Mictester's Really Cheap Compressor, and a new to me labeling method.

[jimmybjj]

I built the board to this one a long time ago but just around to boxing it up. It is a very nice comp with LOTS of squish. There is a hint of grittyness (that i'm not digging) to it when used with my high output humbuckers, i'll be playing around with this one to see if i can dial it out.

Finish is DC Green powder coat. There are hints of yellow and gold in the finish depending on the angle your viewing the pedal. Lettering is done with a vinyl cutter used for cutting signs. The particular vinyl i am using (oracal 651) survives powder coat curing process pretty good. This pedal isn't cleared. I need to change the name i misspelled the circuit creators handle, sorry mictester

[nzCdog]

I love your lettering Jim... is there a tutorial  somewhere I could read?? I really want to try it on some of my builds

[bigmufffuzzwizz]

How do you make it look so clean and empty!!! hahaha
Another layout of yours we might see?

[jimmybjj]

I love your lettering Jim... is there a tutorial  somewhere I could read?? I really want to try it on some of my builds

Thanks. Not that I am aware of. It's not complicated at all it just a matter of having access to a vinyl plotter or a sign shop that will do it for you. Basically all I did is design my graphic and sent it to the plotter. The design comes out of the plotter, apply some app tape and put it on the enclosure. Super easy and efficient. The compromise is graphic can't be super complicated.

[jimmybjj]

How do you make it look so clean and empty!!! hahaha
Another layout of yours we might see?

Thanks Magic. If there some interest I can release a layout. If you want a board I have a extra pm me your info and I'll drop one in the mail for you.

[Diamond]

Is this based on John Hollis' Flatline compressor? If so, you could try the VTL5C2 Vactrol unit instead of the LED/LDR. Sounds great in there!

The green colour looks great btw, and so do those knobs. Nice and clean wiring, looks like an excellent build!

[jimmybjj]

Thanks for the compliments. I should have linked the source of this pedal in my original thread. http://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=8581&start=120
I don't believe that this one is based on the flatline. A Vactrol would work with this circuit if you used another led in antiparallel with it, check the linked thread for details. The only caveat is, it would not longer be a "really cheap compressor" the Vactrol would cost more than the entire circuits components.

[slimtriggers]

I like the font.  That yellow lettering really pops against the green background. 

I think you can do this sort of thing with a Cricut machine, but I'm not completely sure.

[jimmybjj]

I like the font.  That yellow lettering really pops against the green background. 

I think you can do this sort of thing with a Cricut machine, but I'm not completely sure.

Thanks. The cricut does funtion similarly to a vinyl cutter if not the same. The disadvantage is you are limited to the particular cartridge that is in the machine, you have to buy additional cartridges to get certain shapes and fonts. There was a program available that opened up it possibilities but it is no longer available for the cricuit. I'm not sure if it is limited on the media it will accept.

[timbo_93631]

If you could use a cricut to make a vinyl enamel mask for PCB's that would be great!  Just stick it on, spray with enamel, peel the vinyl and etch away, it'd be good for etching enclosures too.  Can you do designs like that with a cricut?

[jimmybjj]

If you could use a cricut to make a vinyl enamel mask for PCB's that would be great!  Just stick it on, spray with enamel, peel the vinyl and etch away, it'd be good for etching enclosures too.  Can you do designs like that with a cricut?

Your idea would work if the graphic you wanted to etch was on one of their cartridges. As i understand it the program "SCAL" that allowed you to use your own graphic design is no longer available.

[jimmybjj]

VERIFIED layout. Made a etchable layout of this project. As soon as the layout is verified i will post in the members project section. Eagle doesn't show any errors. If anyone see's one let me know.

Layout here

[midwayfair]

Hey, cool. This one was on my build list to hear since I heard it was a lot more "effecty" than the Afterlife. I don't suppose you came up with a solution for the input distortion issue? Or is it really only an issue with really hot pickups?

[jimmybjj]

yes and yes. This particular schematic called for 2 caps in parallel for the input cap. I clipped one of them out and enough bass was taken out by reducing the value. Distortion only really occurred with powerful humbuckers (JB)

[gtr2]

That looks great!

Josh