Akronym build issue

[hankspencer]

Just finished putting together an Akronym for a Christmas present. Went to fire it up for a test run and.....nothing but an annoying squelching sound. Volume seems to adjust the level a little bit but gain does nothing to change the sound nor so any of the different modes. Looking for some help in where to start troubleshooting!

 

[giovanni]

Just finished putting together an Akronym for a Christmas present. Went to fire it up for a test run and.....nothing but an annoying squelching sound. Volume seems to adjust the level a little bit but gain does nothing to change the sound nor so any of the different modes. Looking for some help in where to start troubleshooting!

Start by posting clear pictures of both sides of the board and off board wiring. Good luck!

 

[hankspencer]

I will have to get the other side of the board tomorrow when I have a chance

 

[Erik S]

Looks like one of your IC legs missed it’s hole.

 

[Nostradoomus]

Try separating your in and out wires for starters, you want those as far from each other as possible. Probably won’t solve the problem but it’s good practice. Same with sanding away the paint inside the enclosure where your jacks are, the paint can interfere with grounding.

 

[Nostradoomus]

Looks like one of your IC legs missed it’s hole.

View attachment 87108

Oh good catch! You’ll want that connected

 

[giovanni]

I was gonna ask: how did you make sure that the in and out are correctly connected? But the IC thing is probably the main issue.

 

[hankspencer]

The IC fixed the squelch but now there is no sound when the pedal is engaged. There is sound on bypass though. Can't believe I missed the IC leg! Here are a few shots of the underside of the board. Really appreciate all the help!

 

[hankspencer]

Try separating your in and out wires for starters, you want those as far from each other as possible. Probably won’t solve the problem but it’s good practice. Same with sanding away the paint inside the enclosure where your jacks are, the paint can interfere with grounding.

Will having the wires twisted like I do cause some sort of signal bleed or interference?

 

[hankspencer]

I was gonna ask: how did you make sure that the in and out are correctly connected? But the IC thing is probably the main issue.

Actually I flagged the input wire so I knew which was which.

 

[Robert]

Will having the wires twisted like I do cause some sort of signal bleed or interference?

It's not ideal but not likely the cause of your problem in this case.

I'd put some solder on this point and make sure the W20K pot doesn't touch the back of the PCB.

 

[hankspencer]

Looks like the W20K was inadvertently touching the IC pins when it was in the case. Added a bit of plastic coating to the pins and all is good now.

I unwound the input/output wires as suggested and sanded down the interior paint.

Thank you guys for all the help!

 

[hankspencer]

 

[Nostradoomus]

Will having the wires twisted like I do cause some sort of signal bleed or interference?

It can in higher gain circuits, shouldn’t be an issue on this one. Just good practice.

 

[comradehoser]

Don't forget to edit your thread and change the prefix to "SOLVED"