SOLVED Troubleshooting Aion isotope (still)

[Devolution]

Aaargh. This pedal is driving me mad and I need help!

It worked fine for a few weeks after some kind folk here pointed out that I had the daughter board upside down. Unfortunately, the sound started to degrade sporadically and now sounds crappy 100% of the time. I’m pretty sure this pedal should boost the volume way above unity but only manages a little over now and the general tone is raspy, like the signal is spluttering out especially when the gain and treble are set high.

I have not strayed from the parts list provided by Aion, so all components are as per their spec.

After reflowing all of the joints to no avail, I’ve tried using an audio probe and found the first troublesome component to be R1. On one side of it the signal is fine but on the other, the raspy tone starts. I pulled R1 out, tested it with a multimeter and put it back in as it was fine. I also found that I was getting no signal from a couple of the electrolytic caps whatsoever but I don’t know if this is normal as it’s my first attempt at using an audio probe.

Anyway, I’ll post a pic of the readings I’ve gathered and hopefully some kind clever clogs out there can see what’s going wrong…

Thanks

https://aionfx.com/app/files/docs/isotope_documentation.pdf

 

[Devolution]

If a polarised component was faulty could it be the cause? While I had R1 removed I noticed that I still had signal on both pads which seemed weird.

 

[benny_profane]

Yeah, something is wrong—that should not happen. Recheck your ground wiring. This circuit uses a split rail supply and the signal is at 0V. If you have a short somewhere, you could be dumping the signal to ground. It’s possible it could be a faulty electrolytic. Or extremely leaky—but that seems unlikely.

 

[Devolution]

Yeah, something is wrong—that should not happen. Recheck your ground wiring. This circuit uses a split rail supply and the signal is at 0V. If you have a short somewhere, you could be dumping the signal to ground. It’s possible it could be a faulty electrolytic. Or extremely leaky—but that seems unlikely.

I tested my grounds and everything that should go to ground is… I’m at a loss. I might just have to pull the electrolytics out and test them.

 

[Devolution]

I tested my grounds and everything that should go to ground is… I’m at a loss. I might just have to pull the electrolytics out and test them.

Update. I pulled all the electrolytics and found they were fine so I put them back.

I figured out that I was hearing audio in ground and other weird stuff (using an audio probe) because I was connecting my clip to negative rather than ground .

I noticed that when the pedal was malfunctioning, a palm muted note would cut out briefly after and then the noise floor would flood back (almost like a reverse gate). That made me think of transistors and how I may have burnt one out on installation. So I removed my trannies and replaced them with new ones plus sockets to avoid cooking them again. The pedal seems to be fine now! At least all the soldering is rock solid now and I understand a little more than I did before!

Thanks to everyone that offered suggestions, particularly benny_profane.

 

[benny_profane]

Glad you got it sorted! Took a bit, but troubleshooting is where a lot of learning happens. Enjoy it!

 

[JamieJ]

I understand a little more than I did before!

That’s what it’s all about. Well done for having patience and sticking with it.

 

[Rumpledink]

Hello! I’ve been reading this thread with great interest. I’m also having trouble with this build. Can anybody see anything I’m missing? Pedal turns on, has power, has red light, but is making a loud hum and squeal, which the pots affect when I turn them up and down. I can hear the guitar ever so slightly under all the noise. Turning off the pedal produces a quieter hum and squeal.

I very new to building pedals, so I’m sure I’ve made a rookie mistake somewhere. I would appreciate any help and advice please.

 

[Barry]

Hello! I’ve been reading this thread with great interest. I’m also having trouble with this build. Can anybody see anything I’m missing? Pedal turns on, has power, has red light, but is making a loud hum and squeal, which the pots affect when I turn them up and down. I can hear the guitar ever so slightly under all the noise. Turning off the pedal produces a quieter hum and squeal.

I very new to building pedals, so I’m sure I’ve made a rookie mistake somewhere. I would appreciate any help and advice please.

You should probably start a new thread, this one being marked solved you won't get many eyes on it here, not familiar with Aion boards but the wiring to your jacks looks suspect, on closer inspection, your jacks are wrong those grounds should be going to the slanted corner

 

[Rumpledink]

You should probably start a new thread, this one being marked solved you won't get many eyes on it here, not familiar with Aion boards but the wiring to your jacks looks suspect, on closer inspection, your jacks are wrong those grounds should be going to the slanted corner

Will do! Ah ok. Thanks Barry!