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AquaboyDLX_2019

FX TYPE: DELAY

Enclosure Size: 1590BB or 125BB

Based on the Boss® DM-2™

 

Softie compatability: none

© 

2019 

madbeanpedals

Overview

The 2019 version of the 

Aquaboy Deluxe

 is a complete re-design of the 2015 project. This version 

incorporates many of the requested features lacking in the previous version: 15v operation, on-

board charge pump, and both true bypass and tails footswitches. It keeps the same 1590BB 

footprint, although a 125BB is also a good choice. The ABDX has about 550ms of delay and includes 

modulation (triangle and squarewave).

This is complex project that should not be under-taken by novice builders. It is also a costly project 

to make. The BBD chips, clock and compander alone will set you back $50 or so. However, this is 

the type of project where money spent will go a long way toward making a unique and professional 

sounding delay AND still be cheaper than many commercially available analog delays with similar 

features.

NOTE:

 smallbear is currently out of the Xvive MN3005 re-makes. So, if you do not already have these 

you may be waiting a while to get them. I do not have any sources for the NOS MN3005 and most 

likely neither does anyone else. Hopefully, smallbear will be able to get more of the re-makes soon.

You will need a multimeter, audio probe and some kind of testing rig/breadboard set-up to get the 

ABDX properly set-up.

Controls

•  DELAY: 

The total amount of signal delay from slapback to approximately 500ms.

•  FDBK: 

The number and intensity of delay repeats from one to infinity/self oscillation.

•  MIX: 

The level of delay signal relative to the dry path of the guitar signal.

•  RATE: 

The speed of the delay modulation from slowest to very fast.

•  DEPTH: 

The intensity of modulation from moderate to extreme.

•  MOD: 

This On/Off/On DPDT allows you to choose between square, none and triangle modulation.

Trimmers

•  T1: 

Sets the maximum amount of feedback possible in order to control the total range of the FDBK 

control.

•  BIAS1, BIAS2: 

Used to set the biasing point on the input of each BBD.

•  CANCEL: 

Sets the mix of the two outputs on BBD2.

•  CLOCK: 

Sets the lower limit of the clock frequency used to drive the BBD chips.

Terms of Use: 

You are free to use purchased 

AquaboyDLX_2019 

circuit boards for both DIY and small commercial operations. You may not 

offer 

AquaboyDLX_2019

 PCBs for resale or as part of a “kit” in a commercial fashion. Peer to peer re-sale is fine, though.

Technical assistance

 for your build(s) is available via the 

madbeanpedals forum

. Please go there rather than emailing me for 

assistance on builds. This is because (1) I’m not always available to respond via email in a timely and continuous manner, and (2) 

posting technical problems and solutions in the forum creates a record from which other members may benefit.

Summary of Contents for Aquaboy Deluxe 2019

Page 1: ...udio probe and some kind of testing rig breadboard set up to get the ABDX properly set up Controls DELAY The total amount of signal delay from slapback to approximately 500ms FDBK The number and intensity of delay repeats from one to infinity self oscillation MIX The level of delay signal relative to the dry path of the guitar signal RATE The speed of the delay modulation from slowest to very fast...

Page 2: ...Parts AquaboyDLX_2019 madbeanpedals ...

Page 3: ...Values AquaboyDLX_2019 madbeanpedals ...

Page 4: ...Traces AquaboyDLX_2019 madbeanpedals ...

Page 5: ...2 220n C43 10uF T1 50k R13 100k R44 220k C13 100pF C44 47uF CLOCK 1M R14 100k R45 220k C14 10uF Diodes Pots R15 10k R46 1k C15 6n8 D1 15v Zener RATE 100kC R16 10k R47 4k7 C16 100n D2 1N5817 DEPTH 50kB R17 10k R48 4k7 C17 330pF D3 1N5817 MIX 50kB R18 10k R49 4k7 C18 10uF BP D4 1n914 FDBK 50kB R19 10k R50 4k7 C19 1uF LED1 2 any DELAY 1MB R20 10k R51 220k C20 10uF BP LED3 4 RED R21 4k7 R52 33k C21 1u...

Page 6: ...Carbon Film 1 8W LED 2 Red Diffused 3 or 5mm 47k 5 Metal Carbon Film 1 8W MPSA18 4 82k 1 Metal Carbon Film 1 8W BS250p 1 100k 8 Metal Carbon Film 1 8W TL072 1 220k 3 Metal Carbon Film 1 8W NE570 1 470k 3 Metal Carbon Film 1 8W MN3005 2 1M 2 Metal Carbon Film 1 8W MN3101 1 2M2 1 Metal Carbon Film 1 8W TL062 1 100pF 5 Ceramic MLCC 25v min LT1054 1 330pF 2 Ceramic MLCC 25v min L7815 1 15v regulator T...

Page 7: ...252BSNc10CtLc4Cw 3D L7815 https www mouser com ProductDetail STMicroelectronics L78L15ACZ qs sGAEpiMZZMtUqDgmOWBjgLAmId5B 2FjmHe8yhWKd8M1Y 3D 9203 http smallbear electronics mybigcommerce com photocells cds 5mm diameter DPDT On Off On http smallbear electronics mybigcommerce com dpdt center off pc mount Bourns 3362p 10k 25k 50k 1M https www mouser com ProductDetail Bourns 3362P 1 103LF qs sGAEpiMZ...

Page 8: ...he lower the clock frequency the more delay you get but the further it creeps into the audio range Analog delays attempt to optimize the balance between signal degradation and clock bleed by a series of additional signal processing chains These are compression filtering and expansion The compressor portion beefs up the incoming signal to minimize its degradation while traversing the BBD The filter...

Page 9: ...he ABDX you may remember I suggested that if you wanted to run it at higher than 9v to change the voltage divider resistors here R15 and R16 to a larger value to increase the voltage output pin7 of the compressor the idea being that a larger voltage there would increase headroom and also the bias voltage of the pre emphasis filter that follows After doing some more listening tests on the 2019 vers...

Page 10: ...ontinue refining the position of BIAS1 until you get the lowest amount of distortion on the delay signal 3 Now probe pin4 of IC3 to confirm it is also passing delay If it does not make sure that you have clock frequency on both pins 2 and 6 4 Unplug power and replace IC4 Repeat the same procedure above by audio probing pin3 of IC4 and adjusting BIAS2 for the lowest amount of distortion on the repe...

Page 11: ...Wiring Diagram AquaboyDLX_2019 madbeanpedals The LED indicators for the two bypass switches as well as LED4 modulation rate indicator should be soldered directly to the PCB ...

Page 12: ...cks switches and pots you use madbeanpedals A 125BB enclosure is the same foot print but taller than the 1590BB shown here If you like more room to work with use this template with the 125BB and just move the top jacks up accordingly It gives you the advantage of moving the input jack further away from the delay clock too ...

Page 13: ...2 NE570 IC4 MN3005 IC7 LT1054 D 9 42 1 1 08 1 17 88 1 1 63 G ignore 2 1 77 2 7 12 2 5 S 9 26 3 1 77 3 5 88 3 0 REG L7815 4 0 4 5 85 4 0 I 17 55 5 1 77 5 0 5 0 G 0 6 1 77 6 7 12 6 2 54 O 14 97 7 2 98 7 6 19 7 1 39 8 1 77 8 0 96 8 9 26 9 1 77 IC5 MN3101 Q1 MPSA18 10 3 98 1 14 24 C 17 97 11 3 99 2 7 12 B 6 9 12 1 77 3 0 E 6 6 13 14 97 4 7 12 Q2 MPSA18 14 1 77 5 6 64 C 14 97 15 1 77 6 7 35 B 2 97 16 0...

Page 14: ...a to put some heat shrink or other light blocking material over your LED LDR combo At least while testing it before boxing Tip Use an MLCC or Mica 100pF for C37 and a Delay pot that measures as close to 1M as possible These will give you the best delay time ...

Page 15: ...Schematic AquaboyDLX_2019 madbeanpedals ...

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