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Original effects with schematics, layouts and instructions, freely contributed by members or found in publications. Cannot be used for commercial purposes without the consent of the owners of the copyright.

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Stompboxes circuits published in magazines, books or on DIY electronics websites.
Topics: 809

809 Topics

8482 Posts

Last post Re: Adding bass & treble cont…
J4mes
11 jul 2024, 16:55
Original Tracer Layouts
A collection of original layouts for vintage guitar effects. If you want to build real replica's of vintage pedals, this is the forum you want to look at.
Topics: 20

20 Topics

111 Posts

Last post Re: MXR Dyna Comp - original …
mozz
09 nov 2023, 19:55

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Projects Index by type of effect

Last post by modman « 21 Jan 2008, 05:37

by modman » 21 Jan 2008, 05:37

Rating: 0.2%

About the projects index

This page tries to keep the available projects indexed.
If you want to share files to build a effect that's not yet (widely) available, it would be a pleasure for us to host it here.
The projects should be verified , though, and at least contain a schematic , some layout file (transfer, vero, perf) and a component layout file .
Incomplete or unverified projects will be moved to the Projects in Progress folder: if you fall upon such a project, please report the...

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View the latest post Projects Index by type of ef …
Last post modman
21 Jan 2008, 05:37

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THE ENGINEER'S THUMB... At last, a better compressor! [documentation]

Last post by jhergonz « 20 May 2018, 18:09
Replies: 101
by merlinb » 21 Apr 2012, 14:23
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For a long time I've felt guilty that my pedal board didn't include a compressor. Finally, after about a year of breadboarding, I have produced a circuit that can take on a Dynacomp and win , boasting:

Up to five times more headroom than a Dynacomp
Less noise than a Dynacomp
Same available sustain as a Dynacomp
Fewer parts than a Dynacomp
Cheaper than a Dynacomp
Feedforward side chain
Possibility for all five controls
Fits in 1590B
Millennium bypass

Despite its final simplicity, I went though...
101 Replies

217969 Views

View the latest post Re: THE ENGINEER'S THUMB... …
Last post jhergonz
20 May 2018, 18:09
Fuzzrocious Ram the Manparts changed to overdrive [schematics]

Last post by TomCharles « 11 Oct 2024, 14:16
Replies: 1
by Lukasen » 19 Nov 2023, 16:46

Quite a simple thing.

I went back to the Fuzzrocious Ram The Manpart project that I didn't finish after the mods. I threw away (after modification with 10k pot//4k7 for better control) the starving circuit and wanted to get more overdrive-sound from it.

However, I did not know how to connect a suitable gain control. At the input, I didn't want to reduce the already low input impedance of the LM386, and at the same time I wanted to keep the minimalist form of the entire circuit. Finally, I...

1 Replies

1848 Views

View the latest post Re: Fuzzrocious Ram the Manp …
Last post TomCharles
11 Oct 2024, 14:16
Germanium and Silicon diodes comparison [documentation]

Last post by thomasbe86 « 08 Oct 2024, 11:23
Replies: 37
by thomasbe861 » 13 Oct 2023, 10:01
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Rating: 9.5%

Long story short, I ended up testing and measuring a good part of all odd diodes I have had accumulated over the decades of tinkering.
Some are modern, widely available, some are more rare and not produced anymore, germanium, silicon, including Schottky, silicon carbide, Zener, LEDs, IR, etc.
Here are the graphs, showing the forward voltage drop for a given current (I-V curve) for different types of diodes. Hope this is helpful to anyone. All were measured using a Peak Atlas DCA75 Pro.

The...
37 Replies

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View the latest post Re: Germanium and Silicon di …
Last post thomasbe86
08 Oct 2024, 11:23
Demo amp

Last post by mauman « 07 Oct 2024, 18:41
Replies: 4
by vprjs » 07 Oct 2024, 00:27

Rating: 0.9%

Hi there. I want to build a sort of demo amp . I want to use it to try circuits on a breadboard. I found 4 inch regular speaker. And want to put a ruby amp inside. Do I need to add a low pass filter to this circuit to cut non-guitar high frequencies?

4 Replies

476 Views

View the latest post Re: Demo amp
Last post mauman
07 Oct 2024, 18:41
BAJA REACTOR 010119 [documentation]

Last post by tuck « 07 Oct 2024, 07:39
Replies: 78
by bajaman » 01 Jan 2019, 06:47
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Rating: 22.5%

Happy New Year to all the good folks here at freestompboxes.org.
Here is a new design that I have been working on over the last few years - a pedal designed to mimic the performance of a typical negative feedback tube amp power stage driving a Celestion quad box or similar.

The pedal has the negative feedback presence and depth (resonance) controls typical of Soldano, Marshall, Fender, Peavey etc.

Tube power amplifiers have a high output impedance compared to solid state class AB and digital...
78 Replies

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View the latest post Re: BAJA REACTOR 010119
Last post tuck
07 Oct 2024, 07:39
Another modification of fuzzface

Last post by Vitallka « 06 Oct 2024, 18:11
Replies: 2
by Vitallka » 28 May 2023, 17:30

Rating: 2.4%

Hi to all.
Fuzzface has undergone so many modifications, so only mine is missing :D
I set out to redo the fuzzface in a way that would be easy to repeat and not sound as sharp as the silicon transistors. Therefore, I decided to add zener diodes between the base and the collector and it softened the sound. Also, the capacitor at the input is also of reduced capacity so that there is no excess of low frequencies.
Here is the modification scheme:

And here is the video:

Criticism and...

2 Replies

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View the latest post Re: Another modification of …
Last post Vitallka
06 Oct 2024, 18:11
Simple Buffered Splitter

Last post by J4mes « 02 Oct 2024, 18:00
Replies: 14
by culturejam » 30 Aug 2011, 15:29

Rating: 2.6%

This is a very simple buffered splitter project. You can use it to create two equal outputs for your guitar or another pedal. This is handy for running a stereo amplifier setup, splitting a single signal into two effects pedals, or any of several other applications in which you need to have two equal, buffered outputs. The circuit consists of a simple transistor input buffer that feeds a pair of parallel op amp-based output buffers.

From an EE perspective, this isn't a perfect circuit. From a...

14 Replies

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View the latest post Re: Simple Buffered Splitter
Last post J4mes
02 Oct 2024, 18:00
Analog Delay Add-Ons - Double Time, Modulation, Exp

Last post by abfackeln « 30 Sep 2024, 11:55
Replies: 269
by abfackeln » 16 Jan 2010, 21:59
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Several of you have been asking about these, so here's the first pass at some add-on projects for analog delays. These have been tested on madbean's Aquaboy prototype and the Aqua Puss project boards, and should work for any similar circuit (DM-2, AD-80, etc). These were tested with the MN3005, but should also work on madbean's Aquaboy if you're using the V3205, since polarity switching is handled on the main board (but I have not tested with the 3205).
I'll also say that these are not so much...
269 Replies

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View the latest post Re: Analog Delay Add-Ons - D …
Last post abfackeln
30 Sep 2024, 11:55
Clown Centurion (reworked Klon) [documentation]

Last post by JackLee1983 « 29 Sep 2024, 02:33
Replies: 35
by dylan159 » 18 Mar 2021, 12:55
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Rating: 10.8%

This is my last one, I have some of these in store, which I will sure to share if you like.

I like to take circuits I find interesting and rework them according to my taste following some guidelines, which can be summed up as:

-reducing the number of components as much as possible. I think there's beauty and elegance in simple things, and if I can get away with it or have a good reason to, I like to use less components
-standard values. I like to stick to E6 values for the same reasons, and...
35 Replies

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View the latest post Re: Clown Centurion (reworke …
Last post JackLee1983
29 Sep 2024, 02:33
New at Topopiccione: EH Double Muff Plus (modded)

Last post by Intripped « 25 Sep 2024, 11:53
Replies: 12
by mouse » 19 Oct 2011, 11:07

Rating: 0.4%

Hi to everyone,
today I posted a new project on my website, after four years of silence...
I took a standard Double Muff and added a lot of features, such as individual gain setting for each amplifier stage, a tone control, output buffer for volume recovery and a trimmer to avoid volume difference when switch between modes.

In case of copyright issues, I'll remove it from my site, but the design I posted is no longer a standard Double Muff...
Bye and have fun
Alessandro

12 Replies

2215 Views

View the latest post Re: New at Topopiccione: EH …
Last post Intripped
25 Sep 2024, 11:53
Peavey EDB1 active DI (verified)

Last post by diskovolos « 22 Sep 2024, 12:02

by diskovolos » 22 Sep 2024, 12:02

Rating: 0.9%

Hi all,

My first try at tracing a circuit and third layout.
The circuit has an input + buffered output and an xlr ofc.
Versatile as it can be powered 9-16VDC or by phantom power.

The layout is verified , as I built it a few hours ago and works perfectly !

Peavey-EDB1-schematic.png

Row H can be ommited as it is not connected to any component.

Peavey-EDB1-layout.jpg

Cheers !

0 Replies

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View the latest post Peavey EDB1 active DI (verif …
Last post diskovolos
22 Sep 2024, 12:02
BAJA Ampeg SVT bass amplifier pedal 9v 010418 [documentation]

Last post by charliecox « 22 Sep 2024, 02:30
Replies: 80
by bajaman » 01 Apr 2018, 08:40
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Here is the second installment of my bass amplifier series - the Ampeg SVT in 9v pedal friendly format.
Plug this pedal into any high wattage power amplifier and experience the Super Valve Technology sound without tubes :wink:
This design is based on the original Ampeg SVT but with the 5 frequency bands mid boost / cut rotary switch used in the later SLM MkII model.
I left the bass cut option in the ultra bass switch control out as well just as they did in the MkII :wink: However I modeled the...
80 Replies

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View the latest post Re: BAJA Ampeg SVT bass ampl …
Last post charliecox
22 Sep 2024, 02:30
BAJA Real Tube Drive pedal project [documentation]

Last post by Vitallka « 20 Sep 2024, 15:43
Replies: 807
by bajaman » 12 Feb 2008, 22:07
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DSCF00001s.jpg DSCF00002s.jpg DSCF00003.JPG DSCF0001.JPG DSCF0002.JPG
Hi friends
Inspired by Dirk Hendrik's Real Tube Screamer pedal project elsewhere in this section, and after reverse engineering the B K Butler Tube Driver, and noting some similarities, i have designed a brand new design for a REAL tube drive pedal, housed in a Hammond (or equivalent NSC) 1590BB case. There are three circuit boards - a mother board that holds the footswitch, input, output and AC power supply sockets; a small...
807 Replies

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View the latest post Re: BAJA Real Tube Drive ped …
Last post Vitallka
20 Sep 2024, 15:43
Really Cheap Compressor [documentation]

Last post by J4mes « 15 Sep 2024, 02:13
Replies: 430
by mictester » 08 Feb 2010, 19:47
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Do you remember the old-fashioned way of doing bass compression? It used an LDR across the volume control illuminated by an incandescent lamp across the speaker terminals! It was a simple method back in the 60s....

This compressor is almost that simple! It uses a handful of cheap components (I built one for £9 including hardware!), but works really well. Guitarists who've tried it often ask Is it on? , but miss it when it's off! It's quiet, and has good squeeze without the gain-change...
430 Replies

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View the latest post Re: Really Cheap Compressor
Last post J4mes
15 Sep 2024, 02:13
BAJA AFD MkII OVERDRIVE PEDAL 2018

Last post by AliThePartyAnimal « 13 Sep 2024, 18:15
Replies: 31
by bajaman » 02 Feb 2018, 05:28
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Rating: 5.2%

Hi folks
I revisited the design of this pedal and got the frequency response characteristic a lot closer with the extra gain stages and filtering compared to my earlier BAJA AFD OVERDRIVE project, so i have called this the MkII :wink:
IMG_3503.JPG

Baja AFD MkII overdrive pedal 9v 010218.GIF
cheers
bajaman
31 Replies

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View the latest post Re: BAJA AFD MkII OVERDRIVE …
Last post AliThePartyAnimal
13 Sep 2024, 18:15
Simple noise gate [documentation]

Last post by toxonic « 11 Sep 2024, 12:07
Replies: 49
by Matthes » 13 Sep 2022, 15:09
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Hi there!
I am new here and I would like to share a noise gate circuit that I have been working on.
One or two years ago I was playing around with the MXR noise gate circuit and I did a lot of trial and error modifications to it.
Then I forgot about it, until a few weeks ago I rediscovered this project and finially finished it.
It is using only cheap and standard components (and not many of them) and it could easily be added to overdrive circuits or similar.

I am really sorry, if there already...
49 Replies

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View the latest post Re: Simple noise gate
Last post toxonic
11 Sep 2024, 12:07
Why is my switch popping? [documentation]

Last post by Homespun « 10 Sep 2024, 20:22
Replies: 8
by Homespun » 01 Sep 2024, 03:38

Rating: 0.9%

I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong with this switching board. How can I silence the popping?
bypass.png
It's a board that powers the pedal, switches the LED and switches the effect circuit. When it is off the in tip shorts to the out tip and the effect input is grounded.

I've got a 1M Input impedance/bleed resistor on the input after the IO/IN at the beginning of the circuit. I'm thinking that I should go buffered bypass anyway but in the meanwhile I'd like to figure what is causing this...

8 Replies

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View the latest post Re: Why is my switch popping
Last post Homespun
10 Sep 2024, 20:22
Silent Switching 40106 4066

Last post by twotees « 06 Sep 2024, 14:11
Replies: 10
by J4mes » 02 Aug 2024, 12:56

Rating: 1.1%

Hey, peeps.

I know this isn't the hottest topic for switching, but I haven't seen too much info, or even a schematic for this, so I decided to draw one along with a smaller board. The original board was found here, so would be useful to have it as a complete project file rather than segments posted over the internet.

I appreciate the schematic will probably need some attention to clarify pins etc.

(original board layout by andregarcia)

J

10 Replies

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View the latest post Re: Silent Switching 40106 4 …
Last post twotees
06 Sep 2024, 14:11
Baja Presence and Resonance 091118 [documentation]

Last post by J4mes « 05 Sep 2024, 10:06
Replies: 52
by bajaman » 09 Nov 2018, 08:23
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Rating: 14.7%

Here is a little circuit I just designed to emulate the presence and resonance controls in a typical tube amplifier driving a speaker cabinet.
A typical tube amplifier reacts with the loudspeaker load quite differently to a solid state amplifier - it puts extra power into the speaker at resonance and due to rising voice coil inductance at higher frequencies it puts out a progressively louder response as the frequency rises, solid state amplifiers do not do this and consequently lack the bottom...
52 Replies

71441 Views

View the latest post Re: Baja Presence and Resona …
Last post J4mes
05 Sep 2024, 10:06
Chewborg Envelope Filter [documentation]

Last post by modman « 23 Aug 2024, 11:07
Replies: 31
by dylan159 » 07 Aug 2023, 10:17
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Introduction
On my quest through re-imagining effects pedals, I felt like envelope-controlled filters deserved some attention. As it is usual, my motivation comes from the unsatisfaction with existing circuits: from the widespread use of OTAs, with their drawbacks in terms of distortion and noise, and limited availability in some cases; to one-trick pony circuits; to circuits that require matching; circuits whose complexity isn't reflected in the features offered. Ripple is another common...
31 Replies

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Last post modman
23 Aug 2024, 11:07
Dark Terror Mini Preamp Pedal Blown Transformer

Last post by Lani « 21 Aug 2024, 23:32
Replies: 2
by Numbskull » 21 Aug 2024, 18:46

Hi Guys,
I am trying to help a friend with a pedal problem. It combines a mini Orange Terror with a Bassman type preamp. It takes 18 volts and steps it up to 220 volts (?). Anyway, the impulse controller keeps blowing. He purchased this pedal and does not have the schematic (or can get it). Another pedal builder thinks it there is a problem in the impulse converter but can’t find the problem.
I know it’s a long shot but I thought one (or more) of you experts might have an idea of what might be...

2 Replies

555 Views

View the latest post Re: Dark Terror Mini Preamp …
Last post Lani
21 Aug 2024, 23:32
untitled Chorus/Vibrato pedal

Last post by asbestosaurus « 18 Aug 2024, 01:22
Replies: 8
by asbestosaurus » 13 Jan 2022, 08:58

Rating: 3.9%

here's a little design i threw together based on a neat little digital delay chip i found on AliExpress while looking to build a vibrato with a better frequency range than analog can provide.

its a fairly standard chorus/vibrato-with-blend type of deal, nothing super novel or innovative, more a proof of concept than anything. i've just borrowed the LFO from the VB-2 since i wanted a sine wave. and since it also had its own precision Vref supply, which i like, so i could keep it isolated from...

8 Replies

2976 Views

View the latest post Re: untitled Chorus/Vibrato …
Last post asbestosaurus
18 Aug 2024, 01:22
Super Transformer: an active DI

Last post by audiofab « 17 Aug 2024, 11:40
Replies: 5
by audiofab » 12 Aug 2024, 20:04

Rating: 0.9%

We've published the design of our Super Transformer active DI / pedal board isolator in the August issue of audioXpress magazine:

The design provides true galvanic isolation and employs a mixed-feedback drive technique to provide low distortion and extended frequency response with a low cost transformer.

There was a minor error in the schematic that appeared in the magazine (a capacitor with reversed polarity). Here's the updated schematic.

Super-Transformer-schematic-corrected.jpg...

5 Replies

1059 Views

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Last post audiofab
17 Aug 2024, 11:40
Custom eq

Last post by plush « 17 Aug 2024, 11:23
Replies: 3
by Tadejv » 16 Aug 2024, 07:07

Is there anybody who can design me guitar pickup active preamp with custom eq settings?

3 Replies

821 Views

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Last post plush
17 Aug 2024, 11:23
A Switching Scheme [documentation]

Last post by audiofab « 16 Aug 2024, 21:29
Replies: 270
by mictester » 30 May 2011, 20:05
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You'll all know my hatred of the crappy TPDT and similar footswitches.

I still have customers who insist on true bypass and a solid copper path bypass . Buffered bypass is almost always better, but just to satisfy these (very wealthy / influential) musicians, I frequently use bistable relays. Many players are deeply distrustful of mains powered effects, and (perversely) demand batteries that last for many hours. I also have a large supply of really sturdy SPDT footswitches (like the old...
270 Replies

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View the latest post Re: A Switching Scheme
Last post audiofab
16 Aug 2024, 21:29

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