This is a library of perfboard and single-sided PCB effect layouts for guitar and bass. I'm not an electrical engineer by any stretch of the imagination, just a DIY'er who likes drawing layouts. It is meant for the hobbyist (so commercial use of any of these layout is not allowed without permission) and as a way to give back to the online DIY community.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Idiot Box Effects Blower Box

Here's a pretty cool bass distortion based on the RAT. The normal filter section on a RAT is replaced with a passive baxandall network. It was traced by FSB member p.eat and the schematic I based this layout from was drawn by johnk.





21 comments:

  1. This is verified and sounds great. I used a LM308AH metal can IC.

    http://music.codydeschenes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/blower-box.jpg

    Cody

    ReplyDelete
  2. what is 2n4148. I can not find it.

    thanks in advance

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry, that's a typo on my part. Should be 1N4148 silicon diodes.

      Delete
  3. Dude which one is the "effect out"??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mine is not working. Just a low hun is coming through vwhen its on

      Delete
    2. Lug 2 on the Volume pot is the Out. The layout's been verified, so double check all your connections and look out for jumps, etc.

      Delete
    3. Had switch connection problem !
      Fixed it by replacing one
      Thank David :)

      Delete
  4. Dude, working. Pretty awesome. Thanks for the support
    ***Varified***

    ReplyDelete
  5. Roger Mayer Voodoo Bass, please!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Replies
    1. http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Effects/Fuzz-ODs/Idiotbox/BlowerBox_Schematic.png

      Delete
  7. Hi! Build one and it sounds realy good but on lower gain settings (about 1/4) and with volume full on it sound quieter then uneffected bass. Is it some mistake or them all work that way? first i were thinking that its some problem with 201, but i tried different ones (and even 5457) - all the same. Tweaking bias is not solve problem too. Has anyone any ideas?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Just tested mine on an etched board. Works great! Thanks much!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Added the rotary clipping switch to my blowerbox and tried a few different opamps. I have RCA metal can 308, sketchy National 308 acquired out of china, and Ti and NJR op07.

    The RCA sounds good. The china-sourced chips sound wrong - like glitchy. The NJROP07 sounds more earthy / gritty / organic and i sort of love it. I haven't tried the Ti part, which is what ProCo currently puts in RATs. The NJR part is substantially _slower_ than the Ti, which could be a good thing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Would anyone be willing to make one of these boards for me and sell it to me? I just finished buying equipment to solder and can't really afford more equipment to etch at the moment.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I cant get this working fully the EQ pots don't seem to do much and only get half volume

    ReplyDelete
  12. I made this a while ago and had issues with it being quiet. I just fixed it, replace 10K resistor from the FET drain with a 20K trimmer. Solder the single leg to one of the legs that are next to each other. Adjust to taste and you are cooking!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I know this is verified but I Couldn't find the 1m resistor from the Gate to GND in the schematic. am I missing something? or it should come right after the 10uf output cap.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Silly question, the 4001 diode has reversed polarity, why?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's correct. In this case it's running from voltage to ground and in that configuration polarity goes toward the voltage rail.

      Delete