Artec Stereo Chorus CHR3 - How to mod it to make a better tone? I need some help

[BrunoFerreira]

Hi,

I need help with this pedal Artec Stereo Chorus CHR3

I like the analog sound coming from it, but it is a dark tone. With other pedals it cuts the high frequencies when it's on in a way that changes the tone from good to dark.

I would like to have more cristal sound like the one coming from my guitar into the amp. If it is possible, also to be able to control the amount of fx and direct sound.

The problem is i don't know what to change. I'm a beginner.

Here are some pictures.

Thank you

[willienillie]

I'm a beginner.

It's SMD, trade it in on one you like better.

[BrunoFerreira]

I'm a beginner.

It's SMD, trade it in on one you like better.

Thank you for for quick help so far.

So, because is SMD it means a lot of work to do it or it's better not to do it and trade or sell it?

[idy]

Yes, it may be too hard to remove and change components with SMD. If it sounds too dark you could try using it with a "splitter/blender" so your dry sound stays clear. Worth a try.

I don't think there is a schematic out there for this...

[BrunoFerreira]

Yes, it may be too hard to remove and change components with SMD. If it sounds too dark you could try using it with a "splitter/blender" so your dry sound stays clear. Worth a try.

I don't think there is a schematic out there for this...

Ok, thank you. I think it will be better to sell it or trade it.
Thanks again for your help.

[BrunoFerreira]

It is possible to make the bypass to be listen at same time as the fx from the same output?
The reason i'm asking is because when the fx it's not on the tone it's ok, does not affect the signal but when is on the tone get dark.

I'm already trying to sell it but if this is possible and simple mod also, than maybe it will get what i'm looking for.

[idy]

Bu building (or buying) a splitter/blender you will be able to mix your normal (beautiful) guitar sound with the dark chorus sound. Possible even to cut a little bass on the chorus.

Do it first as an external circuit or stomp box, and, if it works for you, try to fit it into the box.

Plus: this type of pedal is a useful utility.

http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2012/02/split-n-blend.html

is pretty simple.

[BrunoFerreira]

Thank you but i was not looking to make a pedal, blend  is great but in this case i just need it directly.

Thank you again for the schematic for Split 'n' Blend

[Rob Strand]

The reason i'm asking is because when the fx it's not on the tone it's ok, does not affect the signal but when is on the tone get dark.

Here's a block diagram of a chorus pedal,



In a real pedal the Delay-line has a low-pass filter before the delay and a low-pass filter after the delay.
The choice of the cut-off frequency for the low-pass filters is up to the designer.   You can make the pedal dark with a low cut-off and "more digital sounding" as people like to call it with a high cut-off.

Assuming there's no other design problems with your pedal it is highly likely the low-pass cut-off frequencies are set too low.

The job would be,
- find where those low-pass filters are in the circuit.   
- Perhaps measure the frequency response to confirm they do have low cut-off frequencies.  Just in case there *is* another design issue.
- Redesign the filters to increase the low-pass filter cut-off frequencies.
- Modify the pedal.

If you have a schematic then the first three stages can be done from the schematic.   Without a schematic you would need to trace-out the low-pass filters from the PCB.

The problem is you probably don't have enough experience do any of those steps!

[BrunoFerreira]

Thank you all for the help. It was to much work for what i've paid for it.
I've sold the Artec pedal and got a Boss ch-1 blue label, and it's the sound i was looking for.