Hi there! Need help here!
I built a sprout fuzz on veroboard (the one with the parallel lines ::))..
When I plug it in, it plays ok, but it makes noise in the background (when I don't play.. ;D).
I double-checked for bad joints, wiring, etc., but I did not find something wrong. Maybe the fault is in the layout I made, so I attached the layout I made on DIY LC. I'm noob in this program, so I hope it does not confuse you..
I hope I made you understand what's the problem.. ::)
If you need any extra information, tell me
Thanks!
-Hector-
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Does it make noise when the pedal is on? In bypass? Or both? I haven't built the Sprout, but fuzz pedals in general can be noisy... even when you aren't playing. Unless it's like a Sabertooth and has that gate control, that may be normal. Maybe someone who has built one can chime in, but I'm going to say that it is because it a fuzz, and well, they are noisy.
Is it in an enclosure or are you testing it out of box?
It will be pretty noisy unshielded.
Josh
Quote from: gtr2 on September 08, 2011, 12:59:03 AM
Is it in an enclosure or are you testing it out of box?
It will be pretty noisy unshielded.
Josh
I wanted to tell you about that.. I haven't boxed it yet, because I prefered to follow Brian's rule. I thought that if I grounded the jacks, it wouldn't have a problem.. Do you think it's because of me not boxing it?
Now for the layout. Do you think it's right? It's the first time I do this..
An unshielded fuzz circuit is going to be noisy. Just grounding the jacks only completes the circuit so you get a signal. Once in the enclosure the jacks ground through the enclosure and help shield the effect.
Josh
Quote from: gtr2 on September 08, 2011, 09:30:26 AM
An unshielded fuzz circuit is going to be noisy. Just grounding the jacks only completes the circuit so you get a signal. Once in the enclosure the jacks ground through the enclosure and help shield the effect.
Josh
Aha.. I understand.. Thanks, Josh!!! ;D
Hector
But can anyone tell me if the layout is right? I want to know if I do it the right way.. ;D
Thanks!
Hector
From a quick glance, it looks like everything is connected correctly. You could probably trim down the layout a bit. I've only ever done one vero layout/build, so maybe someone else will catch something, but it looks correct to me. If you want, you can just wire lug 2 of the pot straight to the output jack and not run the wire to the board first.
Quote from: irmcdermott on September 08, 2011, 02:46:12 PM
From a quick glance, it looks like everything is connected correctly. You could probably trim down the layout a bit. I've only ever done one vero layout/build, so maybe someone else will catch something, but it looks correct to me. If you want, you can just wire lug 2 of the pot straight to the output jack and not run the wire to the board first.
ok. I'll do that.. But do you think that the bigger layout will cause problems in the sound?
not at all
Yeah, i would try boxing it up, but not soldering the connections down until you are sure. With a fuzz build, you will definitely get some background noise even when in the enclosure, but it will be more pronounced out of the box. The layout shouldnt make a difference sinc there is such a low part count. A more complicated build would benefit from being cut down, but yours should be fine. Ive built this circuit a few times and it will have some noise, but isnt overly noisy. Good luck.
Thanks for the help, guys! I wired it up and boxed it in a can box.. It has some noise, but I don't care.. I like it very much and I'm so excited with the result.. I'll post photos and sound samples in the "build reports" when I find some time. Well, thanks again! ;D
Im glad you like it. Be sure to post some sounds. Id like to hear it.
Quote from: dwstanford on September 09, 2011, 03:20:49 PM
Im glad you like it. Be sure to post some sounds. Id like to hear it.
You bet I will... ;D
I just went through your layout compared to the schem and everything is connected correctly. There's many jumpers that can be omitted and things could have been lay'd out closer and smaller but you'll get better with practice. The most useful knowledge is knowing how many spaces your components are gonna take up, that way everyone can be put real close. For instance box caps have 1 row between their leads while resistors can be bent to fit many sizes. Hopefully you can get rid of the noise when boxed!
Quote from: bigmufffuzzwizz on September 10, 2011, 09:27:54 PM
I just went through your layout compared to the schem and everything is connected correctly. There's many jumpers that can be omitted and things could have been lay'd out closer and smaller but you'll get better with practice. The most useful knowledge is knowing how many spaces your components are gonna take up, that way everyone can be put real close. For instance box caps have 1 row between their leads while resistors can be bent to fit many sizes. Hopefully you can get rid of the noise when boxed!
Yes, now I know that it could be much smaller. It's not that easy to make it the smallest the first time, but I guess next time the result will be better. This was the first time I worked on veroboard and I found it tricky to layout the components. I left out space unused :( ... Nevermind. Now I have put in a can box, but later I'll put in a 1590b. Could the 1590b have less background noise? Because I still have a little noise. And also, can I put the resistors vertically without having problems? (I guess that's what you meant when you saythat resistors can be bent to fit many sizes.)
Thanks!
Hector
I'm not really sure where your background noise is coming from, but if your using a power supply I'd make a tiny vero circuit of that huminator and put it in the enclosure too. That is if it bothers you that much and it will be slighty tricky fitting it all in a 1590b, thus why the smallest possible layout would work best.
Yes you can stand them up vertically to take up almost no space at all, it doesn't affect the sound in any way. I also saw a few places where jumper wire could be eliminated to make it more compact. It's a little trial and error to get it down how big each component is but it gets easier. If you need help I could show you what I mean, but i think you can figure it out by inspecting existing layouts.
Quote from: bigmufffuzzwizz on September 11, 2011, 04:47:12 PM
I'm not really sure where your background noise is coming from, but if your using a power supply I'd make a tiny vero circuit of that huminator and put it in the enclosure too. That is if it bothers you that much and it will be slighty tricky fitting it all in a 1590b, thus why the smallest possible layout would work best.
Yes you can stand them up vertically to take up almost no space at all, it doesn't affect the sound in any way. I also saw a few places where jumper wire could be eliminated to make it more compact. It's a little trial and error to get it down how big each component is but it gets easier. If you need help I could show you what I mean, but i think you can figure it out by inspecting existing layouts.
A huminator is a great idea.. Thanks! I've been checking beavis audio lately and I thought I could build that to see if that noise would go. Maybe this is the solution. I'm using a little crappy power supply, but I didn't think it could be that..
As for the resistors, I have seen others standing them up vertically, but I thought there must be a reason.. Now I know! ;D
But I didn't understand exactly what you meant with your last words (It's not your fault.. It's because english is not my "first" language ::)). If you could show me, it would be great!
Thank you, bigmufffuzzwizz (Is Magic your real name?? ???)! You've been very helpful!
Hector
I wouldn't be surprised if it was the cheap power supply causing tons of noise. By adding the huminator your sorta adding in a power filtering that should be in the power supply, but probably isn't if its cheap.
In the last part I'm referring to the space between the leads of components or the actual size of them. Once you know how much space (how many holes the leads are separated by) to leave it will be easier to make a really compact layout. I believe you can learn pretty quickly by looking at really neat layouts, for instance one's made by Dragonfly, Ibodog, Ivark.
Yes that's my real birth given name, pretty wild huh? Didn't choose it but I'm thankful for it now :)
If you have other questions just ask! Sure enough someone will have an answer!
Quote from: bigmufffuzzwizz on September 12, 2011, 03:54:29 PM
I wouldn't be surprised if it was the cheap power supply causing tons of noise. By adding the huminator your sorta adding in a power filtering that should be in the power supply, but probably isn't if its cheap.
In the last part I'm referring to the space between the leads of components or the actual size of them. Once you know how much space (how many holes the leads are separated by) to leave it will be easier to make a really compact layout. I believe you can learn pretty quickly by looking at really neat layouts, for instance one's made by Dragonfly, Ibodog, Ivark.
Yes that's my real birth given name, pretty wild huh? Didn't choose it but I'm thankful for it now :)
If you have other questions just ask! Sure enough someone will have an answer!
OK! I'll add the huminator.. I'm sure that this time the noise will go away.I should have thought sooner the crappy power supply.. ::)
Again, Magic, you've been very helpful. ;)
Thanks!
Hector