gtfields13
Well-known member
- Build Rating
My next build is also the first build of my Phido Sound "Big Dog" pedals for the bass guitar. This is the Oorang Airedale, based upon the Darkglass Alpha Omega, using the AionFX Empyrean Deluxe PCB, with the PedalPCB MicroXLR added in.
I built the pedal to match the original design, which meant restoring the through signal and adding an XLR balanced output. For the through signal, I tapped the output of the input buffer stage in the circuit, so it's not a true bypass signal, using an Op Amp to maintain signal.
The MicroXLR was also my first SMD PCB, which I managed to assemble without too much grief, even though it will never be confused for a proper machine or stencil assembled board. I haven't tested this output, but will hook up a scope to confirm it was successful for before I send this pedal out.
This is also the first complete builds using my revised Neutrik NMJ breakouts - I added additional ground pads connected to the shield so that I can star ground all of the components from a single point (I have been using the output shield as my primary ground point).
For component values, I stuck with all the values recommended in the AionFX build documentation.
If I can talk the future user (different college, but also audio engineering student) to send me a demo, I will add a link.
This pedal is heading out the door on spec - it would have been my first real sale, but there are a couple of misses in the Rev 0 build that I will fix before building the paid pedal - I need to shift the switch text and (the big oops) I did not provide enough clearance for the MicroXLR, so the case is held slightly open with a set of washers. There is plenty of room to mount the jack higher, I just need to make sure I still have room for the print there.
I have a few more bass pedal ideas to explore in 2026, but I don't see as much use (or need) for effects in bass world. Indeed, in my research I only really identified a handful of relatively common and popular bass pedals.
Build
This is my largest PCB to date - the first in a case other than 125B. This is also my first PCB built after the disappearance of the small form WIMA film capacitors. The consequence of this is my use of the very large Panasonic ECQ film capacitors instead. Although there was plenty of room inside the case to handle these, they did cause me grief, as bending over one of the capacitors pulled it's solder pad off the board. I had to replace the path with a wire, which was easy enough (I know there are other solutions, but none were readily at hand, and this was an easy fix for me.)I built the pedal to match the original design, which meant restoring the through signal and adding an XLR balanced output. For the through signal, I tapped the output of the input buffer stage in the circuit, so it's not a true bypass signal, using an Op Amp to maintain signal.
The MicroXLR was also my first SMD PCB, which I managed to assemble without too much grief, even though it will never be confused for a proper machine or stencil assembled board. I haven't tested this output, but will hook up a scope to confirm it was successful for before I send this pedal out.
This is also the first complete builds using my revised Neutrik NMJ breakouts - I added additional ground pads connected to the shield so that I can star ground all of the components from a single point (I have been using the output shield as my primary ground point).
For component values, I stuck with all the values recommended in the AionFX build documentation.
Sound
I had a bass guitar around when I finished the PCB, so I was able to evaluate it, and all the controls seem to do what I expect based upon video demos of the Darkglass Alpha Omega. The bass left home (off to college to get an education) so I can't test the finished product. I can tell you it works nicely with synth bass, and it howls and squeals (in a not-good-feedback way) with a guitar plugged in and the mid and treble controls turned past 10 o'clock.If I can talk the future user (different college, but also audio engineering student) to send me a demo, I will add a link.
Design
For the Big Dog bass pedals, I am going in a different direction than my guitar pedals. In this case, you get the inspiration for the Phido Sound logo, my big-girl Airedale, Mabel. Having the extra space to work with made this case a little more fun, and moves to four-color printing. I also took advantage of some newer Teal knobs from LoveMySwitches to tie in with the overall color theme and am happy how the case turned out.This pedal is heading out the door on spec - it would have been my first real sale, but there are a couple of misses in the Rev 0 build that I will fix before building the paid pedal - I need to shift the switch text and (the big oops) I did not provide enough clearance for the MicroXLR, so the case is held slightly open with a set of washers. There is plenty of room to mount the jack higher, I just need to make sure I still have room for the print there.
Concept
The name plays on the specific lineage of Airedale that I have - Oorangs were bred for size in the 1930's and are substantially larger (and taller) than a standard Airedale. In the case of our girl, who is a trim, healthy weight, this means a long body and long legs - kind of like a bass guitar.I have a few more bass pedal ideas to explore in 2026, but I don't see as much use (or need) for effects in bass world. Indeed, in my research I only really identified a handful of relatively common and popular bass pedals.
