Revamp of an old project of mine: Babylon Fuzz MkIII - CLIP

[culturejam]

I figure you guys here will like this one. Lot of history with this one. It was the first circuit I ever came up with "on my own" that actually worked. I basically started with two Electra Distortions in series, but minus the clipping diodes. I monkeyed around with the bias to make it all work, DC coupled the two stages, etc. Set up that way, it's LOUD AS GOD in terms of output volume, but still has a really nice heavy clipping thing going on. It's mostly heavy overdrive with a touch of square-wave clipping on the lower frequencies (which makes for some cool decay tones). But also, if you add clipping diodes to the output, it gets super-compressed, much higher dirt, and it sustains for a fortnight.

So I figured why not revamp the circuit a bit and make the clipping diodes a switchable option. And that's exactly what I did (see layout below). This thing OWNS if you're into the whole fuzz-drive thing. I'll get a quick clip up tomorrow.

Seriously, with the diodes out of the circuit, it's loud enough to push a tube amp into meltdown. It turned my Valve Jr into molten lava.

I'm definitely making a run of boards for this. I'll keep you guys posted (assuming anyone is interested).

This is a great beginner circuit because it's low parts count, dead simple (no biasing required), and the parts are cheap and readily available. Also, there are some fun mods you can do it to expand the tonal possibilities. With a little tweaking, you can get a more nasty square-wave fuzz out of it.

As of right now, the PCB dimensions are 1.6" wide x 1.25" high. It will definitely fit in a 1290NS.

Here's the schematic for those that are interested:
http://www.forrestwhitesides.com/files/ ... ematic.png

Here is a full build guide, with schematic, layout, transfer artwork, build notes, and possible mods:
http://www.forrestwhitesides.com/files/ ... _build.zip

And here is a clip that demos the circuit both without and then with diodes:
http://www.archive.org/details/BabylonFuzzMkiiiDemo

[nbabmf]

Ooh, I like how you arranged those clipping diodes vertically instead of side by side.

[culturejam]

Yeah, it was more symmetric that way.

[D3rP]

Looks nice man. Want to hear that clip. Very neat layout.

Kinda like something I made recently, except you can remove the diodes in yours and the one I made has a gain pot.


And yours works.


What is the benefit of R1? >.>

[culturejam]

What is the benefit of R1? >.>

It's the so-called "pulldown" resistor that both sets the input impedance and also helps to prevent the switch popping on mechanical true bypass.

[D3rP]

Oh, thanks.

Now I think I read something about that somewhere.

Also, fuck yeah Futurama avatar.

[Jero]

Hell yea cj. Glad to see you doing stuff with this guy again. I have always been tempted to try it, from seeing it on your site. I love electra style pedals.

[culturejam]

I love electra style pedals.

This one doesn't sound anything like an Electra, despite it's obvious heritage. I'll work up a clip soon.

[Jero]

I love electra style pedals.

This one doesn't sound anything like an Electra, despite it's obvious heritage. I'll work up a clip soon.

Well your description of what this one sounds like is also something I might love

[culturejam]

The prototype is done!

I need to swap the volume pot pads for underside mounting (with PCB mount pots), but otherwise, it's good to go.

[culturejam]

I forgot I had an old clip of this circuit. This is without the diodes:
http://www.forrestwhitesides.com/files/ ... abylon.mp3

I'll try to bang out a new demo tomorrow.

[culturejam]

Just added a new clip of this build to the first post.

[culturejam]

I just added a full build guide to the first post, but here it is again:
http://www.forrestwhitesides.com/files/ ... _build.zip