Guitar Pedal Effects Design and Build

[pablogilberto]

Good day!


I'd like to learn more about Pedal Effects by building one. Preferably an OD or DIST.

I have some knowledge in electronics and access to basic tools.


I have few questions.

#1 Do you know references like books / videos / tutorials that I can read about this subject.

#2 Any recommended pedal parts / kit supplier?

#3 Any tips are welcome


Thank you!

[thetragichero]

sign up at the diystompboxes/freestompboxes forum. one of those has wampler's books (how to modify fx and advanced diy fx pedals) available free in pdf format (how to modify fx is in multiple parts but most of it is a guide to... modify various pedals. the beginning is a good primer)
i came from modifying existing pedals which gave me a working idea what different parts/values did which can make it a little more than just painting by numbers

[sumgai]

pablo,


I'll have to go along with 'hero's recommendation, but I'll include a link: diystompboxes.com

On that first landing page, there's nothing dated later than Sep 2020, which seems kind of sad, but the menu at the top takes you to various places that are indeed fully alive and well, specifically the forums.


I tend to no longer recommend dead-tree books now, not because they are dated, but because they are getting hard to come by - digital is the way to stay up to date, without having to fork out good money for a few "new" pages, projects, whatever. And it certainly doesn't hurt that a community forum is the best source for getting an education on almost anything one might dream up - books can't do that. Hmmmm, come to think on it......

HTH





sumgai

[newey]

For pedal kits, take a look at BYOC "Build your Own Clone". I have not built any of their OD or DISTs, but about 10-12 years ago I did order (and build) an ABY effects loop/spitter from them. The kit had good quality parts (granted, there was no PCB, transistors, etc. involved in my project), but no issues with shipping, everything was as advertised, no surprises. SO, I'd give them a look if you want a kit to start off with. They sell clones of many popular pedals.

buildyourownclone.myshopify.com/

[kitwn]

Hi Pablo,

This answer might be inevitable from someone who spent 16 years teaching electronics and related technology, but I'd recommend you also look at learning the basics of electricity, electronic components and circuit theory. This is the language that discussions of how different circuit options work is written in and will help you understand what is being done and why. It's the knowledge you will need if you want to make your own modifications and try your own experiments and will help you to fault-find if something doesn't work as expected.

I don't have a recommended website or book, your choice will partly depend on where you are in the world and your preferred style of learning.

Kit

[MattB]

Electrosmash has some good articles explaining how effects work. I'd suggest starting with a few of the more basic pedals and googling anything you don't understand. A lot of overdrive and distortion pedals are based on the same few basic circuits so if you learn how a distortion+ and a fuzz face work, understanding more complex pedals will be a lot easier.