Combo build for pedal board core: Pre-boost, Clean/drive channel, cabsim, noise-gate, post boost.

[Paradox916]

that’s cool and all for the projects that aren’t available on PPCB, you have obviously put some work into it, trying to sell “ alternatives” to PPCB offerings on the PPCB forum?… . That’s kind of treading into some murky waters. Not trying to on your post here, but it’s not a good look could be seen as rude, others that have emulated Robert’s work have done so under the guise of not for profit, for themselves and giving away the extras or due to international issues. Not sure if you fall into this camp but it’s not looking that way. Maybe you need to word things a little differently.

 

[Paul.Ruby]

that’s cool and all for the projects that aren’t available on PPCB, you have obviously put some work into it, trying to sell “ alternatives” to PPCB offerings on the PPCB forum?… . That’s kind of treading into some murky waters. Not trying to on your post here, but it’s not a good look could be seen as rude, others that have emulated Robert’s work have done so under the guise of not for profit, for themselves and giving away the extras or due to international issues. Not sure if you fall into this camp but it’s not looking that way. Maybe you need to word things a little differently.

When I order these, I get 10 boards for myself and usually don't need all 10, so I offer a few extras for $2 each plus shipping. If I don't have extras, I don't sell any and I will never stock up and sell them. I'm a (nearly) retired engineer sharing a hobby, which is why I put them on PCBWay. Anyone can order boards for dirt cheap. The only reason I do alternates for boards already available is to make them as small as possible for embedding in a combo pedal format, hence the title of this thread. And it's not for beginners or faint of heart... These are difficult builds with some SMD components in most cases to get to small size. So, I don't even expect any more than single-digit orders from PCBWay. Sorry this is seen as rude.

And I'll add... If Robert ever wanted to expand into this modular combo format, I would gladly hand him every thing I've created, because I have zero desire to create all the infrastructure he's created to support sales, wikis and forums.

 

[Paradox916]

When I order these, I get 10 boards for myself and usually don't need all 10, so I offer a few extras for $2 each plus shipping. If I don't have extras, I don't sell any and I will never stock up and sell them. I'm a (nearly) retired engineer sharing a hobby, which is why I put them on PCBWay. Anyone can order boards for dirt cheap. The only reason I do alternates for boards already available is to make them as small as possible for embedding in a combo pedal format, hence the title of this thread. And it's not for beginners or faint of heart... These are difficult builds with some SMD components in most cases to get to small size. So, I don't even expect any more than single-digit orders from PCBWay. Sorry this is seen as rude.

I understand now that I looked closer at the projects, and you cleared that up, on the surface at first glance it seems like something it was not.

 

[Paul.Ruby]

Tube screamer module shared at PCBWay.com.

Tube Screamer guitar boost board for embedding in a combo guitar pedal format. - Share Project - PCBWay

This is the classic Tube Screamer circuit implemented on a board as small as possible for embedding in a modular guitar pedal format.Link to interactive BOM.https://paulamps.com/boms/Tube%20Screamer.h...

www.pcbway.com

Interactive BOM

Interactive BOM for KiCAD

 

[jcpst]

I really appreciate all the work you share for free on here. I’ve had the 60w amp-in-a-pedal thread in my search results a number of times. Definitely one of the projects on my list.

I have a 1590DD I bought when I first started building, but never settled on anything. I think the whole modular all-in-one thing is super cool.

 

[Paul.Ruby]

OK... The mother of all the modules. The full AMT M2 board. This will actually fit in a 125B as a stand-alone but it's purpose it to serve as the foundation of a combo pedal. The board can support the M2, E2, C2, B2, and K2 (and now O2 as well). I have to figure out how to have multiple BOMs at PCBWay.

UPDATE: Was missing two components for B2, C2 and K2. Have updated the PCBWay gerber file. I will add the BOMs and schematics there when I get around to making them.

At PCBWay:

B2/C2/E2/K2/M2/O2 Guitar preamp module for combo embedded projects. - Share Project - PCBWay

This has the Fender clean, Marshall Drive (and others options for drive channel) and Cab Sim modules all on one board for an embedded combo pedal project. It's the core of the combo pedal idea. This b...

www.pcbway.com

Interactive BOM for M2

Interactive BOM for KiCAD

Interactive BOM for E2

Interactive BOM for KiCAD

Interactive BOM for C2

Interactive BOM for KiCAD

Interactive BOM for K2

Interactive BOM for KiCAD

Interactive BOM for B2

Interactive BOM for KiCAD

Interactive BOM for O2

Interactive BOM for KiCAD

 

[Paul.Ruby]

One more module for now. This is a pre-boost distortion module that can implement Bobby, Cetus or John from PedalPCB. I used DIP-8 for the op amps on this one to try out alternates. I like 4580 in distortion pedals instead of TL072.

At PCBWay

Bobby / Cetus / John (Sheriff / Kraken / Jack) PCB for embedded Guitar distortion module - Share Project - PCBWay

This is an alternate PCB for the Bobby / Cetus / John (Sheriff / Kraken / Jack) boards at PedalPCB.com for embedding in a combo pedal.This pedal should be powered by 12 to 20VDC. The original uses 9V ...

www.pcbway.com

Interactive BOM

Interactive BOM for KiCAD

When there are three values shown for a component, it's for Bobby/Cetus/John (Sheriff/Kraken/Jack).

I've shared everything except the alternate drive channel boards and 3-relay channel switching using ATtiny84.

I have a real Sheriff in hand and the caps in the pf range are wima caps on the real one. My layout uses ceramic disc. So, to do it "real" it must have wima caps mounted on the bottom (no room on the top). The one I built for comparison uses ceramic disc but it sound really good. With a little tweaking to the EQ, they sound identical. Of course, I must build one with WIMA as well. I'm going to edit my PCB for wima footprint.

EDIT: I've updated the PCBWay project for WIMA caps instead of ceramic.

Another EDIT: I did not use a voltage doubler like the original. Just made it to be powered by anything from 9 to 24V. My combo takes 18V... I should have done this with the Muzzle (ZUUL), too.

 

[Paul.Ruby]

I think I have the final combo pedal I want on my board. Instead of an alternate drive channel, this one has reverb in the upper right corner with Mix and Delay knobs using the FV-1 internal reverb algo. The rest is the same as before... AMT M2 in the middle, Prince of Tone lower right, Spark boost lower left, Muzzle upper left. I know what all the knobs are, so left out labels entirely.

 

[jcpst]

I love the aesthetic of the artwork taking that large surface area. It looks badass!

Also, the [thank] you for sharing the fruits of your work… I have a handful of the discrete vol only tpa3118 preamps you designed- I’m planning some weirdly-themed two channel combo pedal amps I want to build.

 

[Paul.Ruby]

I love the aesthetic of the artwork taking that large surface area. It looks badass!

Also, the you for sharing the fruits of your work… I have a handful of the discrete vol only tpa3118 preamps you designed- I’m planning some weirdly-themed two channel combo pedal amps I want to build.

Cool! My buddy told me I had to name the pedal. So I did...

 

[Paul.Ruby]

Here's the one for my buddy Joe. He was the guy that first said a combo with all the best stuff would be awesome... This one has an AMT E2 in the middle and a sherrif (bobby) as the preboost. Update: I've since swapped in an O2 instead of E2. The O2 drive channel is really articulate and great for Rock. The Sheriff is for Metal into the clean channel.

 

[Paul.Ruby]

I've shared the alternative Muzzle PCB at PCBWay.com.

Keyed Noise Gate for Modular Guitar Pedal Board Using 4305Q16-U Dynamics Processor - Share Project - PCBWay

This is an alternative PCB for the Muzzle project at PedalPCB.com in order to make it as small as possible for embedding into a modular guitar pedal project.Gerber file and BOM updated on 8/26/2024 to...

www.pcbway.com

It's almost identical to the Muzzle here at PedalPCB.com but I added voltage protection since the voltage doubler chip is only safe up to 10V input but the combo pedal can take 18V. I'll share others as I get around to it...

Interactive Bom:

Interactive BOM for KiCAD

There's an excel BOM with mouser links to parts at the PCBWay link.

FYI, I've updated the gerber file and BOM to ICL7660S instead of the ICL7660. I noticed a whine in the signal path on one of the built boards and it's coming from the ICL7660, which has an internal oscillator that can range from 5kHz to 10kHz. If you ordered the original board, please use LT1054 as the voltage doubler. The new PCB uses a jumper to short pin 1 to pin 8 and allows use of the ICL7660S or TC1044S. Both of thse S version chips use pin 1 to boost the oscillator to 35kHz on the 7660S and 45kHz on the 1044S. You could use the old board with the S versions but pin 1 is not connected to anything. You would need a bodge wire from pin 1 to pin 8 on the old board and leave the jumper on that board open.

 

[Bumfluff101]

Hi,

Just building a combo-pedal with the M2 variant at its core and just wanted to sense check wiring (Ive not added ground connections).

I have one footswitch to turn on / off the drive pcb which I would use to drive the clean channel. One footswitch to switch between the clean / drive of the M2 and one to turn the boost on/off (Arachnid will be always on).

So my questions are;

1. Im not sure if Ive understood the connections on the M2 correctly - is this the right way to wire it?
2. Is there a better / different way to wire it? I have a couple of the MAS Effect DPDT relay boards and a 4PDT if helpful

 

[Paul.Ruby]

Hi,

Just building a combo-pedal with the M2 variant at its core and just wanted to sense check wiring (Ive not added ground connections).

I have one footswitch to turn on / off the drive pcb which I would use to drive the clean channel. One footswitch to switch between the clean / drive of the M2 and one to turn the boost on/off (Arachnid will be always on).

So my questions are;

1. Im not sure if Ive understood the connections on the M2 correctly - is this the right way to wire it?
2. Is there a better / different way to wire it? I have a couple of the MAS Effect DPDT relay boards and a 4PDT if helpful

View attachment 90872

This is just a quick reply. Let me know if this solves your issues or need more. I assume you are using one of my boards since I see "To Drive" labeled...

There is only one input on the M2 board and that board has the fender clean and Marshall drive. Both channels are fed the input at the same time with no switching.

The "To Drive" line is to feed extra drive channels if you want to select between Marshall and other drive options. IT's an output from the M2 board because there is a buffer and initial gain stage on the M2 board to send to other drive channel options. You have a "Drive PCB" in you're picture. Is that an alternative drive channel or it is a pre-boost board? What is it exactly? You have it wired correctly if it is a pre-boost, like a tube screamer or prince of tone, etc... If it is a preboost, nothing should be connected to "To Drive."

Both outputs of the M2 are active (clean out and drive out) so don't run those lines close to each other or close to the raw guitar line. You have that part wired correctly. Select one or other to return back to the board's "CabSin In."

Except for the connection to "To Drive" it looks OK to me.

 

[Bumfluff101]

Hi Paul, thanks for the quick response, really helpful and yes it's one of your boards
Re the drive, i was planning to put in a Friedman BE-OD clone so quite heavyweight, do you think that would be too much? I have got your other boards (the G2 and sheriff/bobby etc) which I could put in instead

 

[Paul.Ruby]

Hi Paul, thanks for the quick response, really helpful and yes it's one of your boards
Re the drive, i was planning to put in a Friedman BE-OD clone so quite heavyweight, do you think that would be too much? I have got your other boards (the G2 and sheriff/bobby etc) which I could put in instead

Try things out before committing it to the combo build. You can install the M2 board first, since it's the center piece. Then try various over-drive pedals in front of it to see what you like. Those will pre-boost either the fender clean or the M2 drive channel. Both are over-drive friendly channels.