Schumann f loop/Tatiana problem

[Josemitejam]

Hey everyone,

So I have this pedal working at least somewhat right now now, but I think it could be better. Here's what I've experienced so far:

1. The xvive  vactrol didn't work for me. I swapped it for a kingbright green led and an ldr and now it works. Why wouldn't the xvive work? I got it from small bear so I couldn't see it being total junk. I made sure to test it in darkness and I still had no signal coming through.

2. The first 10v Zener diode I used didn't work well, it sounded quiet and distorted. It was a 10v 1w Zener 5% ON semi diode from mouser. I swapped it with a 10v 1.3w  Vishnay Zener diode from mouser. Was it the 0.3w that made the difference?

3. Knowing that the diodes made a difference I'm now wondering if I should be using an even better and more fitting diode there. Can anyone suggest one?

4. The build guide mentions that the CONTROLS input and output are counterintuitive, the input pot is for the output and vice versa. BUT the pedal only works when I plug my guitar into the output And my amp into the input. Should these be switched as well? It doesn't mention that but perhaps that makes sense if the pots are switched...?

Here's  the build guide
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kOqsQYWxK222AO_UmE2SFrxSq9b6eUMM/view

Here's the pinout readings. I don't know how to calculate What these should be yet, I usually can check it with The build guide but there isn't any info on that for this one.

IC1

1-12 is at 0
13. 3.6 - 5.4
14. 9.4

IC2

1. 0
2. 9.4
3. 0
4. 9.4
5. 0
6. 9.4
7. 0
8. 3.3-5.3
9. 3.6
10. 3.3-5.3
11.0
12. 0
13. 3.3-5.3
14. 9.4

IC3

1. 0
2. 0
3. 0
4. -9.3
5. 0
6. 9
7. 0
8. 9.3

IC4 (I ran out of sockets for this chip so it is soldered directly to the board!! I really thought I soldered it quickly and well, but maybe not...?!?)

All at 0
Except...
4. 9.4
11. 9.4

IC5

1. 1.13
2. 5.10
3, 0
4. -4.01
5. -9
6. 2.57
7. 1.45
8. 9.4


Here's the pictures










Any help is greatly appreciated!


Joe