Proto Pedal Assembly and Theory Guide
Byron J. Introduction
The SparkFun Proto Pedal is a PCB that makes building guitar effect pedals easier.
Lets face it, most guitar pedals start with similar circuitry -- you need the input and output jacks, the bypass switch (hopefully with a status LED), and a barrel jack for power input. In some circuits, there may be as much wiring involved in the jacks and switch as there is in the effect itself.
This PCB handles all of the essential jack and switch related wiring. It offers:
- True bypass and LED switching with a heavy-duty three pole, double throw (3PDT) stomp switch.
- Prototyping area equivalent to a standard solderless breadboard.
- Some extra proto area for power regulation or reference voltages.
- Six positions to help organize potentiometer wiring.
To protect the PCB from the hazards of stage and studio, we've also got an optional, matching, pre-drilled die cast enclosure.
This guide will show you how to assemble the PCB, then explain the I/O, power, and switching circuits. If you're new to building guitar pedals, this guide should help you get started. If you're experienced with electronics, but new to guitar pedals, you might want to check out the prototyping and theory sections, because guitar pedals employ some clever and unique circuit conventions.
The upside is that it's compatible with nearly any pedal power supply, such as the Boss PSA Adapter, or the Voodoo Labs Pedal Power supply.
Suggested Reading
- Learn about the various types of switches available.
- Some background on using solderless breadboards as well as Printed Circuit Boards - PCBs.
- There are many websites the discuss the design and construction of guitar effects. A couple of the author's favorites are Geofex and AMZ.