Another booster recommendation

mnordbye · June 20, 2009, 03:24:56 AM

I friend of mine wants me to build him a booster, which needs to be able to give him a volume boost when engaged with a high gain pedal or amp, and to give him a volume boost and a bit of overdrive when used with clean tones.

I think that a 2 knob design would fit the bill, a LEVEL and a GAIN knob. Does anyone have a suggestion? Sound sample would be great too, allthough my breadboard can supply that.

Renegadrian · June 20, 2009, 04:10:37 AM

I'd say SPARKLE BOOST...

starekase502 · June 20, 2009, 04:11:06 AM

the mini boost from ggg is amazing
do the boutiqe version so youll have selectable gaon and you can get break up on clean like you want

doitle · June 20, 2009, 04:27:39 AM

Have you considered at all a modified SHO boost? I've not built one before but I've been looking at it more and more lately. Originally it only has the "crackle" knob but I think you could easily add a level possibly by adding a pot near the entrance to the circuit to send some of the input signal to ground. This is purely speculation however as I'm still a pedal newbie.

I certainly think it sounds pretty neat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNr8k4pyQWU&NR=1

Also looks to be a super simple build:
http://analogguru.an.ohost.de/193/schematics/Zvex_SHO.gif

Renegadrian · June 20, 2009, 05:27:19 AM

Quote from: doitle on June 20, 2009, 04:27:39 AM
Have you considered at all a modified SHO boost?

As for the SHO with mods, here are a couple of improved versions you can find in the gallery.

http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php/v/diyuser/zvex+SFOV.gif.html
http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php/v/diyuser/zvex+SFOT.gif.html

Ripthorn · June 20, 2009, 09:39:47 AM

I second Adriano's recommendation for the SparkleBoost. I have an SHO clone and a sparkle boost on the same board and I A/B'ed them last night and the sparkle boost is far and away a better boost. I love it.

mnordbye · June 20, 2009, 12:54:33 PM

Thanks guys! I'm intrigued by the SHO, tried the Sparkle once, but i didn't like it too much. I already have looked at the boutique booster over at GGG, so i think i'll try that. I usually don't like "pre gain" controls, so i think i'll omit that, or put a trimpot in that place.

Anyone have any experience with the boutique boost? Couldn't find any sound samples on youtube.

Gus · June 20, 2009, 01:05:35 PM

http://www.deafaudio.com/about.htm

mnordbye · June 20, 2009, 01:15:02 PM

Quote from: Gus on June 20, 2009, 01:05:35 PM
http://www.deafaudio.com/about.htm

Yes?

Just noticed something with the GGG boutique booster. I somehow thought the tone control here was a gain control, maybe i need some sleep.

So, i do need that pre gain control i guess. I'll check it out anyway, i tried a Mini Booster once, and it was pretty nice.

Now when i think of it, i slightly remember someone talking about how they added an additional control to their Mini Booster to control the grit/overdrive. Couldn't find anything at the AMZ site though, i'll search some for this one too.

starekase502 · June 21, 2009, 10:25:45 AM

Quote from: mnordbye on June 20, 2009, 01:15:02 PM
Quote from: Gus on June 20, 2009, 01:05:35 PM
http://www.deafaudio.com/about.htm

Yes?

Just noticed something with the GGG boutique booster. I somehow thought the tone control here was a gain control, maybe i need some sleep. So, i do need that pre gain control i guess. I'll check it out anyway, i tried a Mini Booster once, and it was pretty nice.

Now when i think of it, i slightly remember someone talking about how they added an additional control to their Mini Booster to control the grit/overdrive. Couldn't find anything at the AMZ site though, i'll search some for this one too.

yeah the boutiqe has a gain volume and tone i was makeing a pedal with the botique and blue magic so i just left off the tone contraol and the mini sounds great with just the gain and volume. and if you back the guitar volume ff it adds soooooo much to your clean sound

mnordbye · June 21, 2009, 10:27:53 AM

Cool, i've ordered a board, along with some other stuff from GGG. Seems like an easy build.

Gus · June 21, 2009, 11:15:07 AM

Maybe add a level control the the BB2?

Gus · June 21, 2009, 09:05:39 PM

You could also try an opamp based one say a TL071 non inverting gain stage with the gain control in the feedback path and a volume control after the opamp. I would start with a gain of 1 to 11, 1k fixed 10K linear in the feedback path and a 10K volume pot at the end maybe a LF351(or 1/2 of a LF353) set the input resistance to 470K and adjust the input cap.

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=75862.0

Can be used as a good starting point.

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Another booster recommendation