SOLVED YET another Aion board question (Philosopher's Tone/Polyphemus)

[comradehoser]

Philosopher's tone build to Aion spec. I must have done something wrong as the sustain pot just brings overdrive instead of compression. It's not unpleasant, but it's not what I'm here for, and the circuit already has a dedicated dirt section. DEFINITELY not anything close to videos and descriptions online ("noiseless sustain")

Never built a compressor and so never had to wrap my head around the circuit. Any likely obvious culprits? Maybe the LT1044 charge pump is not outputting correctly and limiting the headroom?

Here's the obligatory schematic

and

pics to come

 

[comradehoser]

Did not see this Michael W. post, and it sounds like maybe the circuit just sucks. Which is a shame because in the production unit demos online it actually sounds pretty good and not at all overdriven with the grit turned down and sustain up. I have concluded the same with the Aion ts-50b.

I can't help but think there's an issue in the circuit, though, because why would you create a compressor overdrive with blendable overdrive?

 

[xefned]

I bought the TH-customs version of the board. Then I read Michael's build report (and demo) and lost interest in the project. The online schematics must have some error.

There are suggestions in the thread for increasing the gain and reducing the grit but then it's just a giant mod project.

Truth is: Michael's tone is pretty good toward the end. So if you think of it as a warm overdrive, it could still be a winner.

 

[comradehoser]

Yeah, I boxed it and roxed it, and it sounds... Not bad, actually. Some nice amp-like overdrive harmonics. Not super useful as a compressor without drive, but it's pretty decent as an overdrive.