I want to start building, guide me?

[selfdestroyer]

One thing I learned when I started was my first build was a pedal I REALLY wanted and when it didn't work the first time around I got really frustrated. I will agree with a few people to make a Buss Fazz since its easy and you get some cool/usable sound out of it. I think I just wanted my first build to be a pedal I wanted real bad and could not hunt down or afford but I think that added to my frustration when it did not work properly. I hope that makes sense.

[stripes]

waiting on some pcbs to start attempting pedals, but in the meantime i've been at radioshack stocking up on stuff that i think i am going to need. i picked up a couple little $8 projects that show me how to make LEDs light and react to sound and things like that. i also built a little one octave glitchy synth thing... it's actually really awesome and came as a kit with the soldering iron that i bought. i'm so pumped about this, but still don't really know what's going on, haha. i got a range master and pasty face pcb from madbean, and ordered all the components. i'm having an easy time following all the directions and soldering and wiring and whatnot, but i feel like i'm just following directions and not really UNDERSTANDING anything... i guess all in time. thanks for all the help and advice so far, guyz

[skullservant]

YAY! That's good news. I'm glad your first builds were nice and easy and not discouraging. I too feel like sometimes I'm just plopping components in without understanding

[stripes]

yeah.. i feel good about being successful at even the simplest circuit

right now i'm hanging out reading "electronic projects for musicians" and taking notes... it's weirdly enjoyable.

oh i wanted to ask, what do you guys use to drill into enclosures?

[skullservant]

Most people use a press. But I can't afford a press. So I have a cordless drill with metal bits and a sharpie

[stripes]

cool, sounds good to me. i'm not affording any press either, ha.

[skullservant]

Only thing youve got to worry about is the drill bit slipping, but thats why you start with a tiny gauge hole and then mill it larger!

[Officer Bukowski]

A drill press is totally unnecessary for a little DIY action. If you just get an electric drill and a step drill bit you'll be good to go for all your pedal drilling needs. I think Harbor Freight sells a step drill bit for pretty cheap. The one I got was really expensive but it's been holding up really well.

If you want to do some more reading, check out the "technology of _____" articles at geofex. They're really insightful.

That single octave synth thing sounds really cool!

[stripes]

k so i'm starting off with this rangemaster clone and i got the pcb in the mail yesterday. i had already ordered parts from the part list in the PDF file : http://www.madbeanpedals.com/projects/Rangemaster/Rangemaster.pdf

only thing i'm confused about is the bypass switch... in the parts list it told me to get a SPST, which I got, but in the wiring diagram it shows a 3PDT switch...

confused

[mysteriousj]

k so i'm starting off with this rangemaster clone and i got the pcb in the mail yesterday. i had already ordered parts from the part list in the PDF file : http://www.madbeanpedals.com/projects/Rangemaster/Rangemaster.pdf

only thing i'm confused about is the bypass switch... in the parts list it told me to get a SPST, which I got, but in the wiring diagram it shows a 3PDT switch...

confused

Bypass switches, 1/4" jacks and DC jacks aren't normally included in a BOM. You can still wire it up and check it's working and add the bypass switch later when it arrives .

[stripes]

okay! but what is the momentary switch for?

[Scruffie]

okay! but what is the momentary switch for?

Shouldn't be momentary, should be latching SPST.

Look down the page at the 'wiring diagram' and schematic, it's used as a Treble/Mids switch, it switches in and out a cap in parallel with the input cap to increase the frequencies going in to an affected by the pedal.

So Rangemaster as treble booster or range master as mids booster (you could increase this second cap to get even fuller sounds boosted).

[stripes]

so i'm looking for one of these? http://www.mammothelectronics.com/KTS-1336A3-05-SPST-On-Off-Industrial-Toggle-Swit-p/810-2002.htm

also - hookup wire... solid or stranded?

[Scruffie]

so i'm looking for one of these? http://www.mammothelectronics.com/KTS-1336A3-05-SPST-On-Off-Industrial-Toggle-Swit-p/810-2002.htm

also - hookup wire... solid or stranded?

This'll do ya, it's SPDT but you can just ignore one of the lugs http://www.mammothelectronics.com/4STS- ... 0-1005.htm

Solid is more brittle, easier to wire in but i'd go with stranded for durability. I think smallbear does some pre bonded stranded which is like a halfway, I hear good things but haven't tried it.

Stranded is crap for breadboards though IMO so maybe get both.

[stripes]

Okay, cool. I already have a breadboard bus wire kit... Is there a difference other than it being pre cut and stuff? Can I use bus wire to connect 1/4" jacks to a bread boarded circuit, or does it have to be hookup wire?

I'm going to be getting some hookup wire anyway.