This is a great sounding cranked Laney SuperGroup amp in a box similar to the Catalinbread Sabbra Cadabra. This is a J201 based effect and has the trimmers to set the desired voltages. More info on this layout can be found here.

There are a few layouts for this circuit and definitely worth the build. Now I need to get it boxed up.

Storyboardist also did a great 1590B / 125 layout with 9mm pots. I am waiting for the pots to verify this build. Here are the details on that layout.

Objective:
This project is finally taking some shape over this 3 day weekend we just had. My goal with this project was to make an easy to use and functional MIDI foot controller to use with my Strymon pedals and Logic Pro transport controls. Since I wanted to only use 6 momentary switches for this project, I will need a type of layering system for multiple functions. Most MIDI foot controllers on the market are expensive & very complicated since they want to jam as much functions in as possible. I wanted something more personalized to me and my board.

Hurdles:
I have never built anything like this with a Arduino before and there was a learning curve but I moved along pretty quickly. I spent a lot of time (got hung up) in the design phase and had to scale it back some and told myself that this project can always grow. Start small and end big.

Hardware used:

Arduino Pro Mini (5V and 16 MHz)

• Has a very small footprint. 0.7″ x 1.3″
• It is based on the ATmega168 chip
• 14 digital input/output pins & 8 analog inputs.
• Operates on 5v-12v DC.

FTDI Basic from SparkFun

• This is used for programming the Arduino Pro Mini VIA USB.

Arduino Libraries Used:

• Arduino MIDI Library – All basic MIDI CC and PC covered with this library
• ClickButton – Used for single click, double click or click and hold functions.
• Bounce2 – This is used to de-bounce switches for more accurate readings.

 Layers:

The concept was to have 6 buttons and have one button control what “mode” you were in. I currently made 4 layers so that gives me 20 buttons for functions. I could also make the 6th button (mode select button) a “click and hold” to change modes and use it as a regular select button when clicked (May work on this more later). I have a RGB LED that has a color for each layer so you don’t get lost on what layer you are on.

Example of the RGB LED for modes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxMpMBMC-9w

Information Used:

• For help with the layers concept
• Arduino MIDI Library help
• Arduino MIDI In & Out information
• Arduino USB MIDI info
• Lots of ideas from Molten Voltage & Disaster Area Designs

Once I am done with the proto PCB I will post all the code and PCB here.

This is Madbean’s Dirtbaby delay. It is his take on a PT2399 based delay that has some of the same qualities of the BBD Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man. This is by no means a “Clone” of the Deluxe Memory Man but a great sounding PT2399 based delay. This is by far my favorite sounding PT based delays that I have built and the 2nd runner up is a 1776 Effects Multiplex (They really are 2 different beasts since the multiplex is a great tape emulation). It really is the modulation that sells this for me as it sounds so lush and adds a whole other dimension to the delays.

The artwork may be familiar since it was used on another pedal I did a year ago but I loved it so much I really wanted to do a pedal that would be a staple on my board with it. The original artwork is from a bands cover art that I found on Google Images. I did a reverse etch and painted it with the Rust-Oleum 7250830 Metallic Spray and used a Dupli-Color clear coat.
The knobs I used are silver aluminum knobs from Eagle Plastic Devices bought from Mouser. Eagle Plastic Devices make some great plastic & aluminum knobs.

Box Shot:

Gut Shot:

The 3PDT breakout board was made by me in Diptrace and is available here if you wish to etch it for yourself. It really helps to keep your switch install clean.
Dirtbaby 3PDT

The Pennyroyal Chorus is a PCB made by Stomptown Electronics and is a MN3007 based chorus. From lushy subtle to super seasick warbly, this pedal has it all. With a plate reverb and a few repeats from a delay you can nail some great Cocteau Twins songs and a long list of 80’s songs. I needed a good analog chorus on my board and this build definitely fit the bill.

I did a reverse etch of a three eyed cat (Google Images swipe), why? (enter witty comment here) I painted the enclosure with a root beer sparkle brown found at a hobby store. I shot it with some gloss clear and called it done.

Box Shot:

Gut Shot:

I would definitely recommend this build to anyone that wants a great sounding analog chorus. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles as the newer digital ones but it simplicity and its sounds is what sets it apart.

Buy a PCB here.

This was a quick little build on Rullywow‘s new single sided layout based on the Crowther Audio Hotcake with the “Bluesberry” mod. You can find this layout on Madbeans Forums. There is a lot of talk whether or not the Bluesberry mod actually does anything. The Crowther Audio Hotcake is known for the fizzy note decay on most super clean (Fender Twin) amps. There are a lot of VOX amp fans that swear by this OD and it works so well with a already dirty clean tone. The fizzyness is less noticeable on a already broken up or on the edge of breaking up amp. The Bluesberry mod does NOT remove the fizzy note decay, but it smooths out the tail of it a bit and makes it manageable in my opinion. I was able to crank up my Fender Princeton Reverb custom and it sounded absolutely fantastic. This will be boxed up for sure.

Build Doc

This is the new ROG Thunderbird laid out by Josh at 1776 Effects. In the build doc was included an etchable layout. There is also a fabricated PCB version of this available.

Capturing the majestic sound of a Marshall Super Lead amplifier.

This was by far the most complex PCB etch I have done due to the small and close traces. I just took my time with the etch mask and it seemed to have come out great. I will do a continuity test to make sure I do not have any shorts.

Back to the bench!

This is an effect based on the Lovetone DoppelGanger the twin oscillator phaser/vibrato. This thing can nail that classic phaser sound of the 70’s to out of this world stuttering and blipping. This is by no means just a “noise maker”, It is very usable and very easy to control. I got the PCB little over 9 months ago from LaceSensor at Madbean forums.

There is a 2015 PCB group buy going on right now.

I did a reverse etch and used some simple but effective artwork I wound on Google images. The enclosure is a 1790NS.

Gut shot: Built to spec with no subs.

Notes:
I used GL5537 LDRs that I bought from MKLec

This is a Way Huge Pork Loin work-a-like on a layout created by Madbean called Pork Chop Suey Cider. I always wanted to try the Pork Loin out but no retail store around here carried it so I just dismissed it until now. Its got a few cool features like the a really nice “soft clipping” overdrive sound that can get a nice mid gain when cranked. It also has a “clean” knob that blends in a clean preamp and help keep your note definition. The “curve” knob lets you adjust the frequency corners and can add a bit more crunch to the OD.

When I first populated this I was waiting for the 2N2484’s that never showed up so I stuck some 2n2222a’s and they actually sounded great. I did want to hear if the 2N2484’s made any difference is sound so I found that Mouser does carry them. Once I swapped out the transistors I really could not tell a whole lot of difference. The 2N2222a’s sounded a bit hotter but with playing full chords I was happier with the 2N2484’s and stuck with them.

I kept the pork theme and did a reverse etch of some pig art I found on Google Images. I also went with a metallic pink for the pig theme.

Insides are pretty straight forward and I used a Grind Customs 3PDT board to keep it clean. The top mounted jack just barely fit but it works.

Voltages:
Q1 2N7000
G 6.8v
S 8.2v
D 9.1v

Q2 2N2484
C 4.1v
B 1.2v
E 0.6v

Q3 2N2484
C 4.8v
B 2.2v
E 1.6v

Q4 2N2484
C 4.2v
B 4.8v
E 9.1v

Q5 2N2484
C 2.2v
B 1.2v
E 0.6v

Q6 2N2484
C 4.8v
B 2.2v
E 1.6v

Q7 2N2484
C 9.1v
B 4.8v
E 4.2v

IC1 LF353P
1 4.5v
2 4.5v
3 4.5v
4 0v
5 4.5v
6 4.5v
7 4.5v
8 9.1v

IC2 LM388P
1 4.5v
2 4.5v
3 4.5v
4 0v
5 4.5v
6 4.5v
7 4.5v
8 9.1v

This is a Third Eye Pedals Muff Gun PCB which is a work alike of the Blackout Effectors Musket Fuzz. I bought this PCB from Hexjibber over at Madbean Forums. I was excited to give this Big Muff variant a try since I loved the idea of the LPB-1 booster in front of the circuit and the cool Mids/Focus knobs. I built this to spec and it sounds great. This will be a great pedal for the collection for sure.

I did a reverse etch that I think came out great but its a bit hard to see in the pictures. I think the burnt orange metallic paint doesn’t help taking pictures of it either.

I used one of Grind Customs FX 3PDT boards to try out. Great little board and I may stock up on them.

A better picture of the etch. Its hard to get the light to play nice to photograph it.

 

Voltages:
Q1
C 4.2v
B 0.8v
E 0.2v
Q2
C 4.1v
B 0.6v
E 0.0v
Q3
C 4.6v
B 0.5v
E 0.1v
Q4
C 4.6v
B 0.7v
E 0.1v
Q5
C 5.8v
B 1.5v
E 1.0v

There is a thread over at Madbean Forums about building a reverb in a 1590A enclosure.

I actually know of 2 options but they are not for beginners of this vast world of DIY pedals.

1776 Effects Rub-A-Dub Reverb
Jon Patton did a layout of the 1776 Effects Rub-A-Dub that fits in a 1590A but its not for the faint of heart. When I built mine I destroyed 2 1590A enclosures and broke a few tools in the process due to throwing them.

Jon’s Layout for the 1590A Rub-A-Dub
Here is his build report at Madbean Forums

I made a PCB from his vero layout and populated it. Here was the outcome.

Unfortunately I do not pictures of the finished pedal. I built it for a guy in Santa Cruz that said his board got stolen at a dive bar show…Not happy. This is the first and last time I forget to take pictures of my builds.

MOD The Deluxe Reverb
This, just like the Rub-A-Dub Reverb, is a Belton based reverb. The Storyboardist was able to build a very small layout (Just a few mm’s over the size of the brick). This build offers tails since its a buffered effect and also has a Mix & Dwell knob.

Storyboardist’s layout 

I etched and populated it tonight and it sounds great. I used a short decay Belton brick since I have a project in mind for this. I will not be putting it in a 1590A but I will be putting it with another effect in a 125B and need all the space I can get.