Paragon Problems

[apc42069]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for taking the time to read, and help me out. I'm a novice so bear with me please.

I've just assembled my first Paragon, and before I start abusing it in search of the issue(s) - I wanted to get a gut check from the masters in this forum.

LEDs turn off/on with foot switches. I get no bypass signal. With the foot switch(es) engaged, and the DIP switches are engaged, I get crazy r2d2 sounds when I rotate the Volume/Gain pots. The Treble pots will then alter the sound of said r2d2 noises. When the DIP switches are not engaged, some sound is coming from my amp - but nowhere as loud as crazy as when they are engaged. Rotating the trim pots also seems to alter the sound.

Conventional wisdom leads me to believe the effect is "working" & my issues are with the off board wiring. I clipped it out of the enclosure, and connected power and IN/OUT to the auditorium test platform - I got the same results as hard wired inside the enclosure. Is it an issue with the foot switches? Or a ground bridge under the charge pump socket?

Thanks again for any/all help on this one-

 

[Mcknib]

Very quick glance C10 looks the wrong way round

It is hard to make out though

 

[jimilee]

First things first. If you got no bypass, let's have a look at your input and output jack wiring.

 

[apc42069]

Very quick glance C10 looks the wrong way round

It is hard to make out though

So.. according to the build docs, you’re absolutely right. According to the silk screen on my pcb- my orientation was correct. I haven’t had time to peep the schematic. I desoldered C10 & C20 bc after C10 showed my present (until just now) orientation was spot on- I figured I must be trippin.

 

[apc42069]

First things first. If you got no bypass, let's have a look at your input and output jack wiring.

Thanks man.. I’ve already disconnected the jacks & am testing on the auditorium. I had the two “innermost” pads I.e. closest to center connected to ground lugs of jacks.

Happy to reconnect and snap a pic if you’ll find it helpful!

 

[jimilee]

Thanks man.. I’ve already disconnected the jacks & am testing on the auditorium. I had the two “innermost” pads I.e. closest to center connected to ground lugs of jacks.

Happy to reconnect and snap a pic if you’ll find it helpful!

Nope, that’s not totally necessary. If you have and audio probe, check the input jack to see if you have audio. Follow the trace across the stomp switch and back out. That’s the bypass path, it never goes through the board.

 

[Robert]

So.. according to the build docs, you’re absolutely right. According to the silk screen on my pcb- my orientation was correct.

Follow the orientation printed on your PCB.

 

[apc42069]

Follow the orientation printed on your PCB.

Shit man, was so looking forward to that being the issue

 

[apc42069]

Good news- she works! And sounds pretty prettty pretttty damn good too.

I swapped the charge pump, reflowed some joints on the 9-pin connector, and changed the jacks ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Thanks all for your time + finished gut shot bc why not.

 

[EGRENIER]

 

[jimilee]

Nice. How did you fix the bypass issue?

 

[giovanni]

another bad charge pump! I’m glad you figured it out!

 

[apc42069]

Nice. How did you fix the bypass issue?

Honestly, no clue. Can only assume there was a faulty joint at the 9-pin header?

 

[MichaelW]

I've had a couple of my early builds not work at first, then I'd go back and reflow all the solder joints and it would start working. It hasn't helped me with my troubleshooting skills but it IS a habit that is now part of my workflow. After finishing a series of components (resistors say) I'll inspect and reflow anything that looks even remotely hinkey before moving on to the next set of components. My goal is to make every solder joint look like a Hershey kiss from the solder side and I like to see a little solder flow through from the other side. It has greatly impacted the reliability of my builds to the point I box before rocking everything I build anymore. If I'm feeling particularly cocky I'll even install the knobs before firing it up the first time