This project started when I was toggling between two different dirt boxes with very different characters and thought to myself, "These would sound great in a mix together if I double tracked guitar with them!" My next thought was, "Why double track when I can just split the signal and run the effects in parallel?!" The result is the Peacock Parallel Fuzz: two distinctly voiced fuzzes that can be run independently or in parallel.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53384780873_9633c94d0c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pkqXsr)
I had originally planned a two-tone finish on the enclosure with water slide decal graphics and labels, but a defect in the powder coat precluded this. I went for hyrdodip instead.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53384911819_490fb01765_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pkrCo8)
Boxing was as thrilling as a 1590A build despite being a 125B. This was a cram!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53384785098_8c41f0d292_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pkqYHh)
An input buffer feeds two fuzz circuits which are then mixed by an active mixer at the output. The "bybpass" switches really just cut off the clean input when the fuzz is engaged and ground the LED, or ground the fuzz output when the fuzz is off.
The yellow channel is a Harmonic Percolator that has been voiced to be as mid-range focused and percussive as possible. This stock circuit does not like being placed after a buffer. I tested a few different ways to address this including series resistance at the input and a pickup emulator and found that a mosfet in Q2 behaves much more nicely than a BJT and doesn't require any of these other, more involved solutions.
The green channel is a Fuzz Face doing its best Big Muff impression. The feedback resistor has been greatly increased to increase the available saturation. The mosfet in Q2 helps with this as well (and makes the circuit play nice with the input buffer). The tilt eq is voiced to be especially scooped. This leaves room for the yellow channel to poke through when the two fuzzes are used together.
Here' s a demo:
Here's the vero layout in case any one wants to build their own.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53383686142_515dc14239_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pkkm2L)
And here's the bypass layout since it might not be obvious from the schematic.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53384916189_000ed75964.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pkrDFt)
Damn, not only is that one hell of a unique build, but it looks and sounds awesome as well! My hat is off to you, sir!
amen to the above!
Super job on this one. Love the parallel controls on the 45* (30*?) at any rate I like it and the demo makes me want to breadboard this one up just like the Otolith! Well done.
Very cool! Nice build. Agree about the knobs, they kind of tell the story of the raspy fuzz sitting in the middle of the scooped.
QQ on the schematic: are these two crossings junctions or wire hops? I'm assuming junctions, but am dumb sometimes. Thanks!
Junctions
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks for all the kind words, guys!
Quote from: jessenator on December 13, 2023, 12:38:15 AM
QQ on the schematic: are these two crossings junctions or wire hops? I'm assuming junctions, but am dumb sometimes. Thanks!
Yep—those are junctions. I generally try to draw schematics in such a way that there are no wire hops. Also, yes: 30° angled controls. 8)
This is really great!
The sounds are awesome and I really dig your splitting/switching set-up.
I LOVE the sound of this thing. I haven't done any vero boards other than a few utility things and printed this out. Right about the time I figured I'd never have the b*lls to get a real piece of vero to work this one out I get a PIF from over at PedalPCB and now I'm committed....
Quote from: gordo on December 15, 2023, 01:03:40 AM
I LOVE the sound of this thing. I haven't done any vero boards other than a few utility things and printed this out. Right about the time I figured I'd never have the b*lls to get a real piece of vero to work this one out I get a PIF from over at PedalPCB and now I'm committed....
YASS! ;D What better way to loose your vero-ginity than to a double fuzz?! You might also wait a month and see if anyone else makes a PCB layout. :P
With permission from the creator of this genius design, I'm making an attempt to hack the switching system out of this circuit. My aim is to make a PCB that can be built as a standalone parallel switching box, or used as part of a larger multi-effect.
*Edit: this probably won't make a great standalone unit since I can't really begin to goof around with phasing or input buffers, but my hopes are that it can still used to stitch together different flavors of parallel drives/fuzzes.
Here's Version 1:
(https://i.imgur.com/vUM58Sl.jpg)
*I added extra holes so that I can use my thicker gauge of wire for the In/Out/Send/Return leads and create the option to use either an external 16mm POT or a trimmer as the balance control.
Only 2/3 gangs of the foot switches are used, but I went ahead and made the PCB for a 3PDT since that's what's always around here.
Thanks again for sharing the schematic for your awesome circuit, @Aleph Null!
Not so subtle reminder that I need to get my head back in this. Vero is drilled and jumpered.
If you want to buffer the returns, you could use a BJT buffer. This would also allow you to switch the phase (which you'd really only need to do on one return). It's probably pretty cheap insurance to make sure effects play nice with each other in parallel
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53454683587_6ee40c49ab.jpg)
Quote from: gordo on January 10, 2024, 01:55:23 AM
Not so subtle reminder that I need to get my head back in this. Vero is drilled and jumpered.
Yeah! I want to see that build report! ;D
Quote from: gordo on December 15, 2023, 01:03:40 AM
I LOVE the sound of this thing. I haven't done any vero boards other than a few utility things and printed this out. Right about the time I figured I'd never have the b*lls to get a real piece of vero to work this one out I get a PIF from over at PedalPCB and now I'm committed....
I've updated the schematic in the original post after finding a minor value error. The layout was correct. Thanks, Dawson, for pointing them out!
Holy smokes.. I got this switch assembled and I'm trying some parallel combinations today.
This thing is going to solve so many EQ and gain issues- I can't wait to test it out with bass and drums in the room!
(https://i.imgur.com/HawmnGK.jpg)
Quote from: dawson on January 23, 2024, 12:34:46 AM
Holy smokes.. I got this switch assembled and I'm trying some parallel combinations today.
I expect mk. II to have four loops, with stereo panning, and adjustable millisecond delays for that authentic quad-tracking sound! :P
But, seriously, I'd love to know what cool combinations you find. Also, what potentiometer arrangement did you end up with?
I wired up different pairings using my go-to drive circuits: Peach Fuzz, Cream Puff, Timmy vII, Crunch Box & fOXX Tone Machine.
Peach Fuzz + Timmy is a monster.
I've been struggling for years to transition from fuzzy rhythm tone to fuzzy lead tone. When it comes time for a lead, I'm often so saturated with gain that I can't clearly poke through the band mix, even with my AC30 fully cranked. A solution I'm forced into is to reducing gain.. which also reduces 'cool..' so having the ability to leave the rhythm fuzz ON, while adding a nice, clear overdrive alongside of it allows for a much more prominent sound that doesn't lose 'coolness.'
Also, starting with overdrive, then adding fuzz underneath is great in some songs.
I haven't tested it full-band yet, but I've got really high hopes based on what I'm hearing.
Peach Fuzz + Crunch Box
Cream Puff + Timmy II
Cream Puff + Crunch Box
These combinations can do the same tricks in different flavors.
Issues with the Tone machine make me suspect it's out-of-phase, so I built up a little phase switch from that schematic you posted (THANK YOU!) -I'm about to test that out.
Quote from: dawson on January 23, 2024, 06:48:49 PM
I wired up different pairings using my go-to drive circuits: Peach Fuzz, Cream Puff, Timmy vII, Crunch Box & fOXX Tone Machine.
Peach Fuzz + Timmy is a monster.
I've been struggling for years to transition from fuzzy rhythm tone to fuzzy lead tone. When it comes time for a lead, I'm often so saturated with gain that I can't clearly poke through the band mix, even with my AC30 fully cranked. A solution I'm forced into is to reducing gain.. which also reduces 'cool..' so having the ability to leave the rhythm fuzz ON, while adding a nice, clear overdrive alongside of it allows for a much more prominent sound that doesn't lose 'coolness.'
Also, starting with overdrive, then adding fuzz underneath is great in some songs.
I haven't tested it full-band yet, but I've got really high hopes based on what I'm hearing.
Peach Fuzz + Crunch Box
Cream Puff + Timmy II
Cream Puff + Crunch Box
These combinations can do the same tricks in different flavors.
Issues with the Tone machine make me suspect it's out-of-phase, so I built up a little phase switch from that schematic you posted (THANK YOU!) -I'm about to test that out.
That's awesome! The rhythm/lead thing is definitely something I butted up against too. I think it would be cool to try delays and modulation in parallel as well...I might have to work up a parallel looper.
This video came out today. I different exploration of parallel dirt.
Quote from: Aleph Null on February 16, 2024, 08:21:52 PM
This video came out today. I different exploration of parallel dirt.
that's a great demo!
I've only got an Angry Driver (haven't gotten to the PPF yet :( ) for parallel, but it's really neat to hear it all collected in a sound test like that.
Prototype Peacock PCB's are in production!
(https://i.imgur.com/QgVuCC2.jpg)
Quote from: dawson on February 17, 2024, 01:24:29 AM
Prototype Peacock PCB's are in production!
(https://i.imgur.com/QgVuCC2.jpg)
Parallel SCHMöRG! ;D
Looks great! Can't wait to see in built.
Quote from: dawson on February 17, 2024, 01:24:29 AM
Prototype Peacock PCB's are in production!
(https://i.imgur.com/QgVuCC2.jpg)
HOT DIGGITY DAMN!
I need one!!!
It looks like Dawson hasn't been active for a couple of months and no one has received a PCB from him (hopefully, he is doing well!), so I'm thinking about making PCBs for this circuit myself. I already have a working pedal, so I'd want to make something that other people would want to build. I have a few questions for you all:
- Is anyone still interested in a PCB?
- Would you prefer the original compact 125B layout, or a larger 1590BB layout for more space between the foot switches?
- Should I keep the original 30° knob angle or stick with a more standard ortholinear layout?
- Are there any additional features you wish the circuit had?
Let me know what you think!
1. Yes
2. 1590BB (vertical)
3. I like the 30° look, but I'm a lazy SOB and prefer pcb-mounted pots
4. nope
Quote from: jessenator on July 25, 2024, 07:24:59 PM1. Yes
2. 1590BB (vertical)
3. I like the 30° look, but I'm a lazy SOB and prefer pcb-mounted pots
4. nope
Pots would be PCB mounted Whether at 30° or 90°. I'll provide a drill template for whatever layout we end up using.
Needless to say I'm in.
So, here's what I'm thinking.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53889384779_9def0873c4_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2q72bBM)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53889384809_0bdb3e477a_c.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/gp/bj_reames/opg64ip143)
Basically the same layout as the original, but adapted for a 1590BB. The white lines at the top of the layout picture represent where I would put the jacks. I'll do some final cleanup of the layout and make sure everything is labeled consistently.
I'm thinking a flat $10 per board and printed build doc, including shipping in the continental US. What do you think? Would you want to build this?
Aww hell yeah, dude. Count me in.
Me too, that looks awesome!!
Me three. I'd like one.
Count me in
I'm finalizing the design now. Once I've submitted my gerbers, I'll DM everyone to arrange payment, then I can ship them out as soon as they arrive!
Oh yeah count me in!
I've got PCBs in hand and they're being shipped out to everyone that has requested one. If anyone else wants one, I have extras. $10 shipped. I'll include a printed build doc. Just DM me!
Got mine today! Sweeet!
(https://derevaun.com/images/out/IMG_2929.JPG)
Got mine today! Thanks again!
Very stoked and hoping to get a bit of bench time on Saturday