Just slapped together an octave-down fuzz circuit (clip!)

[culturejam]

I'm working on a poor-man's Octron workalike circuit, and I'm making great progress. But I thought I'd take some time out and work up just the octave down side of it as a discreet project.

This is a dirty octave down, powered by the classic Bazz Fuss on the input. I mucked around with that and Joe Davisson's "Shocktave" circuit. My goal was to get a similar sound to the Shocktave, but with better fuzz and fewer parts and more options. I believe I have succeeded in that goal. I like the fuzz tones much better, and the octave down still tracks pretty good, especially with bass-heavy inputs. I imagine this thing would KILL on bass, but I don't have one to test.

There is a Mix control that blends the octave down in with the fuzz (same as on the Shocktave). I also added a switch that kills the octave down and adds a slight hint of octave up (check the clip below). With the mix at half way or less, chording still sounds pretty good. But with the mix higher, it's basically a monophonic type thing.

I do believe this is the most simple (yet still useful) octave down fuzz there is (so far). Probably not the most useful thing for a lot of people, but I figured if anybody would dig this, it would be the crowd here at ILF.

Here is a clip of it:
http://soundcloud.com/effdub/downbox-fuzz-demo

First is clean, then straight fuzz, and then the octave down starts getting mixed in around 0:45 (ranging from a hint to 100% wet). Then I flip the kinda-octave-up switch at around 3:50.

I'm especially interested in hearing feedback from the noise-loving group of people here.


Here's the schematic:

[Jero]

I'll put this on the breadboard tomorrow & let you know...I do have a bass

[smallsnd/bigsnd]

sounds rad!

[culturejam]

I'll put this on the breadboard tomorrow & let you know...I do have a bass

That would rule!

sounds rad!

Thanks!

[kosta]

Sounds killer man!

[Officer Bukowski]

Hmm this sounds really cool.

Any plans to do a run of PCBs? I want one!

[Craiz]

Im gonna get started asap- very excited. One question- would putting an spst along the bottom connection (the one with C3 on it) allow me to completely disengage the fuzz and have only an octave-down, or am I wrong?

[culturejam]

Any plans to do a run of PCBs? I want one!

Absolutely. I'll start on the layout soon, but nothing will be ready for mass distribution until after Xmas/New Year's. Too much shit going on between now and then. But I'll definitely be doing a run of these.

Im gonna get started asap- very excited. One question- would putting an spst along the bottom connection (the one with C3 on it) allow me to completely disengage the fuzz and have only an octave-down, or am I wrong?

The "Mix" control more or less does the same thing when fully "wet". 1M is pretty high resistance and blocks most of the "clean" fuzz. But you could add a SPST to break that connection, and it would give you 100% octave down...but it will still be fuzzy because the Bazz on the front is driving the flip-flop. But you won't hear the "root" note, just the octave down + fuzz.

I suppose I could add a set of pads for that on the board, and let people decided if they want to use it or not. What do you guys think?

[culturejam]

Okay, just checked on that switch idea. It sounds exactly the same with the Mix set to fully wet as it does to break the connection with a switch. Ergo, the switch doesn't add anything, and so it won't be added to the layout.

[Jero]

Hey, I got busy with other builds today, so didn't get around to it, sorry. Have no builds for tomorrow so hopefully I'll find time.
Also, boards would be very cool, when the time comes...speaking of boards, PM'd

[The4455]

I'd like a PCB of this when they're available, how much do you think they'll be a piece, also just to make sure (still a newb) the controlls are just, volume, blend, and a switch for octave up or octave down?

[culturejam]

I would hazard to guess that the cost per PCB would be around $8. It might be a little higher or lower, but it will be around that number.

[The4455]

I would hazard to guess that the cost per PCB would be around $8. It might be a little higher or lower, but it will be around that number.

And the controlls, two pots and one switch?

[LaoWiz]

Shit, man. That clip sounds good!

I am building a Bazz Fuss for my bass player friend with one circuit or 2 in series via footswitch. Maybe I'll throw this is in with a toggle since
its a huge box!

Thanks for sharing. I lurk over at circuit workshop sometimes and I'm always amazed by the amount of all of your circuit experimentations. You have a sick disease!

[culturejam]

And the controlls, two pots and one switch?

Yep. And actually, the switch is optional. You could just jumper the switch pads if you don't want to have the option for the questionable "octave up" mode.

Thanks for sharing. I lurk over at circuit workshop sometimes and I'm always amazed by the amount of all of your circuit experimentations. You have a sick disease!

Pleasure to share. And yes, we have a true sickness.