Beginner Pedal Builder inspired by Spencer! of 3LeafAudio.

J. Crawford · #1 05-10-2009, 09:41 AM

Having my interested sparked recently by finding out that Spencer, a fellow teen, has created the perfect funk pedal, the 3LeafAudio Grrove Regulator, I would like to begin building my own pedals. I am ready to do what needs to be done, take classes at my HS like physics, and buy whatever book wont lull me to sleep but help me learn.

Anything can help guys, Im a totally clean start. I just started buying pedals, but I really want to start down this road as a hobby.

I really want to create an envelope filter on the lines of the GR because its my most used effect, my Micro Qtron.

Anything helps guys! Feel free to PM me. Remember, Im a total "FX Virgin", so anything even the small stuff helps!

rcubed · #2 05-10-2009, 09:47 AM

Start with a simple fuzz, boost or overdrive circuit. Filters (like the GR) are much more complicated and a bad place to start.

Build something like this for starters: http://www.home-wrecker.com/bazz.html

Buy the parts at Radioshack or Fry's. You'll need a soldering iron, multimeter, breadboard (get one that has leads), rosin core solder, wire cutters, wire strippers, decent wire and tweezers.

Read up on the tech pages of Beavis Audio.

J. Crawford · #3 05-10-2009, 09:55 AM

Thanks rcubed. You were also another inspiration for this. I saw your thread.

Ill be sure to look into this.

I was going to get a Big Bass Muff, but maybe Ill use the money and build my own! Could I do this?

And R, I dont know what those diagrams mean. As I said, Im totally new to this but I know I can do it.

rcubed · #4 05-10-2009, 12:20 PM

I don't think anyone has traced out the Bass Big Muff circuit yet but you could take the original circuit and make it more bass friendly. Get the kit from General Guitar Gadgets. They have good directions for someone who doesn't know much about circuits.

And if you're wanting to eventually make an envelope filter, it actually might be better to start with op-amps and learn how they work.

J. Crawford · #5 05-10-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcubed

op-amps

J. Crawford · #6 05-10-2009, 01:15 PM

This is what I need to make the Big Muff Pi, so I may buy this.

Its almost the price of a BBM though..

But I want to learn how to make my own pedal, so Ill go through with it.

I can do it, right guys? I mean, my resources are there to use, right? The interwebs has everything needed.

RCCollins · #7 05-10-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordasch

This is what I need to make the Big Muff Pi, so I may buy this.

Its almost the price of a BBM though..

But I want to learn how to make my own pedal, so Ill go through with it.

I can do it, right guys? I mean, my resources are there to use, right? The interwebs has everything needed.

you're unlikely to build a better muff than you can buy, at least not until you have a clear idea of what effects you want to achieve.

I don't mean to discourage anybody, but we've seen plenty of costly build attempts here that went dud, or got sent off to somebody else to do it right.

If I were you, I would stick to affordable, proven effect pedals for a bit. There are more bass-suited effects now than ever before. dont be impatient, just watch the clasifieds and don't rule out ebay - it is a buyer's market at the moment.

After you've messed with a couple different fuzzes/distortions, you can decide if you need something customized to achieve your goals.

Pedal building is cool! but it only saves money if you can build yourself a meatball or something like that, which is otherwise unavailable

I'm VERY impressed by Spencer's achievement with the 3Leaf GR, but sometimes the tinkering is best left to the born tinkerers. That's the case for me, maybe not for you. But you can expect your first build to be frustrating...

Pitbull Growl · #8 05-10-2009, 01:27 PM

Yes, you CAN do it. And your setbacks are NOT failures, they're learning experiences. Remember, knowledge can come from reading a book/website... but wisdom comes from experience.

J. Crawford · #9 05-10-2009, 01:27 PM

I do expect it to be frustrating, but when I start a project I dont like to quit.

Ill finish my first pedal board, then buy a kit this summer after I have had some experience.

RCCollins · #10 05-10-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitbull Growl

Yes, you CAN do it. And your setbacks are NOT failures, they're learning experiences. Remember, knowledge can come from reading a book/website... but wisdom comes from experience.

when cash is tight and the same amount of money would buy you a working pedal, setbacks ARE failures

J. Crawford · #11 05-10-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

when cash is tight and the same amount of money would buy you a working pedal, setbacks ARE failures

Okay guys, settle down.

Spencer! · #12 05-10-2009, 01:58 PM

Kits are a great way to get your feet wet. Definitely start with a boost/overdrive - you'll avoid countless headaches by starting simple. They also give you a chance to work on your soldering skills.

As far as designing your own effects - It's relatively easy to build a clone, even from scratch. The challenge lies in changing the circuit in a way that improves its functionality/sound.

jimmy rocket · #13 05-10-2009, 01:59 PM

Start with a GGG kit.

No actually start practicing soldering things. When you have a good touch with a soldering iron, then grab a GGG kit.

J. Crawford · #14 05-10-2009, 02:11 PM

Alrighy guys, Im sticking to it. Im deciding to get the kit, and build one myself. No matter how hard or long it takes, Im ready.

I have a 4.0 and have good eyes and ears for tips so anything is helpful. Im going to make a custom housing out of plexiglass, and not use the stock "blah" metal housing with the kit.

RCCollins · #15 05-10-2009, 02:20 PM

in no way do i think you are unintelligent. i hope you didn't get that idea

that said, I'm subscribing for the "help me figure out what went wrong" part

J. Crawford · #16 05-10-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

in no way do i think you are unintelligent. i hope you didn't get that idea

that said, I'm subscribing for the "help me figure out what went wrong" part

I never thought that RC, I knew it was just general concern. And if it is something that goes wrong, Ill learn my lesson.

Experience comes from losses and failures.

EDIT: And in the band Im in right now, which I plan on staying in, I dont need a muff anyways, so building and messing up is oky.

Snakeman1066 · #17 05-10-2009, 02:26 PM

I say start with learning what is a capacitor is, what a resistor is What an I.C. is, what an op-amp is, what a diode is, and what they do....

practice practice practice soldering

and then start with something fairly easy like a linear boost! before moving on to a muff clone

and Good Luck!

J. Crawford · #18 05-10-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakeman1066

I say start with learning what is a capacitor is, what a resistor is What's an I.C. is, what an op-amp is, what a diode is, and what they do

practice practice practice soldering

and then start with something fairly easy like a linear boost! before moving on to a muff clone

and Good Luck!

Why dont you help me with the first part? Diode, capacitor, etc.

J. Crawford · #19 05-10-2009, 02:36 PM

Should I start with something like THIS or the muff I originally planned on?

RCCollins · #20 05-10-2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordasch

Why dont you help me with the first part? Diode, capacitor, etc.

you should also try to get your hands on (if not actually buy) some kind of muff and use it with your rig, to hear what they are supposed to sound like.