[ST]: Instant Lofi pedal

mtmattan

What up guys,

Thought I'd do an interpretation on ZVex's pedal:

Got working prototypes of the Compressor and Sample Rate Reduction sections, now to tackle the Chorus..
More to follow ?

Regards,
Matt.

mtmattan

Made 2 videos:

Compressor + Sample Rate:

+Chorus:

The circuit on the left is the compressor and the sample rate reducer on the right.

Note: there are 2 noises
1. Crackling: this is from using a Max1044 bipolar charge pump to supply a -9v for the Sample and Hold chip.
It goes away when I use 2 battery's so not too worried about it.
2. High pitched squeal: again goes away when using 2 batteries.

Quite pleased with the results, but any suggestions as to what contributes to a lo-fi sound?
Got 1.Compressor 2. Sample rate reduction 3. Vibrato for pitch warbles.

Gonna add a low-pass filter to kill the highs.
Funny how there's quite a bit of thought into getting something to sound worse!

Regards,
Matt.

mtmattan

Oh and there's an LDR attached to the sample rate control.
That's why it responds to when I wave my hand over it.
ie darker increases sample rate and vice versa.
Nifty little thing that ?

bottledtone

So cool what you have been up to bro. 8)
I'm almost expecting a thread in which you've tackled a multi fx pedal!! ?

mtmattan

Quick update:

Took the prototype Sample Rate reducer and added a Blend control:

Check out the video:

It works great! ?
But I still haven't solved the power supply issue - it currently needs 2 separate 9v adapters.
(Thats why there's an extra cable sticking out!)
It's dead quiet as well - just compare the hissing and squeals in the first videos to the final one.

I'll add one of these when time permits:
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/projects/24-power-supplies/137-bipolar-power-supply

Also changed the final layout for more options with the Chorus/Vibrato:

billionairebum

Nice one dude!

mtmattan

The board seems to be getting there!
Decided to use SMD resistors and op amps because I haven't used SMD before and gotta learn sometime.

mtmattan

No SMD this time, now just waiting on parts.
RSComponents are quite expensive but you can't beat their free delivery!

mtmattan

Finished!

...Except for 1 last voltage regulator - gonna raid Mantech tomorrow.
This pedal even runs off 12V, how cool is that? I am totally a rockstar 8)

Will post clips tomorrow ?

Matt.

billionairebum

Really impressive dude. Cant wait for clips!!!

mtmattan

Couple of hours on illustrator and enclosure done!

Bipolar power supply works great!
Initially I fried both my 7909 negative voltage because I assumed it had the same pinout as the 78XX series.

Oh and forgot to mention I dropped the compressor - was too subtle an effect.
Replaced it with a resonant wah type filter for an interesting take on a tone control.

Both the Filter and the Sample Rate Reducer are switchable on and off with the 2 toggle switches at the top.

Goes [In] -> [Filter] -> [Vibrato/Chorus] -> [Sample Rate Reducer] -> [Out]

Regards,
Matt.

mtmattan

It works?

Renamed it to "Nonsense Engine".
Evolved more into a synth type effect rather then a lofi simulator.

Check the Youtube clip:

The Filter and Sample Rate Sections are still suffering from noise but confident it'll soon be quiet as a kerkmuis.

Matt.