Saturday 26 September 2015

EarthQuaker Devices Bit Commander

Hi guys! Alex here and I'm very excited to join the tagboardeffects squad. Thanks to Mark and Miro for the opportunity, and thanks to Travis, Zach and Javi for joining along.
My first contribution to the main site is a great guitar synthesizer from EarthQuaker Devices.
I would like to thank Njokki for reverse-engineering his original pedal.

Info about the original:
The Bit Commander is a monophonic analog guitar synthesizer with four octaves of vintage square wave synth tones. Its no-nonsense interface makes it easy to add or subtract octaves to create a wide variety of sounds without having to dial in envelopes or oscillators. Ripping sub-octave thump, pulsing octave down, a lightly squared base tone and a swelling transformer based octave up all join together to make a single guitar sound like an army of olde tyme synths.

 


89 comments:

  1. Aleeeexxxxxxxxxxx welcome buddy!!!!

    We needed you out here!!

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  2. Just got the parts needed to build this in the mail.. can't wait to start up my iron and get this thing working! Thanks for taking the time to do this!
    -A

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  3. Thanks Travis!
    I've being slooowly moving to France for the past two months. Still haven't finished!
    Can't do new layouts at the moment but I can start moving some of them from the forum.
    Hope I'll be able to contribute a bit more soon!

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    1. yea bro. we're really glad your here with us. hope the move ends up going well. i still haven't been able to finish unpacking from my move last november. i really need to find the time to finish it before it's really a year later. haha

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  4. That is one interesting pedal!

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  5. I built one when it was posted in the forum and love it. My single octave down goes silent if I turn it up past 4:00. I'm not sure if it's my pot or not. I've not taken the time to sort it out yet. Besides that everything is perfect.

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    1. Hi man! Did you ever get around this problem? I'm personally curious. I'm asking because past 4:00 is almost at the maximum if u ask me. Thanks!

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  6. You guys are awsome! Yes, you are.

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  7. You guys are awsome! Yes, you are.

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  8. Base1->Sub1->Down1 etc...
    Does this mean they're all connected to ground?

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  9. This thing really sounds like a beast and very nice with a delay. Awesome that you keep up the business here!

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  10. Hey all, I can't find the tm011, what is that component?

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    Replies
    1. Signal transformer. For example: http://www.musikding.de/Transformer-TM011
      +m

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  11. Where'd everyone get their 386Ds from? littlediode have some but I've had fakes from them before.

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  12. Great project! I'm interested in playing with this.

    I'm sure the answer is yes but confirmation would be nice for the community.
    -Would a TM022-R transformer work just as well? It's also a small center tapped transformer used for many popular octave fuzz projects.

    -What is the 386D IC? Do you know of any alternatives?

    More information on these components would be great!

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    1. Ehh I'll reply to my own comment. Quickly researching I believe the 386D is an audio amplifier? That makes the most sense but I personally haven't seen this used in a effects circuit. The 4024 is a counter IC and I'm sure there are many conventional alternatives to that one. I'll breadboard it with a TM022 transformer I have on hand. Perhaps mod a toggle between octaves high - low and both.

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  13. Just finished mine and it works great. I'm in the UK - got my transformer from Das Musikding.
    Also - I couldn't find a 386D, so I used a 386N I had around. No issues.

    Pics here.
    http://imgur.com/a/9wCJe

    Not the tidiest build I've ever done - and yes, I'm annoyed I missed that LED hole :-/

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    1. hey! is it working perfectly all round? I mean, I read here some people had problems with the octave up function, either not working OK or either cutting out after 4 o clock.
      Thanks a lot

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  14. hey all, just wandering if anyone else has had an issue with octave up not working? could it be down to a grounding issue?

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  15. Hi guys, thank you for another great layout!
    I've got a question for you: do you think i could use a TL011 transformer instead of the TM011? It would be great because the TL is much smaller than the TM. The main difference between those two is the output power: 200mW for the TM, and 75mW for the TL.
    What do you think?
    Thank you in advance
    nic.

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    1. Edit: it seems I can't find the TL011 anywere... But the TL022 (wich is very similar) is available at my on-line store; do you think it'll do the job fine?
      Thanks again
      nic.

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  16. Since no one bothered to answer me and reading all the "up has problems
    "down has problems", I did it for someone, and it works perfectly. There are no issues whatsoever with the build, check your wiring/traces/THE CUTS! (it really bugs me that these newer versions done by Alex do not have the cut side alone, without the parts, and this projects has a LOT of cuts, it's easy to make a mistake, had to look 10 times more than I would on any other build...). Here is mine :D
    http://hgecontraptions.blogspot.ro/2015/11/earthquaker-devices-bit-commander-clone.html

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  17. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Hey, never meant it to sound like that, you got me wrong :)
      I'm actually one of the big supporters here ;) and I really appreciate everything here (IVIark knows this)

      Thanks for everything! I am doing fine with these as they are, but I was saying what I said for others, who maybe would have trouble, hence their problems!
      No personal attack or anything like that, please understand

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    3. I've built over 70 projects from here, and apart from ONE that didn't work from all those,even if i rebuilt it(I think an IC was flawless,only had one), all were flawless, and people were very happy! So thank you big time guys \m/

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    4. I must have misunderstood your comment.
      No offence taken.
      If it makes it easier I'll add the cuts in the future! :)

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  18. HUI, great glitchy beast, almost worked at first shot (I put the protection diode in wrong first). Great Layout and no problems with the upper octave. Thanks for the Layout, I was waiting for that one.

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  19. Just posting here to say that I wrote a bit about using something else in place of the TM011,TM022 transformer, on freestompboxes with a vero of something that worked for me.

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  20. Easily the best craic I've had yet with a DIY pedal. Bonkers pedal!

    No issues at all regarding operation, although the Octave Up suffers a bit with hum buckers but is really strong with single coils. Think Purple Haze solo. I used the Muzikding TM011 and their 386's.

    The transformer is slightly bigger than the graphic above but Alex left plenty of space on the Primary side to shift the pins. My only concern is whether it may be too tall to fit in a 1590 box. I'll soon find out.

    The Base 1 to GND note is redundant as it's already grounded on the board connection.

    Cheers Alex for a great layout!

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  21. So has anyone tried this with TM022?? TM011 has a factory lead time of 20 weeks. I want to build this so bad!

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    Replies
    1. *factory lead time on Mouser.

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    2. I reckon there's no harm in trying. The secondary impedance is slightly higher on the TM022 but eh you never know. That said, they are kinda exxy. You could try to source a 42TU011 instead? Smallbear have em.

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    3. Thanks man! Will give the TM022 a try, and update later. I should socket that, if it doesn't work swap that sucker out in 20 weeks, right?

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    4. Just a quick update! The TM022 works! First try, it fired right up! This pedal is awesome!

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  22. Follow up for anyone interested.

    Yes it fits, IF you mount it all component side down and push the jacks, switch and LED as close to the bottom as you can. I didn't so ended up making a spacer as the transformer stands so tall I couldn't get the lid on. A 125B would be a much better option here.

    Check out page 33 in the Show Your Pedal Guts thread on the forum.

    Cheers lads

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    1. Yup yup, 125B fits. If you tape the pots with electrical tape, you can have your components side up, and push the board all the way to bottom touching the pots without any short.

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    2. Not that it matters facing up or down. Just OCD.

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    3. Thanks Ciaran! About to attempt a 1590B fit today!

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  23. im having a problem with the circuit. I get some crackling on the output when I strum hard. my voltages are:
    4024be:
    pin1-0
    2-0
    3-0
    4-0
    5-0
    6-0
    7-0
    8-0
    9-0
    10-0.23v
    11-0
    12-0
    13-0.5v
    14-9v

    lm386n:
    pin1-0.1v
    2-0
    3-0
    4-0
    5-0.1v
    6-0.5v
    7-0.1v
    8-0.1v

    tl072
    1-1v
    2-1v
    3-4.5v
    4-0
    5-4.5v
    6-4.5v
    7-1v
    8-0.5v

    anybody see anything wrong

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    Replies
    1. First thing I can see, you should have +9V on LM386's pin 6 and TL072's pin 8 (now 0,5v on both). Try double checking those +9V links

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    2. i found why my ics werent getting +9. now the effect seems to be working but sort of fading in and out, getting louder then quieter. I salvaged the transformer and may have damaged it. I may have to rebuild. My updated voltages are:
      4024be:
      pin1 to pin9-0
      10-.25v
      11-0
      12-0
      13-0.25v
      14-9v

      lm386:
      1-1.3v
      2-0
      3-0
      4-0
      5-4.5v
      6-9v
      7-4.5v
      8-1.3v

      tl072:
      1-6.23v
      2-4.5v
      3-4.5v
      4-0v
      5-4.5v
      6-4.5v
      7-2.2v
      8-9v
      thanks for your help, I apologize for my inexperience

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  24. The second lead on the S side of the tm011 is in between two cuts and I am not seeing where or what it's attached too. The fuzz sounds are working but I am
    Not getting any synth octave up or down let me know if anyone could help

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    1. For the S side its normal, its like in the octavia fuzz :
      http://fuzzcentral.ssguitar.com/octavia/octavianpnschematic.gif

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  25. Hi!,
    it's ok if i use a c4024 instead of a 4024be?
    Thanks.

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  26. Hi , it works for me ! (MC14024BCP, LM386D & LM386N3, TL072, TM011)
    But I want more treble, mine is a little deaf, do i change the 1uF input cap ?

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    Replies
    1. RECTIFICATION : it's a CD4024BE , I've just try with CD4024BCP and octave "down" is bad , "sub" is quite bad, so take 4024BE !

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  27. Will this transformer be suitable?


    http://ca.mouser.com/Search/m_ProductDetail.aspx?Xicon%2F42TM011-RC%2F&qs=h3Xc2LqAealMFTkJCAd4Kw%3D%3D

    Not sure if this frequency range and coil resistance is appropriate...

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  28. im not familiar with transformers, radioshack has one, i think i saw a tonepad layout that suggested it.
    Here are the specs, only thing i can decipher is radioshacks has 1k, and this says 1.5k, agian never used a transformer so not sure how close specs have to be, if anyone could give me a yay or nay thatd be awesome.
    This audio output transformer is perfect for various audio/video projects. Feature includes audio output and low-level impedance matching.

    Specifications

    Impedance (input: 1V/1KHz; Secondary: 8 ohm load): 1K ohm +/- 10% Primary
    Open impedance (1KHz 1V, Secondary: no load): 4K ohm Min.
    Resistance (at 24 Deg C): 70 ohm +/- 20% Primary, 0.62 ohm +/- 20% Seconday
    Parts Warranty: 90 Days

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  29. Does anyone know if "42TM011-RC" from Mouser will work?

    http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Xicon/42TM011-RC/?qs=h3Xc2LqAealMFTkJCAd4Kw%3D%3D

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    1. Yeah it will, I think it sounds nice in there too has a strong up octave.

      You can pick them up cheaper and probably get it faster from small bear...

      http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/transformer-mouser-42tu011/

      rock on!

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    2. Thank you! I'll pick one up from SmallBear, I appreciate the heads up!

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  30. Could I use T-256D or T-025A transformers? I found them in an old radio transmitter..... :D

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  31. Have been reading about this pedal for awhile and decided to go ahead and build. Ordered all of the parts from Mouser and Small Bear (all readily available)and should get them next week. Will let you know how it goes.

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    1. Just finished it up and it seems to be working without any problems. Has a lot of neat sounds which I am just experimenting with. I double and tripled checked the underneath of the board and found a few solder bridges that I corrected. I believe that the majority of problems builders have with this is related to solder bridges and cold joints so make sure these are corrected before assembling.

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    2. Here are my voltages for reference. Do they seem correct?

      4042BE
      1 - Varies 0.4 to 1.2V
      2-11 0V
      12 - 3mV
      13 - 0V
      14 - 9V

      LM386D
      1 - 1.2V
      2-4 0V
      5 - 4.5V
      6 - 8.9V
      7 - 4.4V
      8-1.2V

      TL072
      1 - 2.2V
      2 - 4.5V
      3 - 4.5V
      4 - 0V
      5 - 4.5V
      6 - 4.0V
      7 - 8.0V
      8 - 9V

      Thanks

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  32. I can't seem to find a TM011-R anywhere. anyone know what i could use instead? or if any sites have one? thanks.

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  33. I purchased one from Mouser but they are currently out of stock. A couple of German companies sell them and probably would ship to the US. https://www.musikding.de/Transformer-TM011 or https://www.banzaimusic.com/TM011-Transformer.html

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  34. My initial build was with a HEF2024BP from NXP, which made the unit sound far away from the original. I ordered other ICs and compared them. In my opinion:

    HEF2024BP (brand NXP) - single octave down, bad tracking
    CD74HC4024E (brand Texas Instruments) - single octave down, but better tracking
    CD4024BE (brand Texas Instruments) - DOUBLE OCTAVE DOWN, this is the way to go.

    Nice device, and nice layout. Thanks a lot :)

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  35. Built as per layout, works like a charm, like the demos, thanks guys!

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  36. Just built this, the up octave is a little weak/not coming through like the
    video, any suggestions? Also I used the TM022 could that possibly be the problem with the up octave?

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    1. I just built this with a TM022 as well, and I have no octave up. Everything else works great, and the controls seem to all respond as they should. I think the transformer just doesn't have the right specs for the octave up to work properly. I'm going to get an 011 and see if that fixes the problem. Mouser has 900+ on order, so it may be a month or two, but it's worth a try for 4$.

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    2. I ordered a TL011 from Jameco electronics and a toroid choke for something else (min order of 5$) and got it coming. TL011 reported to work by numerous people so I'll give it a shot and report back when I get it installed. Just for funsies I may check and match the diodes there too.. not sure if that's necessary.

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    3. I'll have to do the same! It sounds really really cool, just not a very strong octave up. I'll have to order one!

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    4. The tl011 didn't help. There's basically no noticeable octave up on my build. I've checked everything about 3 times, no luck. I'm not going to spend a whole lot more time on this build unless someone has some input on how they got strong octave up

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    5. Well damn, I was going to order a tl011 from a canadian company. Was hoping to hear that this fixed your problem

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    6. Since I have it open I'm going to socket the transformer diodes and try to "match" a set and see how that effects the octave sound. I got some nice 1N34A's like used in the Tychobro or whatever of similar design to the octave up section here.

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    7. It apparently ate my other reply.. the TL011 works. I was missing a cap.

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    8. Hello Starlight,
      I made my bit Commander with Supernintendo's arrange of knobs heh
      All is working properly except for the Octave Up. Im using TM022 because Banzai didnt have the TM011 when I ordered. Now They have it so I placed a new order. Did you test your TM022 with the missing cap asembled?
      I Will test It as soon as I get the TM011... Just a bit anxious to predict the result

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    9. No I didn't try it with the 022 after the cap.. I put in the 11 and then noticed the missing cap! Sorry I cant be of help.

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    10. Thank you Starlight for you answer, finally the TM011 arrived and I installed it... No success for me.
      I will try to match the diodes and report back

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    11. Even matching diodes no success for me with the upper octave. I was a bit low because the rest of the pedal was working well. So I did a Tycobrahe Octavio from this site and that works perfect with a very strong Octave Up if I roll off the tone of my tele.
      May I use both pedals together to have all the octaves working at the same time??? I will check it out!
      Now, lets find a new proyecto in this amazing site!

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  37. So - I'm not a pedal builder but love the pedal this was based on. Can someone tell me what kind of fuzz circuit this is and what other fuzz pedals use the same design (without the octaves?)

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  38. Hi, is there a place where i can find the parts list of the bit commander? Thanks

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  39. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  40. Hello guys, I'm in need of your genius! I built this a while ago and I have a problem with Sub and Down octaves. Every knob works as it's supposed to but you need to hit the strings hard (strat single coils) so that the sub and down octaves come alive and they've got no sustain at all, the octave signal mutes after a little while and then only the dry signal passes through. So I'm guessing there isn't enough signal going into the CD4024BE chip? I'm posting my voltages below and I could record a sample with my phone, later on, for you to hear. Thanks in advance!

    9.4V power supply

    CD4024BE:
    1- ~0.3
    2-0
    3-0
    4-0
    5-0
    6-0
    7-0
    8-0
    9-0
    10-0v
    11-0
    12-9.4
    13-0
    14-9.4v

    LM386L:
    1-1.28
    2-0.01
    3-0.05
    4-0
    5-3.92
    6-9.4
    7-4.82
    8-1.28

    TL072CP
    1-4.69
    2-4.69
    3-4.67
    4-0
    5-4.68
    6-4.69
    7-4.71
    8-9.4

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    Replies
    1. Check pin12, it seems to be connected to 9v, which should not be

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  41. think its possible to use non polarized caps for ALL of the 1uF?

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    Replies
    1. I was wondering the same but I just used all electros cause that's what's in the original. Anyways, fired right up and all controls work 👍. Sounds the same as the real one.

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  42. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  43. this sounds sincerely evil at certain settings. it has that evil voice like the schumann but different. I find certain octave fuzzes like this too sound much more evil then some of the wall of doom fuzzes out there. many of which are big muff variants. I love the big muff but it dosent sound sincerely evil like this. it just sounds heavy

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  44. I built this thing and it's AMAZING. Especially the lower octaves give you super nasty tones. It's also a Jack White/QOTSA in a box if you want it with the higher octave, but I like it the most when cranking the lower octaves like crazy. We're recording our new album now and I'm using this to subtly double guitars adding a lot of thump and low end in the background and it's just great. Thanks for yet another great layout.

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  45. Hi guys,

    everything works fine with my build,
    but when i open up my tone knob on my guitare i get a huge hummbling noise
    and it increase when i turn the base knob from the bit commander
    any ideas ???

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  46. Hi!, there is a way to reduce the fluttering sound?

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