GGG ITS8 help

[antonis]

Considering Red LEDs forward voltage drop of 2V, you should have clipped signal for IC1 output greated than 2V..
Is it posible to have wrong R6 (4k7) resistor value (bigger..)..??

I double checked with my meter and it reads 47k

That lowers particular stage gain by a factor of 10.. 

Substitute 4k7 for 47k ..!!

[Phoenix60]

Typo.  It reads 4.7k

[antonis]

You double check your resistors but not your posts.. 

[Phoenix60]

I previewed too!

[EBK]

Fun fact: EBK are my initials too!

Cool!
By the way, There is/was also someone already selling pedals commercially with the initials EBK.  It's a small world.

Not me:

[Phoenix60]

OK, I put a new battery in, and I'm getting a strong signal, but now there is no clipping no matter the switch position, To me, that means I should check the wiring on the switch and see if had a bad joint I knocked loose.  Do you guys hook up your pots and switches to the board while they're mounted in the box?  I did it all outside the box and tried to mount everything while it was hooked up.  Wonder if that's a mistake?

Thanks. 

[EBK]

I generally mount things in the box, or at least measure the wires with things in the box, so I can keep it all as tidy as possible.  For my rebuild of this circuit, I'm using the trick of temporarily mounting everything outside the box, which gives my fingers and tools more room.  (See my pic on page 1 of this thread)

[Phoenix60]

I see, I will try that too.  Also I see you mount your wires to the board from underneath.  That makes sense to keep things more tidy - I didn't do that.  Do you like the 3 silicone diodes better?

Thanks

[EBK]

Do you like the 3 silicone diodes better?

I like the 3 diodes better than 2, but the difference is quite subtle.  I like the red LEDs even more.

[EBK]

My original build looked like this, by the way:


The sloppy Sharpie graphics were not durable, and I hated the side-mounted toggle switch. 

[Phoenix60]

Well, I unboxed it, mounted everything on the outside of the box, trimmed the wires to fit and put it back together to see how it fits.  This time I didn't bother with the ac adapter.  I think it's neater.  I still cannot hear the difference between the "lifted" position and the LED position.  I ask again, is there a way to test these LEDs?  Should there be a noticeable difference between these positions?

Thanks!
Ed

[iainpunk]

I ask again, is there a way to test these LEDs?  Should there be a noticeable difference between these positions?

yes there should be a noticeable difference
the way to test them it to plug everything in, ready to go, and then kill all the lights in the room and close the curtains. play as hard as possible on max gain and the led's should light up slightly. that's the coolest thing about LED clipping. i used really strong white leds in clipping once and had an ''artwork'' with eyes that glow up when playing.

cheers, Iain

[EBK]

I agree.  The LEDs should faintly glow as they clip the heavily strummed notes. 
Again, yes, each mode should be very different, most noticeably in volume.  From quietest to loudest: Si, LEDs, Open.

[Phoenix60]

Thanks.  I took out the existing LEDs and put in sockets and new LEDs just to see the difference.  Same thing to my ear.  Can the amp be on low volume when I try to see if the LEDs light up?

Thanks,
Ed

[EBK]

Can the amp be on low volume when I try to see if the LEDs light up?

Yes.  You can even have the amp off if you want.  Just need power and input to the pedal for this test.

[Phoenix60]

Ok well I didn't see the LEDS lighting up.  I was thinking since I have them in a socket now,  I  could pull them and see if there is any difference in sound.  If I  do that I should put a jumper in their place correct?

Thanks

[Govmnt_Lacky]

I am 99% sure that your clipping diodes are installed backwards 

The black band should be facing the square pads. Don't know if it is a factor in this layout however it is something to look at.

[Phoenix60]

Thanks, yes they are.   I was told that as long as they are opposed they will work so I haven't changed them.

[Govmnt_Lacky]

Also seeing what looks like a solder blob that could be shorting the center lug of your toggle switch to the switch casing (in your last posted pic)

Have you cleaned that up?

[Phoenix60]

No, thanks for catching that, I will.