Multiband drives?

[dopaminehunter]

I'm a huge fan of running 2 signals in parallel into the front of an amp.
Ex) DI > Rat > 300hz lowpass
DI > Tubescreamer > 300hz highpass

Of course, crafting this in a daw then reamping is easy. The problem is that I am somewhat restricted to digital.

If I were to do this fully OTB now, it would require a splitter, 2 completely different distortions, a mixer with a phase flip + filters, then out to the amp. Surely this can be scaled into 1 pedal?

A circuit with 1 knob to control the crossover frequency between the two signals and another to control the A/B balance. Throwing that into a bigass enclosure with the two other circuits of my choosing. I guess I need a splitter at the start or some shit? And somehow I'll need to add a phase invert to one of the circuits. Am I on the right path here?

The few multiband distortions I've found severely lack control, which is why I'm set on throwing together my own. I can solder fine, just don't know anything about the electrical theory stuff.

Any pointers/recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.

 

[Feral Feline]

Seems like you already know your path to take.

You can grab a couple of the JFET Buffers here.

Read up on spluffers and mixers, Craig Anderton is a good start and there's already vero layouts for his stuff Parallelyzer and Super-Parallelyzer etc; read up on both passive and active HPF LPF circuits. You can also gather ideas from projects here, FuzzDog, JMK, Schalltechnik, General Guitar Gadgets, TonePad... etc.

I would build the splitter/mixer/EQ as a separate loop-switcher box that could have any two pedals (or chains of effects) plugged into it, as my tastes change rapidly and I wouldn't want to be locked into just two distortions. I'd also include a dry-blend (for bass but useful on guitar too), so in fact three signals to juggle...

 

[BryGuy]

There is a VFE multi band drive called Triumvirate. Might be another source of inspiration. Check out the build doc & schematic over at Madbean.

 

[dopaminehunter]

Seems like you already know your path to take.

You can grab a couple of the JFET Buffers here.

Read up on spluffers and mixers, Craig Anderton is a good start and there's already vero layouts for his stuff Parallelyzer and Super-Parallelyzer etc; read up on both passive and active HPF LPF circuits. You can also gather ideas from projects here, FuzzDog, JMK, Schalltechnik, General Guitar Gadgets, TonePad... etc.

I would build the splitter/mixer/EQ as a separate loop-switcher box that could have any two pedals (or chains of effects) plugged into it, as my tastes change rapidly and I wouldn't want to be locked into just two distortions. I'd also include a dry-blend (for bass but useful on guitar too), so in fact three signals to juggle...

On the parallelyzer/filters, would it be possible to throw together something that would use 1 pot for the crossover point for the 2 signals? Basically acting as a highpass for 1, and a low pass for the other, simultaneously? Seems better for workflow since it would probably be easier to find the sweetspot. If I could somehow fit something like that into the parallelyzer I'd be golden.

 

[Feral Feline]

Would a dual-gang suit your needs for the two signals' crossover point? If space is a concern, you could go down to a 9mm dual-gang.

 

[dopaminehunter]

Would a dual-gang suit your needs for the two signals' crossover point? If space is a concern, you could go down to a 9mm dual-gang.

A dual gang was the perfect suggestion. Not only that, but I've found this PCB

Pro-cessor V4.2 PCB – TH custom effects

diy.thcustom.com

Just double checking if I'm correct, the filters in this design are applied to the returns? If that's the case, the only thing I'd be needing is to attach a switch for phase flip at the end of one of loops?

 

[BryGuy]

No the filtering happens just before the send A & send B based on the schematic in the build doc. Probably what you want though really so the pedal you use for each loop are only reacting to those frequencies.

 

[dopaminehunter]

Or would it be more practical to add

No the filtering happens just before the send A & send B based on the schematic in the build doc. Probably what you want though really so the pedal you use for each loop are only reacting to those frequencies.

I've tried placing the filters before/after, and I heavily prefer having the filters post-distortion. For this application, at least. Guess I'll have to keep looking.

 

[Feral Feline]

I didn't like the Pro-Cessor V4's jack arrangement. Not only are all the jacks on the same level (I prefer staggered), but the main reason for my distaste was the jack order:
IN OUT S1 R1 S2 R2

https://diy.thcustom.com/shop/pro-cessor-pcb/

I got the above Pro-Cessor V3 which is much more flexible in terms of choosing enclosures (albeit much more off-board wiring), and of course my preferred order (looking at the guts of the pedal):

IN S1 S2 R1 R2 OUT



You should also check out Moosapotamus' Brass Mixer, build on Vero or get the PCB from FuzzDog — or just get some more ideas for your own home-brew build, such as having a simple Muff tone stack on the return(s).

 

[Nostradoomus]

This PCB is a rat and TS in parallel, it’s good!

Damnation Audio DIY Parallel Drive

Now available through Mask Audio ElectronicsThe Damnation Audio DIY Parallel Dive puts two classic drives side by side for unique tone shaping. Different schematics for guitar and bass versions allow you to tailor it to your needs. Build Documents:Drill Template:Mod Notes:Note: this comes with...

maskaudioelectronics.com