RSSInstead of chaining multiple guitar effects in search of a new sound, I decided to mod just one. Using an Arduino microcontroller board + digi-pot chip (MCP41100), I was able to add a variable gating effect to a fuzz pedal fairly easily. I definitely dig the resulting sounds and a bit of rewiring should reduce the unwanted noise in the output. Switching to the MCP42100 would allow control over a second pot - perhaps the volume control for a tremolo effect.
You can find the "WavePot" sketch I used (including the necessary wiring list) here.
Download the m4v file or subscribe in iTunes
Very cool!
Also, sweet riffs!
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Great idea, I'm totally doing this. I can envision a stand-alone device like this and putting a bunch of connections on various pots on various pedals, the device could have an input for and expression pedal, an array of variable resistors to select from as well as the wave-modulating.
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that would be cool - if one settled on a standard (banana jacks?) and added similar ports on all their applicable gear - modular, reconfigurable hacking/bending sounds sweet.
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I was thinking of maybe 1/8" stereo jacks for each pedal pot I might want this used with, that would cover the 3 connections and they're small enough to put almost anywhere.
Got some MCP41100's in from DigiKey today ( in Toronto ) I'll give this a go on the weekend hopefully.
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Collin, you rock! What a cool project, and so manny possibilities! :)
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Awesome project, Collin. You should check out the fatmanandcircuitgirl episode where George modulates some of his gear using a wave generator. Not to detract from what you've done. Instead, I think it's exciting that we can do this sort of modulation with small, inexpensive, reprogrammable modules instead of needing gigantic rackmount modules tied together with patch cables.
I think that microcontrollers are the future of stompboxes.
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sounds cool - I'll check out the vid!
I think there's still so much we can make using inexpensive combinations of analog + digital. The contrasts that show up when you combine the two are fascinating by themselves.
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this is great. lots and lots of ideas. been wondering how these digital pots work too...
anyone know where to get a 500k digital pot? looked on digikey and mouser but no luck....
you just match the digital pot value with the pot you are replacing right?
thanks.
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Great project idea. Opens so many possibilities. Thanks.
Am I missing something? When I click the link, I get a zip file with the arduino code. But no wiring diagrams. No sketch.
I'd love to get involved with any discussions involving the modular design (stereo mini-plug, or banana plugs). Especially as it pertains to the idea of being able to use the plug to override the analog pots. If the conversation moves off the board, please let me know how to stay in the loop.
Question: Can the design include amplitude control? It would be nice to control the amount of modulation. With "waveform selection", "rate" and "amplitude" controls, the versatility would be out of sight.
If you were to use the 42100 design to control two parameters simultaneously, separate amplitude controls might be necessary. How difficult would that be?
Thanks for letting me spew a couple of the ten thousand questions that this wonderful project has inspired in me. I look forward to hearing other people's ideas.
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Hi,
I'm trying to replace a wah pot by a digital one but I get the same added noise that we can hear in you're video (high pitched hiss).
Seems to me that it comes from the SPI clock.
How did you got rid of it ?
Eddy
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How do i increase the pitch in music without the digipot chip
can you tell me the source code
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