DIY Aion Refractor works but sounds weaker than demo videos.

[The4gon1]

Only my 2nd build but I am learning.  This pedal works as it should but my sound isn't affected like in the demo videos.  I would say I have about 1/2 of the power or gain of what it should be.  My voltages seems correct based on other posts.  It just sounds  like a weak drive pedal.

Regular guitar sound when off.  No mods have been done.  All original parts.  Amy suggestions?

9.49 volts in

IC1
1 4.745
2 4.745
3 3.035 (starts at 3.976 then drops)
4 0
5 4.740
6 4.744
7 4.744
8 9.49

IC2
1 4.779
2 4.748
3 4.742
4 -9.26
5 4.744
6 4.743
7 4.711
8 17.41

IC3
1 9.5
2 4.825
3 0
4 -4.545
5 -9.26
6 4.462
7 6.015
8 9.50

[The4gon1]

Build sheets and schematic

https://aionfx.com/app/files/docs/refractor_documentation.pdf

https://aionfx.com/app/files/docs/refractor_kit_documentation.pdf

[duck_arse]

it's not the problem, but what value do you have fitted at R23? and LEDR?

[The4gon1]

Those were 470 instead of 4.7.  Thank you for noticing that.  But you are correct, it wasn't the problem.

[antonis]

Does it happen independently of Tone pot setting..??

[The4gon1]

I'm not sure what you mean.  All knobs work and do what they are supposed to do.  It just acts like more of a simple drive pedal than a Klon.  And maybe that is all it does.  I guess I expected more out of the pedal.  Thank you everyone for your help.

[tootsMcgee]

I'm not sure what you mean.  All knobs work and do what they are supposed to do.  It just acts like more of a simple drive pedal than a Klon.  And maybe that is all it does. I guess I expected more out of the pedal.  Thank you everyone for your help.

Does it have the crazy volume knob boost that the Klon has? Both a Refractor and a Soul Food get unity somewhere around 9-10 o'clock on the knob for my setup, and turning it past that point makes it *very* loud. I can get some light grind out of the Gain knob but it's definitely in the light-mid gain territory at most.

I compared your photo to the one I built and it *looks* correct (I think). I'm not very good at differentiating colors on the resistors. But the component values I can see + the voltages look fine.