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.

 


Posted by at 12:09
Tags: , , , , , ,

89 comments:

  1. Travis26 September 2015 at 15:38

    Aleeeexxxxxxxxxxx welcome buddy!!!!

    We needed you out here!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown26 September 2015 at 15:58

    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

    ReplyDelete
  3. Alex26 September 2015 at 16:40

    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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Zach26 September 2015 at 20:08

      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

      Delete
  4. Andy26 September 2015 at 17:41

    That is one interesting pedal!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Synsound26 September 2015 at 19:14

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HGE Contraptions14 October 2015 at 07:05

      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!

      Delete
  6. Merhulsky27 September 2015 at 08:42

    You guys are awsome! Yes, you are.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Merhulsky27 September 2015 at 08:42

    You guys are awsome! Yes, you are.

    ReplyDelete
  8. IvIark27 September 2015 at 12:35

    Great stuff Alex

    ReplyDelete
  9. Raffe27 September 2015 at 13:34

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

    ReplyDelete
  10. Unknown1 October 2015 at 18:54

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

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ham-Phist2 October 2015 at 16:42

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mirosol2 October 2015 at 21:59

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

      Delete
  12. Bobbass4k5 October 2015 at 22:46

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

    ReplyDelete
  13. KM7 October 2015 at 14:47

    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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KM15 October 2015 at 20:00

      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.

      Delete
  14. none23 October 2015 at 20:55

    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 :-/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HGE Contraptions26 October 2015 at 06:39

      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

      Delete
  15. Unknown25 October 2015 at 20:02

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

    ReplyDelete
  16. Nic12 November 2015 at 14:26

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nic13 November 2015 at 09:58

      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.

      Delete
  17. HGE Contraptions16 November 2015 at 07:21

    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

    ReplyDelete
  18. Alex16 November 2015 at 13:10

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HGE Contraptions16 November 2015 at 13:20

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. HGE Contraptions16 November 2015 at 13:23

      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

      Delete
    3. HGE Contraptions16 November 2015 at 13:26

      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/

      Delete
    4. Alex16 November 2015 at 13:52

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

      Delete
  19. Unknown16 November 2015 at 20:21

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Dan9 December 2015 at 08:54

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Ciaran Haslett16 December 2015 at 14:39

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Genghis16 January 2016 at 06:55

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Genghis16 January 2016 at 06:56

      *factory lead time on Mouser.

      Delete
    2. Unknown16 January 2016 at 07:01

      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.

      Delete
    3. Genghis16 January 2016 at 07:34

      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?

      Delete
    4. Genghis23 January 2016 at 02:11

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

      Delete
  23. Ciaran Haslett22 January 2016 at 23:18

    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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Genghis23 January 2016 at 02:20

      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.

      Delete
    2. Genghis23 January 2016 at 02:22

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

      Delete
    3. Unknown1 July 2017 at 15:41

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

      Delete
  24. Unknown3 March 2016 at 10:22

    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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alex3 March 2016 at 15:28

      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

      Delete
    2. Unknown3 March 2016 at 23:12

      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

      Delete
  25. Unknown29 April 2016 at 01:52

    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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Simon15 December 2016 at 12:34

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

      Delete
  26. Unknown12 September 2016 at 23:24

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

    ReplyDelete
  27. Simon14 December 2016 at 17:17

    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 ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Simon6 March 2017 at 12:48

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

      Delete
  28. Sensei Tim28 December 2016 at 20:30

    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...

    ReplyDelete
  29. Simon8 January 2017 at 15:35

    tm011 is ok ;)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous29 January 2017 at 15:22

    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

    ReplyDelete
  31. John M21 February 2017 at 16:48

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

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown22 February 2017 at 06:54

      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!

      Delete
    2. John4 March 2017 at 20:35

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

      Delete
  32. giudis5 April 2017 at 16:38

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

    ReplyDelete
  33. DPM30920 August 2017 at 00:26

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DPM30931 August 2017 at 19:03

      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.

      Delete
    2. DPM30931 August 2017 at 19:29

      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

      Delete
  34. Unknown30 September 2017 at 02:10

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

    ReplyDelete
  35. DPM3092 October 2017 at 18:55

    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

    ReplyDelete
  36. Unknown9 October 2017 at 13:39

    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 :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Chance29 October 2017 at 02:11

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

    ReplyDelete
  38. Unknown19 November 2017 at 00:57

    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?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BetterOffShred22 November 2017 at 17:11

      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$.

      Delete
    2. BetterOffShred22 November 2017 at 17:25

      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.

      Delete
    3. Unknown23 November 2017 at 20:00

      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!

      Delete
    4. BetterOffShred25 November 2017 at 22:50

      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

      Delete
    5. Unknown27 November 2017 at 08:49

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

      Delete
    6. BetterOffShred16 December 2017 at 19:07

      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.

      Delete
    7. BetterOffShred16 December 2017 at 19:09

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

      Delete
    8. Jokin Glaukoma13 February 2018 at 17:10

      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

      Delete
    9. BetterOffShred27 February 2018 at 16:14

      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.

      Delete
    10. Jokin Glaukoma26 March 2018 at 14:58

      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

      Delete
    11. Jokin Glaukoma3 April 2018 at 09:44

      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!

      Delete
  39. The Soft Rock Apologist12 December 2017 at 17:50

    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?)

    ReplyDelete
  40. zsounD3 February 2018 at 17:15

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

    ReplyDelete
  41. varaso2 June 2018 at 15:11

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  42. varaso2 June 2018 at 15:13

    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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown7 September 2018 at 08:24

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

      Delete
  43. Unknown11 November 2018 at 18:00

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mulekicker13 December 2018 at 22:29

      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.

      Delete
  44. kizzer20 December 2018 at 22:53

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  45. mercury810 March 2019 at 03:30

    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

    ReplyDelete
  46. Guillemdc23 February 2021 at 15:00

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  47. knobs25 June 2021 at 12:45

    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 ???

    ReplyDelete
  48. Uriele22 February 2023 at 12:30

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

    ReplyDelete

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