NWTFD

[jrmy]

So I was posting about pedals on FB today, when a friend commented that he had a crazy pedal, only ten made, and that I could try it out if I wanted.

I bit and said "Sure, when?" He immediately replied "Noon."

Well all righty then.

This is what I've got on loan from him:

It's called The Life Changer. Definitely some kind of oscillator-type dealio (the center thing is some kind of antenna - he hypothesized that it's a theramin-type control), but it's got an in as well as an out. Only problem is that while it LOOKS like it takes a center-positive adaptor, he doesn't have the original, and it doesn't say anything about the voltage. And he doesn't know exactly what it does because he basically got it right before getting out of music... so it's been sculptural art for the last 5 - 10 years!

Here's a pic of what's connected to the power socket on the inside:

Dunno if any smart electrical-type people can figure it out from that. I might post it in DIY. He also put in an email to the company, though he got it many years ago, and has no idea if the guy who built it is even still around. Oh, and when we opened it, we discovered that the builder had written on the inside cover there were actually only 5 made! This one's #5 of 5. So, yeah... crazy what a random FB post can bring!

[bronzetalon]

If you end up figuring it out and it is some type of noise machine give me a hollar if he ever wants to sell it...I love weird noise boxes.

oh and clips!!!

[Holy Schnikes]

If you end up figuring it out and it is some type of noise machine give me a hollar if he ever wants to sell it...I love weird noise boxes.

oh and clips!!!

I've got a Weird Sound Generator you can borrow if you'd like? Skullservant built it actually, it's insane if ya like the noises!

[Chankgeez]

Wot, gut shot, but no flux capacitor?

Those cloud graphics are nice though.

[bronzetalon]

If you end up figuring it out and it is some type of noise machine give me a hollar if he ever wants to sell it...I love weird noise boxes.

oh and clips!!!

I've got a Weird Sound Generator you can borrow if you'd like? Skullservant built it actually, it's insane if ya like the noises!

I do like noise so I would like to borrow

[jrmy]

If you end up figuring it out and it is some type of noise machine give me a hollar if he ever wants to sell it...I love weird noise boxes.

oh and clips!!!

I've got a Weird Sound Generator you can borrow if you'd like? Skullservant built it actually, it's insane if ya like the noises!

I do like noise so I would like to borrow

There is talk of potentially selling it... but not until we figure out the power supply issue!

[Scruffie]

Can't quite be sure from that picture, need to know where the leads are going from that electrolytic.

If the lead on the side without a stripe is going to the metal tab on the DC Jack that runs in to the middle of the socket it's positive ground.

[jrmy]

Can't quite be sure from that picture, need to know where the leads are going from that electrolytic.

If the lead on the side without a stripe is going to the metal tab on the DC Jack that runs in to the middle of the socket it's positive ground.

Well, I meant I was more confused about the voltage. It's got this on the back, which suggests center positive to me:

[Scruffie]

Aha...

Anyway, the max voltage will depend on the max voltage rating of all the caps, chips and transistors in there. That one cap is rated for 50V but no idea about the rest.

Probably be fine with 9V but you'd have to go through each of those components and there datasheets to be sure.

[jrmy]

Ah, crap. Well, we'll see if the builder gets back to my friend's email. Hm. I do have a partial gutshot that I snapped...

[excane]

This be needing some demozz??

[sonidero]

Get a center pos. 9v and start from there... I'm sure it's not too esoteric of a voltage... All my King Capital Punishment/Skychord runs on a 9v...

[Scruffie]

Ah, crap. Well, we'll see if the builder gets back to my friend's email. Hm. I do have a partial gutshot that I snapped...

lifechange_guts.jpg

No help at all i'm afraid, need close ups on each part to read what they say.

Personally... i'd risk 9V, unless the electrolytics are (unlikely) 6.3V it'll be fine and I wouldn't imagine it has any 5V or lower DSP sorta stuff and if it did, probably uses a regulator.

I can't be certain but i'd stake the reputation i'm hoping to gain from this outing that it works fine on 9V.

[jrmy]

Yeah, I've tracked down the builder's name and general whereabouts. Now I'm just trying to get in touch. I'd just plug it in if it were mine, but I don't want to risk blowing out my friend's last bit of gear.

We shall see. I'll get in touch with the builder. And then there will be demos. Oh yes, there will be....