The Monk Vibe: A Modernized Univibe

[Big Monk]

First, let me give major thanks to @Chuck D. Bones for his support in developing and giving critical input on this design.

Second, let me thank @Robert, who has continued to field my stupid questions, helped me to understand the finer points of PCB Design and allowed me to use a modified stacked PCB form of the Electrovibe Mini as a base for this project.

I get a shit ton of questions about the Electrovibe and that's all my fault for starting the Electrovibe Mods thread. For starters, I'm NOT an expert on Univibes. I certainly know quite a bit about setting them up and tweaking them for specific tones, but there are far more knowledgeable people than me.

The modifications to the Stock Univibe circuit shown here are mostly achievable on the Pedal PCB boards and I'll discuss a truncated set of Electrovibe mods here as well.

Here is the Audio Portion:





Here is the LFO Portion:



I do not have the LFO PCB completed as of yet. I'm using an external Offset control and there is no C/V switch. I'm using Chuck's simple relay bypass but you can simplify and use standard 3PDT switching as well.

Note that there is no standard Bypass LED indicator and the Rate LED is switched as the indicator.

UV Design:



Please see the revised Electrovibe Mods Thread for my updated ideas on the standard circuit: Electrovibe Modifications Thread

Full disclosure: I still plan on bringing this device to market but had MAJOR apprehensions, especially considering Dave and Robert's contributions, about doing so without first releasing the major info to the forum.

Bad for business but good for my conscience.


Okay, let's discuss.......

 

[iamjackslackof]

Respect for releasing this when it could cost you some money to do so! I still have my eye on your Fuzz Face with the buffer mods and other tweaks, whenever it's ready....

 

[ThePanda]

This looks fun to build!
Looking forward to it man!

 

[bean]

This looks really good! I've always wondered if the the decoupling caps just before the individual photocells are necessary but I've never bothered to find out.

 

[Big Monk]

This looks really good! I've always wondered if the the decoupling caps just before the individual photocells are necessary but I've never bothered to find out.

Overall it’s a fuller frequency Vibe with ALOT more range from slow to fast.

 

[szukalski]

The absolute love for sharing this. I will try and make a SMT version of this for my own use, but that's going to be a while.. and I definitely won't open source the layout!

I like the layout as well, nice and efficient. If you want a SMT DipTrace layout of the relay, let me know!

 

[Feral Feline]

When you make the PCBs available to us, may I call my build the "Titanius Giganticus Vibrantium"?

 

[Big Monk]

When you make the PCBs available to us, may I call my build the "Titanius Giganticus Vibrantium"?

Of course!

Although to be clear, I’m not making and selling PCBs for this. I just wanted to release the circuit to the forum.

 

[Laundryroom David]

Of course!

Although to be clear, I’m not making and selling PCBs for this. I just wanted to release the circuit to the forum.

Awesome. That’s very cool of you to do.

 

[Big Monk]

Awesome. That’s very cool of you to do.

Well in all fairness, I got a lot of input from @Chuck D. Bones and @Robert so it would have felt gross to profit mightily off that.

I'm working on something different for sale under the BMEDC brand that is less in the traditional Bulb/LDR arena. I can't compete on price in that style anyway, which was another thing that came out of this.

 

[ThePanda]

Of course!

Although to be clear, I’m not making and selling PCBs for this. I just wanted to release the circuit to the forum.

*sniff sniff*
Smells like a PedalPCB Forum Group Buy...

 

[Big Monk]

*sniff sniff*
Smells like a PedalPCB Forum Group Buy...

You can adapt a lot of it directly to the Electrovibe boards.

 

[ThePanda]

You can adapt a lot of it directly to the Electrovibe boards.

True, however I wouldn't mind supporting a special run if you are cool with it.

The changes seem worthwhile.

 

[Big Monk]

True, however I wouldn't mind supporting a special run if you are cool with it.

The changes seem worthwhile.

I can probably come up with a 1590BB2 Layout or if we don;t care about size, a 1590XX and make it a forum project

 

[ThePanda]

I can probably come up with a 1590BB2 Layout or if we don;t care about size, a 1590XX and make it a forum project

Can we make it work in a 125B?

 

[Big Monk]

Can we make it work in a 125B?

125B is a challenge but yes, my design was for 125B.

I still have not finished the LFO board though.

 

[Feral Feline]

1590BB2 for the DIY-win, IMO, keep the 1590N1 for your commercial endeavours.

 

[Big Monk]

1590BB2 for the DIY-win, IMO, keep the 1590N1 for your commercial endeavours.

What I can do tomorrow at some point is out together a BB2 layout with mechanical switching on a single layer.

Is dual speeds something people want or can I forgo that?

 

[Feral Feline]

Personally I'd like dual speeds, especially if there's room for two stompers (which there probably is).

 

[Big Monk]

Personally I'd like dual speeds, especially if there's room for two stompers (which there probably is).

This might be a perfect candidate for the Side Effect.

I could still use the 125B with the small Oxblood Knobs And use the Side Effect to engage the second speed.

I’m swamped this week but I’ll start working on this in the background.