How does a total noob even get started?

[GardenoftheDead]

So, I've been interesting in making my own effects pedals for a while.

Here's the thing: I've soldered one thing in my life and all of these effects diagrams I see might as well be in Chinese.

Where do you begin?

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

get a pedal kit maybe? they usually come w/ all the parts, enclosure, instructions, etc. all you need to do is put it together!

[Mike]

I think it depends on what you want to achieve.

If you want to learn how effects work, I recommend the beginner project at DIYSB. You'll learn how to read the parts on a schematic, how to purchase parts (not as easy as it sounds for a beginner), how to use perfboard, how to solder, and how to do offboard wiring. It's a good foundation.

If you just want to build a few effects, a good bet is the circuit-by-numbers approach offered in a kit. You don't need to know what does what-- just where it goes.


My recommendation is always the learning method. Otherwise, it is more likely that someone ends up in a situation where they bit off more than they can chew. This leads to builds that don't work, and when that happens, there is no choice but to learn how to fix it, or give up.

Mike

[bortlett]

I'm probably of little help here, but I'm interested to see what some other people have to say too.

I've started to build only a month ago, and I was in the exact same boat very recently. I've tried to skip the whole kit-building thing, because I don't see myself really learning about what I'm building by looking at a pre-planned board, putting R1 in the R1 hole, and repeating. Instead, I tried to find some of the simplest schematics I could track down (bazz fuss, LPB-1) and assemble working boards to help get my mind following a schematic. There are plenty of layouts for those easy schematics all over the place that I used to troubleshoot, but not copy. These are boring pedals as far as playing through them goes, but they make great confidence boosters for picking apart more complex schematics.

Soldering... I decided to build a bunch of cables as practice. I still suck.

I'm only like one half step in front of you on this pedal thing, so take my advice for what it's worth. It is fresh in my mind though, so I've got that going for me. I hope someone will correct me if I'm offering terrible advice.

[Chankgeez]

stripes had a thread about this recently. Maybe there's some good info in there.

viewtopic.php?f=151&t=28233

[GardenoftheDead]

If you want to learn how effects work, I recommend the beginner project at DIYSB.

Where?

[devnulljp]

Start here: http://www.diystompboxes.com/wiki/index ... le=DIY_FAQ

[morange]

Get busy learning or get busy dying.

[ran_dizolph]

I too am a total noob to this. I saw the Tonefiend Projects, which looked to help me accomplish my goal of actually learning the basics of pedal building/electronics. Mammoth electronics has pre-packaged kits to follow right along with the tutorials.

I am of the same mind as the other poster, who doesn't feel that following direct instructions and soldering things to a PCB is the best way to actually learn, so the Tonefiend stuff really helps. They urge you to try various different components during the builds to hear the differences too.

My soldering was/is not great, but there's only one way to learn it. I cannot stress enough that you should get a 'helping hands' type vise before getting started too...very helpful tool.

I'm already on my 2nd project from Tonefiend after successfully completing the first one, and I'm stoked about it!

[Gone Fission]

Joe's Tonefiend projects are a great place to start. That includes learning to breadboard circuits -- don't neglect that part.

Based on critiques in DIY forums of pro pedal guts, a lot of very well respected guys can't solder either. If it works when you're done, call it a win. You'll get steadier at it with practice.

All the same, buy an aloe plant in anticipation of the burns you'll give yourself.

[morange]

Soldering is much easier if your iron doesn't suck and you use a good temperature. Also, I used desoldering braids a lot when I first started, but be careful if you use those on printed circuit boards, because it likes to lift traces; also, I guess all the heat wouldn't be good for semiconductors, but you should use sockets for IC's and transistors when you start out (and all the time, some would say).

I started with a radio shack iron, then moved to some cheap discount variable temperature iron (it was like $15) which was worse. The main problem with these were you never really knew how hot the iron was - they took forever to heat up, and kept heating up, and cooled off when you used them, so half the time you're scorching stuff, and the other half you're waiting forever for stuff to heat up. The better ones regulate the temperature more. Also, cheap tips suck because they oxidize quick. I did a good deal of point to point stuff with that Radio Shack iron, though; fond memories.

Anyway, I have the Hakko iron Beavis mentions here: http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/How-to-solder/
It is very nice. You might consider some of the Weller irons, since you can get tips and stuff for it at more places.

[eatyourguitar]

not being sarcastic at all, I have no problem with people starting threads to ask the same question but we do have stickies that cover almost everything. some of these links are complete courses in electronics, semiconductors etc.. what kind of iron to buy has been discussed a LOT. this forum will always be the place to get help if you need it. I really hope no one takes this the wrong way. I would just appreciate a little more passion for reading from the general public. if you have a passion for electronics, you should have the required attention span to read something about it on the internet.