Maleficent Mids low headroom

[Diego]

Hi guys,

I recently got the (Haunting Mids) on the board. I built it to have an always-on tone-shaping tool.
However, I've noticed that the pedal tends to distort even at low guitar volume, especially when you boost the mids. Even with single coils it already distorts from about 60% guitar volume, with humbuckers or other pedals before it is even worse. don't think that can be right, it is supposed to be a booser/EQ after all...

Is such low headroom normal for the pedal or does this sound like a mistake in my build to you (I sure hope so)?

Diego

 

[GizzWizzKing]

Without pics of the board it will be tough to diagnose.

 

[Laundryroom David]

Thread 'Important: Supplying Pictures when an Issue arises with a PCB Build !!!'
https://forum.pedalpcb.com/threads/...s-when-an-issue-arises-with-a-pcb-build.7081/

 

[Diego]

Thanks for the comments, however, I thought that indications whether the pedal behaves normally is enough for now. But I will of course also upload a photo.

 

[Laundryroom David]

Thanks for the comments, however, I thought that indications whether the pedal behaves normally is enough for now. But I will of course also upload a photo.

It’s impossible to tell without pics. Sorry.

 

[GizzWizzKing]

looks pretty clean. have you tried swapping out the ICs?

 

[Diego]

looks pretty clean. have you tried swapping out the ICs?

Do you mean test other ICs? Thats a good idea, I dont have the same models, but I will try others.

 

[fig]

Maybe double check the dual-gang (SWEEP) insulation

 

[jesuscrisp]

I do remember building one on perfboard that also had pretty shitty headroom.

 

[JamieJ]

I have no experience with this effect but if people are saying that the headroom is not great in all builds, maybe try at 18v?

 

[Diego]

Maybe double check the dual-gang (SWEEP) insulation

the insulation is fine
For the IC swap, I dont have alternatives unfortunately

 

[Diego]

If the headroom is that low, it's much less usable for me, more of a niche thing than a always on thing....

I thought about trying it with higher voltage, but I do not want to grill it

 

[jimilee]

If memory serves, lm833s can be pushed to 18v. Swap the aiCs for those. You are right, however, might as well use an EQ pedal.

 

[jesuscrisp]

If your electrolytic caps are rated at least 25V, running it at 18V should work fine.

 

[jimilee]

If your electrolytic caps are rated at least 25V, running it at 18V should work fine.

Pshhh live on the edge!

 

[swelchy]

I've built this pcb out and found the same issue.. could barely get it unity gain with my setup

 

[Diego]

If your electrolytic caps are rated at least 25V, running it at 18V should work fine.

Good to know, thank you!

 

[giovanni]

I just built this and was just testing it out. I can get unity gain with volume at 12 o’clock. As I increase the mids, my amp goes into a soft overdrive, which I think is working as intended. It’s a “Strat fixer” type of pedal, I like it a lot. The switch doesn’t seem to affect the tone too much for me, not sure if it’s very subtle or I goofed.

 

[jesuscrisp]

I just built this and was just testing it out. I can get unity gain with volume at 12 o’clock. As I increase the mids, my amp goes into a soft overdrive, which I think is working as intended. It’s a “Strat fixer” type of pedal, I like it a lot. The switch doesn’t seem to affect the tone too much for me, not sure if it’s very subtle or I goofed.

I don't think it's your amp that goes into overdrive.

EDIT: Also saw a guy on Facebook simulate why the hell C102 is there and apparently all it does is ADD noise.

 

[giovanni]

I don't think it's your amp that goes into overdrive.

EDIT: Also saw a guy on Facebook simulate why the hell C102 is there and apparently all it does is ADD noise.

Actually I found a shot switch so don’t take my experience into account until I replace it.