Pulp Squeezer

[Bakersdozen]

So onto the next pedal project. I had such a blast using vero board for the MXR CAE Boost/Buffer, so I settled upon an orange compressor clone. Using this Orange Squeezer layout.



Here's the board trimmed down, cuts and links made.

[Bakersdozen]

Large sockets, bias trim pot and diode attached.



Enclosure drilled and primed.

Great suggestion from DC (via FuzLord) to drill the LED hole 15mm from the centre of the Footswitch hole to solder the leg directly to the 3PDT switch.

[JohnH]

Cool! Look forward to seeing it when it's all wired up

[Bakersdozen]

All components fitted.


FETs an opamp installed.

[Simon Barden]

So you're replacing the fixed 4M7 resistor with another resistor and a trim pot? What values are you using?

[Bakersdozen]

So you're replacing the fixed 4M7 resistor with another resistor and a trim pot? What values are you using?

Whoops, my bad sorry Simon. I uploaded the wrong layout. That one was for the external bias pot. Here is the correct layout for the internal 10k bias pot.

[jugglindan]

Ah, the precious precious Ge diode

Did you solder that board in the same time spacing as your posts? 40 minutes to populate the board is a radical time. Takes me much longer.

When you get to it, have a look at my Julius Squeezer thread for details on using a multimeter to set the FET bias. I can't recall what voltage I settled on (around 1.3v) but it's got just the right amount of juicy tone and compression.

[jugglindan]

I am not a fan of the external bias control. There is a very narrow range of voltages at which you get the good sounding compression. All the rest of the adjustment range is either a cleanish boost with no compression, a slightly dirty drive, noisy as hell, or sputteringly silent. Dialing in the adjustment on mine saw me barely pushing on the trimpot at all to change values.

[Bakersdozen]

Ah, the precious precious Ge diode

Did you solder that board in the same time spacing as your posts? 40 minutes to populate the board is a radical time. Takes me much longer.

When you get to it, have a look at my Julius Squeezer thread for details on using a multimeter to set the FET bias. I can't recall what voltage I settled on (around 1.3v) but it's got just the right amount of juicy tone and compression.

No, that was kind of a retrospective posting situation DC. I am now up to circuit testing stage next. I have read your Julius Squeezer diary again and will go back and re-study how you dialled in the sweet spot when the time comes.

[Bakersdozen]

All tested and boxed up.

Had one issue with no sound when testing the circuit and it came down to one link I hadn't tested for continuity. Reflowed some solder in and boom away she went.

I see how sensitive getting that sweet spot to bias will be, but going to go there with a fresh and rested mind. Just happy that it all works.

The decal plan was a COMPLETE fail. 3 goes , mucked them all up. Got them to a good point and then one last little move or manuover ripped something off. Wasn't happy with getting it as smooth as I wanted so I was probably working the decals for too long. Dang oh well. I have a new plan now, but that will take some time to arrive. So i will reveal the concept when that comes to fruition.

I have been enjoying minimising the earth points by using a ring terminal on this and the last build. Looks neater too. Same principal as solder lug terminals, but free cause I already have them and a set of crimps. This build it went under the pot and last build went onto one of the jacks earthing out with the enclosure.