Engineer hats wanted!!!

cheapbasslovin · #1 10-26-2008, 09:11 AM

I have a DOD FX53 that I love the sound of solo, but whenever I get in a mix I notice the dramatic lack of low end, usually followed by me shaking my head and muttering, "dammit."

So, I have a schematic below and I was wondering if any of you edumacated types might be able to tell me where some values may be swapped to achieve lowend buttkickin without dramatically changing tone. The bypass section is really throwing my limited understanding of electronics.

Will really appreciate any help.

Thanks,
Chad

Edit:: I have done some blending, but I want a full range pedal and also to see if I can avoid completely destroying the pedal by trying this.

bongomania · #2 10-26-2008, 10:01 AM

Bizarrely, freeinfosociety says I don't have permission to access that file.

Bofee · #3 10-26-2008, 10:21 AM

A blender like the Barge makes just about all effects sound better with bass, even those designed for guitar.
http://www.bargeconcepts.com/vbjr.html

bongomania · #4 10-26-2008, 10:37 AM

He said he has done blending already.

gm jack · #5 10-26-2008, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Bizarrely, freeinfosociety says I don't have permission to access that file.

I don't either. Check the hosting.

cheapbasslovin · #6 10-26-2008, 11:14 AM

Weird

bongomania · #7 10-26-2008, 11:30 AM

Well, right off the bat that 10nF input cap seems terribly small, I'd try bumping that up to 10uF. I'll have to look at it longer for less caveman-like improvements.

cheapbasslovin · #8 10-26-2008, 03:55 PM

Thanks Bongo. I saw that was a really low value, but I was skeptical of the need to change there because it is part of the circuit path with or without the dirt on and I didn't notice it being a big lowend sucker in bypass (maybe I didn't do a good enough comparison with my good rig, I don't usually have the time I'd like to experiment with these things). It won't be today that I get this done, but I may try to make that change later.

Thanks again.

Chad

niftydog · #9 10-26-2008, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

...to see if I can avoid completely destroying the pedal by trying this.

The beauty of caps is that the capacitance adds in parallel, so just holding a cap across another one will add it's capacitance to the existing one. No soldering required, but you do need to have about four hands to play at the same time!

I'd find me some big caps, like 10uF or even higher, and I'd start by placing one in parallel with C5, then C14 etc etc.

I'm not up for too much analysis today, but the filter formed by U2B might also be a cause - try caps in that area as well.

JimmyM · #10 10-27-2008, 01:11 AM

I have an engineer's hat. I got it with a model train set when I was a kid. I was all set to send it to you, too, but you don't even seem to be interested in model trains. So why do you need the hat?

cheapbasslovin · #11 10-27-2008, 01:57 AM

Thanks nifty, and also to you bongo. If I ever actually get this done (my list of things to do and things that get done have much different lengths

) I'll be sure to make pre and post recordings and post them here.

Jimmy,

Whether or not you like to collect trains and train related materials, there's nothing cooler than chillin' with a bass sporting an engineers hat.

moosapotamus · #12 10-27-2008, 06:58 AM

U2A looks a little like the first opamp stage in a tubescreamer, so maybe you could also try Jack Orman's fat mod...
http://www.muzique.com/lab/fatt.htm

~ Charlie

squarewave · #13 10-27-2008, 09:44 AM

Here's one.