Moonn Space Is Fun - Deluxe Edition

[jcpst]

This was definitely the most complex build I’ve done to date.

I have both the Feedback mod and the Drykill mod. Both are using the PPCB intelligent dpdt relay, which means I can do latching or momentary. On top of that, I have two feedback knobs, and the feedback switch switches between them.

Critical error #1: I had to consider where the belton brick would be in relation to these giant ass LEDs that I wanted to use. I thought I had a clever solution. The only problem was I was thinking of the brick’s orientation BACKWARDS. This was super close to stopping the whole build. Fortunately, I had just enough clearance with the whole PCB bent upward. The lid lightly touches the tippy-top film cap, which I tilted back to make it fit.



I used dual-lock to attach the relay boards to the enclosure. This was pretty handy, there was one point where I had to remove one and it snapped right back into place. Nice.

I certainly learned a few things along the way. I should get more colors of wire. And this one could have used more planning on the wiring. It started out cleanish and then got more wild as I got towards the end.

I’m glad I put in the extra effort though. I’m not sure if I would like this without any of the mods. They make it really fun to use.

 

[p_wats]

Nice job! I've definitely been halfway through a build before realizing I had measured things wrong and nothing would fit. Ha

Just testing my own build of this circuit and had to troubleshoot no power to the brick (got it sorted). Still deciding if it's ready to box up, as I'm not sure I like the gain (a bit fizzy, maybe?). I used a TL074 for now. How do you find the gain on yours?

 

[jcpst]

I’m not in love with the gain, and I remember seeing that sentiment on at least one other build report. When I use this pedal I usually have it set low.

 

[jesuscrisp]

I’m not in love with the gain, and I remember seeing that sentiment on at least one other build report. When I use this pedal I usually have it set low.

That's because it's a really stupid design since death by audio are total hacks when it comes to circuit design.

 

[jcpst]

That's because it's a really stupid design since death by audio are total hacks when it comes to circuit design.

What makes it a stupid design? I looked at the schematic, but I don’t have the experience to pinpoint the stupid parts.

 

[Feral Feline]

Velcro on the intelligent relay-boards = brilliant.

I’m stealing both those ideas for my own build, and probably a few more of your ideas.


So… how to hack this thing for better gain? What’s wrong with it in the first place?

 

[jcpst]

What’s wrong with it in the first place?

I wouldn’t call the gain “wrong” personally. Moreso that the blown-out OD + belton reverb is a very niche sound.

I wouldn’t recommend this pedal if someone asks for a reverb. But I would recommend it for a torn speaker in a well sound.

 

[p_wats]

Yeah, I don't expect anything DBA to be high fidelity or normal, just fun and weird. This fits that bill. I only have a medium Belton brick at the moment (so expensive to get one to/in Canada right now) and have been playing with the quad op amp, but it seems to work as it should and will be interesting to mess with for a while

 

[jesuscrisp]

If you look at the schematic, the fuzz control is merely a gain control for the last op amp stage before the output. It relies merely on clipping that op amp which means it'll boost the volume like crazy before going into an ugly distortion.
Also the dry path for some reason is crazy dark sounding.

 

[Feral Feline]

If you look at the schematic, the fuzz control is merely a gain control for the last op amp stage before the output. It relies merely on clipping that op amp which means it'll boost the volume like crazy before going into an ugly distortion.
Also the dry path for some reason is crazy dark sounding.

Thanks, that gives me some ideas to play around with… clipping diodes earlier on and making the final stage a clean boost.

As a bass player, I welcome the dark dry path.



PS: will look at schematic when I get my computer back

 

[Fama]

If you look at the schematic, the fuzz control is merely a gain control for the last op amp stage before the output. It relies merely on clipping that op amp which means it'll boost the volume like crazy before going into an ugly distortion.
Also the dry path for some reason is crazy dark sounding.

I've read a sentiment along the lines of "you could probably fix the pedal if you wanted, but at that point why not just design a better pedal instead?" about this schematic. I definitely agree that the dry path being so dark sucks, and the distortion being very ugly (and loud).

But the build itself looks nice, and the pedal is fun to play with (as long as you commit to playing with it and understand you can't just toggle it on for some parts because of it being so dark). I'm also definitely stealing the "velcro for relay board" idea.

 

[p_wats]

Always love a pedal with switchable knob settings when there's room, so kudos on that @jcpst!

Not sure if I'll end up keeping mine or salvaging the brick for something else yet.

Are there any good dirty reverb alternatives?

 

[Feral Feline]

…

Are there any good dirty reverb alternatives?

Beholder PCB — Electronic Audio Experiments

Do-it-yourself PCB for the discontinued Beholder reverb/fuzz. For more information about the original, visit the archived product page here . Includes a 3PDT daughterboard.

www.electronicaudioexperiments.com

I’ve no personal experience with it, but have read plenty Good about it.

I don’t have my notes-on-computer back yet, or I might have had a few more suggestions.

Nonetheless, you could roll your own…

 

[p_wats]

Beholder PCB — Electronic Audio Experiments

Do-it-yourself PCB for the discontinued Beholder reverb/fuzz. For more information about the original, visit the archived product page here . Includes a 3PDT daughterboard.

www.electronicaudioexperiments.com

I’ve no personal experience with it, but have read plenty Good about it.

I don’t have my notes-on-computer back yet, or I might have had a few more suggestions.

Nonetheless, you could roll your own…

Ooo thanks. I had just been reading about this one. Will have to watch some videos