Introducing the Alternate Dimension: Flexible Dimension/Dual Chorus

[Ripthorn]

I like to try to find effects where there aren't many DIY offerings and come up with something. Dimension chorus is like that. There's the DC-2 clones and the Dimension P and that's about it. I repaired a Boss CE-5 a little while ago, which introduced me to the ES56028S chip that Boss now uses in all their modern chorus pedals. I use two of these instead of BBD's and ditched the companders of the DC-2, while using it's basic LFO architecture. Features include:

- Independent mix controls for both delay lines
- LFO speed and depth that goes from slower/shallower to faster/deeper than the DC-2
- Toggle switch to have only one chorus active on the left channel
- Support for full stereo in/out, mono in and stereo out, and mono in and mono out

This will give classic dimension chorus as well as standard chorus, something reminiscent of rotary, and other fun stuff. This is not a beginner project by any stretch. It's all surface mount and it's a fairly high parts count, but it should be much more straightforward than a DC-2 clone. The chips can be reliably sourced from UTSource online for about the same price as BBD's (I don't really know, to be honest). Everything including circuit walk through, Gerber files, build documentation, etc. can be found here: https://scientificguitarist.wixsite.com ... -dimension

[Reachahighernoon]

Why are there no comments to this? A DIY duo chorus that is not the Dimension P? Exciting!

How would you make the LFO more sine wave like though?

[Frank_NH]

Very cool - thanks for posting. I looked around for the ES56028 chip and noted that it comes in a DIP package (ES56028E) which means you could probably construct this with through hole components on vero. The vero layout would likely be large but not too bad to do.

[Ripthorn]

Very cool - thanks for posting. I looked around for the ES56028 chip and noted that it comes in a DIP package (ES56028E) which means you could probably construct this with through hole components on vero. The vero layout would likely be large but not too bad to do.

I've got some of the DIP parts for breadboards, and they are the massive, 0.6" wide packages. If you go through hole, a 1590BB would likely still be a tight fit, but through hole is possible.

[Reachahighernoon]

Very cool - thanks for posting. I looked around for the ES56028 chip and noted that it comes in a DIP package (ES56028E) which means you could probably construct this with through hole components on vero. The vero layout would likely be large but not too bad to do.

I've got some of the DIP parts for breadboards, and they are the massive, 0.6" wide packages. If you go through hole, a 1590BB would likely still be a tight fit, but through hole is possible.

I am trying to make some pcbs with only the ES56028s being SMD and the rest is THT, the PCBs are still coming out big...

[Ripthorn]

There are quite a few components, for sure. Honestly, the 0805 size resistor/ cap package isn't hard to do by hand. I do all my soldering by hand.

[Reachahighernoon]

There are quite a few components, for sure. Honestly, the 0805 size resistor/ cap package isn't hard to do by hand. I do all my soldering by hand.

Speaking of which, why did you use the 56028 instead of the 56033 for this?

[Ripthorn]

The 56028 has a couple of advantages:

- Lower minimum delay time
- Single Fadj pin/scheme that allows for more "traditional" LFO/modulation schemes
- Space considerations

The 14 ms minimum delay time of the 56033 can do chorus-esque, but the 56028 gets much lower. This chip is the same chip that Boss uses to replace BBD's in all their chorus pedals, so it has a proven track record as a good chip for chorus.

The 56033 uses two pins and appears to have some sort of internal compensation network that requires a different modulation scheme that can make it suboptimal for 80's chorus sounds. The selection of resistor, pot, cap, and current sink configuration makes it a little finicky.

56033S (surface mount) supposedly exists, but I've never been able to find it, so the 56028S is preferable for size considerations. I like to try to put as many projects as possible in 125B enclosures since they are ubiquitous and convenient.

[Reachahighernoon]

The 56028 has a couple of advantages:

- Lower minimum delay time
- Single Fadj pin/scheme that allows for more "traditional" LFO/modulation schemes
- Space considerations

The 14 ms minimum delay time of the 56033 can do chorus-esque, but the 56028 gets much lower. This chip is the same chip that Boss uses to replace BBD's in all their chorus pedals, so it has a proven track record as a good chip for chorus.

The 56033 uses two pins and appears to have some sort of internal compensation network that requires a different modulation scheme that can make it suboptimal for 80's chorus sounds. The selection of resistor, pot, cap, and current sink configuration makes it a little finicky.

56033S (surface mount) supposedly exists, but I've never been able to find it, so the 56028S is preferable for size considerations. I like to try to put as many projects as possible in 125B enclosures since they are ubiquitous and convenient.

I noticed that actually about the 56028, it needs a special circuit, as you described, a "current sink" to function which is something I havent seen in PT2399 and 56033 choruses

Can you help me design a PCB for the 56033 chorus that uses THT mostly?

[Ripthorn]

The 56028 has a couple of advantages:

- Lower minimum delay time
- Single Fadj pin/scheme that allows for more "traditional" LFO/modulation schemes
- Space considerations

The 14 ms minimum delay time of the 56033 can do chorus-esque, but the 56028 gets much lower. This chip is the same chip that Boss uses to replace BBD's in all their chorus pedals, so it has a proven track record as a good chip for chorus.

The 56033 uses two pins and appears to have some sort of internal compensation network that requires a different modulation scheme that can make it suboptimal for 80's chorus sounds. The selection of resistor, pot, cap, and current sink configuration makes it a little finicky.

56033S (surface mount) supposedly exists, but I've never been able to find it, so the 56028S is preferable for size considerations. I like to try to put as many projects as possible in 125B enclosures since they are ubiquitous and convenient.

I noticed that actually about the 56028, it needs a special circuit, as you described, a "current sink" to function which is something I havent seen in PT2399 and 56033 choruses

Can you help me design a PCB for the 56033 chorus that uses THT mostly?

My Wobble Box design is a 56033 chorus. The schematic should get you going. My website has a technical wall through of the circuit as well.

[Ali7887]

I've just bought this brilliant pedal, friends do you have any idea or suggestions for mod this pedal?

[bumblebee]

I've just bought this brilliant pedal, friends do you have any idea or suggestions for mod this pedal?

I have a suggestion….leave it stock.

If you want to mod it then build a clone and mod that.

These pedals are great and have become stupid expensive today.

It deserves to be left as is.

However, it’s yours so do as you please.

[Ali7887]

I've just bought this brilliant pedal, friends do you have any idea or suggestions for mod this pedal?

I have a suggestion….leave it stock.

If you want to mod it then build a clone and mod that.

These pedals are great and have become stupid

so many thanks

It deserves to be left as is.

However, it’s yours so do as you please.

[CheapPedalCollector]

I'm with Bumblebee, build a clone and mod that. Don't destroy vintage pedals. There's enough people doing that and ruining them.

[mauman]

There's a good analysis of this pedal in the Aion clone PCB build document at https://aionfx.com/app/files/docs/blues ... tation.pdf. I don't see a lot of opportunity for mods, everything is pretty tightly linked together and it requires some calibration to work well.