Distortus maximus without eq part?

[Crowbar]

Hello all, I would like to build a clone of the Krank Distortus Maximus pedal, but to keep things simple and cheap I want to build it without the bass-mid-treble eq part. I already have two eq pedals on my board so I think I can live without even more eq controls, I only want the distortion from this pedal.

First question, does this make sense or am I missing something by using external eq pedals combined with this circuit? Second question, is it as simple as connecting the output volume pot directly to pin 5 on the LM386 or do I need more components?

I have attached the schematic. Sorry if these are stupid questions, I'm very new to the art of pedal building

 

[hamerfan]

As i understand it this pedal tries to sound like an amp. Without the amp tone controls it will sound different, even if the control are on a neutral setting. And a whole lot louder.

 

[Crowbar]

As i understand it this pedal tries to sound like an amp. Without the amp tone controls it will sound different, even if the control are on a neutral setting. And a whole lot louder.

Thanks for the reply, is it possible to replace the tone controls with a simpler circuit, that replicates the sounds with all bass/mid/treble set in mid position?

I guess I could build according to the schematic but replace pots with fixed resistors, but maybe there is a simpler circuit that gives the same result?

 

[hamerfan]

Possible. I built a fuzz with a fixed resistor as fuzz control. If you have a factory pedal, you can find your setting and put resistors in. Or use trim pots which allow to change settings with a screw driver.

 

[Feral Feline]

At the BARE MINIMUM, you need an output cap between PIN5 and the VOL pot.

Have a look at any 386-based schematic, such as found in the El Sol Distortion build doc PDF.

I'd venture so far as to say having a small amount of resistance prior to the VOL pot is a good idea, too — such as found in a circuit like the Closed Circuit Booster Limiter, check the schematic in its build doc PDF (C10 & R12 in the CCBL as below):





Between PIN5 and the OUTPUT CAP, you could stick in Robert's Muff tone-stack, something to control the mids or a baxandall or ... whatever.

I'd recommend putting Mark Hammer's SWTC (Stupidly Wonderful Tone Control) between the output cap (after the R12 in the above schematic) and the VOL pot to tame the high-end hissizzle that may be generated by the DistMax. AMZ has a good version of Hammer's SWTC.


Oh, and the only stupid question is the one not asked.

 

[Nostradoomus]

I have made boards for it. One knob with trimmers for the rest, based on Chuck's modified DM circuit called Biggus Dickus

I'm in Canada though and I'll have to take a look around and make sure I have some, or order more

 

[Feral Feline]

Only in Canada you say?

Pity...

 

[Blackboarcult]

Replace the tonestack with the circuit on the right and you'll get roughly the same freq response, with a little extra volume on tap. Scaled down for less noise, 100k volume pot instead of 1Meg. Doesn't match 100% but reality doesn't either, due to pot tolerance

 

[Nostradoomus]

Only in Canada you say?

Pity...

i mean elsewhere you gotta pay