Four Step Atari Punk Console

I thought I'd mix things up a little this week and post some synth circuits people might be interested in. To start things out, here's a modified version of the classic Atari Punk Console. This has a few additional potentiometers for more control and a more versatile version of this popular synth.

In the layout below note that VR stands for variable resistor as the schematic I laid this out from didn't have names for each control (there are 6, labeled A through F).

Pardon all the jumpers, 555s are uncooperative for single sided layouts. Haha

Electro Harmonix Big Muff - 1590a

Let's wrap up this 1590a week with one of the mightiest fuzzes of all time–the Big Muff. For this one, I've labeled all the components to correspond with the component names on Kit Rae schematics, so find an EHX version on there and populate the board accordingly. This probably won't work for some of the more modified, non-EHX Muffs, just fair warning. Polarity protection and power filtering have been added, as has a pull down resistor at in put. It's labeled as "PDR" on the layout and would typically be 1-2M. The resistor labeled "CLR" is the current limiting resistor for the LED, and can be anything from 2.2k to 10k.

Fairfield Barbershop - 1590A

Continuing on with my 1590A kick, here's one for the Barbershop Overdrive from Fairfield Circuitry. I've modified a few things: first, the polarity protection of the original is a bit excessive, so that's been simplified. And secondly, I included 2 trimmers to help set the bias of the J201s (you're welcome, Cody). With 3 pots you'll need to use 9mm pots and the 220uF cap is on it side to fit better in the enclosure and hopefully not get in the way of the input jack. Drilling template can be found here.

Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer - 1590A

I've had a couple requests for a 1590A friendly Tube Screamer, and lately I've really been enjoying laying out 1590A boards, so here it is. Since there's 3 potentiometers, you'll need to use 9mm pots, and the 3PDT footswitch is board mounted. I would suggest using small profile jacks for this like these, or just measure really carefully when drilling the enclosure. Note that the 100uF power filter capacitor is folded on it's side for space purposes.

BearFoot FX Arctic White Fuzz

Fuzz Friday is once again upon us, so here's the BearFoot FX (BJFE) Arctic White Fuzz. It's probably based on Tim Escobedo's JFET variations of the Fuzz Face, but with a lot modification. It's set up for board mounted pots and will easily fit in a 1590B enclosure.

Run Off Groove Big Daddy/Grace

Here are two great sounding, yet simple circuits from Run Off Groove. The Big Daddy uses a JFET gain stage to push a 386 chip, while the Grace uses a JFET buffer in front of the 386 for added sparkle. Schematics, sound clips, and more info can be found on the ROG site.

Crazy Tube Circuits Ziggy Overdrive

Here's a cool MOSFET-based overdrive from Crazy Tube Circuits. Apparently it's based on a Neve console input channel stacked 3 times. With the gain down it sounds a bit like an AC30, and with it cranked it sounds like a Plexi. It was traced over on FSB (link here) and I've laid it out for board mounted pots. If you're interested in a fabricated board, check out the Starman in the store.