Parentheses - swapping order of boost and distortion circuits

[timc]

I didn't follow the traces, but it seems like the Mini has the jumpered switch option in the Parenthesis build doc.

Leave it to me to mod something I've never built one of, ever . . . . .

o.0

Something did just occur to me. If you wire it up this way, what you're getting will actually be this:
Boost > Octave > Distortion
Since the Distortion and Octave are basically one circuit, activated by the same switch. From my tests running a boost before the whole pedal the Octave circuit gets pretty gnarly sounding if it has a really high-amplitude signal put into it. (Maybe not in a good way? Depends on your taste.) So another option would be something like this, if what you really want is Octave > Boost > Distortion:


Basically you'd find the Octave pot, and bend the middle (output) lug up, then solder a lead from that going to the switch used to control the boost. The other two legs of the pot would be soldered into the through holes as usual. Then when you install C5 (the capacitor right after the Octave Pot), just put the leg that's connected to R6 and R20 into the correct through hole. (You can use a DMM to see which of the through holes is connected to those.) The other leg, bend it upwards, and connect that to the output of the boost with an extra wire. Sorry this image is a bit blurry, wasn't sure how to include something from a PDF.

This is closer to what I did in my mod. I have no idea if it would work or not--I'm guessing you'll have the same type of self-oscillation that I did.

 

[knucklehead]

Something did just occur to me. If you wire it up this way, what you're getting will actually be this:
Boost > Octave > Distortion
Since the Distortion and Octave are basically one circuit, activated by the same switch. From my tests running a boost before the whole pedal the Octave circuit gets pretty gnarly sounding if it has a really high-amplitude signal put into it. (Maybe not in a good way? Depends on your taste.) So another option would be something like this, if what you really want is Octave > Boost > Distortion:
View attachment 9661

Basically you'd find the Octave pot, and bend the middle (output) lug up, then solder a lead from that going to the switch used to control the boost. The other two legs of the pot would be soldered into the through holes as usual. Then when you install C5 (the capacitor right after the Octave Pot), just put the leg that's connected to R6 and R20 into the correct through hole. (You can use a DMM to see which of the through holes is connected to those.) The other leg, bend it upwards, and connect that to the output of the boost with an extra wire. Sorry this image is a bit blurry, wasn't sure how to include something from a PDF.

This is closer to what I did in my mod. I have no idea if it would work or not--I'm guessing you'll have the same type of self-oscillation that I did.

Thanks for the leg work - if I get the same wonky behavior out of the Octave I'll give this a go. I am using an octagonal Hammond enclosure and modified pot placement so access to the center lug is possible once it's assembled - accessing C5, however . . . . .

o.0

 

[twebb6778]

Good luck!

Let us know how you go, I feel like boost into distortion would make it way more interesting.

 

[timc]

So I tried to make a video of myself talking through the different sounds, and can't figure out how to sync audio and video without weird stuff happening. If you're interested, here's audio only of my explanation of the different sounds with samples of a bit of the glitchiness and the self-oscillation, in addition to some other delightfully doomy sounds from this pedal. I actually couldn't get it to make the glitchiest weirdest sounds so apparently those are intermittent. Sorry for the lack of video, but who really wants to see my dumb face?
Signal chain: Gibson SG > Modded Parentheses > Marshall DSL15 Combo > Torpedo Captor > Wall of Sound Cab Sim

Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nTefRJHlq-3qKrOBxFDuc1WGnHqqToDu/view?usp=sharing

 

[timc]

Here's a clip of the glitchier sounds you get if you run Octave > Boost > Distortion. Notice the weird gating effect.

2021-02-08 Parentheses Mod Glitchy Sounds.wav

drive.google.com

 

[knucklehead]

hhmmm . . . okay, glitchy is none too pleasant. I'll report back if the Mini does something similar.

I REALLY like the Boost > Distortion fwiw . . . A LOT

 

[knucklehead]

upon further FURTHER review . . . .

If I went from the input jack to the distortion circuit as in the recommended wiring, come out of the center lug on the Octave pot to the Boost foot switch in, then from the Boost foot switch out to the center lug return on the PCB I ought to accomplish Octave > Boost > Distortion - yes?

I'd then just need to go from the distortion foot switch out to the output jack to get my signal out. Methinks the only thing I'd forsake is Boost-only functionality.

It makes sense to me why the Octave circuit would be misbehaving - if Boost feeds Distortion the octave circuit is getting at least twice the signal it's designed for. Assuming I am reading the schematic correctly.

o.0

 

[Wizardofwoz66]

Yup, I know that feeling. I’m a PhD student and should probably be spending all this time prepping for my preliminary exam. But the pedals are always calling to me...

Are your basses/speakers also doom/drone related? I’m also fascinated by luthiery. My favorite YouTube channel is Crimson Custom Guitars. Someday when I have a bit more space for a workshop I’ll try my hand at building guitars/basses too. But for now, pedals will have to suffice.

What're you doing your PhD in? I finished mine (chemistry) two years ago, did a post doc until covid brought everything to a grinding halt and I discovered pedal building lol, I'm very glad I didn't start until I was done grad school or I never would've gotten anything done

 

[timc]

upon further FURTHER review . . . .

If I went from the input jack to the distortion circuit as in the recommended wiring, come out of the center lug on the Octave pot to the Boost foot switch in, then from the Boost foot switch out to the center lug return on the PCB I ought to accomplish Octave > Boost > Distortion - yes?

I'd then just need to go from the distortion foot switch out to the output jack to get my signal out. Methinks the only thing I'd forsake is Boost-only functionality.

It makes sense to me why the Octave circuit would be misbehaving - if Boost feeds Distortion the octave circuit is getting at least twice the signal it's designed for. Assuming I am reading the schematic correctly.

o.0

Hmm, I'm not quite following you--what do you mean by "the center lug return on the PCB"? Regarding your second point--that the Boost is misbehaving because it's receiving twice the signal it's designed for--I'm not sure that's the problem. Even when I turn the boost down below unity gain (so a rather quiet signal), it still gets glitchy, I think.

What're you doing your PhD in? I finished mine (chemistry) two years ago, did a post doc until covid brought everything to a grinding halt and I discovered pedal building lol, I'm very glad I didn't start until I was done grad school or I never would've gotten anything done

My program is in Second Language Acquisition, which is the linguistics focusing on how people learn a new language. Haha, I probably should not have started pedal building at this point in my life. I also have an 11-month-old, which is not conducive to my productivity. Sorry to hear covid interrupted your work--are you on furlough or something? Pedal building's actually been really great as a way to unwind and destress from grad school/parenting. There's something kind of zen about populating and soldering up a PCB that's calming but also cognitively demanding enough that you can't really worry about anything else while you're doing it.

 

[Wizardofwoz66]

Hmm, I'm not quite following you--what do you mean by "the center lug return on the PCB"? Regarding your second point--that the Boost is misbehaving because it's receiving twice the signal it's designed for--I'm not sure that's the problem. Even when I turn the boost down below unity gain (so a rather quiet signal), it still gets glitchy, I think.


My program is in Second Language Acquisition, which is the linguistics focusing on how people learn a new language. Haha, I probably should not have started pedal building at this point in my life. I also have an 11-month-old, which is not conducive to my productivity. Sorry to hear covid interrupted your work--are you on furlough or something? Pedal building's actually been really great as a way to unwind and destress from grad school/parenting. There's something kind of zen about populating and soldering up a PCB that's calming but also cognitively demanding enough that you can't really worry about anything else while you're doing it.

No, I was very fortunate that I was able to stay in my post doc until I found a job in industry, I'm very thankful for that.

Doing grad school with a baby seems VERY challenging, good on you for doing it! I'm glad you're finding solace in pedal building, it's definitely a nice, usually not stressful, hobby lol