Buff n' blend problem

[connie_c]

Just added a buff n' blend to a big muff for a bass player friend. The clean signal that I get through the blend knob is far quieter than the bypassed signal and the trim pot dosent seem to do much however it works as described, only quietly. Anyone else ever have this issue? Ive done all the usual debugging and tried different transistors.

Ive searched the forum loads but cant find much info. Loads of people recommend the buff n' blend. Anyone actually added one to a muff successfully? Anyone have a link to the original schematic. Someone mentioned a note on the schematic in an old thread saying it may not react well to hot signals.

Any help or links appreciated.

[frequencycentral]

Have you tried a resistor in series between the effect out and the blend pot? The B 'n B scematic on Beavis's site states it is optional, and to be used if the effected signal overpowers the clean signal.

[connie_c]

Thanks for that. I knew I had seen that schematic before but couldnt remember where. I'll try that later on. It sounds like its designed to fix my problem. Ill report back.

[connie_c]

Actually reading it again i think I have found my problem. Schematic helped alot. The trim pot is the optional resistor (r4) in the beavis schematic. http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/BlocksFragments/

Ive been using this http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php/v/Toneys-Album/Buff_n_Blend.png.html

Im pretty sure ive left out the jumper that ties two of the legs of the trim pot together. If only there was a smiley face slapping himself in the head.

[frequencycentral]

[connie_c]

thats the one.

Thanks again frequencycentral.

[frequencycentral]

BTW are you sure you got the track cuts correct?

[connie_c]

I dont have it in front of me now but I think I got that bit right. I spent a few mins last night debugging and I did check that. Ill check it again tonight and let you know.

[connie_c]

.

[connie_c]

Heres my 2 cents on the buff n' blend.  In my opinion the buff n blend dosent work great with something like a big muff or anything that deliveres a big boost in level. It dosent boost the clean signal prior to blending it in with the effected signal, instead it attenuates the boosted signal. This leads to the signal dropping below the level of the bypassed signal.

I think it would work fine with modulation or delay circuits or if you only ever used the distortion for recording.

Im mooving on to the paralooper.

[El Heisenberg]

Hey real quick...

Ive never heard of doing this to a big muff. Could someone tell me what this is?

[connie_c]

Big muff's sound great on there own. With bass and guitar. But in a band context step on it and a lot of the sound dissapears and often it feels like you are quieter with it on.

The idea of adding a blend knob is that it allows you to dial back in a certain amount of the clean unaffected signal to restore the puch of the sound while still giving you some nice fuzz.

If you have ever used a mixer think of the blend knob like an aux send. You get to decide how much signal to send through the effect.

I have realised I need my clean sound to be boosted so that when I turn on the big muff I get a decent volume boost even with only a bit of fuzz dialed in. Nothing wrong with the buff n' blend, it just dosent do what i need in this situation.

[connie_c]

.

[ibodog]

There's also this in the Gallery: http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php/v/Processaurus/album141/ross_dyna_clean_blend.jpg.html

Could probably be adapted for the Big Muff by adjusting the gain resistors on the opamps as called out in that schematic.