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Friday 18 October 2013

ZVex Distortron



Don't bother asking for a schematic. One doesn't exist. This layout is based on FSB thread on the subject....  (yes, you'll need to log in to see it)
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The thread at FSB got wind under its wings after this layout, so the questionable values are finally confirmed. Here's the final layout with updated values (56n -> 22n and 10n -> 100n).


58 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks.

      Probably could have been more compact, but with 3 pots and 2 switches the B box will the size. And this is quite comfortable fit...

      Should probably post it to FSB in case this would spring up the real values for the subs switch.
      +m

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  2. Nice, so, this woud be like the distortion part of the Box of of rock?

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    1. 1:1 with added switches for more gain and thinner low frequencies. With gain switch "off" and subs switch at "3", it should be exactly the dirt side of BOR.
      +m

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  3. How about a Box of Rock with the switches?

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  4. I would love to see a BoR with the switch options as well!

    Or would it be as simple as adding a Super Hard On?

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    1. Yep, just add a Super Hard On after it, and you got a BoR with the switch options

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  5. Hi,
    my first comment on your blog, so first of all: Thanks for all this work you put in here, already took lots of inspiration!

    Here's something about the tone stack I found at a German forum (musikding). One guy wasn't happy about the sub switches either (his source too was fsb). So, he started experimenting with the 470k resistor and 470pf capacitor. (there's only one of each, you find them in the middle of the vero).

    They couple the first and second gain stage, if you have a look at the BOR schematic, but I'm not a 100% sure about what the resistor does actually, as I'm still learning.

    Anyway, here's the guy's results: (I translated it, hope you get it)

    - value higher than 470k makes it less "muddy"
    - increased 470p to 1n to not loose too much of deeper mids
    - experimented with other values, got lot of different sounds out of it:

    0k - comes closer to a fuzz, just a little more dynamic: sounds a lot like "queens of the stone age"
    (I've only tried this mod so far, but I really like it. Problem is that you can't hear chords really, it's just a lot of mud- which I like personally ;) Single notes are nice, though.)

    200k - sounds like a Marshall with it's output stage distorting; fat sound, muddy when cranked which is actually close to the original

    750k - sounds tight; if you change 470p to 1n it's starting to sound pretty modern

    1M - less "meaty/oomph" at low gain, but stays clear even with hi-gain switch engaged

    Cheers,
    Georg

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    1. Thanks for this info. One could replace the 470K with a 1M lin pot :) Did he have any input on the subs switchx values?

      According to some rumours, Zach has stated that it is 1:1 with BOR with those settings...
      +m

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    2. I would love to see a layout with these options as switchable. I *think* a on off on could do it. Am I right?

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    3. @mirosol: No, he didn't have more info on the sub switch values other than what people where talking about in the fsb-thread.

      I'm also thinking of making the 470k a 1M pot, but wouldn't it be better to place a logarithmic one there?

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    4. If in doubt over taper, I'd always go linear first, then you can change if needed.
      Cheers
      Dave

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    5. I'm still a newby, so actually I don't really know yet when to use what...
      Since it doesn't have anything to do with volume, I think linear is probably the way to go then. Thanks for the advice, Dave!

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  6. FYI this is just like Madbean's old Boomstick project. Could get a schematic/info there

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  7. FYI this is just like Madbean's old Boomstick project. Could get a schematic/info there

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  9. The Boomstick schematic doesn't use the 3-way Subs switch and has a (possibly) incorrect value for C7.

    This schematic should match the layout above. (modified from the Madbean schematic)
    http://i40.tinypic.com/kejina.png

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  10. Hi, i want to build this Pedal, but can't find any 2nF cap on Tayda. is it possible to use a 2.2nF cap without any change in the result?
    Thanks

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    Replies
    1. 2.2 would be fine, I doubt you'd notice any difference.
      Cheers
      Dave

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  11. Built this, it's neat!

    I would describe the sound as a "cleaner" distortion compared to something like a Rat. Very crisp and bright.

    Tonnes of low end, even on the lowest sub switch setting.

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  12. Does anyone know the differences between the Distortron and the Basstortion ?

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  13. Just finished this as my first pedal build (took a couple of attempts and a week of debugging), but it's finally done and working and it sounds really great! I'm getting a huge range of sounds from it, from subtle warming/thickening, through to overdrive, bluesy crunch, modern rock and really dirty grungy sounds. I probably could do with several on my pedal board to make use of all the options :)

    I included the mod someone here mentioned replacing the 470K resistor with a 1M pot, and that really allows a lot of extra tweaking.

    I think I'm hooked on the pedal building, got parts on the way to try several others designs from this site :)

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  14. sorry the dumb question: which is the naming convention for the SPDT On-On wiring? Hi/Lo2 has to be connected at the center lug or at opposed of the 1? thanks

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    1. Yes Hi/Lo2 would be connected to the center lug, and hi/lo 1 connect to one of the lugs next to it.

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  15. I was about to finish this project :) I have found out that Gain 1 connection is missing- Should it be connected to the input or the 1 and 2nd log of the Gain pot are connected together? Thanks

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    1. It's not connected. If you want, you can chain lug 2 with lug 1, but that won't affect the operation in any way.
      +m

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    2. Хвала!!!Thanks Miro!!!!

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    3. Works like a charm! It's too late in MKD to play loud and nice, soon I'll post pics;) Thanks a lot all of ya!

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  16. Hi, trying to make a Double Rock which I believe is two of these cascaded. However it doesn't have the hi/lo bit but has a switch to turn each one into an SHO. Any idea how to do this??

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    1. Q1 in this is basically a slightly modified Super Hard On so a switch that bypassed the rest of the circuit would do exactly what you describe. I'd at least want to see a high resolution gut shot before doing a layout though so I can see any other differences which Zack is bound to have made, I wouldn't ever want to guess at a layout without having something tangible to go off.

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    2. Cheers - I think you are right.

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  18. What mods are needed to make this a basstortion?

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  19. My build is working otherwise perfectly, but the SUBS-switch isn´t doing anything... Any suggestions? By the way, this is one of the better sounding distortion-units.

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  20. I just finished mine. I went with a vertical layout and did the 'crackle not okay' mod on mine, and it sounds awesome.

    pics:

    http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Effects/Fuzz-ODs/distortron-BOR/Distortron2-01.jpg

    http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Effects/Fuzz-ODs/distortron-BOR/Distortron2-02.jpg

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    1. John, where do you order your mini switches? They look nicer than the ones I've ordered from Tayda and other Ebay sellers.

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    2. I get them from smallbear.

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    3. > did the 'crackle not okay' mod on mine

      Did you replace the SHO in front of it with a "Crackle not ok" SHO?

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    4. Hi John, could you explain what did you do in your layout to eliminate the crackle? Have you connect the input directly to gain1? and have you changed the gain pot value? thanks in advance, :D

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  21. I have build several Bor's and Distortrons but they all sound harsh to me. Earpearcing high frequenties when you build it as above or as in the schematic that's going round. Why is nobody complaining about this or are my ears high sensitive? Complete useless in this way, and it is not what I hear on You Tube. Maybe the schematic is not complete and there must be a cap of 470 pF between the drain and gate of the first gainstage mosfet. Try it and be suprised.

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  22. Hi

    I'm a strat Fender Deluxe guy and needed to fake some Ramones songs for a covers night. I built this and it nails it.

    I just want to say I've been building pedals for a couple of years now and learned most of what I needed to know from here having started with a bitsbox Hearthrob kit.

    There's something relaxing about making pedals and it's great to have stompboxes that you couldn't otherwise afford but the opportunities to explore new guitar sounds is the real joy.

    Thank you once again!

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  23. Just built this and ...HOLY CRAP... this thing has some balls! I love it.
    Only change I made was subbing a 10K Rev Log for the gain as I found that, even on the LO gain setting, the bigger pot gave me more control range. At the bottom (10K) I can get a nice crunch, while the top (0K) is super thick fuzz-like.

    I love this one.

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    1. Edit: the 10K gave me crunch to fuzz on the "HI" gain setting...

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  24. hey! i'm looking to build a BoR/distortron, but i'm struggling to source a c5k pot. would a b5k pot be a fair replacement for it?

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    1. Sweep will work, but won't be as usable as with C-taper.

      http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/potsecrets/potscret.htm
      So normally B10K + 10K resistor would do the job. However. Altering the taper for a pot that's wired as a rheostat isn't as simple.

      Anyway. Why don't you check tayda for C5K pot?
      http://www.taydaelectronics.com/potentiometer-variable-resistors/rotary-potentiometer/anti-log-reverse/5k-ohm-c5k-5kc-anti-log-taper-potentiometer.html
      +m

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  26. I am also getting high squealing like one of the posters above, does anyone know how to rectify this? I did exactly as shown on the layout.

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    1. Did you ever find a solve for the high squealing?

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  27. Did someone change the layout?? Ive built this and its just a low noise signal generator.. sounds like there is voltage on the signal..

    And Ive built A LOT of pedals so its not my first one ...

    I checked traces, values, jumpers, EVERYTHING!

    Funny thing is that i can modify the noise with all the knobs and switches like its supposed to be.
    When i plug out the input from my test box, the noise remains..
    There has to me a major mistake somewhere!! Damn... i even triple checked everything with photoshop, marking all the components and cuts..
    :( i am really frustrated!

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  28. Mine sounds great, but can’t achieve even unity output, even with everything maxed out. Will post voltages late on.

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  29. I just built one, this thing sounds amazing... and it's LOUD. I need to keep the level at about 9:00. It's got a really satisfying feel, cleans up great and I now wonder how I went this long without one. I recently had a Smallsound Bigsound Fuck Overdrive on my board, but this sounded so sweet I had to remove it.

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  30. What would one need to do to make this more like the Basstortion. It doesn’t sound bad on bass but I am curious. Still in the learning process.

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