VFE Rocket PCB info?

[bernm]

Hi. I recently bought the VFE Rocket EQ PCB as part of the shutting down sale. I had thought that it would come with further info such as the BOM for the components (perhaps I misunderstood the wording on the site).

The VFE site says to check out the MadBean forum for help, though I do not see the Rocket listed among the MadBean VFE PCBs. I did find the info for the switching board.

My issue is that while I can identify some of the compenents (e.g. pretty easy to see which resistors go where), I can't for all.

Does anyone know if there is any further info anywhere for populating the Rocket PCB?


Also, regarding the switching board, as I read the MadBean info, it seems to list variations based on the project (e.g. zener value), but again, the Rocket is not listed. If anyone can assist with this area too, or provide some info, that would be much appreciated.


Many thanks in advance to anyone who can help out.

[somnif]

In the absence of other info, I would say just go with the parts values printed on the board.

Beyond that, are there any parts in particular that are giving you trouble identifying? Peter's boards are a little tricky in that he'll use multiple footprints to fit everything in, so you need to triple check your shopping list (is it 2.5mm or 5mm lead pitch? 2.5mm or 3mm wide? etc etc etc)

Oh and for the Switching board, it uses the "Split Rail" parts values, with 16v zener.

[bernm]

Thanks. I'm still looking at the VFE site, the Madbean info on the switching system, and various PDFs of other VFE/MadBean projects to make more sense of this. I'm definitely going to have to tick off each one and make a shopping list as I go through.

But for now, here are some of the immediate questions I have:

- I'm not sure which way the pots are oriented into the slots, but I think it'll make sense as I compare the pic of the VFE Rocket and the PCB.
- On the VFE site it lists the number of components (https://vfepedals.com/rocket-eq.html). For example it says "By The Numbers" and lists "5 Diodes" - I see none on the PCB and only 3 in the switching system. Am I mis-identifying anything? All I see on the PCB are 4 op-amps, some caps and resistors, and some electrolytic caps.
- Are the "larger" holes on the PCB for standoffs / mounting?
- Another question I have is this (sorry if this is a very newbie question - I've only put together a few kits before):  Is it possible to build this without using the switching system and just using a standard off-board wiring diagram?

Again, thanks for the info so far.

Kind regards,
Bern

[somnif]

On your points:

- Yeah the pot orientation will make some more sense once you have it "in hand". The Boost and Mid controls point towards the top of the board, and the Freq points down.
- Not sure about the diode count. Maybe he's counting the LED and switching board MOSFET's body diode.
- The big holes are for the 9mm pots. The "Q" "Treble" and "Bass" controls are plastic shaft 9mm pots, and those have "legs" used to stabilize them.


-And yes, absolutely you can use normal switching. BUT, because the "switching board" also includes the power supply, you'll have to add that to the box separately in some way. The circuit uses both positive AND negative power supplies (hence "split rail" power) so it complicates things a wee bit.

[Netnnk]

Which parts are missing on your board?  I'm almost done with one.   I won't be using the other board for switching, but I'll just install the power components, which you will need.  I

[Aentons]

There was some information up on the VFE website while those boards were on sale. It has since disappeared, but the links to the files are still live.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/as5w1bdmemnumof/REQassembly.pdf

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4iruzcpnmpkbkkr/TrueSoft%20Bypass.pdf

The Bypass PDF has the list of projects that are Standard vs Charge Pump


The site also had the boards divided into sections of no-mod and needs-mod which referes to the accuracy of the values printed on the PCB. The RocketEQ was a no-mod.

[Aentons]

Here is a gut shot of a VFE production Rocket

[jjjimi84]

Is there anymore docs like this for the other pedals that vfe sold off that madbean doesn't cover?

[Aentons]

Is there anymore docs like this for the other pedals that vfe sold off that madbean doesn't cover?

EDIT: See post below for the full list

[jjjimi84]

Thank you very much!

[fair.child]

One thing for sure, having the VFE original EAGLE files will help debug process easier. However, the original schematic seems hard to follow IMHO. I did bunch of success building non MBP VFE projects. Making the docs is the most difficult task and challenging. My 2cents on VFE building, as long you have previous experience building VFE projects, you'll understand better and quicker to populate and use common sense assemble the board. It's okay to slow down and go back build easier VFE project first. Complete it, make it nice, and then move to the bigger and tougher VFE projects (Klein Bottle and RUP for examples).

[jalmonsalmon]

There was some information up on the VFE website while those boards were on sale. It has since disappeared, but the links to the files are still live.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/as5w1bdmemnumof/REQassembly.pdf

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4iruzcpnmpkbkkr/TrueSoft%20Bypass.pdf

The Bypass PDF has the list of projects that are Standard vs Charge Pump


The site also had the boards divided into sections of no-mod and needs-mod which referes to the accuracy of the values printed on the PCB. The RocketEQ was a no-mod.

He was selling just the switching boards too. I wish I snagged a couple of those for some non  bean builds but I may just use another type of  homemade switching board without the pic chip

[diablochris6]

One thing for sure, having the VFE original EAGLE files will help debug process easier. However, the original schematic seems hard to follow IMHO.

I bought the VFE Eagle bundle a while back and started working on those cluttered schematics to make them more readable. I got through the distortions and fuzzes but got tied up in other things.

[Aentons]

 He has a bunch of them that are cleaned up in a VFE Facebook photos album

https://www.facebook.com/pg/VFEpedals/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1024502897599591&ref=page_internal

Plus there is some good info from Peter in the comments when there is a question

If anybody has cleaned up any of the others and would care to share, that would be great!

[Aentons]

I found the link to the page to download the BOM for the VFE DIY board sale. Looks like I was missing a couple of the links in the post above.

http://vfepedals.com/diy-instructions.html

Here is the text from the page in case it goes away (I saved it in the WayBack Machine as well):

------------------

PCBs for discontinued VFE Pedals

As I clear out everything I have left, I am selling all my remaining PCBs from the original VFE lineup of pedals. Each stock VFE Pedals uses two PCBs - one for the audio effect, and one for the TrueSoft bypass system.

I have less stock of the TrueSoft bypass PCBs than I do of the audio PCBs. These are sold separately - the TrueSoft bypass PCBs are in the bottom dropdown box on the right. You can download the Autodesk Eagle .brd and .sch files for the TrueSoft bypass PCBs here. https://www.dropbox.com/s/c6nsfijnzdwy5bc/TrueSoft%20Bypass.zip
Also included is the Autodesk Eagle schematic & board files via email that corresponds to the audio effect board(s) you purchased.

Purchase a pre-drilled enclosure at pedalpartsplus.com. https://www.pedalpartsplus.com/product-p/1590b10vfe.htm
I cannot help troubleshoot problems in DIY builds. I will provide documentation & support in sourcing parts only.

Build & mod notes for VFE PCBs - click the name to download a PDF copy of my assembly sheet
$4 - Alpha Dog - replace W20k with B10k and W1M with B100k (see note below) https://www.dropbox.com/s/zj96znxotnav3j1/ADassembly.pdf
$4 - Blueprint - built exactly as shown on board (leave out parts labeled TAP) https://www.dropbox.com/s/mlh7w1vpufu8v2j/BPassembly.pdf
$4 - Distortion3 - replace W200k with B100k and W1M with B100k (see note below) https://www.dropbox.com/s/kro6373brlrbafo/D3assembly.pdf
$7 - Dragon Hound - built exactly as shown on board (includes dual-gang 9mm pot) https://www.dropbox.com/s/7rjrinhi7e14qjs/DRHassembly.pdf
$4 - Fiery Red Horse - replace W1M with B100k (see note below) https://www.dropbox.com/s/3dx3zbm0uke0xq1/FRHassembly.pdf
$5 - Focus - can be built exactly as shown on board, but part value mod is recommended for lower noise (see assembly sheet) https://www.dropbox.com/s/qvtq29k4q0gyes1/FOCassembly.pdf
$4 - Fuzz Duo - replace W1M with B1M (see note below), will need to experiment with NPN transistors (no assembly sheet)
$7 - Ice Scream - built exactly as shown on board (includes dual-gang 9mm pot) https://www.dropbox.com/s/pd4wwctd7sp7kh9/ISCassembly.pdf
$6 - Merman - built exactly as shown on board https://www.dropbox.com/s/g3m0fmowdflnfxa/MERassembly.pdf
$5 - Mini Mu - built exactly as shown on board, but may take tweaking/modding to dial in just right https://www.dropbox.com/s/g0y9xg4hpwykzwr/MMassembly.pdf
$5 - Old School - pots not labeled on PCB (SPEED = C100k, DEPTH = B1M, LEVEL = A100k, SENS = A500k, STARVE = A100k) https://www.dropbox.com/s/nvjny1l1jj72de1/OSassembly.pdf
$4 - Pale Horse - replace W1M with B100k (see note below) and use polypropylene film caps for 10nF to eliminate squealing https://www.dropbox.com/s/fkdp6qkbfqeypd3/PHassembly.pdf
$6 - Rocket EQ - built exactly as shown on board https://www.dropbox.com/s/as5w1bdmemnumof/REQassembly.pdf
$4 - The Scream - replace W1M with B100k (see note below), pots not labeled on PCB (DRIVE = A1M, LEVEL = A100k, TONE = W20k, FAT = C10k, FILTER = C10k, COMP = W1M/B100k) https://www.dropbox.com/s/kwui1z7r1ms0cc1/TSassembly.pdf
$4 - The Triplet - part value mods required to eliminate squealing (see assembly sheet) https://www.dropbox.com/s/3w6wj9qi95n3stk/TTassembly.pdf
$6 - Triumvirate - built exactly as shown on board (instructions for setting to guitar or bass specs) https://www.dropbox.com/s/yzj3nlz6okqukv7/TVassembly.pdf https://www.dropbox.com/s/ie50ol69en971nn/TVfinal%20bass%20mod.pdf
$5 - TrueSoft Bypass PCB - no mods required, includes MCU + 1/2W 1k resistor. https://www.dropbox.com/s/4iruzcpnmpkbkkr/TrueSoft%20Bypass.pdf

Watch the video at the bottom of this page to see how this board is used & connected in a stock VFE Pedal build.

W1M 9mm pots can be replaced with either B1M or B100k pots. B1M will have the full range of the control, but will be difficult to dial in, as much of the sweep will happen near either end of the pots range. B100k will be smoother, but not have as wide of range. For the Fuzz Duo, B1M will work, but B100k will not. W20k 9mm pots can be replaced with B10k and W200k 16mm pots can be replaced with B100k with fairly equivalent results in the pedals listed above.