Sunday, 13 April 2014

CultureJam Neptune Delay

Another PT2399 delay from CJ.  An LDR with greater than 1M dark resistance and preferably less than 100K light resistance is recommended.  I put the resistors in between LDR and LED to add a bit of separation so you can get them facing each other more easily.  As usual with these, it's recommended that you tape LED and LDR together or use some heat shrink tubing so you can test the circuit without it needing to be boxed.

Info from CJ about his project

Here is my two cents thrown in to the bucket of PT2399-based delay circuits. It features aggressive low-pass filtering on the delay line to virtually eliminate the nasty artifacts that often plague PT2399 delays; and it also sports a momentary footswitch that modulates the delay time, allowing for some cool pitch-bending sounds and really funky detune effects. It can also be made to sound sort of like a lap steel (in a way).

The base of the circuit is derived from madbean's "Sea Urchin" circuit. Then cranked up the filtering and added the modulation footswitch.

More info can be read in the project PDF posted here.






Posted by at 14:32
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63 comments:

  1. Travis14 April 2014 at 01:55

    You guys have done a great job of getting some more delay options available on the site! If you do an analog delay I might just lose it!

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    Replies
    1. Dave14 April 2014 at 08:59

      This is highly unlikely, analog delays tend to be very complicated, and often require hard to find BBD chips.

      Delete
    2. HGE Contraptions14 April 2014 at 09:41

      There is an AquaPuss vero schematic available and verified...but it is big

      Delete
    3. Travis17 April 2014 at 01:49

      I'm thinking it'd be a job for John K if it did happen :)

      I've already got a DM-2 and a Maxon AD-9 Pro so I'm pretty well covered, just think it would be interesting to use an analog delay as a platform for mods/experimentation

      Delete
  2. jon q16 April 2014 at 21:46

    I've actually purchased a PCB from culturejam to make this delay, it is a very very nice sounding basic delay, but what i really dig is the momentary switch that teaks the time function... very cool.

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  3. Matt18 April 2014 at 02:59

    You can mark this one as verified! This is probably my favorite delay. The time warp is really fun to experiment with.

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    Replies
    1. IvIark18 April 2014 at 03:01

      Top man! Thanks for verifying

      Delete
    2. jaredmcohen4 July 2014 at 06:25

      Matt, do you find that the Delay pot has any effect?

      Delete
    3. jaredmcohen4 July 2014 at 06:26

      Unfortunate typo. *Decay* pot.

      Delete
  4. giudis25 April 2014 at 16:23

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. giudis4 May 2014 at 12:24

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. Peter X30 May 2014 at 14:17

    Nice delay, the repeats works very clean out of hiss. The "Warp" function is unique.

    I have an issue with the feedback pot. When maxed, i don´t get infinite repeats... i double checked everything....

    Anyone knows that to tweak to get "infinite repeats" or oscillation? This effect is for that purpose :-)

    The best for all,

    Anyone have

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  7. Unknown11 June 2014 at 16:58

    What is the D1 next to 15k resistor and the ldr between ic and 18k

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  8. jaredmcohen30 June 2014 at 06:09

    Built this one tonight. Some very cool tones. I built it with 2 time pots. I don't notice much of a different (if any ) with the Decay knob one way or the other, so I'll keep trying to troubleshoot that.

    I only wish I could get a shorter Time, like a slapback if that's possible from the PT2399. Anyone know which components effect that setting so I can fool with them? Seems like it's got to be that 18k resistor. I didn't have any on hand and I used a 20k. Maybe that's my problem.

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    1. jaredmcohen1 July 2014 at 00:44

      I've been looking over the Neptune v1-3 schematic. I assumed the "Decay" pot would control the regular delay decay, but the decay pot appears to be on the backside of the SW1, so it would only be in the circuit when the SW1 is engaged. Am I missing something? Is Decay just there to control the warping?

      Delete
    2. Dan6 November 2014 at 03:33

      It seems that usually in p2399s people have a 1k instead of 18k at pin 6, before/after the time pot. There's probably less momentary switch compatibility at that short range but I'm about to change it myself.

      Delete
    3. Dan6 November 2014 at 03:45

      Actually, looking at the schematic on FSB and that resistor is supposed to be a 10k anyway.

      Delete
  9. Unknown23 July 2014 at 15:10

    Hello, just built this and sounds really great apart from I'm not getting a lot of feedback from the knob, on full sounds like 3-5 repeats maximum, no runaway oscillations :C The only thing I've done different from the schematic is use polymer box caps for the 1u's instead of the polarized electrolytic ones. Could anyone tell me what components to look at for increasing the feedback?

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  10. Thelonious29 July 2014 at 23:47

    Hi,
    I maybe say a stupidity, but there is no inversion between FB1 and FB3 on the layout. It should not be the feedback 1 who should go directly to ground ?

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  11. Unknown30 July 2014 at 00:16

    I switched them around too, also can you get yours to go into infinite repeats?

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    Replies
    1. Thelonious30 July 2014 at 22:12

      I haven't built yet, I just received the components. I should build it this weekend or next week. I'll tell you if I have an infinite feedback, if not, I maybe have an idea to have it. I can send you the layout, but I don't try it yet.

      Delete
    2. Unknown2 August 2014 at 20:29

      excellent, keep me informed :)

      Delete
  12. Thelonious14 August 2014 at 23:30

    I finished it today (a little be late, but it's holiday). I have an infinite repeat, but I changed a couple of things for the feedback part, I haven't tried with original layout. I can send you my layout if you want ?

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  13. Unknown15 August 2014 at 03:44

    If its not too much trouble yes please, what things did you change?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thelonious15 August 2014 at 11:15

    I'll tried to send you with your google+/gmail account.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. giudis15 August 2014 at 21:43

      Thelonious, what things did you change? could you send me these info too? :D
      giudis78@hotmail.it
      thanks so much

      Delete
    2. Thelonious15 August 2014 at 22:30

      Sent to your hotmail.

      Delete
    3. Ark Angel HFB18 August 2014 at 17:45

      Arkangelhfb@hotmail.com

      Could you send the newer layout to me aswell?

      Delete
    4. Ark Angel HFB18 August 2014 at 21:30

      If I wanted to adjust this pedal for use with a bass?

      Where should I start?

      Delete
    5. Thelonious18 August 2014 at 21:39

      This is not the "original method", but just my way to have an infinite repeat,inspired by another delay I made, very close to this one. There are maybe a more simple way to have infinite repeat.
      I changed all the parts in red on the layout (some just because I don't have the original component).
      This is the 6,8k resistor that defined the depth of repeat.
      Works great for me.
      Here the layout, for all who want it : http://zupimages.net/up/14/34/xqt8.jpg

      Here a picture of my pedal: http://zupimages.net/up/14/34/2bw8.jpg

      Thanks to Iviark for all this original layouts ! Always excellent !

      Delete
    6. Unknown2 January 2015 at 18:32

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    7. Unknown2 January 2015 at 18:33

      Thank you for your picture. I built this and it sounds good just not really deep delay. I used a GL5549 ldr which is 10M and went with the original layout. I noticed that you are using what looks like ceramic capacitors instead of polyester in a lot of places. I also noticed that you put shrink around the LDR. I am fairly new and was wondering if it matters and also how to determine when to use ceramic and when to use polyester and also poly box. I appreciate your assistance and look forward to your update.

      Delete
  15. Ark Angel HFB23 August 2014 at 18:48

    Hey guys I need some help. I've made one of these, and I trying to test it, but all it is passing is a hiss twobbling sound.

    almost sounds like DCv somehow is in the signal... anyway can someone with a working circuit post the ic voltages so I can compare.

    Thanks in advanced
    ~Ark

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  16. giudis25 August 2014 at 15:00

    Anyway, in the layout we have to change FB1 and FB3 imo...

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    Replies
    1. giudis25 August 2014 at 15:02

      also, decay works much better with a 50kB time pot...repeats will be slower but decay will be very affecting...

      Delete
    2. IvIark25 August 2014 at 20:36

      FB1 & 3 swapped

      Delete
  17. HGE Contraptions29 December 2014 at 13:16

    Nice delay! Altough it has a little bit of motorboating at high mix times(used every pt2399 I had to the same result),but i did put a 50K on the time so maybe because of that

    Here is my build

    http://hgecontraptions.blogspot.ro/2014/12/a-culture-jam-neptune-delay-clone-with.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Dood9 May 2019 at 19:44

      Any ideas how to fix the motorboating issue? It's almost a perfect delay pedal besides the motorboating. Kinda makes it unuseable....
      Thanks

      Delete
  18. JungleWave2 March 2015 at 15:07

    Does anyone knows the maximux delay time ? is it > 2 sec ?

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  19. Unknown13 May 2015 at 11:42

    Does anyone know which resistor is responsible for the volume? I think I have a slight decrease in volume.

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    Replies
    1. giudis17 August 2016 at 19:30

      I think is the 10k connected with IC6 pin maybe...

      Delete
    2. McDylbot15 November 2016 at 12:28

      I had this problem too. I got around it by running the circuit into a LPB1 circuit with a trimmer to boost the level back up.

      Delete
    3. giudis15 November 2016 at 16:06

      Substitute that 10k resistor with a 50k pot and you'll get a volume control... :D

      Delete
    4. McDylbot20 December 2016 at 17:40

      Thanks very much for the tip! I had trouble with excessive distortion using the seperate boost circuit, and your way works much better. :)

      Delete
    5. giudis21 December 2016 at 08:22

      You're welcome ;)

      Delete
  20. Diskovolos3 June 2016 at 16:13

    thanks for this schematic and all the work that you have put into the blog.
    I'm thinking of powering this pedal with an old nokia charger . what mods should i do to the schematic ?

    ReplyDelete
  21. Marcello M.24 June 2016 at 21:42

    Can I use momentary DPDT to control the decay? How can i do it? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Velouria FX6 July 2016 at 04:41

    I built this and sounds awesome. Thank for the layout.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCMWtmD4RdY

    ReplyDelete
  23. Unknown16 October 2016 at 16:39

    Does anyone know how to omit switch? I don't need momentary switch on pedal so how to remove it from circuit?

    ReplyDelete
  24. Travis16 October 2016 at 21:37

    You could simply omit the switch and the wires that connect to it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown18 October 2016 at 19:26

      OK. That means just don't connect it? Thank you for your answer.

      Delete
  25. Unknown15 November 2016 at 23:58

    Does anyone have the project pdf? The link is dead.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Will Kenworthy10 December 2016 at 21:15

      Schematic is here:
      http://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=17216
      You might have to be a member (register) to see it.
      I usually just go to Freestompboxes.org to find schematics for almost all of the projects here that aren't otherwise listed.
      Good Luck,
      Will

      Delete
  26. Unknown14 January 2017 at 15:06

    Im having trouble. Mine works perfectly other than im not getting any decay control. Its not my pot. And it seems my LED is not lighting at all. Ive replaced it and tested it but nothing. I can manualy get decay reactions by aplying voltage to light the LED. but it seems its not getting a signal voltage on its own to operate properly. Any suggestions on what to check?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown11 July 2017 at 21:47

      I feel ya, brother. My LED is barely lighting up, the switch therefore has no effect. In simulations, the LED is not supposed to light up. Can anybody doublecheck the resistor values?

      Delete
  27. Diskovolos5 October 2017 at 00:38

    I am wondering, what mod should be done in order to put an effects loop in that pedal affecting the delayed signal only ? (pretty much as in SD's Vapor Trail delay). Thanks in advance :D

    ReplyDelete
  28. The Dood26 October 2018 at 00:28

    I'm getting a pretty loud pop when engaging the pedal. How can I fix this? Something about a pull down resistor? Sorry, pretty new still.
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Dood2 November 2018 at 22:10

      I tried a 2m2 resistor instead of the 1m on the input to ground connection but it still pops. Was that a pulldown resistor? Thanks again

      Delete
    2. The Dood4 November 2018 at 16:15

      Problem solved! Did some readin', put a 1m pulldown resistor from the output to ground. Did the trick. Cool sounding delay but the decay control is pretty subtle. Any tricks to bring that knob to life?

      Delete
  29. The Dood9 May 2019 at 19:47

    Does anyone know how to fix the motorboating issue? Please help.
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete

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