Project Ideas
Project Design
Your final project is one third of your grade. It will involve a circuit and schematic that we have not discussed in the course.
You project starts with a proposal. We aren't looking for you to work on a circuit that is too simple or too advanced. And of course it must be relevant to the course materials.
Your job will be to write up a document that explains how each component affects or shapes the sound, and list possible modifications.
You’ll be able to quantify this analysis with the help of LTspice and other resources.
You’ll need to make a presentation on a posterboard of your findings.
You also need to construct one of these schematics in the lab; it can be a different circuit if the one you want to study is too hard to build.
More details to come on each aspect of the project assignment.
Circuit Examples
Here are some audio circuits to consider. We won't necessarily have parts for these pedals.
Hear many: https://www.youtube.com/@pedaloftheday
Notable Pedals
Ibanez Tube Screamer
Video from a third party about the above https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=xZN9XeCVPko
Examples
Tightrope by Stevie Ray Vaughn
Arbiter Fuzz Face
Another analysis: http://www.geofex.com/article_folders/fuzzface/fftech.htm
Yet another analysis https://fuzzcentral.ssguitar.com/fuzzface.php
Examples
Jimi Hendrix
Cherub Rock , by Smashing Pumpkins
Pro Co RAT. [Some history].
Examples
Dunlop Cry Baby GCB-95 Wah-Wah
I doubt we'll have parts for this one.
Another discussion of Wah pedals (very long) http://www.geofex.com/
Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treble_booster
Video [Brian Wampler]: Comparison of SD-1 and DS-1 schematics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpLms92E5qE&list=PL3iOqpRXP4xlLbc717RXkUSGRFJoi1qdu&index=12
Many schematics but little explanation from Hobby Hour.
Midnight Special by Credence Clearwater Revival. A cover of a traditional song.
Many other links to pedals and designs
Many schematics and projects: http://www.muzique.com/schem/projects.htm
Anderton Project 32 Octave Doubling Fuzz Pp 140-143 (ask us for a copy)
Research paper: "PHYSICAL MODELING OF THE MXR PHASE 90 GUITAR EFFECT PEDAL", Felix Eichas, Marco Fink, Martin Holters, Udo Zölzer http://www.dafx14.fau.de/papers/dafx14_felix_eichas_physical_modeling_of_the_.pdf
Rick Tone Trem-o-Drive (Booster and Tremolo) unit: schematic and video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQGZydYA6jI
Boss SD-1 and a mod https://stompboxelectronics.com/2023/02/16/making-sense-of-the-boss-sd-1-c6-mod/
Stompbox Cookbook (1999). You can borrow a copy from us.
Here's some back issues of Stompboxology that are similar to the book
Discussion of many of the builds: http://www.super-freq.com/tag/stompboxology/
Sustain-O-Matic
Distort-O-Matic I
Parametro-Matic
Distort-O-Matic II|
Tremolo-Matic
Gate-O-Matic
Squeeze-O-Matic
Distort-O-Matic III
Direct-O-Matic
Distort-O-Matic IV
Super Play-Along
Pan Tremolo-Matic
Tone-O-Matic
Iso-Matic
Split-O-Matic
Mix-O-Matic
Distort-O-Matic V
Envelo-Matic
Distort-O-Matic VI
Modu-Matic
Quad Parametro-Matic
Tremolo-Matic Il
Phase-O-Matic
Compand-O-Matic Lite
Tone-O-Matic II
Tremolo-Matic III
Axe-O-Matic
Tremolo-Matic IV
Vibrato-Matic
'Verb-O-Matic
Echo-Matic
Burst-O-Matic
Ramp-O-Matic
Squeeze-O-Matic I|
Tremolo-Matic V
Axe-O-Matic Il
Sustain-O-Matic II
Here's a list of circuits from the book "How to Build Guitar Effects Pedals" by Mark J. Smith. (We have a copy, ask to borrow it):
Smooth Overdrive with JFETS
Mu-amp overdrive/distortion
Transistor Overdrive/Boost circuit
Transistor used as a buffer
JFET clean boost
JFET AC-30 emulation
Fuzz Face Transistor Fuzz
"Big Muff Pi" type fuzz
386 FUZZ
Full and Thick Distortion circuit
Advanced Modification for "Tube Reamer" pedal
The "Wamp-o-drive" circuit
Metal Distortion circuit
Very 'open' sounding distortion
Thick distortion circuit
Smooth Overdrive and/or Distortion circuit
"Liquid" distortion circuit
Warm 741 Overdrive
Muff Fuzz using opamps
Overdrive/Distortion similar to Boss OD-3
Too advanced for this course, but here's a research conference on this topic: