Help with the Tremolessence box layout, please! (4 choices)
Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 6:02 pm
**EDIT** I added a 4th choice, the 125B size box... gotta be thorough and MM's right, it ain't a bad box! The 125B layout would be a pleasure to build, it's quite roomy. You can change your vote in the poll if you like. **EDIT**
Along with the relay switching that's been holding up the ultimate Tremolessence for awhile now I've been waffling about how the new box layout should go...
The problem is it's friggin tough to fit 6 knobs and 2 toggle switches into the 1590B with top mounted in/out/9VDC jacks plus 2 expression control jacks. It's tight like a tiger... I built one prototype so far (in the middle layout) and it was a super bitch to get together.
I don't want to lose any features or really change the circuit design at all right now, I think it's ready to roll, but a big part of me wants to use the 1590BB for the ultimate Tremolessence. My first instinct is to always squeeze as much possible into the 1590B but this build is so full that there's a lot of compromises with it.. it's really hard to build, there's barely any room on the top panel for control labels or any kind of artwork or finish coolness, and the knobs are really close together and maybe hard to use for some folks.
So here's 3 layouts that I think I could build... what do you guys think is the best one? Would you hate having the pedal move up into a slightly bigger box or does anybody even care about that difference? (a 1590BB is less than 1.5" wider than a 1590B)
PS - The six knobs are: Rate, Shape, Depth, Volume, Treble, Rise. One toggle is for square or triangle waveform and the other is for 'hold' or 'normal'. The in/out/9VDC jacks are on the top and the expression jacks for rate and depth are on the side. The little hole is for a 3mm LED that will always show the rate and shape of the oscillator.
I know there's one other box option I could use, the 125B, but... well... I don't like those boxes. They're fine boxes and I'm glad they're out in the world being used, but there's something about them that rubs me wrong so I've avoided doing a layout in them, although the extra height would be nice. Flippin 125Bs. **Edit - these boxes aren't so bad, I could work with them! Plus, that layout could be snugged much closer together, I did it loose and fast... 1 to 2 cm of stomp switch room could be gained with a tighter layout. **Edit**
My pros and cons for the two box sizes I like:
1590B Pros - smallest box possible is cool
1590B Cons - build is too tight/tough, not much room for finish fun, knobs close together/tight control layouts bother some people
1590BB Pros - build would be a pleasure, lots of room for the finish, I personally think the layout looks better, tons of room between stomp switch and controls
1590BB Cons - little more money but no big whoop, little bit wider.. I know how important pedal real estate is!
125B Pros - definitely a pleasurable build
125B Cons - little beefy I guess
Thanks a million for any input on this, I'd love to hear what you guys think about the different box sizes. Love to hear from current Tremolessence owners too about the changes.
I was also thinking it could be cool to do the decked out Tremolessence in the big box and then do a more simpler one in the small box. Make it a 3 knobber with 1 toggle, stripped down but exact same oscillator and audio path, kinda like the mini and big RRR.
Another PS - Don't let me sway your vote to the big box, if the smaller box is the cooler box then I don't mind the little extra work to make them, no biggie!
Along with the relay switching that's been holding up the ultimate Tremolessence for awhile now I've been waffling about how the new box layout should go...
The problem is it's friggin tough to fit 6 knobs and 2 toggle switches into the 1590B with top mounted in/out/9VDC jacks plus 2 expression control jacks. It's tight like a tiger... I built one prototype so far (in the middle layout) and it was a super bitch to get together.
I don't want to lose any features or really change the circuit design at all right now, I think it's ready to roll, but a big part of me wants to use the 1590BB for the ultimate Tremolessence. My first instinct is to always squeeze as much possible into the 1590B but this build is so full that there's a lot of compromises with it.. it's really hard to build, there's barely any room on the top panel for control labels or any kind of artwork or finish coolness, and the knobs are really close together and maybe hard to use for some folks.
So here's 3 layouts that I think I could build... what do you guys think is the best one? Would you hate having the pedal move up into a slightly bigger box or does anybody even care about that difference? (a 1590BB is less than 1.5" wider than a 1590B)
PS - The six knobs are: Rate, Shape, Depth, Volume, Treble, Rise. One toggle is for square or triangle waveform and the other is for 'hold' or 'normal'. The in/out/9VDC jacks are on the top and the expression jacks for rate and depth are on the side. The little hole is for a 3mm LED that will always show the rate and shape of the oscillator.
I know there's one other box option I could use, the 125B, but... well... I don't like those boxes. They're fine boxes and I'm glad they're out in the world being used, but there's something about them that rubs me wrong so I've avoided doing a layout in them, although the extra height would be nice. Flippin 125Bs. **Edit - these boxes aren't so bad, I could work with them! Plus, that layout could be snugged much closer together, I did it loose and fast... 1 to 2 cm of stomp switch room could be gained with a tighter layout. **Edit**
My pros and cons for the two box sizes I like:
1590B Pros - smallest box possible is cool
1590B Cons - build is too tight/tough, not much room for finish fun, knobs close together/tight control layouts bother some people
1590BB Pros - build would be a pleasure, lots of room for the finish, I personally think the layout looks better, tons of room between stomp switch and controls
1590BB Cons - little more money but no big whoop, little bit wider.. I know how important pedal real estate is!
125B Pros - definitely a pleasurable build
125B Cons - little beefy I guess
Thanks a million for any input on this, I'd love to hear what you guys think about the different box sizes. Love to hear from current Tremolessence owners too about the changes.
I was also thinking it could be cool to do the decked out Tremolessence in the big box and then do a more simpler one in the small box. Make it a 3 knobber with 1 toggle, stripped down but exact same oscillator and audio path, kinda like the mini and big RRR.
Another PS - Don't let me sway your vote to the big box, if the smaller box is the cooler box then I don't mind the little extra work to make them, no biggie!