Modded Biyang RV-8 Reverb

[PhiloB]

Picked it up for $20.  Really decent sound when in the vintage mode.  Problem was there was a significant volume drop.  Built up a EHX LPB-1 with trimmer on vero and with the help of fine folks here, have it running at unity!  Stoked that I can access the trimpot through the battery compartment, you know, in case I want to crank the volume and use the pedal for a cavernous solo or some other nutty business.  This would be my first mod to a factory pedal.

[jimilee]

Dont forget us when you're rich and famous!!!

[billstein]

Nice one Philo. Way to work that out.

[RobA]

Nice. Any chance at identifying the IC's on there? I can't make out the markings for them on the photo.

[PhiloB]

It would take a magnifying glass.  I couldn't make it out with my naked eye.  Used to have awesome eyesight, now I'm 40.

[RobA]

You're still young compared to me. I have to use one of those 10x magnification loupes to read some of those SMD parts.

I'm wondering though since there is a crystal on the board. I'll look and see if I can find a high mag photo of the board online somewhere.

[AllenM]

Nice job.. mod in til it works!

[PhiloB]

Rob, in my brief searching I couldn't find anything!  Let me know if you come across something.  There is a A/B switch and A sounds like crap, it'd be nice to figure out what's going on there. 

[RobA]

Will do. How do you like the pedal overall?

[PhiloB]

I don't have a lot of reverb experience other than amp spring reverb.  If kept in the 'B', it's very nice, especially 'Spring' setting.  Worth the $20 for sure.  But my needs aren't extensive when it comes to reverb.  Once I have my favorite setting the knobs probable won't get moved much.  It is pretty versatile with the 'Blend' and 'Time' Knobs. 

[RobA]

Hmm, if I can't figure out what they are doing with a web search, I may just have to pick one up. Thanks for the info.

[PhiloB]

There is also a Tri-Verb (RV-10).  Looks like the same circuit in a smaller enclosure.

[RobA]

There is also a Tri-Verb (RV-10).  Looks like the same circuit in a smaller enclosure.

Ah, that's the hint I needed. It looks to be based around this processor,
http://www.wavefrontsemi.com/index.php?id=11,14,0,0,1,0

[PhiloB]

So there is untapped effects? 

[RobA]

So there is untapped effects?

Could be. It depends on how Biyang programmed it or if they modified the code on it at all. It might even be possible to reprogram it yourself if they've put the programing connections on the board. I'm doubting that though since it would add to the cost and wouldn't do anything for their sales/marketing.  The chip itself though certainly has more algorithms on it and the possibility of programing other algorithms.