Transformer builds?

Dan0h

Dan0h

Well-known member
Is there a way to view all pedalPCBs that use transformers? I’m really into wanting to build more pedals with them. My Duocast is so epic.
 
  • Like
Reactions: fig
I'm curious what it is about the transformer that has you excited? There are many pedal applications for transformers. Pickup simulators, inductors, wave rectifier for octave up, ring mod...
 
Torgoslayer said:
I'm curious what it is about the transformer that has you excited? There are many pedal applications for transformers. Pickup simulators, inductors, wave rectifier for octave up, ring mod...
Click to expand...
I think it’s part of the magic of audio for the signal to travel across the transformer. In my mind and what I (think) I hear is similar to that amazing tube saturation sound (warmth). Not the same but along the same lines. I feel like it’s a noticeable difference that gives life to the sound. My Duocast just does something to the sound that is indescribable, and I think it’s due to the transformer and Ge trans combo. Just wanting to build some more pedals with transformers to see if my thoughts are right.
 
Dan0h said:
I think it’s part of the magic of audio for the signal to travel across the transformer. In my mind and what I (think) I hear is similar to that amazing tube saturation sound (warmth). Not the same but along the same lines. I feel like it’s a noticeable difference that gives life to the sound. My Duocast just does something to the sound that is indescribable, and I think it’s due to the transformer and Ge trans combo. Just wanting to build some more pedals with transformers to see if my thoughts are right.
Click to expand...
Right on. I love my Duocast too. It has some kind of magic going on. My other favorite builds with transformers are the Spaceman Geminis and Sputniks, and the Brassmaster,
 
I really wanted to love my Duocast, but I didn't connect that much with it, to be honest. I don't think it's something wrong with my build, but I've been meaning to build a second one just to scratch that itch.
 
caiofilipini said:
I really wanted to love my Duocast, but I didn't connect that much with it, to be honest. I don't think it's something wrong with my build, but I've been meaning to build a second one just to scratch that itch.
Click to expand...
It's really a love hate thing going on for me. My build sounds AMAZING as a clean boost, literally breathes life into my signal that I have never felt before. But my drive/fuzz side of it sounds great until the CRACKLE shit starts creeping in, I have searched and searched for the issues and can not seem to find it. Its very random, a true gremlin. I might just have to build a second Duocast. A member suggested it might be in the FS itself but I havn't swapped in a new one.
 
Yeah, hope you figure that one out!

I'm moving houses today and it might take a while before I'm able to build anything again. 😭
 
Dan0h said:
It's really a love hate thing going on for me. My build sounds AMAZING as a clean boost, literally breathes life into my signal that I have never felt before. But my drive/fuzz side of it sounds great until the CRACKLE shit starts creeping in, I have searched and searched for the issues and can not seem to find it. Its very random, a true gremlin. I might just have to build a second Duocast. A member suggested it might be in the FS itself but I havn't swapped in a new one.
Click to expand...
Check the foot switch, I had a few of those gremlins and a new FS or soft bypass rig fixed it right up.
 
caiofilipini said:
I really wanted to love my Duocast, but I didn't connect that much with it, to be honest. I don't think it's something wrong with my build, but I've been meaning to build a second one just to scratch that itch.
Click to expand...

Welllllllll.... turns out there might be something wrong with my build. I got ahold of a real Broadcast Dual last week, so I did some close inspection on it, measured voltage references, transistor biases, etc, and I'm fairly sure my BC549C is backwards! I got some fancy BC549C from Pedal Hacker a while back their pinout is reverse compared to regular BC549Cs (which is reverse compared to other silicon transistors).

Everything else seems correct with my build. I actually *really* like the original pedal, so hopefully I'll be able to get much closer after fixing this. I'll post and update here later!
 
  • Like
Reactions: fig
caiofilipini said:
Welllllllll.... turns out there might be something wrong with my build. I got ahold of a real Broadcast Dual last week, so I did some close inspection on it, measured voltage references, transistor biases, etc, and I'm fairly sure my BC549C is backwards! I got some fancy BC549C from Pedal Hacker a while back their pinout is reverse compared to regular BC549Cs (which is reverse compared to other silicon transistors).

Everything else seems correct with my build. I actually *really* like the original pedal, so hopefully I'll be able to get much closer after fixing this. I'll post and update here later!
Click to expand...
Good to hear, I thought it was strange that you were not loving it as much as the rest of us seem to. Makes sense that something was off. Good luck.
 
I was right, my BC549C was in backwards. I fixed it and now it sounds *really* close to the Hudson! I'm waiting for a rev3 board to arrive, so I guess I'm gonna build a new one anyway, but it makes a lot more sense now!
 
caiofilipini said:
I was right, my BC549C was in backwards. I fixed it and now it sounds *really* close to the Hudson! I'm waiting for a rev3 board to arrive, so I guess I'm gonna build a new one anyway, but it makes a lot more sense now!
Click to expand...
curious, which BC549C did you get from PedalHackers? I bought this one. Curious if mine is backward as well.

www.pedalhackerelectronics.com

5 Pack BC549C High Gain NPN Fuzz Silicon Transistor

BC549C high gain transistor Original
www.pedalhackerelectronics.com
 
caiofilipini said:
Welllllllll.... turns out there might be something wrong with my build. I got ahold of a real Broadcast Dual last week, so I did some close inspection on it, measured voltage references, transistor biases, etc, and I'm fairly sure my BC549C is backwards! I got some fancy BC549C from Pedal Hacker a while back their pinout is reverse compared to regular BC549Cs (which is reverse compared to other silicon transistors).

Everything else seems correct with my build. I actually *really* like the original pedal, so hopefully I'll be able to get much closer after fixing this. I'll post and update here later!
Click to expand...
Hello, @caiofilipini, could you please share voltage references for the real Broadcast? I will build soon a simulcast and I 'd like to use those reference values.

Cheers!
 
ntuncer said:
Hello, @caiofilipini, could you please share voltage references for the real Broadcast? I will build soon a simulcast and I 'd like to use those reference values.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Sure thing! Here's what I got:

VCC = 9.25V
VREF = 3.21V
VDD = 8.76V

Q1 (BC549C)
Vb = 2.976V
Ve = 2.42V
Vc = 6.64V

Q2 (2N404A NTE)
Vb = 6.64V
Ve = 6.77V
Vc = 2.86V

VCC, VREF and VDD are reference voltages as you see in the Duocast schematic, so I'm assuming they should be the same in the Simulcast schematic.

Hope that helps!
 
caiofilipini said:
Sure thing! Here's what I got:

VCC = 9.25V
VREF = 3.21V
VDD = 8.76V

Q1 (BC549C)
Vb = 2.976V
Ve = 2.42V
Vc = 6.64V

Q2 (2N404A NTE)
Vb = 6.64V
Ve = 6.77V
Vc = 2.86V

VCC, VREF and VDD are reference voltages as you see in the Duocast schematic, so I'm assuming they should be the same in the Simulcast schematic.

Hope that helps!
Click to expand...
Thanks a lot! Those numbers will be my reference. By the way I expect to have OC71 in Q2, does Hudson replace it with 2N404A in current production?

Cheers!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

djmiyta
Any One Keep Logbooks of Their Pedal Settings and /or builds?
Replies
2
Views
112
leadfoot
leadfoot
D
Suboctave Pedals
Replies
15
Views
388
Feral Feline
Feral Feline
Bricksnbeatles
Transformer depth:
Replies
11
Views
755
fydo
fydo
Coda
Which Octavia?…
Replies
0
Views
61
Coda
Coda
kerryfine
Use for NOS RadioShack transformer?
Replies
0
Views
292
kerryfine
kerryfine
Back
Top