RED LLAMA PROBLEM

HOTGUIT · July 10, 2007, 01:30:19 PM

Right
It must be unbuffered
If you use a buffered ic there is a lot of noise when the effect is on

HOTGUIT · July 13, 2007, 02:20:29 PM

Hi MarkM
I verified the Red Llama i built.
It's O.K. but it keep on sounding poor in drive and in bass tones.
The IC is a HCF 4049 U and not a CD 4049 U.
I can't understand if it alters the sound or it doesn't.
What do you think?

Have you any sample of tyour Red llama to let me able to compare yours and mine? (I've never heard how red llama sounds like)
It would be of help
Thank you
bye

markm · July 13, 2007, 02:24:46 PM

Unfortunately, I don't have the ability to record and post sound samples.
If I did, I would have posted samples of the Buckaroo for the June FX-X and probably won!

Anyway, have you checked the data-sheet for the IC you're using?
Is yours buffered?
Is it possible the one you have is no good?
I don't know what else it could be at this point. Perhaps someone else could chime in but at this point, I'm a bit at a loss.

oldrocker · July 13, 2007, 02:53:35 PM

Yes it should be an unbuffered IC for sure. That is what I was suggesting. A CD4049UBE is what I used and it kicks.

markm · July 13, 2007, 02:56:02 PM

Quote from: oldrocker on July 13, 2007, 02:53:35 PM
Yes it should be an unbuffered IC for sure. That is what I was suggesting. A CD4049UBE is what I used and it kicks.

Me too.
I think the problem is the IC is not correct.

HOTGUIT · July 14, 2007, 05:02:31 AM

thank you guys.
At this point I agree with you: the problem IS the IC.
I ordered the CD4049 U at Banzai but they sent this one instead of the rigth chip (they say they don't have it in stock)
O TEMPORA O MORES said Latins, I don't say anything, don't want to be unpolite.
Thank you again men
bye

HOTGUIT · July 27, 2007, 07:39:00 AM

News from Red Llama.
I re verified the project, I tested resistors, caps, soldrings, pots, jacks and wiring.
Everything OK., rights values, type and orientation
Neither the IC (HCF 4049 UBE) is the problem (low drive) A guy here in Italy built a Red Llama with my same IC and his pedal works properly.
In my built I use a tantalium cap (10 micro) instead of an electrilitic cap.
Do you think it may be this to affect the sound?? (LOW DRIVE AND DISTORTED BASSES)
I can't think anything else
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thank you

markm · July 27, 2007, 08:10:01 AM

I don't think that would be a problem as the Original used a tant.

HOTGUIT · July 27, 2007, 12:10:52 PM

Hi Mark
and then? what can be the problem?
Now I'm going to rebuild it using your "new" layout.(in your gallery)
I redrew it using Autocad (I enlarged pads and resized lines, didn't change the layout)
I'm going to populate it with new parts.
As I couldn't find 51 pico caps I used 47 pico caps but think it's the same... or it isn't?
Well I'll let you know the results.
bye
P.S.
Hope you don't mind my redrawing your layout.
Now I have full digital drawing, easier to send via email or to print or to resize.
If you like I can send it to your email address.
bye

markm · July 27, 2007, 12:16:06 PM

47pf should be fine.
The new layout was assembled by our very own DiamondDog and his son and it works fine.
Thank you DD!

Generally if you print my transfers at about 40-50% it will size up fine.
I will say though, if you redraw it, double check to be accurate on your traces as I know the one in the gallery works just as it is.
Once things have been changed......It out of my hands.
I reccommend using what's there but, hey......that's your decision.
Good luck!!

oldrocker · July 28, 2007, 09:54:32 AM

Well if it was me for such a low parts count and a fairly simple circuit I would breadboard it. It's a shame to build it all over again using a different layout and never figuring out what the problem was. If the breadboard circuit works then you can compare it to what you already built to see if you can track down the problem by comparison. For me I just can't let a nonworking pedal stump me. It may take a month but I just have to know where I went wrong or it'll drive me crazy. For me I want to be able to say why it didn't work when I finally get it going. Instead of saying I never found the problem so I built a new one that happened to work this time. I think you'll feel better about it if you do it that way. But hey that's just me.
Electronics is mother nature saying it will work if things are right. But, if one little thing isn't right it won't.

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RED LLAMA PROBLEM