Please help Me Build This.....

[The Ballzz]

Hi Folks,
I'm not trying/wanting to start a business developing/producing a product, simply for my own use. I want to build (find/buy, if not too much $$$) an external effects loop with it's own power supply, level adjustments, etc. Not looking to make a "tone enhancer" like a Dumbleator or Clone Of One. I've recently installed a Granger effects loop into a suitable amp and it worked great. There are similar reports, along with a few format/design similarities between it and the Metropoulos unit. The problem with either of these loops, is that some amps can't afford to have their power supply messed with or simply don't have the real estate for the circuit board assembly! I'm thinking of just mounting one of these units into a box with an appropriate power supply. I realize that the amp will need to have some sort of passive, make/break effects in/out set of jacks/loop, or maybe even a single switching tip/ring/sleeve jack and have a breakout cable.

Both units linked are designed to operate in the 200vdc thru 400vdc range. I like the "thru the jackhole" level adjustments of the Granger, but many say that the Metropoulos sounds better!

https://grangeramp.com/ufxloop.php

https://store.metropoulos.net/products/ ... x-loop-kit

If I were to try to make a couple from scratch, for myself, I'd likely want to incorporate both of the units in my choices!

Thanks In Advance Folks,
Gene

[martin manning]

A Dumbleator is just an external tube FX loop with it's own high voltage power supply. A Kleinulator is an external JFET loop with it's own power supply, 9VDC pumped up to ~30V using an IC. You could power the high voltage transistor loops mentioned above using a small SMPS using say 12 VDC. What's your desired primary power source?

[The Ballzz]

A Dumbleator is just a tube FX loop with it's own high voltage power supply. A Kleinulator is an external JFET loop with it's own power supply, 9VDC pumped up to ~30V using an IC. You could power the high voltage transistor loops using a small SMPS using say 12 VDC. What's your desired primary power source?

Yessir!

At face value you are absolutely correct about the Dumble/Klein/C-ulator. Upon further reading/research, it seems that one reason they are so pricey is that they appear to be "highly revered" for some sort of tonal/overdrive quality that they can impart, even more than the effectiveness of an effects loop. Being that I have no burning desire to spend insane amounts of $$$$ on some chase for the holy grail of tone, I just want to come up with a fairly universal effects loop system that can can be easily utilized. Devising a convenient way to power that Granger or Metropoulos loop would likely fix me right up! On the other hand, I would not be against the idea of re-designing the loop, to utilize components that may be more convenient to power, while still performing the same functions.

I guess preferred power source would be AC wall power, ala USA! I hate wall warts!

Thanks For Your Help & Comments,
Gene

[martin manning]

To make a stand-alone unit out of a Metro or Grainger loop board, I would just build a simple power supply pretty much like the Dumbleator uses; even simpler because you don’t need the heater supply. A small power transformer such as this one would work: https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Tr ... b2TO16g%3D

You can mount that on a small eyelet board with a FWB rectifier, and a couple of R-C filters to get something north of 300VDC, and feed the loop board with that.

[The Ballzz]

Wellsir,
That's the kind of simplicity I was hoping for. Some instructions for choosing the components and layout to "mount that on a small eyelet board with a FWB rectifier, and a couple of R-C filters to get something north of 300VDC" would be helpful. Please remember that I don't really understand how to design anything electronically, but instead am able to follow instructions, schematics and solder well. I guess you could call me just a "paint by numbers" kinda guy! I'm just a guitarist with some good ideas for stuff I'd like to have, that just is not available to purchase!
Thanks Sir,
Gene

[martin manning]

Schematic for the power supply:

[The Ballzz]

Thank You For That Sir!

Looks like a piece of cake. Pretty self explanatory and if I still have any questions I'll ask when I get there. This will aid in some experimental trial and error!

Thanks Again,
Gene