More recent Builds (1590A SMD Content & Others)

dan.schumaker

Well-known member
Here is my monthly dump of what I've been up to, what I've been finishing up...

The Exterminator Jr. is a take on the EHX Clone Theory, just shoved into a 1590A. This is using JLCPCB's SMD service again. It is running a charge pump and MN3007 on the inside. Sounds just like the bigger version.
2242-Exterminator-Jr.jpg

The Hologram is my second take on a 1590A BBD delay. The first version did not have a charge pump and I had to hand solder the SMD parts (a real PITA). Using JLCPCB again, I was able to have them do all the SMD work, and I was able to fit a charge pump to run the MN3005 at +15V. All of the SMD is on the bottom of the board on this one. I added a tone control that rolls high's off on the repeats and this is setup for tails switching. I'm really hoping one of these days I'll be able to figure out how to squeeze another MN3005 in there for 600ms of repeats...
2245-Hologram.jpg


The Stallion is also a second take at a circuit using SMD. The first version was also SMD, but hand soldered (and again, a PITA). This is based off of the J. Rockett Dude overdrive, and sounds awesome! Its nice and thick, adding that singing sustain and girth to your sound.
2246-Stallion.jpg


The Shaman is going to be a favorite of mine. The Pangea Vibe (Roger Mayer Voodoo Vibe clone) is one of my favorite pedals, in my "never sell" pile. I wanted to see if I could fit it in a 1590BB, and reduce the footprint a little. It is a great sounding multi-modulation pedal. I added a rotary switch for different voicings, changing the cap values. Like the Roger Mayer version, it has the Expression pedal jack to change the speed, as well as the dual output for a stereo mix.
2250-Shaman.jpg


The Death Ray Deluxe is a take on the Paul C Tim pedal. I read somewhere that Paul always envisioned running an EQ pedal after it, so I added a 5-band EQ based on the Mesa EQ. There is a switch to be able to turn the EQ on or off. Like on the Tim pedal, there is a boost and EQ loop. There is an internal switch to determine if the FX Loop comes on when the boost is engaged, or if it is just tacked on after the Drive and EQ section.
2239-Death-Ray-Deluxe.jpg


The Altered Space is a dual-voiced chorus pedal. Think something like the Dimension C, or the PT2399 Dimension P. In the little bit I've played with this, it is a super lush sounding chorus pedal. Having both voices on, it gives a sound that is chorus-y, but not over the top, and really adds space, dimension and something interesting to your sound.
2251-Altered-Space.jpg


I was designing a Blackface/Tube Screamer type pedal when I saw that Crazy Tube Circuits had released their version, the Crossfire. I guess we had the same thought at the same time. The Tightrope is in that same vein, with a Tube Screamer running into a Blackface circuit (The same one I have on my Onyx overdrive). There is a lot packed in here, but everything plays nicely together.
2253-Tightrope.jpg
 
Whoa Dan! Some next level stuff! I think I see a spot on the Hologram to squeeze in one more 3005 :D

Are you going to demo the Altered Space? I'd like to hear that. I usually stick to BBDs for chorus but this one sounds super interesting.
 
This is amazing stuff Dan. So many great takes on original designs.

How do you find JLCPCB to deal with in regard to the SMD work?
 
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Whoa Dan! Some next level stuff! I think I see a spot on the Hologram to squeeze in one more 3005 :D

Are you going to demo the Altered Space? I'd like to hear that. I usually stick to BBDs for chorus but this one sounds super interesting.
The plan is to demo it the Altered Space week after next, hopefully I'll come up with something cool for it.

This is amazing stuff Dan. So many great takes on original designs.

How do you find JLCPCB to deal with in regard to the SMD work?
Its not so bad dealing with them once you figure out how to export everything the correct way :)
 
That's the spot I was thinking, too :ROFLMAO: I bet there's SMD on the underside, though.

A ton of SMD on the bottom! The Compander is what takes up the majority of the space on this. Cool Audio makes a SMD version of the V571. I think I might be able to get there using that, that might open up enough space for the extra BBD and bias trimpot.

2022-04-05_11-47-28.jpg
 
Hi Dan, I'm a fellow pedal builder. I do a lot of PCB work at my day job. I've seen many of your pedals opened up on the website. Thanks for posting those and nice job!

Question for you if you are willing. Which family of metal film resistors do you use and footprint size do you use? Your boards are quite dense and I find I'm always running out of room. I use the Yageo MFR-25 1/4W family, but in my CAD tool I have to use 10.16mm pitch resistor footprints (Kicad R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_Horizontal). They take up so much room haha! I am open to using SMT more in the future, but getting my skills up on assembly of those parts still. I typically use SMT ICs and through hole resistors, caps, etc.

Also if you are willing. On your Exterminator Jr pedal, I can see the solder points for pots and the connectors. In order to fit more, do you just bite the bullet and wire over to those pots, TS connectors, and DC connector? Do you find that's just easier to add those wires than to go with through hole parts which take up board real estate? Easier for alignment when drilling holes and getting boards to fit? Seems like you typically always use relays to make that wiring little easier/quicker?
 
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