McMeat pre-build questions

[axg20202]

Hi all,
I have read through pretty much every post on this beast, but need to clarify some things before I dive in and start ordering parts.

1) Rotary switches - should I be using four 3P4T switches?

2) Numerous posts state that the off-board wiring diagrams on the Pisotones McMeat site contain errors. Is this true and if so, does someone have the correct wiring info?   http://www.pisotones.com/Meatball/psst/meatball-psst.html

3) Is it necessary to use jacks that are isolated from the chassis, or is this only needed when adding the Pedal 1 and 2 jacks for expression pedal control?

4) Are the PCB, parts list and layout in the latest build PDF verified?   v1.1 10-4-2004 by Joep   http://home.planet.nl/~remke063/mcmeat.pdf

5) What enclosure would you recommend? (I know...LARGE!) Anyone got a good source for a wedge-shaped one?


Thanks,

Andy.

[Morocotopo]

1 - You need a 1 pole 3 position, a 3 pole 2 position, a 2 pole 4 position and a 1 pole 3 position. The important thing is the number of positions, if you get extra poles on the switches you just don´t use them.
2 - I made it with the pisotones reference, works OK.
3 - It´s good practice to avoid ground loops, don´t know if they are necessary for the exp pedals jacks, I didn´t use them.
4 - Yes. I built it.
5 - You´re on your own here. Search. The rotary switches take a lot of room. Make a graphic design before buying, to be sure it fits.

Questions 1 and 2 are answered by reading the schematic. Did you? If you don´t know how to, start learning! It´s useful, not difficult, you learn better how things work, etc. etc. You´ll never regret it. This won´t be the only pedal you build, right?

Good luck.

Morocotopo

[MarcoMike]

Hi! I'm not an expert, but I made one following Joep's layout and here are my "opinions" about it:

1- 3P4T are fine, you will end up with some "empty" positions. you can use a 4P3T for mode and filter(?), 6P2T (if they exist) for up/down
2- I don't, I just followed Joep's layout
3- I didn't use Pedals1&2 jacks, all the others are ok connected to ground.
4- yes
5- I think it fits tightly in a hammond DD enclosure. use a D (which is deeper) if you don't want to get mad. Anyway I think the DD looks much nicer (less bulky) on a pedalboard!

I hope this helps

[MarcoMike]

well... impressive coincidence.... two answers at the same time with almost the same content....

[Morocotopo]

Brilliant minds think alike.





OK OK, average guys think alike.



Morocotopo

[axg20202]

Thanks guys.

Questions 1 and 2 are answered by reading the schematic. Did you? If you don´t know how to, start learning! It´s useful, not difficult, you learn better how things work, etc. etc. You´ll never regret it. This won´t be the only pedal you build, right?

Yes, I can read schematics thanks. My thinking is that the point of hookup diagrams is to save time that would otherwise be spent working it out from the schematics - but not much point in using them if they are suspect, hence my question. Yes, I could have checked through the schematic to verify them, but surely that defeats their purpose if someone who has used them can confirm if they are correct? You were right about switch selection though - THAT i could have got from the schemo.

Cheers!

[Morocotopo]

You have to be aware that the pisotones diagrams are made for the specific type of switch they used, I used similar (equal?) ones so it was useful to me, so if you use different ones, the connections may be different. Eventually what I did was trace the switches pins in a diagram and draw my own diagrams, just to be sure. I seem to remember that I used the pisotones ones to recheck my work. Lotsa wires on this one. Take it slowly, checking every step you make with the schem. Not a fun one to debug...

Cheers! (I always wanted to say that!  )

Morocotopo

[jefe]

4) Are the PCB, parts list and layout in the latest build PDF verified?   v1.1 10-4-2004 by Joep   http://home.planet.nl/~remke063/mcmeat.pdf

Doh! The link seems to be down - error 404 - anyone know what happened to it? It was working just a few weeks ago.

[MarcoMike]

give me a "ring" if you need the file...