Pedalpcb closed circuit booster

[Guardians of the analog]

Build Rating

5.00 star(s)

I decided to start building some dirt pedals to try with my amp. For the past year I e been using an SD-1 or ts808 pretty much exclusively. So the next handful of builds are ones I've either never tried or used in the past with a different rig. First up is the closed circuit booster, based on the solo dallas storm.

This is the boost and limiter of the classic wireless system used by Angus young among others. It's a nice boost, albeit non a lot of gain in terms of saturation. As a clean boost it really slams the front end of my amp and takes my drive signal and kicks it up a couple notches. Great note separation and clarity. If you like your amp but just want more of it, this is a great option. The limiter is great for keeping things more tame if you want to reel in those big transients.

My Oscar the Grouch trash can series with no film graphics. Inspired by the original with no effort was very refreshing as I just really wanted to label the knobs. Loving the minimalist look. Relay bypass also because it's the best. This likely won't stay on my board but it's a good contender to keep around for certain things.

 

[falco_femoralis]

I have one of these too and it's great for getting that AC/DC sound from Back in Black, or the Live album. How do you set the level and boost controls? One is a pot at the beginning of the circuit and the other is a pot after. I'm unsure how to use them.. like what's the point of the pot at the beginning?

 

[Guardians of the analog]

I have one of these too and it's great for getting that AC/DC sound from Back in Black, or the Live album. How do you set the level and boost controls? One is a pot at the beginning of the circuit and the other is a pot after. I'm unsure how to use them.. like what's the point of the pot at the beginning?

I have the gain at like 1-3 o'clock and the volume pushed high. The limiter I run either off or somewhere below noon. I feel like it's pretty self explanatory. The gain adds grit and compression, albeit not a lot. The volume is just that, how hard to wanna hit the front end overall. Limiter sets the ceiling.

 

[jcpst]

Yep- you can get a little dirt if you crank the boost all the way, bring down the ceiling with the limiter, and then adjust the output. It’ll also be hella squishy.

So, the boost can adjust how hard you hit that limiter. Then control the overall output level.

 

[UtilityBeltFX]

I just borrowed the two knob version from a friend and immediately after plugging it in I was like shit...I need to build one of these. Idk if this is the same as the Closed Circuit but without the limiter, or if it's preset internally, but it sounds really great with my Friedman Little Sister.

 

[Robert]

Idk if this is the same as the Closed Circuit but without the limiter, or if it's preset internally, but it sounds really great with my Friedman Little Sister.

STORM or SCHAFFER REPLICA CLASSIC?
Which one should I get?

If you are wondering, here is the answer!

- THE SCHAFFER REPLICA CLASSIC has been our flagship pedal since it was released back in 2014. The TSR pedal was first conceived as the 'more affordable' version of our original 2014 Schaffer Replica line - which consisted of the limited edition GOLD TAG (100 numbered units signed by Ken Schaffer) and the PEDAL VERSION itself. The circuit of both versions was EXACTLY the same, except construction methods and components used (through hole vs. SMD).

Tone-wise, the TSR Classic is characterized by a very strong midrange and extra headroom thanks to its 12v power supply. It has only two controls - the input knob controls the TX10 transmitter circuit gain and the output knob controls the 63EX receiver gain.

The TSR Classic remains the same as the 2014 version. However, a few flaws of the original design were corrected since then - input and output jacks were reversed and arranged in right to left order to be more pedalboard compatible (like almost all other stompboxes in the market), and the circuit is now protected in case incorrect voltage/polarity power supplies are used.

- The STORM is from the same lineage as the original TSR pedal. In 2015, a new reverse-engineering of the SVDS was done and our discoveries were implemented in the all new 2016 product line - the Schaffer Replica EX Tower and the STORM. Like their predecessors, the Storm is the 'more affordable' version of the EX Tower. However, the Storm was designed to be completely user friendly.

It can be powered by 9v battery (which the TSR pedal could not) and also can be used with any good quality standard 9v power supply. It is housed in a smaller metal enclosure, so it saves a lot of pedalboard real estate.

Tone-wise, the STORM has a slightly flatter EQ response, which is actually more accurate to the original Schaffer-Vega sound. The Power knob controls the TX10 transmitter gain and the Storm knob controls the EX63 receiver gain. The real advantage of the Storm, though, is the SNAP knob, The snap controls the optical limiter, which is a component found in the TX10 transmitter that we (sadly) overlooked previously. This feature alone makes the STORM a lot more versatile - turning the snap control up will make your guitar respond quicker and 'bloom'. Off will make the sound a bit looser and some internal clipping (good clipping) will happen depending on how you set the other controls.

So, which one is the best?

Some users still love the stronger midrange of the TSR Classic (including us). It is still a great product, so we will keep manufacturing it.
The Storm, however, is closer in design and sound to the actual Schaffer-Vega Diversity System and people who want more authenticity might prefer it. The Storm also might have the edge for people who need a standard, user-friendly pedal. Also, the Storm is a little more affordable!

Which one will you choose?