dawson
Well-known member
So I've been sitting on this build for a couple weeks now, not really knowing how to write it up..
While I was first testing it, I thought I'd made a mistake somewhere in my build because it doesn't respond at all similar to octave pedals I've tried in the past, but after re-reading the build doc's and checking out a handful of videos, I concluded that with the exception of the first scratchy-sounding tantalum that got replaced, I'd built myself a fully functioning MeatBox!
According to random YouTube pedal enthusiast, it's not an octave, it's a sub-harmonizer. Its' job is to grab the lowest of your low harmonic content and push it scary hard. Obviously, I've oversimplified the distinction because I'm still struggling with it, but knowing that it's a different type of effect helps me in my attempts to approach it.
This circuit is a bit touchy with which notes on the neck it decides to track, so in addition to finding good knob settings, it'll take a reasonable amount of practice with the pedal to integrate it fully into a set-up, but once all that work is done, you have a little button on the floor that makes your amp go from normal to HUUUUUGHHHH when you press it.
Quote from the film 'John Dies at the End' which I watched while populating this board, so that was an unexpected treat.
Anyhow, I use the lower octave of an EHX POG on my vocals in a couple songs so I'm on the search for a DIY octave that could replace it. Somewhere on this forum I read respected-ear, @Betty Wont praising this circuit for its' vocal tracking and 'Demon Voice' capabilities and I ordered this PCB the same day!
So, does itdoom demon?
Hell yes it does! It's absolutely terrifying as a vocal effect- and just as with bass and guitar, it makes for some very interesting pedal stacks. I'm still on the search for a vocal octave because I'm having trouble getting a good blend of normal/sub with this one- the sub just dominates and I'm not really looking to go full demon for these particular songs, but regardless it sounds really really cool! This circuit has yet to find a permanent job to do over here, but it's got capabilities that none of my other effects even come close to, so it's a welcome addition to my collection!
If anybody's got info to share about how they like to use this circuit, I'd be really interested to learn!
The faceplate was designed in Photoshop and etched with ferric chloride- I did a bit more of a write-up on developing this graphic over here:
Drawing Board
If you're wondering WTF is wrong with this guy who thinks it's okay to build upside-down pedals with no pants on, this thread may answer a question or two:
SCHMORG
Thanks for reading!
While I was first testing it, I thought I'd made a mistake somewhere in my build because it doesn't respond at all similar to octave pedals I've tried in the past, but after re-reading the build doc's and checking out a handful of videos, I concluded that with the exception of the first scratchy-sounding tantalum that got replaced, I'd built myself a fully functioning MeatBox!
According to random YouTube pedal enthusiast, it's not an octave, it's a sub-harmonizer. Its' job is to grab the lowest of your low harmonic content and push it scary hard. Obviously, I've oversimplified the distinction because I'm still struggling with it, but knowing that it's a different type of effect helps me in my attempts to approach it.
This circuit is a bit touchy with which notes on the neck it decides to track, so in addition to finding good knob settings, it'll take a reasonable amount of practice with the pedal to integrate it fully into a set-up, but once all that work is done, you have a little button on the floor that makes your amp go from normal to HUUUUUGHHHH when you press it.
Quote from the film 'John Dies at the End' which I watched while populating this board, so that was an unexpected treat.Anyhow, I use the lower octave of an EHX POG on my vocals in a couple songs so I'm on the search for a DIY octave that could replace it. Somewhere on this forum I read respected-ear, @Betty Wont praising this circuit for its' vocal tracking and 'Demon Voice' capabilities and I ordered this PCB the same day!
So, does it
Hell yes it does! It's absolutely terrifying as a vocal effect- and just as with bass and guitar, it makes for some very interesting pedal stacks. I'm still on the search for a vocal octave because I'm having trouble getting a good blend of normal/sub with this one- the sub just dominates and I'm not really looking to go full demon for these particular songs, but regardless it sounds really really cool! This circuit has yet to find a permanent job to do over here, but it's got capabilities that none of my other effects even come close to, so it's a welcome addition to my collection!
If anybody's got info to share about how they like to use this circuit, I'd be really interested to learn!
The faceplate was designed in Photoshop and etched with ferric chloride- I did a bit more of a write-up on developing this graphic over here:
Drawing Board
If you're wondering WTF is wrong with this guy who thinks it's okay to build upside-down pedals with no pants on, this thread may answer a question or two:
SCHMORG
Thanks for reading!
