Blue Box-Does it normally tick a little?

[KORGULL]

When the effect is on, but I'm not playing, I am noticing a rhythmic ticking/oscillation. It is most noticable when I'm using alot of distortion. When using the Blue Box alone the ticking is nearly non-existent.
I'm wondering if this is normal or something to be fixed.
Aside from that little problem, this pedal sounds really good - alot better than I expected it to (as long as I only use the neck pickup).
I used MPSA18's after first trying 2N3904's - big difference between those two I think. The 3904's made it sound pretty awful.
I thought maybe the high gain transistors made the ticking worse, but when I tried 5088's and 3904's it made no difference.

[KORGULL]

Is anyone else's Blue Box making oscillating clicks?
A quick yes or no answer would really be appreciated.
Thanks.

[MartyMart]

I have one that's "almost" working ....
It "Fuzzes" sounds like a "Dalek/Alien" doesn't octave or track
very well, but doesn't "tick" at all  ?
I dont quite see how the digital "octave" circuit causes a "tick"? that's
normal with tremolo/phase circuits ....
.... sorry, that's not much help  !

Marty

[KORGULL]

I dont quite see how the digital "octave" circuit causes a "tick"? that's
normal with tremolo/phase circuits ....

I can't see why it's doing either, but it sounds like a helicopter when I switch on an extra distortion pedal.
When the blend control is on full - so only the octave signal is heard, the noise isn't as loud.
When I flip the switch to select one or two octaves, the speed of the clicks increases on the setting for one octave down.
Could this be a problem with my ground connections?

[MartyMart]

I dont quite see how the digital "octave" circuit causes a "tick"? that's
normal with tremolo/phase circuits ....

I can't see why it's doing either, but it sounds like a helicopter when I switch on an extra distortion pedal.
When the blend control is on full - so only the octave signal is heard, the noise isn't as loud.
When I flip the switch to select one or two octaves, the speed of the clicks increases on the setting for one octave down.
Could this be a problem with my ground connections?

Well, I just posted a similar thread about a "Mini Rat" that I've
canabalized from several design's - it was giving me a huge gated trem
type oscillation, rather than a click.
Those in the know put that down to the high gain of the circuit requiring
some better 9v power filtering and careful wiring.
I'd try a 100uf + 10uf + 0.1uf from 9v to ground and check the wiring
also, keep it as short as possible.
I solved it by reducing the "gain" pot .....

You have a octave switch .... ?

Good luck,
Marty

[KORGULL]

Hi Marty, I've made all the wires as short as possible already, and I built it using all the extra/optional parts in the Tonepad schematic, so it already has some of those filtering caps in place.
I made it on perf using my own super-tight layout, this is why I really want to know if this is a normal thing for this effect, or do I need to look closer at my parts placement.
It sounds really good otherwise. While I am playing, the noise is not audible at all and my noise gate cuts it out most of the time when I'm not playing - so it isn't a real big deal, but I was going to post my layout in the layout forum and wanted to be sure it is not flawed. Also I might build a couple of these for friends and want to root out any problems first.
This is kind of a whacky pedal, and the noise is only noticeable at high volume when the Blue Box is used alone, so I think there is a chance that they all might have this glitch. I wish someone could let me know how their Blue Box sounds. I don't want to spend alot of time debugging something that might be operating "normally"

You have a octave switch .... ?

Yeah, SPDT with the common hooked up to R11 and one lug to 4013 pin 1 and one lug to 4013 pin 3 (or 13 since they are connected together).
Works like a charm.
I found that this effect is also cool if you run a microphone through it and hold notes with your voice - I can mimic synth sounds. The output sounds more machine than human.