Last layout for a while. This is sort of a hack job, combining a Rat tuned for more low end with a LED/silicon diodes clipping switch. Then the signal is splitted into two signal paths using the Mid Scoop and Mid Boost tone sections from Boss FZ2. Signal is then fed into a treble cut control and an output buffer.
*Update 200909*
Tweaked it a bit more. A cap to ground at the input solved some noise artifacts without altering the overall sound. Highs control is now a 50kC pot.
Oh, and the name was changed to Dronestortion since....it can do some drone metal.
*Update 200912*
Final update, I promise.
The LED clippers seemed to the driving the following eq op amp stages into clipping resulting in some crackle and a bit harsch decay. Replaced those with normal 1N4148's and for the lower threshold diodes I used germanium diodes, old soviet D9K's but any ge diode will do with V.d. 0,3-0,27.
Is the 2.2nF at G19-F19 in the layout a typo? I think that's C4 in the schematic - a 2.2uF going to ground.
ReplyDeleteoops, yes a typo. It should be 2,2uF.
DeleteWorked on my end. Always looking for Rat mods/variations to try out for metal stuff. Only variation I remember is using a 100kC pot for the highs since I did not have a 50. I like it overall and will definitely box it, but the mid boost + the LED Clipping can get pretty harsh.
ReplyDeletehehe, yeah it is supposed to not be polite and is intented bordering to harsh but if you find too harsh you could repleace one of the LEDs with an another 1N4148 to get assymetrical and bit less "in-your-face" clipping and volume. Or even a germanium?
DeleteReplaced one of the LEDs (D1) with a germanium diode and it sounds much better, the crackle in the decay is much more subtle. I think I will keep it in there. D3 can be omitted since it wont clip in iether of the switch posiitions due to the lower voltage drop of the germanium.
DeleteGreat. I may try a socket there. I have a few germanium diodes on hand: 1n270, 1n60p, and d9e.
DeleteHey Fuzzhead! thanks for this one...it's great. Dare I say, I enjoy this way better than the hyped up (living) effect out there. It's extremely versatile, with easy controls, and just plain fun. Thanks for all the hard work!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Glad you like it.:-)
DeleteAnother nice one! Built it as suggested and it's nice :) - really thick and the tone switch adds some really nice and useful versatility. I think I am gonna end up trying the stoner bee - I must have played the pink goat everyday since I built it, it's thaaat good xD Thank you for the layout!
ReplyDeleteI'm really, really liking this one. Everything works great, but I'm trying to dial in the diode clipping, and just need a little help from expert ears. When the clipping switch is up, I'm getting very nice clear distortion. When the switch is down, it seems like I'm just getting a volume drop, not really any different "distortion" sound, just less volume. This may just be how the clipping works in the circuit, but just wanted to see if anyone had any ideas or suggestions. I'm using 4148's and d311 diodes. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSounds pretty much like mine. With Si diodes: loud, clear and fat distortion. With Ge diodes, less volume, a bit more compression and less gain. You may want to experiment with other ge diodes, just avoid LEDs, they sound awful in this circuit.
DeleteHi, don't know if this helps you but I used Mosfets as clipping diodes instead of Ge (since I had none), and they sound good. They sound very similar to the Si, (no volume drop), but there is a slight difference, especially in the attack of the notes.
DeleteWTFi,
DeleteJust curious, what is you preferred method for MOSFET as clipper?
G+S - D = normal silicon diode
D+S - G = low leakage, high res diode
G+D - S = diode connected mosfet
I've only used them as G+D(anode) - S(cathode), but was curious as to what you have found with the other configurations...
Same, I normally do (G+D)-S. If it weren't for the advice to skip the LED clipping I would have gone for those - I like the sound of those in Rats.
DeleteI forgot to also ask, should I be using 2n7000 MOSFET in both D3 and D4? Or, does one single 2n7000 (in either D3 or D4 replace both germanium diodes?
DeleteProbably using 2n7000 where d1 and d2 are and using the 1n4148 (or other silicon) for d3-d4 (since the 2n7000 connected (G+D)-S should have a higher voltage drop than the silicons. I say probably because I didn't place the clipping diode pairs on the board, I soldered them to the switch and ran extra wires.
DeleteHey thanks! I'm going to throw some 2N7000 MOSFETs in there and see what happens.
ReplyDeleteAwesome circuit, i changed the tone switch for a 100KB feeding the different lines into lug 3 and 1 while making it go to the highs through wiper. It really does makes interesting sounds in the betweens while still being able to have the normal switch boost/cut.
ReplyDeleteWorth a try ill tell you all!
Built this last night when I should have been sleeping. I love it, especially that evil tone switch. It’s a little blanketed sounding though and I’m getting a high pitched squeal in the background. Not too shocking considering how much gain it has. Maybe user error. I’ll tinker with it when I have the time. Btw, I also build the Pink Goat which rulez. Gracias amigo.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it is quite noisy in the test rig but being in a enclosure with trimmed wires drops the noise quite a bit.
DeleteC100k suits me better for the Highs (as above). Full on Hesh, this thing. Just wanna shred it up. Shredstortion
ReplyDeleteHello, I build this pedal
ReplyDeleteAnd it's amazing, straight up shred and suit modern metal tone
But it's kinda noisy,
How to tame it?
I try to up 470pf but it didn't made changes