SOLVED Effects Layouts Tracksuit DRV- no audio

[megatrav]

Hey folks,

I've been having a streak of bad luck with builds lately. This is number 3 in a row that isn't working.
This is the Tracksuit by Effects Layouts. It's their take on the DRV.
It includes the relay bypass and buffer.
I am getting no audio when engaged or bypassed.
The relay is working as the light is turning off and on.
I checked the layout/docs and I can't really see anything that is in the wrong spot. I also do not see any bridges.
Here are some pics


Here is a link to the document Tracksuit

 

[megatrav]

I suppose I should check the voltage going to the IC? My gut is also telling me to check with an audio probe

 

[lrgaraujo]

Checking voltages and trying to trace the audio with the probe are steps that I would take, as well.
Bear in mind that the LED turning on and off does not mean, necessarily, that the relay is working, as it depends on the 555 chip.

 

[zgrav]

the audio probe is the best way to know if any signal is going through your relay. can you hear the relay click when you are pressing the switch?

 

[megatrav]

the audio probe is the best way to know if any signal is going through your relay. can you hear the relay click when you are pressing the switch?

I am not sure but I will check that.

 

[zgrav]

I am not sure but I will check that.

to be clear, I am not talking about a click you would hear in the audio path. usually you can hear a small click from the relay when it is switching.

 

[zgrav]

you can also use your meter to see if the relay is working. the relay is supposed to switch the output from R6 to ground, or the output from lug 2 of the volume pot to ground. whichever one of those is NOT going to ground should have connectivity with the tip of the out jack.

 

[bowanderror]

Yeah that relay looks a bit melted, which may or may not be a problem. u/zgrav has posted some great suggestions on how to test it.

The brown marks on the solder side also may indicate that nearby traces are burnt out, so I would also check the connectivity between the circled pads and wherever their traces lead:

 

[megatrav]

to be clear, I am not talking about a click you would hear in the audio path. usually you can hear a small click from the relay when it is switching.

I haven't had time to do an audio trace. I do not hear any sound except for the sound the footswitch makes when pressing it.

I do have a follow up question- how would I use a multimeter to check the relay?

 

[megatrav]

Yeah that relay looks a bit melted, which may or may not be a problem. u/zgrav has posted some great suggestions on how to test it.

The brown marks on the solder side also may indicate that nearby traces are burnt out, so I would also check the connectivity between the circled pads and wherever their traces lead:
View attachment 17280

Yes I got the relay a little with my iron. I assume that if it were damaged it wouldn't turn the LED on or off?
I have those burned spots plotted out and I should be able to test them some time this week.
The bottom one is like that because I put in an electrolytic capacitor the wrong way and had to flip it.
I guess my iron was a little too hot with the solder wick.
I will report back anything I find

 

[megatrav]

Okay, so I haven't had much time and I didn't do anything with the a multimeter, but I did try using an audio probe.
The weirdest part is that the entire time I could hear the music faintly without touching anything. So, that must mean something isn't right? I traced the signal path some and everything did seem to have audio until I got to the capacitor that I swapped (C14) and it just made a squealing sound on both pads.
I know that must be an issue, but since no sound was coming through before, then I know that isn't the issue.
Also, I was hearing audio whether the pedal was engaged or not.
I ordered another relay just in case that was it and I am going to try checking continuity tomorrow.

Any additional pointers or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[megatrav]

No sound when touching the audio probe to the relay either. I will report back when I can

 

[megatrav]

I have confirmed the click from the relay. It does appear to be switching things off an on. I think I may try going over my solder joints again.

 

[megatrav]

I also have continuity between those darker spots on the board

 

[megatrav]

Also want to confirm my jacks are wired correctly since I didn't post that initially

 

[spi]

Could there be a short here? looks like a stray wire bridging over between the two pads.

until I got to the capacitor that I swapped (C14) and it just made a squealing sound on both pads.

This sounds suspicious too.

 

[megatrav]

Could there be a short here? looks like a stray wire bridging over between the two pads.

View attachment 17484


This sounds suspicious too.

Woah! I didn't notice that before. I will tend to that later for sure.
I really need a better magnifying glass!

 

[megatrav]

Boom it was that wire. It's working!