Mike's Pedal Thread

Post by **Mike** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 10:12 pm

Of course mate, if I can help in any way I will. There are some great websites out there also that I got some hints, tips and stuff from: BeavisAudio, DIYstompboxes and freestompboxes.org are all great for various things, I share all the layouts I do on freestompboes so other people can build them for themselves.

It's incredibly fun and rewarding (nothing beats the feeling when a circuit board fires up first time and sounds great), but there are frustrating moments (I perenially struggle with the finishing aspect, I'm completely cackhanded and aesthetically challenged, but I do my best - and help from people like Benecol et al is invaluable).

Ironically the demos have had to take a back seat since I've been so busy recently, but as and when I have something new worth demoing, I shall be sure to do so.

These days I'm just rammed busy between my day job, the pedal stuff, two bands and just my own relaxation time, there ain't much left!

Post by **Mike** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 10:12 pm

Doog wrote:
Mike wrote:I believe it was some time in May 2008 that the first Saltbooster (#1 Doog) was born.

ROLF.

23/5/2008, seems like Yesterday

Reece · Post by **Reece** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 10:31 pm

Mike wrote:It'll cost you nowt and I'll cover your postage also.

ah thanks.

i forgot about the DLS. honestly the second i got home i basically switched off and i really haven't done anything since then.
have you got the templates or shall i send a PM benecol's way?

i also really need to get on that fuzzface thing. i could only find a handful of photos so i just kinda left the slidehow thing and never came back to it.

Post by **Mike** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 10:33 pm

Reece wrote:
Mike wrote:It'll cost you nowt and I'll cover your postage also.
ah thanks.

i forgot about the DLS. honestly the second i got home i basically switched off and i really haven't done anything since then.
have you got the templates or shall i send a PM benecol's way?

i also really need to get on that fuzzface thing. i could only find a handful of photos so i just kinda left the slidehow thing and never came back to it.

Just add random Doogfest ones haha

Yeah get that pedal to me and I'll get it fixed and back to you ASAP matey. Top Priority.

Benecol is the man with the guides and stuff, if you ask him for the stuff we made NickD's DLS with that will give you a good layout template (his was this awesome Dukes Of Hazzard design - couldn't post pics as it was an Xmas present from his folks)

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 10:44 pm

Mike wrote:Of course mate, if I can help in any way I will. There are some great websites out there also that I got some hints, tips and stuff from: BeavisAudio, DIYstompboxes and freestompboxes.org are all great for various things, I share all the layouts I do on freestompboes so other people can build them for themselves.

It's incredibly fun and rewarding (nothing beats the feeling when a circuit board fires up first time and sounds great), but there are frustrating moments (I perenially struggle with the finishing aspect, I'm completely cackhanded and aesthetically challenged, but I do my best - and help from people like Benecol et al is invaluable).

Ironically the demos have had to take a back seat since I've been so busy recently, but as and when I have something new worth demoing, I shall be sure to do so.

These days I'm just rammed busy between my day job, the pedal stuff, two bands and just my own relaxation time, there ain't much left!

Cheers Mate, well starting in with a fuzz kit and seeing how it goes. It's been a long time since I did my electronics and sound engineering course back in 1990 and I feel that I need to try and I need to try and and remember some stuff from a long time ago. The world of new media grabbed me in the mid 90s from music and I'm just returning. I take a look at some of the sites you mention and post some stuff on here as well.

As I said, let me know when your backlog dies down after the recent trip and I will look at placing an order.

Cheers

Chris

Post by **Mike** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 10:51 pm

A kit is a great way to start out - all the parts will be there for you and you'll learn firsthand how everything is wired up in a stompbox, just simple stuff like pinouts on DC and audio jacks, and the 3PDT switch etc.

You'll be surprised how quickly it comes back, I graduated in 2003, but have been doing Digital design with VHDL and Verilog since, so my analogue stuff was really rusty, but it doesn't take much to jog the memories and there is tons of good stuff out there on the net these days.

the isaac eaton · Post by **the isaac eaton** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 4:13 am

so stoked for the fuzz factory now, more then ever.

Post by **Mike** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 8:22 am

It's all drilled up, primed and painted and just waiting for a decal from Benecol now. The circuit board is built and tested. I really like the look of the Portrait Layout.

The only issue I'm having is with the paint, it's been fucking cold here and my painting room is my shed, where all my paints live. My solid colours are fine, but the Purple Metallic for yours was spraying on fine but then separating the drying process, making it look washed out. I tried something different and took the paint into the house overnight to warm up and sprayed again this morning, in the hope that would work better - if it doesn't work I'll need an alternative solid colour to paint your pedal?

Painting in these conditions is a nightmare

the isaac eaton · Post by **the isaac eaton** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 8:39 am

A solid color would look just fine mike, a deep solid purple would be fantastic as well. i would rather have that then a washed out metallic purple. although metallic purple on its own is great.

like this, (giant purple alert)

► Show Spoiler

Post by **Mike** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 9:29 am

That's the problem, the only purple paint available to me is this metallic stuff.

I'm saying "If this doesn't work, please choose a color that isn't purple"

the isaac eaton · Post by **the isaac eaton** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 9:31 am

Ohhhhhhhh right! Um if thats not gonna work out then do you have a really dark green?

Post by **Mike** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 9:37 am

Yup, Dark Green I can do.

I'm hopeful the warm paint will work but you never know

Post by **Mike** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 6:27 pm

Sorry, got home and it still looked gash, so green it is! First coat on.

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 6:31 pm

How many coats of paint does a typical pedal take? Do you use aerosols or spray gun?

Post by **Mike** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 6:35 pm

Aerosol and I normally do 1 Primer, 2 Paint, 2 Clear.

Everything takes longer in winter

Rhysyrhys · Post by **Rhysyrhys** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 7:06 pm

Mike, this might be a massive job - do you do phasers or ring mods?

Really really love the look of the Effector 13 Whetstone phaser, are you able to do something along those lines? Or maybe a ring mod and a phaser in a box?

Post by **Mike** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 9:03 pm

Sorry bud, that's out of my range I'm afraid!

Phasers are a possibility if I get more time in a few months, but ring mods are a bit mental - I know timhulio makes a great one though? Look him up... The fredric effects thread is on this forum

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 9:07 pm

Mike wrote:Sorry bud, that's out of my range I'm afraid!

Phasers are a possibility if I get more time in a few months, but ring mods are a bit mental - I know timhulio makes a great one though? Look him up... The fredric effects thread is on this forum

Aye, that's the ticket.

Tim makes the Grumbly Wolf which is, I think, an MXR Dist. + with a switchable green ringer. Tremendously fun and dynamic pedal. We have some really talented folk on this site with Mike, Tim and Aen.

Post by **Mike** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 9:12 pm

I can do Green Ringers, in fact I just made this - but they're not really ring modulators per se.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 9:22 pm

^ My favourite MBM pedal, looks-wise.^