thank you for this Layout. I have built it and it works, but i think it sounds not right. I have checked the schematics at fsb and there are two diodes missing. One 1N5817 (1N4004 in the schematic) and one 1N4148 (pin 9 and 10 at the Tl074P). And the one 1,5k resistor at c18 i18 should be a 4,7k. I have made the changes but I thinkt taht it still sounds not right.
Hey! Thanks for the heads up! Changed 1,5k resistor to 4,7k and added the missing 1N4148 diode. I prefer in series protecion diodes insted of diodes across V+ and Ground . Thats why I omitted 1N4004 diodes but they could easily be added to the existing layout just in case 1N5817 diode fails.
What is it about it that doesn't sound right. Noise, gating, hum?
It sounds a bit gating or like misbiased fuzz. With the gainpot turned down it is totaly silent but in the yt videos there is in this position a little distortion.
Hey, I think I have found the mistake. The 47,5k restistor x4 /Q4 is connected to pin 3, but should be connected to pin2 X4/P4.Now it sound way better and there is distortion even when the gainpot ist turned down.
Maybe i was a bit to quick to call it verified. It still sounds a bit gated. I compared the layout with the schematic and your layout has ten 100nf caps, while the schematic has only nine. I think the cap at yz14 shouldn't be there. But it doesn't change the sound. And i count 43 cuts. Maybe you should take a look also.
I'll take a second look. That 100nF cap was an addition that I usually use in high gain circuits. It runs parallel with 22uf cap which is connected between the main Vref route and ground. It don't affect the tone apart from possible noise. Hmmm, gated you say, evn with the gate switch left open?
I think it has way to much gain or volume. It is very fast at unity. With the gate off and the gain turned down it sounds good and has plenty of distortion, even in this position. When i turn the gain clockwise it starts to sound gated, especially when i play palm muting ore single notes. With the gate on the gain pot has to be set over 12 oclock to sound good. it sounds gated with the gain turned down. thank you for helping me.
as if count it right on the schematic there are actually 17 links + 2 links from FX loops, but in the description it says there are 18 links. Maybe one link is hidden under an element
Hi went through this, moved some components around according to the schematic nothing seems to be inconsistant with your layout It sounds huge and all the controls seem to function i ahven't noticed any gating( i havent had enough time to test it since i've finished it just befor going to work )i will fully test it tomorrow Thank you fuzzhead for the layout.
you can call it verified, this thing is awsome and the gate is very useful and responsive. it doesn't affect much my sustain ( i will replace that trimpot with a pot so i could control the amount of gain without opening the enclosure ) Keep up the good work.
I’m struggling to get this one working. I’m just getting static hiss. All the pots and switches seem to work as it changes the sound of the hiss as you would expect it to normally. I’ve swapped out all my ICs and checked all my components and soldering. Does anyone know where abouts I should be looking here?
This drawing looks like it was done back in 2019. I'm not sure what schematic it was done from, but the more recent circuit layout that is available is probably the more accurate one. The AionFX "Ember" project (which was released in 2023) for this definitely looks different to me, too. More complex, and no FX loop from what I can see. Altho there is a lot going on so I may have just missed it. Either way - this one probably deserves a re-draw based on the Aion schematic.
Thanks for your reply. I didnt realize it doesn't match any schematic I can find until halfway in and now I dont know whether to start over or finish it. One thing Id love to know is whether there's a cut under D7.
As far as the schematic used here - from what I can see, if you go back to the effects layout post about the Tight Metal, and scroll about halfway down in the comments, there is a link to a FSB thread about this circuit from 2013. However, it a 32 page discussion with lots of edits to this thing along the way. I'd start looking at around page 14 or 15 but, honestly, there is so much to sift through that it may be way more trouble than it is worth.
About to finish this, but I have a few questions: 1: I'm not using fx loop. Should output be on 1-G? 2: What to do with Tight 1? 3: I'd like to have the gate as a pot rather than a trimmer. Where should lug 1, 2 and 3 of the pot be connected?
1) looks like 1-G is where the output goes - the FX loop connects directly to the output of this one so if you are not using it, that blue jumper should take you right there.
2) Tight 1 can stay unconnected. This is a common way of using a potentiometer strictly as a variable resistor that decreases the resistance as you turn it clockwise. Like this, it actually doesn't matter if you swap the positions of 2 & 3 since the action of the pot is the same.
3) Not the most elegant way of doing this - but definitely the most simple: I'd just add the gate pot where the trimmer currently is. Going from top to bottom: lugs 1, 2, 3 - this is how the legs on a trimmer are numbered - however, once you get it wired up, you may find that the action is in the opposite direction that you want it. Most folks don't consider this when using a trimmer because it is a "set it and forget it" adjustment. If the pot works in the opposite direction, you can just swap legs 1 and 3.
Hey Anders,
ReplyDeletethank you for this Layout. I have built it and it works, but i think it sounds not right. I have checked the schematics at fsb and there are two diodes missing. One 1N5817 (1N4004 in the schematic) and one 1N4148 (pin 9 and 10 at the Tl074P). And the one 1,5k resistor at c18 i18 should be a 4,7k. I have made the changes but I thinkt taht it still sounds not right.
Sven
Hey! Thanks for the heads up! Changed 1,5k resistor to 4,7k and added the missing 1N4148 diode. I prefer in series protecion diodes insted of diodes across V+ and Ground . Thats why I omitted 1N4004 diodes but they could easily be added to the existing layout just in case 1N5817 diode fails.
DeleteWhat is it about it that doesn't sound right. Noise, gating, hum?
It sounds a bit gating or like misbiased fuzz. With the gainpot turned down it is totaly silent but in the yt videos there is in this position a little distortion.
ReplyDeleteI'll take closer look at the schematic to see if there is any errors in the layout.
DeleteHey, I think I have found the mistake. The 47,5k restistor x4 /Q4 is connected to pin 3, but should be connected to pin2 X4/P4.Now it sound way better and there is distortion even when the gainpot ist turned down.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Such a small mistake and easy fix. So would you consider the layout verified by now?
DeleteYes! I think now it sounds as it should.
ReplyDeleteCheers, I'll tag it.
DeleteMaybe i was a bit to quick to call it verified. It still sounds a bit gated. I compared the layout with the schematic and your layout has ten 100nf caps, while the schematic has only nine. I think the cap at yz14 shouldn't be there. But it doesn't change the sound. And i count 43 cuts. Maybe you should take a look also.
ReplyDeleteI'll take a second look. That 100nF cap was an addition that I usually use in high gain circuits. It runs parallel with 22uf cap which is connected between the main Vref route and ground. It don't affect the tone apart from possible noise.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, gated you say, evn with the gate switch left open?
I think it has way to much gain or volume. It is very fast at unity. With the gate off and the gain turned down it sounds good and has plenty of distortion, even in this position. When i turn the gain clockwise it starts to sound gated, especially when i play palm muting ore single notes. With the gate on the gain pot has to be set over 12 oclock to sound good. it sounds gated with the gain turned down. thank you for helping me.
ReplyDeleteMine is working now, I have changed the zener diodes.
Deletehi, i have a problem with this effect. is it verified? i think the number of links is false.
ReplyDeleteas if count it right on the schematic there are actually 17 links + 2 links from FX loops, but in the description it says there are 18 links. Maybe one link is hidden under an element
DeleteI'll take a closer look at this one tomorrow.
Deleteok thank you. I have already prepared the board, but now I have to wait until it will be clear what to do with the missing line
DeleteJust checked the layout and it is 17 links if using an effect loop, 19 links if you're not using it.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi went through this, moved some components around according to the schematic nothing seems to be inconsistant with your layout
ReplyDeleteIt sounds huge and all the controls seem to function i ahven't noticed any gating( i havent had enough time to test it since i've finished it just befor going to work )i will fully test it tomorrow
Thank you fuzzhead for the layout.
That is great! Glad you got it working. This one is pretty high on my list.
Deleteyou can call it verified, this thing is awsome and the gate is very useful and responsive. it doesn't affect much my sustain ( i will replace that trimpot with a pot so i could control the amount of gain without opening the enclosure )
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work.
I’m struggling to get this one working. I’m just getting static hiss. All the pots and switches seem to work as it changes the sound of the hiss as you would expect it to normally. I’ve swapped out all my ICs and checked all my components and soldering. Does anyone know where abouts I should be looking here?
ReplyDeleteTry soldered the ground to the metal cover of the pots.maybe it will help
DeleteBuilt this last april '21 out of effects layout which has the same layout with dirtbox layout.i call this verified with flying colors! Tnx.
ReplyDeleteIs there a cut under D7? Looks like it but if so there are 43 cuts, not 42
ReplyDeleteIm comparing to a schematic I found of this, and I am so confused. It looks nothing like the one i found. Could you link the schematic you used?
ReplyDeleteThis drawing looks like it was done back in 2019. I'm not sure what schematic it was done from, but the more recent circuit layout that is available is probably the more accurate one.
DeleteThe AionFX "Ember" project (which was released in 2023) for this definitely looks different to me, too. More complex, and no FX loop from what I can see. Altho there is a lot going on so I may have just missed it. Either way - this one probably deserves a re-draw based on the Aion schematic.
Thanks for your reply. I didnt realize it doesn't match any schematic I can find until halfway in and now I dont know whether to start over or finish it. One thing Id love to know is whether there's a cut under D7.
DeleteThere's definitely a cut at row D, column 16 and you are correct that it's 43 cuts.
DeleteThat helps, thanks.
DeleteAs far as the schematic used here - from what I can see, if you go back to the effects layout post about the Tight Metal, and scroll about halfway down in the comments, there is a link to a FSB thread about this circuit from 2013. However, it a 32 page discussion with lots of edits to this thing along the way. I'd start looking at around page 14 or 15 but, honestly, there is so much to sift through that it may be way more trouble than it is worth.
DeleteGood luck if you decide to rabbit-hole this one.
Thanks. Should have done that research beforehand 😂 But at least I got the cut-question clarified.
DeleteHere's hoping it works and I dont need a schematic for troubleshooting.
About to finish this, but I have a few questions:
ReplyDelete1: I'm not using fx loop. Should output be on 1-G?
2: What to do with Tight 1?
3: I'd like to have the gate as a pot rather than a trimmer. Where should lug 1, 2 and 3 of the pot be connected?
1) looks like 1-G is where the output goes - the FX loop connects directly to the output of this one so if you are not using it, that blue jumper should take you right there.
Delete2) Tight 1 can stay unconnected. This is a common way of using a potentiometer strictly as a variable resistor that decreases the resistance as you turn it clockwise. Like this, it actually doesn't matter if you swap the positions of 2 & 3 since the action of the pot is the same.
3) Not the most elegant way of doing this - but definitely the most simple: I'd just add the gate pot where the trimmer currently is. Going from top to bottom: lugs 1, 2, 3 - this is how the legs on a trimmer are numbered - however, once you get it wired up, you may find that the action is in the opposite direction that you want it. Most folks don't consider this when using a trimmer because it is a "set it and forget it" adjustment. If the pot works in the opposite direction, you can just swap legs 1 and 3.
Great thanks. I cant help notice the bottom leg goes to nothing. I guess I can leave the pot's 1(or 3) unconnected.
Delete