I am finally building a pedalboard

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JazzGuitarGimp
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I am finally building a pedalboard

Post by JazzGuitarGimp »

After a handful of years using modelers (I started with the Roland GR-55, which does a lot more than I need and is way too big to put on a pedalboard. Then switched to the Boss GP-10), I have come to the conclusion that it's time for a Class-D power amp. I am in the slow process of building a pedalboard which will be centered around the GP-10.

I have used many multi effects units over the years, including the GP-10, which has a big assortment of decent sounding effects. But they all have one thing in common; every room you play is a bit different in terms how wet the effects need to be. Using a multi effects unit means scrolling through a bunch of nested menus to get to the parameter you want to change. So I have decided to go with separate pedals for all post-guitar=modeled effects. I've decided on the Gator Xtra Large pedalboard, and I am in the process of building a stereo preamp (SS) into a pedal with a clean boost footswitch. The preamp has controls for Bass, Low Mids (400Hz), High Mids (1.6KHz), Treble, Volume and Boost Level. Then underneath the pedalboard will be a stereo Class-D power amp, pedalboard power supply, and a MIDI to USB converter. Because of the declining angle of the pedalboard, as well as other restrictions in the underbelly, I was unable to find a single die cast enclosure to house the two mono block power amp pcbs and the necessary power supply pcb, so I broke them up into two boxes; one for the amps, and one for the power supply.

The funky parallelogram holes in the rear panel of the Gator board offers its own host of headaches; I want to get the connectors, switches, fuse, etc, to pop through the existing holes in the pedalboard without having to modify them. The only rear-panel mods that will be needed are the addition of some #10 machine screw clearance holes that will allow me to fasten the three die cast boxes to the pedalboard's rear panel.

Screen shot below - though the layout is not completely done.
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xtian
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Re: I am finally building a pedalboard

Post by xtian »

Awesome. What are you choosing for your PSU and SS amp modules?
I build and repair tube amps. http://amps.monkeymatic.com
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JazzGuitarGimp
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Re: I am finally building a pedalboard

Post by JazzGuitarGimp »

Here's there PSU; I got the +/-50V version:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/500W-amplifier ... 2749.l2649

And here is the amp module; I bought two:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/IRS2092-CLASS- ... 2749.l2649

I have the PSU here, but the amp boards seem to be stalled in transit. There has been no movement on the parcel since March 14th, when it was handed off from China Post to EMS in Shenzhen. There are still a few days left on the "expected delivery window", but I am not holding my breath. The PSU also shipped from China, on the same day as the amp boards (different eBay sellers), and I have had it for at least two weeks.
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xtian
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Re: I am finally building a pedalboard

Post by xtian »

That power supply says 50v, 500VA. This means 10 amps continuous?!?

I bought this one:
https://www.parts-express.com/qualtek-q ... t--129-148

which is spec'd at 36v, 8.8A, and has a loud fan. I like the looks of yours better.

The amp module you spec'd is rated 200 watts, but doesn't say into what load. Do you know? My amp board has a fan also, but it only runs when hot.

Will be very curious to hear about your results!
I build and repair tube amps. http://amps.monkeymatic.com
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JazzGuitarGimp
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Re: I am finally building a pedalboard

Post by JazzGuitarGimp »

Hi Aaron,

My amp boards require a bipolar supply of +50V and -50V, or 100V rail to rail. 500W yields 5 amps of output current. The amps output 200W into a 4R load, so should be about 100W @ 8R. I expect this to be way more power than I need. I was concerned I would need a bigger power supply, until I realized the amps are 90% efficient. So, 100 watts delivered to the speaker needs 111 watts from the power supply. I am hopeful that everything will be running well under maximum levels, and although I bought a small, 12VDC 10cfm fan for each box, i'm hopeful they won't be necessary.

I just hope I get the amps soon.... 😫

Cheers,
Lou
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roberto
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Re: I am finally building a pedalboard

Post by roberto »

JazzGuitarGimp,

I agree on the power supply, it is stable and reliable.
In the past I've used that module, both in stereo and bridged as you want to do, but I prefer this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/262902418956
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JazzGuitarGimp
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Re: I am finally building a pedalboard

Post by JazzGuitarGimp »

roberto wrote: Thu Apr 12, 2018 6:29 am JazzGuitarGimp,

I agree on the power supply, it is stable and reliable.
In the past I've used that module, both in stereo and bridged as you want to do, but I prefer this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/262902418956
Hi Roberto,

Unfortunately, that one doesn't ship to the USA. I scoured ebay long and hard; not only did I see a number of auctions like that one, but I saw a whole bunch of auctions for power supplies that were 230VAC input only - again no good for the states.

Cheers,
Lou
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roberto
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Re: I am finally building a pedalboard

Post by roberto »

Hi Lou,

if you are interested you can try this one that ships to USA.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/112346221828
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M Fowler
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Re: I am finally building a pedalboard

Post by M Fowler »

Roberto,

That is the same amp module I just received to build a BF Champ size combo with 12" speaker, tube preamp.

Mark
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JazzGuitarGimp
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Re: I am finally building a pedalboard

Post by JazzGuitarGimp »

M Fowler wrote: Thu Apr 12, 2018 8:58 pm Roberto,

That is the same amp module I just received to build a BF Champ size combo with 12" speaker, tube preamp.

Mark
Champ on steroids. Nice!
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roberto
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Re: I am finally building a pedalboard

Post by roberto »

Mark, it will work well. I used something similar (see the old photo linked in the other thread) and it rocked.
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xtian
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Re: I am finally building a pedalboard

Post by xtian »

roberto wrote: Thu Apr 12, 2018 1:13 pm Hi Lou,

if you are interested you can try this one that ships to USA.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/112346221828
I bought one, and it arrived, but I'm not having any luck finding a data sheet that shows the connections. The binding posts are not labeled!
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roberto
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Re: I am finally building a pedalboard

Post by roberto »

IIRC, looking the pcb from the top, with the headsink towards you, the audio input is on the bottom, close to the headsink, the power supply is on top right, and speaker is last two outputs on top left.
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roberto
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Re: I am finally building a pedalboard

Post by roberto »

What I've found on the web confirms my memories:
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JazzGuitarGimp
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Re: I am finally building a pedalboard

Post by JazzGuitarGimp »

Good save, Roberto :-) Aaron, I will be interested in hearing how you get on with it. My boards finally made it to New York this past Saturday, then they spent a few days in customs.... hopefully soon......
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