Dr Scientist Reverberator

culturejam · Post by **culturejam** » 26 Jan 2011, 15:30

Scruffie wrote:You could try trading a Blem with Ryan Culturejam, he has a couple at the moment I think and likes trading with members

Oh snap!

Thanks for the head's up.

disorder · Post by **disorder** » 29 Jan 2011, 17:57

anyone mind listing the chips in this? just wondering what this is based around, even though it is digital.

culturejam · Post by **culturejam** » 30 Jan 2011, 15:27

I'm going to guess that it uses a SMD version of one of the Belton chips. It's also possible (although I think less likely) that it's a Spin Semi FV-1.

I'll have one in my hands next week, so we'll know for sure. But I can almost guarantee it's not something you can replicate with a DIY project. I'm not even interested in that anyway...I just want one because they sound awesome.

But still, knowing the ICs might help someone design their own reverb that is beyond what the typical Belton circuit can do.

Scruffie · Post by **Scruffie** » 30 Jan 2011, 15:41

culturejam wrote:I'm going to guess that it uses a SMD version of one of the Belton chips. It's also possible (although I think less likely) that it's a Spin Semi FV-1.

I'll have one in my hands next week, so we'll know for sure. But I can almost guarantee it's not something you can replicate with a DIY project. I'm not even interested in that anyway...I just want one because they sound awesome.

But still, knowing the ICs might help someone design their own reverb that is beyond what the typical Belton circuit can do.

Did you score one off Ryan then CJ?

And it's the Wavefront Semi Chip if I recall, mine's not to hand at the moment, it's not the Belton though.

culturejam · Post by **culturejam** » 30 Jan 2011, 17:31

Scruffie wrote:Did you score one off Ryan then CJ?

Yes, yes I did. Thanks so much for the tip!

Scruffie wrote:And it's the Wavefront Semi Chip if I recall, mine's not to hand at the moment, it's not the Belton though.

Ah, okay. Good info.

Ice-9 · Post by **Ice-9** » 30 Jan 2011, 19:39

culturejam wrote:
Scruffie wrote:Did you score one off Ryan then CJ?
Yes, yes I did. Thanks so much for the tip!

Scruffie wrote:And it's the Wavefront Semi Chip if I recall, mine's not to hand at the moment, it's not the Belton though.
Ah, okay. Good info.

Yeah but what Wavesemi chip is it there are a few different ones, I can see it's a 16 pin soic but which one ?

culturejam · Post by **culturejam** » 30 Jan 2011, 20:19

Ice-9 wrote:Yeah but what Wavesemi chip is it there are a few different ones, I can see it's a 16 pin soic but which one ?

You'll have to wait until next week when I get mine. Unless Scruffie wants to crack his open and tell you now.

It's probably the AL3102. But I just read that Wavefront is in the process of voluntarily scaling back their entire company in preparation for shutting down.

Scruffie · Post by **Scruffie** » 30 Jan 2011, 20:22

culturejam wrote:
Ice-9 wrote:Yeah but what Wavesemi chip is it there are a few different ones, I can see it's a 16 pin soic but which one ?
You'll have to wait until next week when I get mine. Unless Scruffie wants to crack his open and tell you now.

It's probably the AL3102. But I just read that Wavefront is in the process of voluntarily scaling back their entire company in preparation for shutting down.

I would, but when I said mine's not to hand... it's about 4 hours away in a giant container with all the rest of my stuff

Could ask Ryan, he'll most likely tell you.

Ice-9 · Post by **Ice-9** » 30 Jan 2011, 20:32

culturejam wrote:
Ice-9 wrote:Yeah but what Wavesemi chip is it there are a few different ones, I can see it's a 16 pin soic but which one ?
You'll have to wait until next week when I get mine. Unless Scruffie wants to crack his open and tell you now.

It's probably the AL3102. But I just read that Wavefront is in the process of voluntarily scaling back their entire company in preparation for shutting down.

Yeah thers only two options i'm aware of, i'm sure it's one of these
AL3201BG
AL3102G

Thats a shame about them going out of business tho

culturejam · Post by **culturejam** » 30 Jan 2011, 20:37

Here's some info straight from the builder's keyboard:
http://www.ilovefuzz.com/viewtopic.php?f=146&t=10057

(Ryan is a hella-nice guy, by the way)

Scruffie · Post by **Scruffie** » 30 Jan 2011, 20:40

culturejam wrote:Here's some info straight from the builder's keyboard:
http://www.ilovefuzz.com/viewtopic.php?f=146&t=10057

(Ryan is a hella-nice guy, by the way)

I was looking for that thread earlier! I knew we'd discussed it before.

And he is one of the nicest guys i've ever met online indeed.

stanimal08 · Post by **stanimal08** » 30 Jan 2011, 21:57

I got to know Ryan pretty well via email a few months ago when I wanted to install an expression pedal jack into my big box RRR... Not only was he helpful but he was very encouraging and even gave the "if you mess it up I'll fix it for you" vote of confidence.... And he didn't want to stop there, his brain is constantly working to take his builds to the next level and do things different and new... If you are reading this and are not familiar with Dr. Scientist pedals, I suggest you check out his forum over at ilovefuzz... I own two of his pedals at the moment and when my birthday hits I'll own two more....

And I'll also post gut shots of my big box RRR so you can have a look at the design, the big box is not smd if I recall correctly...

culturejam · Post by **culturejam** » 31 Jan 2011, 03:10

stanimal08 wrote:If you are reading this and are not familiar with Dr. Scientist pedals, I suggest you check out his forum over at ilovefuzz...

I couldn't agree more. At first I just didn't "get" what he was doing, but now it's like "what the fuck was I thinking not loving these pedals?!?!?"

stanimal08 wrote:And I'll also post gut shots of my big box RRR so you can have a look at the design, the big box is not smd if I recall correctly...

That would be cool, but it's still going to be quite a chore to DIY the Radical Red Reverberator. I think the Wavefront stuff is only SMD, so at least that part of it is going to be tricky (but not impossible of course). To me, it's not worth the effort. I'd rather buy it and enjoy it than slave over it.

Ice-9 · Post by **Ice-9** » 31 Jan 2011, 12:43

Looking at the datasheets for the 2 wavefront chips i mentioned I would have to say he is using the ALC3201BG.

stanimal08 · Post by **stanimal08** » 31 Jan 2011, 13:09

culturejam wrote: I'd rather buy it and enjoy it than slave over it.

Most definitely agree.... i want to post pics strictly as pedal porn.... when i first opened up my RRR i spent a good portion of my time staring at the pcb......

Ice-9 · Post by **Ice-9** » 31 Jan 2011, 16:35

stanimal08 wrote:
culturejam wrote: I'd rather buy it and enjoy it than slave over it.

Most definitely agree.... i want to post pics strictly as pedal porn.... when i first opened up my RRR i spent a good portion of my time staring at the pcb......

Well for me it's not about building a clone of this, it's more about seeing how other builders go about what they do and why. It's about learning how things tick. I know i could just download the application sheet for that chip and design around that it's not difficult.
Respect to builder of the pedal as it's a nice neat design.

culturejam · Post by **culturejam** » 31 Jan 2011, 18:49

Ice-9 wrote:Well for me it's not about building a clone of this, it's more about seeing how other builders go about what they do and why. It's about learning how things tick.

Totally. That's what this place is mainly about, even though some people come here just so they can build a clone of something. Really, the point is to learn and share.

Ice-9 · Post by **Ice-9** » 31 Jan 2011, 18:58

I have noticed from the pcb picture that Dr. Scientist has used 2 different crystals on the toggle switch to change the sample rate of the digital chip allowing the reverb to have a longer delay (lower fi) 12mhz is the standard xtal and the other is 6mhz .

Ice-9 · Post by **Ice-9** » 31 Jan 2011, 19:01

Ice-9 wrote:I have noticed from the pcb picture that Dr. Scientist has used 2 different crystals on the toggle switch to change the sample rate of the digital chip allowing the reverb to have a longer delay (lower fi) 12mhz is the standard xtal and the other is 6mhz .

I would think switching the xtal over while in effect will cause quite a clatter in the sound. I can't think of a better way to do it though. If the wavefront chip has a mute pin it could be done usine that (maybe)

Scruffie · Post by **Scruffie** » 31 Jan 2011, 19:41

Ice-9 wrote:
Ice-9 wrote:I have noticed from the pcb picture that Dr. Scientist has used 2 different crystals on the toggle switch to change the sample rate of the digital chip allowing the reverb to have a longer delay (lower fi) 12mhz is the standard xtal and the other is 6mhz .
I would think switching the xtal over while in effect will cause quite a clatter in the sound. I can't think of a better way to do it though. If the wavefront chip has a mute pin it could be done usine that (maybe)

It does indeed Make a Clatter of reverb, you can read it on his site on the Page for the Reverberator.

I've seen several people actually using this noise in recorded tracks though and unless you have your amp up very loud, it's not really too bigger issue, atleast I didn't find it to be, just pop the level back first.