Just thought I'd drop an update about my newest electronics project. I'm building an analogue multi-fx unit for myself.

I've been gigging with various pedal board configurations for the last few years and at this point I know exactly what I use, so I figure why not put it all in one box? I'm merging all of my favorite circuits into one big box so that I only have to carry my multi-fx box, a wah wah and sometimes a delay.. I might add delay to the multi-fx later...

For now this is going to be purely about the core tone and not about modulation or time effects.... here's the rundown

 In order that they will connect in the circuit:

1) True Bypass of the entire box

This is a switch which will bypass the entire box... When off it will actually disconnect power to all of the circuits and connect only a red LED to the power source...  This is basically in case anything goes wrong in the box... I will be able to finish the song no matter what.

2) 18V Boost with Tone (true bypass)

I use this to boost my signal when I use the coil tap on my parker (which is my main guitar) and also to boost certain single coil sounds when the volume knob isn't all the way up.

3) Jack Orman's pickup simulator (always on)

I use this to "un-buffer" my signal from the wireless receiver and also to cut some gain before the signal hits the rest of the circuit. I guess like a low gain input so that everything stays in controll... It also feels more responsive to touch... like a stratocaster on 7.  Also, without this there is no way to use a rangemaster or fuzz face with a wireless pack or even an active guitar and still have them sound right.

4) Optical Compressor (true bypass)

I use a compressor almost all night long. Sometimes when I use the rangemaster I switch it off, but that's about it.

Currently I'm using the flatline circuit.. I'm verry happy with it... I might go back to my ross in the future but for now I'm including the flatline in my box.

5) Rangemaster (true bypass)

Uh... putting a rangemaster before my overdrive or distortion is like my secret weapon. I don't use it for a full treble boost... it's switchable with a toggle switch and normally I set it to boost mids/highs 

6) Distortion / Overdrive (switchable between the two and also true bypass)

I'm going to set it up so that only one at a time can be used... one switch to choose between od/dist and another for bypass. 

For OD I'll be using my TS-808 with a burr-brown opamp... the rest is stock all the way down to carbon comp resistors in the signal path.

For Distortion I am undecided between a fuzz face and Rat... really the rat is more versatile so I'll probably use it... also the fuzz face can always go in the fx loop that I haven't mentioned yet.

Also there will be a toggle switch to set clipping between stock and mosfet for both dist and overdrive.. this will be the only mod on the TS other than the burr-brown opamp.

7) FX loop (true bypass)

This is where I can hook in my delay and maybe a fuzz face... never know.

8) Mosfet Boost for Lead (True Bypass)

I've tried a lot of boosts and this one is my favorite... I also like standard opamp boosts. But for a lead boost I prefer the mos.

9) Tuner  Loop / Mute (true  bypass)

This will be where I can hook up a tuner 

10) Output buffer (toggle switch for on/off)

I like a buffer at the end of my pedal chain always so I don't know why I'd leave it out on this... 

So far I've drilled the box... I used an old DJ mixer turned upside down... big enough to do everything I want without getting too cramped.

I've already installed the 18V boost and the pickup simulator... I'll be working on this a little bit each day for the rest of the week.

Anyway.. I'll update with some photos when I get a chance.

-CB

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