My electrovibe build

P

pi.cast

Active member
After seeing so many great builds here on the forum, I had to try to build an electrovibe myself.
Overall it took me a long time to source all the components, solder the pcb, and then come up with an enclosure.

I'm sick and tired of painting raw aluminum enclosures, so I've purchased a laser engraver, to do graphics on factory powder-coated enclosures.
It took me some time to understand all the settings, but eventually the first result didn't come out too bad.

IMG_8306.JPEG

IMG_8308.JPEG

IMG_8310.JPEG

IMG_8314.JPEG

Overall I'm really happy with the pedal. It took some fiddling to properly tune gain and bias, but eventually, by referencing a digital model in my kemper I got it done.
It sounds pretty rad. The only detail I'm not super keen on is that you can hear the circuit oscillating through the amp even with no guitar signal, but the digital model in the kemper does that as well, so I guess it is normal.

I'd like to thank all the forum members that answered my questions, in a lot of different threads, and In particular @Big Monk who opened a great thread on electro vibe modifications.

My circuit is stock for the time being, apart from the unity gain mod as per r.g. keen specs.

Cosmetically, it looks too black, so I’ve ordered different chicken head knobs to try on.
 
Last edited:
Looks great!

I’m actually going to sell mine soon and replace it with the ElectroVibe Mini. I really love this circuit.
 
pi.cast said:
After seeing so many great builds here on the forum, I had to try to build an electrovibe myself.
Overall it took me a long time to source all the components, solder the pcb, and then come up with an enclosure.

I'm sick and tired of painting raw aluminum enclosures, so I've purchased a laser engraver, to do graphics on factory powder-coated enclosures.
It took me some time to understand all the settings, but eventually the first result didn't come out too bad.

View attachment 18570

View attachment 18571

View attachment 18572

View attachment 18573

Overall I'm really happy with the pedal. It took some fiddling to properly tune gain and bias, but eventually, by referencing a digital model in my kemper I got it done.
It sounds pretty rad. The only detail I'm not super keen on is that you can hear the circuit oscillating through the amp even with no guitar signal, but the digital model in the kemper does that as well, so I guess it is normal.

I'd like to thank all the forum members that answered my questions, in a lot of different threads, and In particular @Big Monk who opened a great thread on electro vibe modifications.

My circuit is stock for the time being, apart from the unity gain mod as per r.g. keen specs.

Cosmetically, it looks too black, so I’ve ordered different chicken head knobs to try on.
Click to expand...
Good job! How did you connect the breakout boards to the main PCB?
 
Very cool build. I will gain access to a laser engraver in January. How do you align the enclosure to the engraving area? Trial and error?
 
andare said:
Good job! How did you connect the breakout boards to the main PCB?
Click to expand...
I used some solid core wire. It’s a little bit annoying because you have to solder the leads on the main pcb then position everything in the drilled enclosure to be used as a template and then solder the leads on the breakout board.

The end results is very clean and solid though

giovanni said:
Very cool build. I will gain access to a laser engraver in January. How do you align the enclosure to the engraving area? Trial and error?
Click to expand...

That’s a very good question and one I couldn’t find answers for when I started.

In my opinion it is essential to have your engraver screwed down to a base (I used a melamine board).

Then I’ve found a method that works quite well:

You tape a sheet of thin cardboard to the base.

With the laser you cut the exact external perimeter (that has to be incorporated into your design) of the enclosure in the cardboard.

You remove the cutout and then you position the enclosure in the base. If sizing is correct it will lock in perfectly in your cut.

Finally, you readjust the laser height/focus and then you engrave the rest of the design.

I’ll probably build a jig in the future, but for the time being this method does the trick for me.
 
Last edited:
pi.cast said:
After seeing so many great builds here on the forum, I had to try to build an electrovibe myself.
Overall it took me a long time to source all the components, solder the pcb, and then come up with an enclosure.

I'm sick and tired of painting raw aluminum enclosures, so I've purchased a laser engraver, to do graphics on factory powder-coated enclosures.
It took me some time to understand all the settings, but eventually the first result didn't come out too bad.

View attachment 18570

View attachment 18571

View attachment 18572

View attachment 18573

Overall I'm really happy with the pedal. It took some fiddling to properly tune gain and bias, but eventually, by referencing a digital model in my kemper I got it done.
It sounds pretty rad. The only detail I'm not super keen on is that you can hear the circuit oscillating through the amp even with no guitar signal, but the digital model in the kemper does that as well, so I guess it is normal.

I'd like to thank all the forum members that answered my questions, in a lot of different threads, and In particular @Big Monk who opened a great thread on electro vibe modifications.

My circuit is stock for the time being, apart from the unity gain mod as per r.g. keen specs.

Cosmetically, it looks too black, so I’ve ordered different chicken head knobs to try on.
Click to expand...
Looks amazing inside and out!! I’ve got to ask, what laser engraver did you purchase? Im currently scouring the internet for one and having not a ton of luck finding information on what that would suit my needs. Based on the outcome of your job I’d love to know which model did that!!
 
Kroars said:
Looks amazing inside and out!! I’ve got to ask, what laser engraver did you purchase? Im currently scouring the internet for one and having not a ton of luck finding information on what that would suit my needs. Based on the outcome of your job I’d love to know which model did that!!
Click to expand...

Thanks! I used a Neje Master 2S. I think it's the cheapest yet decent engraver you can buy right now.
I would say though that, as with many things, it's more about getting your technique right than the machinery.

Although my engrave looks okay-ish is very far from perfect. There are a million of details to learn about the settings and the design itself that I'm still trying to master.
 
Yay more laser using folk! I also have a Neje Master 2. If you use Lightburn there is a “Frame” button that will do an outline for you without burning to line up your etch…it’s pretty simple but your method obviously
works!
 
Nostradoomus said:
Yay more laser using folk! I also have a Neje Master 2. If you use Lightburn there is a “Frame” button that will do an outline for you without burning to line up your etch…it’s pretty simple but your method obviously
works!
Click to expand...

I also use lightburn and the framing option. However, in my opinion, it only gets you in the "ballpark".
If you want perfect alignment and centering, you need additional work.
 
This is super clean! I typically do waterslide for the graphics, but this looks nice enough that I might have to go this route.

As a side note - what lamp did you use for this? The build doc isn't up yet, it's the only part I'm still missing to complete this lol
 
Great work! I've come across this because I am researching the electrovibe. Do those chicken head knobs on the Intensity & Speed 1 and Volume & Speed clear each other?

Also is it possible to use header pins to attach the breakout boards to the main board?
 
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