Tube boost + overdrive running off a 9 volt battery

[alambike]

Hello,

Is there any valvecaster layout with 4 knobs or an additional switch SPDT ?

Thank you.

Probably. What do you want said 4th knob or SPDT to accomplish?

Hello,

I would like to use one more alternative for the sound. For example, a new knob to give distortion or a switch that can do the same thing. I am looking for a valvecaster mod distortion with 4knobs or a switch ...

Thank you !

[vigilante397]

I would like to use one more alternative for the sound. For example, a new knob to give distortion or a switch that can do the same thing. I am looking for a valvecaster mod distortion with 4knobs or a switch ...

I have seen some people put clipping diodes on a DPDT switch and use them for an additional switching option, I have also seen people put an LPB-1 type clean boost before the valve stage to get a little more gain.

[alambike]

I would like to use one more alternative for the sound. For example, a new knob to give distortion or a switch that can do the same thing. I am looking for a valvecaster mod distortion with 4knobs or a switch ...

I have seen some people put clipping diodes on a DPDT switch and use them for an additional switching option, I have also seen people put an LPB-1 type clean boost before the valve stage to get a little more gain.

I tried to put the SHO with the valvecaster but It did not work very well. The valvecaster stops working after some time using it.

What circuit could give more distortion? The clipping doides or another booster?

[vigilante397]

What circuit could give more distortion? The clipping doides or another booster?

You would get more distortion with clipping diodes, but you are going to lose a bit of volume when the diodes are engaged because that's part of how clipping diodes work.

As for a boost I really like the EHX LBP-1 because it has low parts count, all the parts are fairly common, and it's so simple of a circuit that it's frankly hard to mess up. With the SHO did you try it before the Valvecaster or after? Before will affect the tone, after will affect the volume. Another alternative I've tried (as I'm sure have many others) is running two Valvecasters together.

[alambike]

What circuit could give more distortion? The clipping doides or another booster?

You would get more distortion with clipping diodes, but you are going to lose a bit of volume when the diodes are engaged because that's part of how clipping diodes work.

As for a boost I really like the EHX LBP-1 because it has low parts count, all the parts are fairly common, and it's so simple of a circuit that it's frankly hard to mess up. With the SHO did you try it before the Valvecaster or after? Before will affect the tone, after will affect the volume. Another alternative I've tried (as I'm sure have many others) is running two Valvecasters together.

Helo,

Using the SHO I tried after and before  the valvecaster and in Both cases it failed. In this case the tone control stops working and, consequently, the pedal.

I will try to put the LPB-1 now.. Another thing, where is the right place to add the clipping diodes in the valvecaster?  .

[vigilante397]

I will try to put the LPB-1 now.. Another thing, where is the right place to add the clipping diodes in the valvecaster?  .

Right before the volume pot. See the schematic (sorry for the crude drawing, I was feeling lazy so I edited Beavis' schematic in paint).



I would recommend trying 1N914's or 1N4148, or whatever you have around. If you're feeling really adventurous there are plenty of experiments you could try with germanium, or even some asymmetrical clipping options.

[Jdansti]

^ or...

Take the clipping circuit and move it to its own little box. You can do different configurations such as symetrical/asymmetrical with a switch.  Then place the box after the Valvecaster or any other high gain box to add diode clipping.

[vigilante397]

^ or...

Take the clipping circuit and move it to its own little box. You can do different configurations such as symetrical/asymmetrical with a switch.  Then place the box after the Valvecaster or any other high gain box to add diode clipping.

That is a good idea, didn't even think of that. Very good option for flexibility.

[Ripdivot]

The clipping circuit will work better before the volume control

[Jdansti]

^Right. If you do the separate box, you'd want to run the Valvecaster on full volume and you can put a volume control in the new box after the diodes.

[alambike]

^Right. If you do the separate box, you'd want to run the Valvecaster on full volume and you can put a volume control in the new box after the diodes.

Helo,

When you talk "new box", you mean: an aluminium box (hammond) or only construct a new circuit and connect it before the volume pot and active ir using a switch spdt on-on to turn on/off When the distortion is necessery.
Another thing, how could I make a LPB with clipping diodes ?

[Jdansti]

^Right. If you do the separate box, you'd want to run the Valvecaster on full volume and you can put a volume control in the new box after the diodes.

Helo,

When you talk "new box", you mean: an aluminium box (hammond) or only construct a new circuit and connect it before the volume pot and active ir using a switch spdt on-on to turn on/off When the distortion is necessery.

Either way. I was just giving you another option. You can put the diodes in the Valvecaster as Vigilante described as long as you put them before the volume pot as Ripdivot described, or you could make a separate clipping box with the diodes and a volume control in it. Place this box after the Valvecaster (or any other high gain effect), crank up the Valvecaster so that the diodes will clip, and use the volume control in the clipping box to control the amplitude of the signal going to the next pedal or your amp.

Same thing with the LPB. Put the clipping diodes before the volume pot or make a clipping box and place it after the LPB as described above with the Valvecaster. 

BTW-I've never used an LPB, so I'm not sure if it has enough gain to make the diodes clip. Maybe someone else can address this.

[vigilante397]

Same thing with the LPB. Put the clipping diodes before the volume pot or make a clipping box and place it after the LPB as described above with the Valvecaster. 

BTW-I've never used an LPB, so I'm not sure if it has enough gain to make the diodes clip. Maybe someone else can address this.

It's going to depend on the diodes. If I remember right I got some nice clipping out of 1N914's, but it not so much with 1N34A's.

[fatecasino]

Hi!
I have read around 100 pages of this topic....it's amazing, I really want to build a Valve Caster with 2 stage 12AU7 at 9 volts with tone controls.
Which page should I search for the schematic of a final version of it?

[duck_arse]

I'm not sure there is a final schem, it's more of a starting point. you might as well start here:

http://www.beavisaudio.com/projects/ValveCaster/

then work out what you have and what you want.

[boppy100]

As I recall, someone spliced two valvecasters together in the first 10-15 pages, or so, of this thread.  Also try searching for Twincaster, there are some vero layouts in the gallery.

[stallik]

My 2d worth on clipping. I've used 1N4148s hanging off a double pole on, off, on switch. Off is no clipping, the 2 ons are symmetric and assymetric. When clipping is switched in, there is a volume loss so I used the other pole on the switch to introduce a 500k resister to the direct signal. All volumes are equal now but I find I don't particularly like the clip

[fatecasino]

 

I'm not sure there is a final schem, it's more of a starting point. you might as well start here:

http://www.beavisaudio.com/projects/ValveCaster/

then work out what you have and what you want.

Thanks for the answer, 2 quick questions:
1. what's the main difference in sound when you use the alternative scenario with 12Vdc+lm317(6.3V)?
2. Any links/sellers for getting 12AU17/6111 at reasonable price?(shipping to europe)

[duck_arse]

1) if you have 12V DC in, use that for 12xx7 series. the heaters can be run series (12V) or parallel (6V). the lm317 will get stinky hot dropping 12V to 6V, and you won't need it at all for 12V operation. as for the sound difference, I can't say, I've never run heaters at wrong volts.

2) can't help you here, I'm in australia.

when you say "2 stage", do you mean a single valve with 2 triodes, or 2 valves for 4 triodes?

[fatecasino]

when you say "2 stage", do you mean a single valve with 2 triodes, or 2 valves for 4 triodes?

thanks! I found something like this:
http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Valve-Caster-20-Tube-Boost-and-Overdrive/?ALLSTEPS
that's what I meant "2 stage", 2 valves/tubes. I have built a few diy projects but this will be my first including tubes. I am looking forward to it!