EET402 Capstone Project

Dr. Ali Setoodehnia Unit 1 Project Proposal Dave Philpott

I pledge to support the Honor System of ECPI. I will refrain from any form of academic dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I am aware that as a member of the academic community, it is my responsibility to turn in all suspected violators of the honor code. I understand that any failure on my part to support the Honor System will be turned over to a Judicial Review Board for determination. I will report to the Judicial Review Board hearing if summoned.

2 December 2013 The Tone-Scratcher: A guitar distortion box

OUTLINE
I. Introduction II. Project description a. What the Tone-Scratcher is b. What the Tone-Scratcher does III. How it is used a. Applications b. Operation IV. Block diagram a. Amplifier stage b. Filter stage V. Hardware a. Parts used b. Operation of components VI. Parts list VII. Construction breakdown VIII. Summary

INTRODUCTION
When Im not knee-deep in homework or chores around the house, I like to get on a stage and play music. I use effects pedals to change the raw sound of my guitars; some pedals add delay, some add chorus, and some add distortion. I have always wanted to build my own effects pedals, and so for my project I built a distortion box.

This presentation shows a description of the distortion box and its applications. I have included a block diagram
showing the stages of processing, and I break down how the stages work, showing waveforms of the affected signal. In addition, I list the parts used in the construction of the box, as well as details of the completed project.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Tone-Scratcher is a distortion pedal. It is a box containing circuitry designed to alter an input audio signal by distorting the signals waveform. Using a transistor, capacitors, resistors, and diodes, the Tone-Scratcher clips the peaks of the waveform, resulting in an audio output that can be described as fuzzy or crunchy. It is used to give an instrument, such as a guitar, tonal character. This type of processor is typically placed on the floor and is footactivated, hence the nickname stomp box.

HOW IT IS USED
Instrument plugs into the box with a cable Electronic circuitry alters the tone The altered signal outputs to an amplifier The amount of processing is usually adjustable
http://img.howcast.com/thumbnails/510112/1_basics_order_xxlarge.jpg

BLOCK DIAGRAM

Two main processing stages are used

Amplifier: increase or attenuate gain

Filter: pass or block specific frequencies

Both stages are adjustable for tonal variety

HOW IT WORKS: Amplifier Stage

A transistor is used for amplification Wired with emitter-feedback bias Bias establishes the transistors linear operation parameters A potentiometer drives the transistor into saturation or cut-off, creating distortion

HOW IT WORKS: Amplifier Stage

The top waveform is a 440 Hz input signal Gain potentiometer is set at 50% The output signal is distorted as a result

HOW IT WORKS: Filter Stage

Capacitors and resistors are configured in two
types of filter

The high-pass filter blocks lower frequencies,

passes higher frequencies The low-pass filter blocks higher frequencies, passes lower frequencies Signal is then clipped by diodes

HOW IT WORKS: Filter Stage

The top waveform is a 440 Hz input signal

Filter potentiometer is set at 50%

Signal goes through a diode arrangement

The output signal is distorted as a result

HARDWARE
The transistor is used to amplify the input signal. The battery provides dc bias for the operation of the transistor, and resistors are used to establish the bias. A potentiometer varies the bias, and can drive the operation in saturation, thus distorting the signal. Capacitors and resistors are arranged in either a high-pass filter or low-pass filter circuit. A potentiometer sweeps between these two filters to provide variance in the output tone. Diodes are used to clip the filtered output signal further, adding to the overall distorted tone. A final potentiometer affects the output volume. The circuit board is generic and required the circuitry to be constructed on the board. Two stereo input jacks (1/4) provide an input and output for cabling. The switch toggles between a clean (unprocessed) or distorted (processed) tone. The enclosure houses the project.

PARTS LIST
Resistors (x1) 2.2M ohm resistor (x1) 33K ohm resistor (x1) 22 ohm resistor (x1) 3.3K ohm resistor (x1) 680 ohm resistor
Diodes (x2) 1N4148 diodes (x2) 5mm LEDs Transistors (x1) 2N3904 NPN transistor

Miscellaneous (x1) PC Board (x1) 9V battery snap (x1) 9V battery (x3) Knobs (x2) Stereo audio jacks (x1) BB project enclosure Wire Switch
Capacitors (x1) 0.1uF capacitor (x1) 0.047uF capacitor (x2) 0.01uF capacitor

PROJECT CONSTRUCTION

SUMMARY
The Tone-Scratcher is an example of how electronic circuitry can be used in an atypical fashion to create art. For example, a transistor is usually biased so the amplification is linear and does not deform the signal at the output. In most cases, distortion is an undesirable result; here, distortion is the intention. The difference between an artistic statement and noise is perhaps control over the output. The use of variable resistors and known filter configurations provides such control, enabling the user to add or take away as much or as little distortion as desired. Having built my first effects pedal, I am certainly encouraged to build more. The challenge is determining the correct configuration of components to achieve a specific effect. With the Tone-Scratcher I succeeded in building a basic overdrive pedal, capable of adding a subtle amount of distortion to a guitar or any other input signal.

REFERENCES All photographs and diagrams are original property except Slide 3: http://img.howcast.com/thumbnails/510112/1_basics_order_xxlarge.jpg, retrieved 25 November 2013.