of them don't even know how to change the oil and other basic maintenance. You can't even teach them that, their minds just can't grasp it.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

Step 9 - Laugh at people who spend hundreds of dollars on these simple things!

How much did you get paid per hour to work on it?

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

I have better things to do with my time than building pedals. That's why I buy them.

Get back to me when you can clone a Strymon Mobius for $89 (with free shipping)

Coolaudio chips run from 5-10USD each, and Behringer owns Coolaudio. You'll probably get that chance soon.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

It's a lot of fun and I've built about 50 in the last year alone. I love building things but I do understand the folks who don't wanna do it as well.
Saying they're stupid for not doing it makes you sound like an arse brother. With that logic, anything you "could" do yourself but don't is automatically stupid... and when you have the time to learn and do, that counts pretty much everything.

Your pedal looks good by the way. Just put more time on the insides (if I can venture some constructive criticism). Keeping wires short will do wonders for noise as well as securing the board more securely...

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

It's a lot of fun and I've built about 50 in the last year alone. I love building things but I do understand the folks who don't wanna do it as well.
Saying they're stupid for not doing it makes you sound like an arse brother. With that logic, anything you "could" do yourself but don't is automatically stupid... and when you have the time to learn and do, that counts pretty much everything.

Your pedal looks good by the way. Just put more time on the insides (if I can venture some constructive criticism). Keeping wires short will do wonders for noise as well as securing the board more securely...

Not trying to say that people who don't build guitar pedals are stupid, just that I was surprised how straight forward it is after spending a few nights learning about stuff. I'd always treated them as little magic boxes full of unicorn dust before this! I just hate that around here any time someone tries to tell people about something cool that they can do, dozens of people immediately tell 'me all it's impossible and that nobody could possibly do anything on their own. :S

Thanks for the comment on the pedal, I've actually been trying to keep the signal path for the bypassed signal pretty short. I've been leaving the leads that connect to the board longer so I can move the board around a bit in case I need to debug something, which in retrospect is probably a waste. What else am I doing wrong in the box?

 

[BrianS.]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

That's like saying that babies can't walk, so it's virtually impossible for anyone to run ever. Your average person can learn to run . . . it's not too hard. Much like building effects pedals. There's no 'electronically minded', just people who have learned very simple stuff about electronics and people who haven't.

With all due respect: Have you ever tried to teach anything like this? I've taught classes on stuff that would be considered by many "basic" stuff: -Fly Tying -Fly Casting & Basic Guitar Maintenance. I've also been a fly fishing guide. You would be surprised at how difficult learning these tasks can be for many people.

I had a guy who used to call me to change his guitar strings for him every 3 or 4 months...not a pro, just a bedroom player. Well, he took my guitar maintenance class. One of things you "learn" is how to properly string your guitar. 3 months after the class...guy calls me to change his strings!

Some people are just not cut out to do the nuts & bolts type of work behind these kinds of hobbies.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

With all due respect: Have you ever tried to teach anything like this? I've taught classes on stuff that would be considered by many "basic" stuff: -Fly Tying -Fly Casting & Basic Guitar Maintenance. I've also been a fly fishing guide. You would be surprised at how difficult learning these tasks can be for many people.

I had a guy who used to call me to change his guitar strings for him every 3 or 4 months...not a pro, just a bedroom player. Well, he took my guitar maintenance class. One of things you "learn" is how to properly string your guitar. 3 months after the class...guy calls me to change his strings!

Some people are just not cut out to do the nuts & bolts type of work behind these kinds of hobbies.

Very true. Never hurts to disseminate the info though. It pains me to see people pay so much for so little as well. There's so many passionate diyers our there that essentially give step by steps that people like me, who don't have sound fundamentals in ee, can still find the build they want, drop parts in and solder.
Chromespherecom has really interesting builds on youtube that are worth checking out.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

 

[BrianS.]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

Never hurts to disseminate the info though.

Totally agree.

I forgot to mention: That soldering iron is a total embarrassment to all but the most skinflintiest (that's right) of electronics hobbyists.:laughing:

 

[Surgeon]

Re: How to built an effects pedal

Not trying to say that people who don't build guitar pedals are stupid, just that I was surprised how straight forward it is after spending a few nights learning about stuff. I'd always treated them as little magic boxes full of unicorn dust before this! I just hate that around here any time someone tries to tell people about something cool that they can do, dozens of people immediately tell 'me all it's impossible and that nobody could possibly do anything on their own. :S

Thanks for the comment on the pedal, I've actually been trying to keep the signal path for the bypassed signal pretty short. I've been leaving the leads that connect to the board longer so I can move the board around a bit in case I need to debug something, which in retrospect is probably a waste. What else am I doing wrong in the box?

From what I can tell from the pics the only thing I'd redo if I had to build it myself (especially if I was gonna give/sell it to someone) is shortening everything. Since your pots and rotary switch are all on top, you could get their wires quite short. By doing the same with the other ones (in and out that go to the switch and the ground/9v ones too) you get the board much less likely to move within the enclosure. Knowing this, if you ever need to go back, it's as simple as desoldering the last 4 connections (in/out/gnd/9v) to be able to completely lift the board 90 degrees and have complete access. Having to desolder them is a small price to pay for stability.

One more thing that I like (and I'm one of the very few) is using solid-core wire instead of stranded. The idea here is that once laid in place and neatly routed, they don't move anymore and "anchor" the board a lot more solidly. Takes a bit more practice to get things tidy but having 9-10-12, etc. solid-core wires holding the board down makes for a pedal which you never hear anything rattle in, therefore avoiding possible problems if it's dropped and components and wires coming eventually in contact with one another and possibly causing shorts.

That can seem a bit drastic or nit-picky but I want my own pedals to last and be as problem-free as ones I would buy new so...

Last but not least: I usually (there were exceptions) insert my board "components-up". There's nothign wrong with the opposite but make sure you insulate the back-plate of that pedal to avoid the joints shorting on the case.