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DIY Stompboxes => Building your own stompbox => Topic started by: dexisded on December 28, 2021, 01:38:13 AM

Title: Input gain knob???
Post by: dexisded on December 28, 2021, 01:38:13 AM
Hello, i have a question regarding input volume as a control on a pedal. As a beginner, im merely brainstorming on why certain sounds can be achieved through the means i detail in this post so hear me out.

There is a pedal known as the acid cat distortion. This features an input control which acts as a gnarly gain control. I was wondering if an input control is a control which can be universally installed on any pedal as a means of driving the amount of signal hitting the circuit which can then be trimmed in volume using an output control? Thank you for your answers.
Title: Re: Input gain knob???
Post by: nocentelli on December 28, 2021, 04:23:29 AM
Quite a few fuzz pedal circuits have an input level pot used as a gain/fuzz/sustain/intensity control (Jordan Bosstone, most Devi ever fuzzes). I've also seen many diy pedal people suggest installing one in the fuzzface circuit as a "better" fuzz control than the standard Q2 emitter/cap potentiometer.

In these circumstances, the fuzz circuit is running at maximum filth, and the input level pot is a simple means of adjusting (but only capable of *reducing*) the filth level.

Some other fuzz circuits have an input buffer, followed immediately by this type of "volume" control pot that acts as a fuzz level pot in the same manner (DOD carcosa fuzz pedal has it labelled as "input"), and the venerable Big Muff has a Q1 boost stage followed by this same volume/level divider pot, this time labelled as "sustain".
Title: Re: Input gain knob???
Post by: antonis on December 28, 2021, 04:48:35 AM
Quote from: dexisded on December 28, 2021, 01:38:13 AM
I was wondering if an input control is a control which can be universally installed on any pedal as a means of driving the amount of signal hitting the circuit which can then be trimmed in volume using an output control?

Hi & Welcome.. :icon_wink:

You're talking about "classic" Volume/Master controls..
(which exist in almost every preamp incorporated into power amp..)