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Hi,
This is my 2nd post. I have bought a few parts from GuitarPCB but I have mainly been building from BYOC, Aion & PedalPCB. Recently I tried my first projects from PCB Guitar Mania to combine their Soldado (a Soldano preamp) and Active EQ (EQ circuit from Friedman I think). It’s been a lot of issues trying to get them to work together with lots of help from some awesome people at the PedalPCB and DIYStompboxes forums.
However it has been suggested to me that the TONE TWEQ 3 Band Active EQ would be better at this point. The Soldado works fine on its own but it has only Level and Gain. I have already emailed GuitarPCB and confirmed that this is a neutral circuit with pots at center and that it can be wired in series. Sounds good for what I’m after.
Just a couple of questions:
Can I or should I eliminate the volume on the TONE TWEQ since the Soldado already has volume?
Any reason the Soldado wouldn’t work with the TONE TWEQ, or not be easy to combine? Here’s the Soldado:
What would be the best way to connect them? Out of the Soldado, in to the TONE TWEQ, out of the TONE TWEQ to the footswitch?
If you made it this far, thanks in advance for reading a long post!
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I looked at the schematic for the Soldano and I note that it has buffers at the input and output. The GPCB ToneTwEQ can be wired in series in front of the Soldano or afterwards. As it is an active EQ, adjusting the levels of each band will result in an overall level change. This is why it has a final level control. Likewise, the Soldano has a level control and a gain control that are interactive as well. You may wish to experiment with the circuits in both orientations before deciding if you wish to eliminate one or the other level controls. Some users prefer to keep both.
Thank you. As far as in front of or after the Sodado, where does the Tone/EQ generally come in overdrive and distortion pedal circuits? Before or after the clipping stage?
Generally, any EQ is applied after distortion/fuzz effects. Those effects create a more complex tonal texture that the EQ can enhance. If you want even more versatility, try using the GPCB Order Switching board to change the position of the EQ.
Interssting idea. It would be using that PCB and another footswitch to accomplish that?
Also, in the TONE TWEQ build doc is says:
Note: You may optionally use 9mm pots as they will be in the proper orientation (as will the trimmer) be with the circuit board.
Does that mean that using 9mm pots, they will be able to be soldered right into the PCB, and the “standard” 15mm ones won’t fit like that? And that a internal trimmer could be used instead of a pot?
In my situation I already have a large enclosure I drilled for the Soldado & Active EQ when I assumed it would work right off the bat (haha!). I would like to use it so I would probably use the 3 holes already for the Bass, Mid & Treble and wire them to the TONE TWEQ. And add another hole for the EQ Volume if I use it.
Joe – I’ve worked with the Tone TwEQ several times and prefer NOT to solder all the 9mm pots directly to the PCB. The one time I did that, I didn’t care for the volume control placement. The Low, Mid & High 9mm pots seem to work fine, but I prefer to move that Volume control elsewhere.
And as Wilkie1 points out, the Tone TwEQ can be in front or after most any circuit. I most always use it AFTER. But I like Wilkie1’s contribution of using an Ordering daughterboard to switch its placement in the build. Thanks Wilkie!
Barry sells 2 versions of the Order Switching Board. A toggle version and a foot switch version.
I agree with Cybercow. I prefer to use wired pots of either size just so I can create custom switch layouts. But Barry has found that a majority of builders prefer the board mounted pots to save time and reduce errors. Your choice.
I have ordered the Tone TwEQ PCB and the parts. Since I am someone helped by visuals I created this wiring diagram. If someone wouldn’t mind looking, does this look correct?
I can’t see the pads on the switch board, but I believe the rest of the wiring is correct.
Ah yes. From L to R they are IN, FX IN, LED, GND, FX OUT, OUT
You need to connect the Purple lines from the wiring board In and Out to the Tone TwEQ “T” pads. Those are the audio path. The pads you are currently connected to are the extra grounds.
Our newer 2020 version of the Tone TwEQ also has those pads highlighted in white as well as a little “G” by each ground pad. Even better they now have multiple power and ground pads so it will be easier to power the next board in a chain.
Here is an image of the updated board for reference:
Enjoy the Updated 2020 Build Document here.
If you want to use 9mm pots you can solder them in a nice, even row that will line up nicely with the main board.
Then you can use a “standing” trimmer for the Volume to use as a set and forget Volume control on the inside of the enclosure. Like most EQ, Volume or Level controls, it is not something you are going to change that much. It is just another way of doing things should you decide to go that route.
As a final thought if you find a trimmer setting that works perfect for you then you could take a measurement of the value and eventually substitute the trimmer for a single resistor.
Ok, thank you. Looks like I was working from the previous version of the PCB and build docs, so I see what you mean. I’ve attached the revised diagram.
And thanks for the tip about the trimmer / resistor also. I am first going to try it without any volume on the EQ and see if I’m ok with that result.
Hello again!
I am wiring this as the above diagram. Do I need a wire going form the negative on the 9V jack to a ground pad on the Tone TwEQ PCB? I am not getting any continuity between all the ground points. Like this?
Yes.
Thank you!
Sorry, one more question. Does the Volume pot on the Tone TwEQ board need to be installed to pass signal? Or a trimmer, a resistor or jumper? I finished wiring this but currently have omitted the Volume pot on the EQ PCB and it is passing signal in bypass, but not when the effect is engaged.
If you omit the VOL pot on the ToneTwEQ, you must install a jumper between the 3 and 2 VOL pads. Keep in mind that without this final Volume pot, the output level will vary whenever you adjust the EQ pots.
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