Which Distortion to build?

[critch]

Ok, i want to build a distortion pedal, and i have some ideas....
I want a nice metal/rock, mainly metal pedal, an i have some ideas, but i cant really hear em all....
BSIAB 2
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=178
Big Muff Project
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=52
Distortion Plus Project
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=42&Itemid=74
DOD Overdrive 250 Project
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=75
Guv'nor
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=50&Itemid=89

Those are the ones ive narrowed it down to...
any comments would be greatly appreciated
thanks

[Wild Zebra]

Well as far a I know a lot of people say the Dist + is a good beginner
project plus its a classic that seems to have stood the test of time.  I have
not built one, but there is alot of info on the subject mods and such.  

I would suggest using the search function for the pedal and/or terms such as beginner project.



"your stripes are killer bro"

[critch]

well they are as easy to make,
and can anyone tell me which is the best metal pedal? and which one also has nice versatility, within metal.

[aron]

Build this:

http://www.diystompboxes.com/analogalchemy/pedals/blackfire.html

and be amazed.

[critch]

hmm, that one looks very gainful, but i cannot work from schematics alone! i need a PCB layout....not very good, i know....
and ive heard that the BSIAB 2 is purely amazing....comments?
and is this project correct?
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=178

[vanhansen]

Can't go wrong with the BSIABII.  Great sounding distortion.

It's actually not hard making a circuit from a schematic using perf board.  Start with the beginner project to get comfortable with it and then go from there.  Even try building the LPB1 Booster on perf following the schematic.  Very low parts count.  This will at least get you started and get you comfortable without to many parts.  Start slow, make mistakes, learn from them, do it again.  It's actually quite satisfying when you build something from a pile of parts and get it working.

Then the fun begins....TWEAKING!  

[RDV]

My little pedal design was created with metal in mind. Give it a try. Try LEDs instead of the 1N914 diodes.

Schematic
Parts List
PCB
Layout

RDV

[critch]

u have a good atitude man....
i can work with PCB's easily! i might even be able to get one made for me, but if not, ill just use perfboard...
and if i use perfboard, is it just like a PCB? do i just have to add the track myself?
and will 3 9v batts work well instead of a power spully for the BSIAB II?
thanks

[vanhansen]

u have a good atitude man....
i can work with PCB's easily! i might even be able to get one made for me, but if not, ill just use perfboard...
and if i use perfboard, is it just like a PCB? do i just have no add the track myself?
and will 3 9v batts work well instead of a power spully for the BSIAB II?
thanks

You can buy a pre-etched PCB from JD Sleep.  For the BSIAB II, I would.

You don't need 3 batteries, just one.  If you see 3 +9v reference points on the schematic, that means all three send the +9v but all come from the same place, just connect them together.

And yes, in a sense perf is like PCB except you have no predetermined layout and no traces.  Use the leads from each component as the trace.  Check out the beginner project in the Beginner Forum to see what I mean.

A cheap plug for Ricky, his HMP circuit is excellent.  Check that out too.

[critch]

ok, getting the picture now, so if i use perfboard, and follow the PCB layout, i just put the components where htey wold on a PCB, and then add wire(or...) where the copper track would go?
and if i buy the pre-made PCB, does it have the holes drilled already?
thanks

[lethargytartare]

I like the BSIAB sound, but personally I didn't think it gave me the metal sound I was hoping for.  Personally I think the Smash Drive is the place to start.  I'm not great at describing it, but I think it's smoother, and with the eq, you have some more tonal control.  It's really a fantastic pedal for how insanely simple it is to build...you just spend all your time trying to fit the pots into one enclosure (I put them in a big honkin' exterior junction box, and avoided the headaches).  And then you buy two of everything and you can make your second build the Insane Drive which is basically an altered Smash Drive.  A cheap way to try a couple of options.

But for all the discussions on the issue, I've never felt like there's a good answer out there.  I think the distortion pedal itself is only part of the equation -- I think you have to get a compressor or multi-band EQ of some sort in the chain to really get a good metal sound.  Something else to consider is to get one of the clean boost pedals in your chain.  Not only do they boost the signal, they clarify it and put an edge on it -- might add teeth to any distortion that follows it...dunno.

There are LOTS of fuzz projects and simple distortion projects in these walls that are absolutely the same from one to the next.  What I'd also recommend -- if you're gonna try the simple circuits, breadboard them -- that way you can use a very small number of parts and test out a dozen of them before you end up with a pile of populated boards that you're not very excited about (which is what I did :-/  )

ltt

[mlabbee]

Don't forget vero-boards.  I just built the Torchy vero layout for the BSIAB II - very nice and easy build.

[vanhansen]

ok, getting the picture now, so if i use perfboard, and follow the PCB layout, i just put the components where htey wold on a PCB, and then add wire(or...) where the copper track would go?
and if i buy the pre-made PCB, does it have the holes drilled already?
thanks

Not necessarily add wire, but bend the component leads to make the traces.  Seriously, look at the pictures of the beginner project.  A picture speaks a thousand words with this.

The pre-made PCB will have holes already drilled and ready to be populated.

[critch]

Do you have a link to this begginer project thing? about the perfboard thing?
and is the BSIAB II a true-bypass pedal?

[petemoore]

Beginner Forum [go to forum index top of page] is the NPN Boost. Great Booster, and great project.
 Firsters...suggestions/requirements
 The Jfet pinouts from data sheets need to be followed and applied to the layout/board/schematic [3 leads/ only go in one way].
 Any polarized capacitors must have + lead to most positive connection [shown in schematics].
 Measureing resistors Before installing each one on the board [with DMM it's easy] insures fewer debugging and bias issues.
 I install pots and some offboard items last, and test the board without box, switch, or jacks first { I use a cheap testjig }
 Sounds like you might want to do a couple circuits, a testjig is 3 wires with alligator clips on one end, 2 jacks, and a box. Install the jacks, run an alligator clipped wire through Gnd on one jack and to the other jacks Gnd.
 The other two 'A'clipped wires go to input jack tip and output jack tip [signal in and out]...just plug the testjig in, clip input wire to board input, output wire to board output, and Gnd Wire to board Gnd.
 I actually use two boxes, open top cardboard one mounted above the metal one. I like having insulating material for setting the circuit board on.

[critch]

I have my heart set on the BSIAB II man...
and does anyone know if this HAS to be connected to the mains, or are batteries ok?

[vanhansen]

Do you have a link to this begginer project thing? about the perfboard thing?
and is the BSIAB II a true-bypass pedal?

It will be true bypass when wired with a DPDT or 3PDT stomp switch.  Check out the wiring diagram at General Guitar Gadgets.

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/diagrams/bsiab_2_lo.gif

The switch can be wired differently than shown in the diagram however.

[vanhansen]

Almost forgot, depending on the type of metal you play will depend on the type of distortion you may want.  There's all sorts of metal: classic, 80's, nu-metal, death metal, etc.  Each genre sounds different.  I play metal myself, but prefer an overdriven tube amp with an overdrive pushing it over the edge.

I agree with pete.  Build a few and decide.

[critch]

Well i guess ur right, and i like Nu-Metal, Arch Enemy, Drowining pool, etc, just a solid distortion. with nice riffing capabilities, and also nice lead.
And can i use batteries in this pedal?
If u listen to Arch enemy, think of the burning angel intro...

[vanhansen]

Well i guess ur right, and i like Nu-Metal, Arch Enemy, Drowining pool, etc, just a solid distortion. with nice riffing capabilities, and also nice lead.
And can i use batteries in this pedal?
If u listen to Arch enemy, think of the burning angel intro...

Yes, you can use batteries.  Look at the wiring diagram.  You can wire it so you can use either a 9v battery or external power supply.