Amp / Effect Analog Modeling DIY

[jbrady]

So I'm learning about electronics and looking for an amp / effect rack unit that can be controlled via midi, and although I'm very interested in the Axe Fx Ultra, I thought it might be more fun to build an all analog path for both bass and guitar in one 2-3U rackspace.

Since this is a personal project, I figured I could take apart some sansamp character pedals, put together some byoc pedals, and try to find something that I could use to route the controls and ins/outs via midi, something like how the PSA can use an all analog path and still use MIDI.

Not sure how I'd put this all together, but before I do a bunch of research I'd like to know if it is at all possible for an at home soldering iron and a lot of time.

Thanks for your time

[fdeck]

This might be worth looking into:

http://www.openstomp.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

http://www.mouser.com/tiezdsptool/

I've been interested in the TI development board, but simply haven't had the time to mess with it.

[jbrady]

That TI looks interesting but I don't know anything within the realm of electronics yet besides basic things like putting circuits together on a board. But I knew I had to get something like that, which would involve delving even deeper on my own.

That open stomp looks pretty cool too, but I wanted something that would utilize an all analog signal path. Obviously updates would be near impossible for more utilities, but that wasn't the goal; 5 amp types, two compressors, two EQs, booster, three distortion types, 2 delays, a reverb, chorus, tremolo, wah circuit and volume circuit. I don't think I'd need anything more than that, and that would get a couple circuit boards nice and filled up already.

I figured I could have the ins/outs traveling to some DSP that could use something like a 24 pin connector or two and manipulate the ins/outs and knob controls using programming. I wanted to keep it simple that me feeble C++/Java skills could use effectively.

If it turns out these types of rack module isn't possible I'll definitely look into that open stomp, especially with the possibility of getting a few more knobs to turn and a few more buttons to press on a much larger pedal size (like the size of a Line 6 M13). Thanks a lot for that link I've never seen that before.

I know I could just go and BUY the Axe FX or a M13 with a Sansamp PSA and RPM/RBI, but I'd like to break a Para driver and other pedals down and shove it in my rack so I can plug my bass and guitar into one unit for studio use.

[fdeck]

One possible idea is to use those boards (or some other microprocessor development board, of which there are many) to control a bunch of digital output lines that drive little relays. The relays perform the switching for your analog effects. I'm thinking relays just because they are simple, but you could change over to some sort of solid state analog switching as you progress. There might be "canned" code out there for implementing a MIDI port as well.

I'm sort of an electronics enthusiast, and have found that there's a lot of fun to be had, just getting a basic microcontroller board up and running, then writing interesting code for it.

[jbrady]

I'm having a hard time finding any ways for a microprocessor to model potentiometers in such a way to use a large screen and have infinite rotation knobs to alter the values inside of the MPC. Maybe this is too complex for me to get so soon... but if it isn't this then it's the Axe FX... lol

[fdeck]

I think that you should start small, just to get yourself trained in electronics and microprocessors. Is there a course that you could take somewhere? I'd start small with some sort of "trainer" board or demo board, and play around with really simple things -- literally as simple as turning an LED on and off. There is a long learning curve for this stuff, but it's quite rewarding.

[jbrady]

I might start with some breadboard stuff for awhile, and try to do a BYOC pedal when I find a new place to move that has a workbench. I don't know if I could handle another course... I'm taking 22 credits this quarter and 4 at a different school, plus full time job. And I'm starting private lessons for guitar/bass/keyboard/drums/vocals at a local conservatory. I think I'll just fiddle around with stuff until I can get into some EE classes for electives.