Jen HF Modulator Build Report (+ pics)

[inverseroom]

Just finished my HF modulator from the GGG layout--what a cool, weird pedal!  I am finding the tone knob to only be useful around the last quarter of its turn, so I am thinking of changing the tone cap...if you have done this and have a suggestion, let me know.  Overall though, an easy build.  The junction box graphics are MS Word printed onto sticky photo paper, then given two coats of matte lacquer.  It's a fairly sturdy finish but I don't think it would survive a lot of bar gigs...that said, I probably will not be playing my HF modulator in a bar band.

The inside is neater than my last couple of builds.  I'm learning!  I printed the layout onto Avery label paper then stuck it to some stiff cardboard and poked the holes through with a pushpin.  Wired PTP.

[Freddy205]

Any sound samples? Looks good.

[inverseroom]

There are supposed to be some on the Tonefrenzy site, but they seem to be down at the moment.  Pretty metallic and discordant--a similar effect to a ring modulator, but harsher and less organic-sounding.  I won't say unmusical, but some people might  :wink:

[lethargytartare]

Hey!  You built it on cardboard??  LOL!  That's so  ROCK!  I love it!  Could I hit you up for your voltages on your transistors?  I just finished a build and am having some issues with it.  Thanks if you can!

Good work!

ltt

[moosapotamus]

Nice! That looks great!

I printed the layout onto Avery label paper then stuck it to some stiff cardboard and poked the holes through with a pushpin.  Wired PTP.

Like, totally! I used that method to build my anderton ring mod. I think that's actually easier than building on perf/strip board, in some ways.

~ Charlie

[inverseroom]

Nice! That looks great!

I printed the layout onto Avery label paper then stuck it to some stiff cardboard and poked the holes through with a pushpin.  Wired PTP.

Like, totally! I used that method to build my anderton ring mod. I think that's actually easier than building on perf/strip board, in some ways.

~ Charlie

Yeah, I agree.  I started this after building a Commonsound project--I bought their PCB and it was just sticky paper on masonite with holes drilled!  Then I realized that I didn't even have to drill if I could poke the holes.  I still can't believe I paid ten bucks for a piece of masonite with holes drilled in it.  Anyway cardboard is great for tightly packed boards with irregularly spaced parts.  And of course it's tres ghetto.

[MartyB]

Very cool . Is the tone pot lin or log?

MartyB

[PB Wilson]

Very nice! I'm thinking about making one of these myself. It's always good to add another crazy-noise pedal to the stable. Now if I can only convince my wife and cats of the same thing... :wink:

[inverseroom]

Very cool . Is the tone pot lin or log?

MartyB

Lin, as per the GGG project file.  Coulda stood to be log though.

Happy easter everyone!

[moosapotamus]

...cardboard is great for tightly packed boards with irregularly spaced parts.  And of course it's tres ghetto.

Yeah, guerilla DIY.  

For something stronger, more stable, you could even do this with plain perfboard. Just a little effort getting your images (component side and copper side) lined up to match the perf holes.

~ Charlie