TS808 extremely low volume

[blocky]

This is the ITS8 from GGG and I'm using their PCB
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=82&Itemid=26
I used asymmetric clipping mod by adding a 2nd diode (see mods page)

The LED turns on and I am getting a bit of what sounds like overdriven sound when i turn my amp up past 10 (I usually play at 2) but it's extremely quiet
Level knob all the way counter clockwise kills the sound and the other two change it very subtley (could be correct tone/drive) but the volume is way too low
In bypass mode no sound at all (at least that I can hear)
I don't have a 9V battery handy at the moment so I'm using an Ibanez 109 adaptor and when I measure the DC jack directly I get 8.85V

Here we go
Q1
C =8.84V
B = 3.64V
E =3.21v

Q2
C=8.83
B=6.63
E=3.22

IC1
P1 = 4.40V
P2 = 4.43V
P3 = 4.39V
P4 = 0V
P5 = 4.40V
P6 = 4.40V
P7 = 4.40V
P8 = 8.83V

D1
A = 4.40
K = 4.43V

D2
A = 4.4V
K = 4.18V

D2b
A = 4.18V
K = 4.4V

D3 (LED)
A = 4.4V
K = 3.10

D4 (LED)
A = 3.10V
K = 4.4V

D5
A = 0V
K = 8.83V

Thanks in advance for the help. Please ask if you want me to post any other info

[anchovie]

Q2 base voltage should be similar to Q1, so check around there for solder bridges and any other defects.

All of the other voltages look fine.

[kurtlives]

Yep your output buffer (Q2) is all out of wack.

The base should be around 0.6V higher than the emitter which it is not.

[blocky]

Hi thanks for the quick replie. I rechecked Q2 and I think I must have written it down wrong before as it's now closer to 3.65V

I think I may have found a problem though, R13 is supposed to be 10K but I'm having trouble getting that reading from it
It will get up around 10 for a second if i touch it with the probes in the right way but it seems to mostly be right at 0V
Does this mean the resistor is dead? Are there any other resistors in the circuit which aren't as vital that I could cannibalize?

[petemoore]

supposed to be 10K but I'm having trouble getting that reading from it
It will get up around 10 for a second if i touch it with the probes in the right way but it seems to mostly be right at 0V
Does this mean the resistor is dead?
  IF the meter is set to lower than the value you'll get 'readings like that.
  If there's an alternate path [of lower resistance] you may get something like that.
  If there's a trace...
  or bad resistor, but I'd put it last on the list of 'likelies'..if it's a new resistor, morgan llikely there's an open or something else.
  The alternate path deal...of course will give a smaller reading if there's an easier' way through the circuit somehow, schematic and calculate...or lift and re-read [disconnect one end and measure]...but I really doubt it's a bad resistor, brown black orange ?

[blocky]

Well you're right. I nearly burned myself ripping a 10k resistor out of my real DS-1 pedal but now mine reads correctly in my circuit. But also the one i thought was bad reads fine when it's out so there must have been a short somewhere? Didn't fix the original volume problem though.

EDIT: Some new things I have discovered - With the footswitch on, there is a high pitched whine whenever the output cable is inserted
With the footswitch off and the input cable inserted halfway, I can get a clean passthrough sound at normal volume
I am pretty stumped. Maybe I'll try to check some of the cap values and make sure they are all correct?

[anchovie]

With the footswitch off and the input cable inserted halfway, I can get a clean passthrough sound at normal volume

Seeing as stuff happens when the cable is inserted halfway, I'm guessing that you're using a stereo input jack to switch off the battery when no instrument cable is plugged in. With your cable halfway in, the tip of the jack is touching the sleeve contact which is supposed to be wired up to complete the battery circuit with the jack fully inserted but in your case it appears to be in the audio signal path.

I always find it's best to test a board before doing all of the offboard wiring as you can concentrate on getting the actual effect circuit working, and if it doesn't work when it's all boxed up then you know that it's most likely the wiring as the board worked fine without. I use test leads with crocodile clips to hook up power and a couple of 1/4" jacks.

[blocky]

Just thought I'd update this. Redid allt he off board wiring and now it works great. just gotta work on my cable dressing to cut down on noise methinks. other than that its working very well for a first build i'd say
thanks for all the help