Monday, November 19, 2012

Geminus Negotium

Geminus: {latin} - Meaning: Double
Negotium: {latin} - Meaning: Trouble

Geminus - pronounced ~ Gem.|.In.|.Us
Negotium - pronounced ~ Neg.|.Oh.|.Tee.|.Umm

Yes, ladies and gents.. double trouble indeed.
Full details to follow.

For now, enjoy the art.


Sunday, November 11, 2012

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Tremolo blues...

I honestly didn't think an optical type tremolo would be that hard to control.
You set this bias, control the rate, whats so hard about that?
Lots, apparently.
You see, it's drifting.. and not just one thing.. Everything.
The thing about transistors is, TO-18 metal can transistors to be specific, they are so
very sensitive to temperature, voltage differences, humidity, barometric pressure, colors of the rainbow, etc.. etc..
Once I have dialed in exactly what I want, something happens.
the voltage drops a tiny bit because not only are the 4 transistors, there's an LED that's constantly
flashing and that draws power from the battery.
Ok, so use a power supply. I did, and that caused it to fluctuate as well due to the voltage difference.
I don't like creating circuits that I have the intention of selling while using a power supply.
Not everyone is going to have a power supply to use so if I can get the best possible result using only battery power, I know that a power supply is only going to solidify what I've created with only battery power.
Except this time, it doesn't look like that's going to be the case, unless I create some sort of on-board
power regulation that will keep the power supplied to the circuit at a constant voltage.
The best result I had with the circuit was at around 8.5v. anything above 9.5 was crap.
Anything below 8 was crap as well.
So, my next thing may be to create some sort of voltage regulator along with the tremolo circuit to keep
the exact voltage I need at a steady value no matter the source.
That's the only way I'm going to get this circuit to work with what I want to do.
Trying to keep the LED brightness bright enough to get a sharp enough attack, while letting it die out completely is going to be a challenge.
I've got the speed variation I want to use, I just have to make sure that speed variation stays within those
parameters no matter what is connected to it.
if you want to put 5 pedals before it, or after, or have it right in the middle, or use it as the only one in the chain, it's GOT to perform perfectly. If not, then I'll ditch it and go with a chip... but then that'd be the easy way, wouldn't it?

I'll post an update as soon as I tame this beast.
I already like what I'm hearing.. it sounds awesome.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

FINALLY!!!!!

Yep, I've gone and done it...
I finally broke down and recorded some clips.
Now, don't get too excited, It's just some ole crappy mic so the sound isnt
that great, but it's not too bad.
There are 10 or so clips of different settings for the Roach Clip Custom that are dry, un-EQ'd

Equipment used in recording:
Crappy USB mic...
1994 100w Carvin X-100B Head (EL34 JJ power tubes w/12AX7 NOS RCA preamp tubes)
1994 4x12 Fuzzy Cab w/Carvin BR-12's
2006 Ibanez RG5EX1 - EMG 81 Bridge Pup w/ Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Strings

Settings are as follows:

           Clip              -        Gain   -   Treble  -  Bass  -  Volume  --  Toggle Switch
            01               -          0              5            5            5                OFF

            02               -          0              5            5            5                 UP

            03               -          0              5            5            5               DOWN

            04               -          5              5            5            5                OFF

            05               -          5              7            8            7                 UP

            06               -          5              7            8            7               DOWN

            07               -         10             8            8            7                OFF

            08               -         10             8            8            7                 UP

            09               -         10             8            8            7               DOWN

            10               -         CLEAN - No Effect / EQ Flat

            11               -          Mastered Clip - Reverb, Compression, EQ, Etc...       

The last one is something I recorded to see what kind of sound I could get out of it.
It's EQ'd, compressed, reverbed, etc.. Enjoy.

Here's the links:


Friday, April 27, 2012

AsSiD Boost #2...

..has found a new home..
I was quite happy with this one as well.. The case turned out superb.
A different technique was used during the etching process that turned out really nice.
I was really happy with the results..



One slight Issue I DID have while testing this one after completion was the volume kept
sounding as if it were cutting in and out.. but only slightly.. almost as if I had a bad connection on the inside somewhere.
So, after a couple of hours troubleshooting I knew, without a doubt, that it was NOT the pedal..
So, I tilted my test amp forward and grabbed ahold of the wires connected to the speaker.. sure enough,  that is what was causing the flutter.. Wires secured, pedal tested, all is well.
What a nightmare....
There is nothing worse than trying to find a problem where there is none.
I'll be sure to check my tools first next time.
ARGH!!

GST Electronics presents...

...the Roach-Clip Custom..

it's dirty... it's nasty... it's roachy... This is one Roach you won't mind stepping on...









3 seperate clipping circuits for absolute massive overdrive.
Asymmetrical clipping on the 3rd clipping section to give it an all around different flavor.
Seperate Bass and Treble with Volume and Saturation controls
Two different boost selections via the 3-way toggle switch providing either boosted symmetrical or asymmetrical clipping to send it over the edge, without being comical.
The effect is very musical without going overboard.
Audio and video demos to come.
The Etsy page should be updated very shortly with both the AsSiD Boost and Roach-Clip Custom.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

AsSid Boost #1...

...has been sold.
Working on another AsSiD Boost, AND a new overdrive that, to my ears, goes in to absolute meltdown!
Will post details shortly...