Another Breja ToneWorks DIY video - this time we'll go over building your own A/B/Y Pedal with a Ground Lift. This will give you the ability to choose Channel A or B or Both combined.
You are a real God, for this, I knew as soon as I saw the thumbnail, this thing would be concise, illustrated by simple technical drawings on the same plane as my display, and sans background music. I see now side, eyeing my recommendations that you have a few more of these… I am sure my wife from the future thanks you for even more wires around the house…!
As others have suggested, there is a mistake, likely just an oversight, in the supply list, diagram, and vocal description. Resistors do not have values measured in microfarads. This is meant to be a capacitor that is wired in parallel with a resistor. Two resistors in parallel merely give a resistance less than the smaller value resistor. So, one resistor of smaller value could be used instead of wiring in the additional resistor. If your ground lift didn’t work, perhaps you used two resistors.
Hi Don. I just finished this build. Works great! ... though I'm not sure the phase switching works. But fortunately, it doesn't sound like my amps are out of phase to begin with. Thank you!
Are you meaning a .047uF CAPACITOR? Or truly a resistor as documented... I can't seem to find resistors of that value anywhere, but DO find capacitors... just asking for clarification, or where you get your parts from would be great too
Thanks for the video, and the explanation of the .047nf capacitor! I have one more cuestion, what is the purpose of the SPDT Switch? Thank you very mouch!
Great video. I came upon it because I was looking for TRS/stereo input ABY Pedal, but I can't find with a TRS output, this one has two monos. You see , I'm going to use it for an Expression pedal which is TRS I was hoping the two output jacks were also stereo for fear my expression pedal won't work if it goes out mono to the pedals which will be controlled by the expression pedal.
Sorry for the question, I´m new at this type of things hope you can explain it to me. You connetct a mono cable into the stereo input so it has more ground? Why not use a mono input jack and link the sleeve of a mono input jack to, dc jack and to B2 of the A/B switch?
@@grahamcase ahh I see what you meant. The circuit is open, and the pedal can’t be powered until the instrument cable is plugged in. Using a mono jack would mean the pedal is always powered regardless of the instrument cable
Can outputs be used as inputs? Ie reverse signal flow direction? "A" would be clean, "B" might have an EQ, compressor, pitch shift, and maybe a reverb Guitar>ABY (Box1) input >ABY-A signal output = Clean signal >ABY-B signal output = FX signal Reversed ABY (Box2) A input >ABY-A intput = Clean signal >ABY-B input = FX processed signal In ABY Box 2 the clean and processed signals are mixed together into a mixed signal that is sent downstream to the amplifier input. The goal is to blend a combined (clean and dirty) sound signal to the amplifier input. The signal is furrher processed via amplifier's preamp tone stack and whatever onboard effects there may be, and sent to the amp's output stage.
Hi Don, great vid. Wondering.. Will I be able to connect a stereo cable from my guitar into the input and split the channels to the a and b output, and switch between a/b or y? I have a guitar with piezo and mag pickups wired with a fishman powerchip which includes a stereo output. I'd like to use a foot switch to go between my acoustic amp and electric amp, and occasionally run them both at once. If this will not work with this pedal, is what I want even possible with simple circuitry?
Hello, nice videos was trying to expand on an A/B switch. Do you by chance have any schematics or experience building a looper where I can have effects on A and on B and can switch to either, but also have a bypass where both A/B are out of the loop and the signal is just straight from the amp to guitar many of the schematics I saw links for are no longer active. Thanks
why don't l see the SPDT toggle switch on the topside of the unit in your illustration (l know l will probably regret asking this question :-) is it momentary or latch switches ? can l use a 2-pin SPDT on/off switch instead of a 3-pin as l see one of the terminals is not used? OK, so l have never done this before and don't want to make major mistakes
I could be wrong but it looks like he is splitting the signal A on one side and B on the other of the stereo Jack. This I believe will make for a cleaner output signal. I'm thinking if you ran both through a mono jack you could get noise and possibly even have the more powerful signal cancel the other (if one guitar is passive and one active).
nmssis Kinda depends on where you live. I'm in the US so I would send you to places like: www.mammothelectronics.com / www.tubedepot.com / www.pedalpartsplus.com but there are many places online that you can get these. If you can find a RadioShack you might have success there too.
Lower down there's a comment that seems to imply the plastic jack is needed specifically because of the ground/lift switch. I'd still try it with a switchcraft jack, myself.
Unfortunately I'm not sure I can answer that. I'm not a pedal builder. I have very limited knowledge on pedals and the two that I have out here are really the only ones I trust my schematics enough to share. IN theory, all ABY switches should function like mine and the ground lift would apply.
Suggestions on fixing the volume drop when engaging the Y mode? Maybe dual buffer circuits on each output? And I'm not getting results with wiring in a phase switch. You wire the phase switch so that it is inverting the leads coming from one of the outputs?
Thanks for making such a clearly presented video. I am looking to make a selector switch but in reverse - ie I use 3 basses on a gig and need to be able to select the one I'm using so it would be 3 into one. Could this build be adapted?
Ugh... Sorry about that. Did the video too late and apparently couldn't read my own writing. I've annotated the video but it's supposed to be a 47nF Resistor. Sorry for any confusion.
Breja ToneWorks I didn't know there were resistors with that value(47nf/.047uf) those are capacitor values which is what i think iamalexisdeath was trying to say.
Breja ToneWorks but with that said, great video! I am going to build this soon but would appreciate if you could let me know what the 3rd resistor value is if you could, thank you.
***** For the love of Pete - you'd swear I was abducted by aliens when I did this video. I'm so sorry and will redo the video but it's a 47nF Capacitor and not a resistor. Hope this clears things up.
Great video. This might be a dumb question, but why does output B have to be a plastic jack? Could you not just run from the ground loop switch to the ground of a "normal" jack? Thanks.
You could do it but would be better as just an AB box. For the Y part for 2 inputs 1 output you would want to add summing resistors like the simple addition of two resistors to go from stereo to mono signal, the proper way. Hope that helps (:
AB summed into a Y is a little different, and actually pretty easy. I’ve made a few for customers with a 3 color LED. If you’d like a schematic you can message me.
@Breja ToneWorks Hi! Thanks for the tutorial Im working on it right now. The thing is that I can't find the .047uf resistor anywhere, do you know where I need to look for it? Or there is an optional component? Thanks!!
Sorry if this is an ignorant question, I am new to this whole game. Is the .047uF capacitor a 50V or a 100V? I'm trying to order parts for this build and I'm not sure what will work or not. Also, does it matter what type of material the capacitor is made from? I see there is a choice of ceramic, polyester and mylar.
If you wanted to do this without the ground lift, could you use a standard jack for output B and then wire the two 'sleeves' of output A and B together?
+eh heh I'll be honest. I'm not a pedal builder so I'm not 100% sure on the answer. Maybe other viewers can chime in but you could test your theory and if you notice a bunch of noise and such, your idea probably didn't pan out. Sorry.
Hi very nice project!I would like to ask ,if instead of dc supply i would like to use 9 volt battery or both 9volt and power supply do i need different resistors or circuit?thank you
Blair McClain Look up a drawing of a DPDT phase switch and insert it before Input A or B. A simple DPDT switch and 4 jumper wires are really all that's needed.
+Breja ToneWorks illustration or website link please. what type of DPDT switch and what terminals are the jumpers connected to on both switches? cheers.
Can anyone educate me on how this passive box would differ or be inferior to the same thing but having an active circuit? Something tells me this is Not the way to go, that it must be active.
nmssis Ummm... I'd say the 1590 series enclosures would be about the smallest. Get's tight though and you'll have to be creative on the placement of the jacks and switches. Personally - for this pedal, you should try to go a little bigger to make it easier to operate with your feel.
Scott Paige Ahh, gotcha. I can probably whip you up something but it won't have LEDs if that's ok. I don't build a lot of pedals and I don't have the parts to test out 4-LEDs. Email be at BrejaToneWorks@gmail.com. Don
Hi Don. Great video! I just have a question about adding a phase switch (someone asked it below). Is it as simple as adding this (www.premierguitar.com/articles/21006-mod-garage-adding-an-out-of-phase-switch-to-a-telecaster)... Just before the jack for A or B?? Thank you in advance.
For anyone wondering in the future, there are useful and useless ways to point out faults in a video. The above comment is an example of a useless way. Don't be a useless commenter folks, nobody likes them.
WTF is a 0.47µFΩ resistor??? 🤔..... I see you have a image of one there too...... Well that looks a lot like a 47kΩ resistor. Weird, you'd think they'd use different colours for the microfarad ohm resistors.......... I barely managed to stick around to the end of the last video of yours where you're using single and double "Pull" switches. You clearly have very little knowledge about the little "diy tricks" you're attempting to teach others. And while these sort of pedal hacks etc are more or less harmless, they're not always. Sometimes in electronics a simple little oversight or mix up with component type or value can be either damaging or destructive. And sometimes potentially even harmful or even fatal. Hence why a bit of knowledge of the "what" and "why" of different electrical components can give you a much better understanding of what it is you're actually doing, as opposed to just following a guide and parts list.
You are a real God, for this, I knew as soon as I saw the thumbnail, this thing would be concise, illustrated by simple technical drawings on the same plane as my display, and sans background music. I see now side, eyeing my recommendations that you have a few more of these… I am sure my wife from the future thanks you for even more wires around the house…!
As others have suggested, there is a mistake, likely just an oversight, in the supply list, diagram, and vocal description. Resistors do not have values measured in microfarads. This is meant to be a capacitor that is wired in parallel with a resistor. Two resistors in parallel merely give a resistance less than the smaller value resistor. So, one resistor of smaller value could be used instead of wiring in the additional resistor. If your ground lift didn’t work, perhaps you used two resistors.
Hi Don. I just finished this build. Works great! ... though I'm not sure the phase switching works. But fortunately, it doesn't sound like my amps are out of phase to begin with. Thank you!
Hi, could you make a video showing it working? Mine is not working =(
This is great! I plan to do this soon for my VOX AC 15.
Are you meaning a .047uF CAPACITOR? Or truly a resistor as documented... I can't seem to find resistors of that value anywhere, but DO find capacitors... just asking for clarification, or where you get your parts from would be great too
Justin Easterling I have a feeling it's a capacitor too.
There is a comment now that appears over the parts list that corrects this to a capacitor
resistors are measured in ohm, NOT uf
Thanks for the video, and the explanation of the .047nf capacitor!
I have one more cuestion, what is the purpose of the SPDT Switch?
Thank you very mouch!
Orlando Herrera It's a ground lift switch (in case you have excessive noise)
Great video. I came upon it because I was looking for TRS/stereo input ABY Pedal, but I can't find with a TRS output, this one has two monos. You see , I'm going to use it for an Expression pedal which is TRS I was hoping the two output jacks were also stereo for fear my expression pedal won't work if it goes out mono to the pedals which will be controlled by the expression pedal.
Great video, it's been exactly what I've been looking for. And great quality in production. What size box did you use for this build?
Hey David - sorry for the delay. One of the larger 1590 series enclosures.
micro farad resistor?
Great video! can i use 2 pin SPDT on/off for the ground lift or 3 pin SPDT on/off/on? thank you for the response
That was great! Thanks for breaking it down. Can you also run this backwards.. 2 in 1 out and 1 in 2 out?
Thanks bunches!
Just turn the pedal 180 degrees.
Sorry for the question, I´m new at this type of things hope you can explain it to me. You connetct a mono cable into the stereo input so it has more ground? Why not use a mono input jack and link the sleeve of a mono input jack to, dc jack and to B2 of the A/B switch?
It completes the circuit to power the pedal. Any powered pedal you own probably works like this.
@@grahamcase ahh I see what you meant. The circuit is open, and the pedal can’t be powered until the instrument cable is plugged in. Using a mono jack would mean the pedal is always powered regardless of the instrument cable
Can outputs be used as inputs?
Ie reverse signal flow direction?
"A" would be clean, "B" might have an EQ, compressor, pitch shift, and maybe a reverb
Guitar>ABY (Box1) input
>ABY-A signal output = Clean signal
>ABY-B signal output = FX signal
Reversed ABY (Box2) A input
>ABY-A intput = Clean signal
>ABY-B input = FX processed signal
In ABY Box 2 the clean and processed signals are mixed together into a mixed signal that is sent downstream to the amplifier input.
The goal is to blend a combined (clean and dirty) sound signal to the amplifier input.
The signal is furrher processed via amplifier's preamp tone stack and whatever onboard effects there may be, and sent to the amp's output stage.
Yes. Just turn the pedal 180 degrees.
What is the reason for needing the 1/4" jack with the plastic surround? What is different about them?
Hi Don, great vid. Wondering.. Will I be able to connect a stereo cable from my guitar into the input and split the channels to the a and b output, and switch between a/b or y? I have a guitar with piezo and mag pickups wired with a fishman powerchip which includes a stereo output. I'd like to use a foot switch to go between my acoustic amp and electric amp, and occasionally run them both at once. If this will not work with this pedal, is what I want even possible with simple circuitry?
I'm unsure because you're coming in with a Stereo plug. Unfortunately I'm not a pedal builder so my knowledge on this front is limited. Sorry.
very good video. i think i will build one of these.
It works great. Thanks.
You Sir are awesome.Thanks Don Do you build your own effects pedals like a delay or distortion, pedals of that nature?
I have built them in the past but there are a lot of great DIY kits out there that would honestly just direct people to look at them.
Breja ToneWorks Thanks I did not know that. Cheers
Hello, nice videos was trying to expand on an A/B switch. Do you by chance have any schematics or experience building a looper where I can have effects on A and on B and can switch to either, but also have a bypass where both A/B are out of the loop and the signal is just straight from the amp to guitar many of the schematics I saw links for are no longer active. Thanks
why don't l see the SPDT toggle switch on the topside of the unit in your illustration (l know l will probably regret asking this question :-) is it momentary or latch switches ? can l use a 2-pin SPDT on/off switch instead of a 3-pin as l see one of the terminals is not used? OK, so l have never done this before and don't want to make major mistakes
Latching
Can you do a video for a split and then blend pedal? Or maybe a loop pedal?
Many thanks,
Toby
just add volume pots before the output jacks
Nice explanation!, Why do you use a stereo input jack? Would it be possible to use a mono input jack and solder both to the tip?
I could be wrong but it looks like he is splitting the signal A on one side and B on the other of the stereo Jack. This I believe will make for a cleaner output signal. I'm thinking if you ran both through a mono jack you could get noise and possibly even have the more powerful signal cancel the other (if one guitar is passive and one active).
Did you end up trying this build using all mono jacks? Did it work?
I may have missed the explanation, but what's the point of using the one enclosed mono jack?
where can i buy a replacement switch button for my tc-helicon voice live three extreme. who manufactures the switch?
Getting ready for the build....BTW, where do i go for parts?
nmssis Kinda depends on where you live. I'm in the US so I would send you to places like: www.mammothelectronics.com / www.tubedepot.com / www.pedalpartsplus.com but there are many places online that you can get these. If you can find a RadioShack you might have success there too.
Breja ToneWorks
excellent...Thanks!!
Why do you need a plastic mono jack if you put a ground/lift switch on it?
This seems arbitrary to me. I would just use switchcraft jacks...
Lower down there's a comment that seems to imply the plastic jack is needed specifically because of the ground/lift switch. I'd still try it with a switchcraft jack, myself.
great video sir. Regarding the ground lift. Would I be able to apply this to any factory made ABY's I have on my pedal board?
Unfortunately I'm not sure I can answer that. I'm not a pedal builder. I have very limited knowledge on pedals and the two that I have out here are really the only ones I trust my schematics enough to share. IN theory, all ABY switches should function like mine and the ground lift would apply.
Yeah I reckon your theory is correct. Im gonna give it a go and see how it goes.
Suggestions on fixing the volume drop when engaging the Y mode? Maybe dual buffer circuits on each output? And I'm not getting results with wiring in a phase switch. You wire the phase switch so that it is inverting the leads coming from one of the outputs?
A buffer is truly what you need. Unfortunately I'm not a pedal building guy so I'm not much help here.
Thanks for making such a clearly presented video. I am looking to make a selector switch but in reverse - ie I use 3 basses on a gig and need to be able to select the one I'm using so it would be 3 into one. Could this build be adapted?
hi . I build it ...but the signal go everytime +- 10% thru the other output whitch I use ......why ? ....can you help me ? pls
Using 12v diods remove 2 resistors on plus circuit.
I don't get the last resistor (.047uF), it's a capacitor? Because you mixed units from capacitors and resistors.
Ugh... Sorry about that. Did the video too late and apparently couldn't read my own writing. I've annotated the video but it's supposed to be a 47nF Resistor. Sorry for any confusion.
Breja ToneWorks I didn't know there were resistors with that value(47nf/.047uf) those are capacitor values which is what i think iamalexisdeath was trying to say.
Breja ToneWorks
but with that said, great video! I am going to build this soon but would appreciate if you could let me know what the 3rd resistor value is if you could, thank you.
***** For the love of Pete - you'd swear I was abducted by aliens when I did this video. I'm so sorry and will redo the video but it's a 47nF Capacitor and not a resistor. Hope this clears things up.
Paully Waully Ugh!!! Quite a mess I made. It's supposed to be a 47nF Capacitor. Sorry for the confusion.
You Can Build A Chorus Pedal?
Good Videos Too, Cheers 😀😀
Can we see a diagram for just the ground lift so we can make a pedal for getting rid of the hum. - Daniella. x.
Great video. This might be a dumb question, but why does output B have to be a plastic jack? Could you not just run from the ground loop switch to the ground of a "normal" jack? Thanks.
Never mind. I think I figured it out... If it was metal, it would be grounded all the time because of the case. Correct?
jproulx57 Yep. :)
So the 4.7k and 470k are resistors and the .047 is a cap, correct?
does it work backwards the same way? I mean, can I have ABY between 2 guitar signals going to the one output? sorry if it's a silly question.
You could do it but would be better as just an AB box. For the Y part for 2 inputs 1 output you would want to add summing resistors like the simple addition of two resistors to go from stereo to mono signal, the proper way.
Hope that helps (:
AB summed into a Y is a little different, and actually pretty easy. I’ve made a few for customers with a 3 color LED. If you’d like a schematic you can message me.
@@karlvonpackal1402 I'd be interested in that schematic, can you provide a link?
Hi men, Why u use a spdt switch? shuoud i use the 2 resistros without spdt? thanks.
@Breja ToneWorks Hi! Thanks for the tutorial Im working on it right now.
The thing is that I can't find the .047uf resistor anywhere, do you know where I need to look for it? Or there is an optional component?
Thanks!!
+Sebastián Mozó Try www.mouser.com
just to double check, can i use stereo 1/4 output jacks and just not use the ring section?
THANK YOU....THANK YOU!!!
How would I wire this if I wanted a signal split, ground lift and always on? I need one under my pedalboard and don't need the LEDs or switches.
What voltage LEDs would you recommend?
Im thinking about adding another input. That its routed directly to ab outs would that give me problems if i bridge input 2 to outs A n B?
If I want to use this pedal for switching between 2 guitars what type of jacks should I use?
Sorry if this is an ignorant question, I am new to this whole game. Is the .047uF capacitor a 50V or a 100V? I'm trying to order parts for this build and I'm not sure what will work or not. Also, does it matter what type of material the capacitor is made from? I see there is a choice of ceramic, polyester and mylar.
I was wondering the same thing.. did you ever find the answer?
If you wanted to do this without the ground lift, could you use a standard jack for output B and then wire the two 'sleeves' of output A and B together?
+eh heh I'll be honest. I'm not a pedal builder so I'm not 100% sure on the answer. Maybe other viewers can chime in but you could test your theory and if you notice a bunch of noise and such, your idea probably didn't pan out. Sorry.
Okay, thank you for your response! I'll have a play around, if anyone else wants to chip in that would be appreciated
If you don't need the ground lift you can omit the plastic output B jack and use metal instead and wire sleeves together.
A bit late to the party, but what's the point of using one normal jack input and one that is plastic covered?
did you ever get help on this ? i have the same question
@@revolverdn unfortunately not. I didn't try to build one myself so I couldn't test it for myself either
Same question for me too
It’s for isolating the jack from ground, which is the whole point of the ground lift.
And if i want to make with out led, what i change on this circuit?
Hi very nice project!I would like to ask ,if instead of dc supply i would like to use 9 volt battery or both 9volt and power supply do i need different resistors or circuit?thank you
No - you would keep everything the same as long as you're hitting it with 9v.
What DC Supply would this need? Also, will signal attenuation occur when running in Y mode?
+Satyam Bhardwaj It would take a standard 9v pedal supply. Yes - there will be some attenuation.
How could one add a phase switching button to the pedal to make sure the signals are in phase?
Blair McClain Look up a drawing of a DPDT phase switch and insert it before Input A or B. A simple DPDT switch and 4 jumper wires are really all that's needed.
+Breja ToneWorks illustration or website link please. what type of DPDT switch and what terminals are the jumpers connected to on both switches? cheers.
+Robert Pool Email directly at BrejaToneWorks@gmail.com and I can send you a copy of the info. Don
Is it possible to build this with 2 3PDT switches? Can u teach me how? Thank u bro!
Do you mean 1 3DPT Switch? Maybe if there were no LEDs. . .
Can I use this in reverse? For example, choose from two guitar into one amp.
Scott Paige Yep.
Hi Don - could I use a SPST toggle switch for the ground lift? Thx.
+GlennHowardVO I believe so.
Excellent! Thanks so much, Don. Great job on your videos. I've tricked-out many of my guitars with fantastic results thanks to you. Best wishes.
Can anyone educate me on how this passive box would differ or be inferior to the same thing but having an active circuit? Something tells me this is Not the way to go, that it must be active.
If you want a silent switch then you would use active circuitry. This example is purely mechanical and will work fine.
btw, what is the smallest size enclosure can i choose for this pedal?
thanks again!
nmssis Ummm... I'd say the 1590 series enclosures would be about the smallest. Get's tight though and you'll have to be creative on the placement of the jacks and switches. Personally - for this pedal, you should try to go a little bigger to make it easier to operate with your feel.
Thanks!!
simple as it may be, could you help me MOD this to AB/Mute?
How would I build an A/B/Y in, A/B/Y out pedal? Just continue the circuit at the "input jack"?
Scott Paige I'm a bit confused. Explain what you want the end result to be - how would it work?
For instance, I can choose guitar A or instrument B (or both) to play into amp A or console B (or both). All in the one pedal.
Scott Paige Ahh, gotcha. I can probably whip you up something but it won't have LEDs if that's ok. I don't build a lot of pedals and I don't have the parts to test out 4-LEDs. Email be at BrejaToneWorks@gmail.com. Don
Hi Don. Great video! I just have a question about adding a phase switch (someone asked it below). Is it as simple as adding this (www.premierguitar.com/articles/21006-mod-garage-adding-an-out-of-phase-switch-to-a-telecaster)... Just before the jack for A or B?? Thank you in advance.
+jproulx57 That link didn't work for me. Email directly at: brejatonework@gmail.com
"Breja" is a slang for beer in Brazilian Portuguese
SIM!
what if i wanted a 2 in 1 out ???
"uF resistor". Instant stop.
For anyone wondering in the future, there are useful and useless ways to point out faults in a video. The above comment is an example of a useless way.
Don't be a useless commenter folks, nobody likes them.
WTF is a 0.47µFΩ resistor??? 🤔..... I see you have a image of one there too...... Well that looks a lot like a 47kΩ resistor. Weird, you'd think they'd use different colours for the microfarad ohm resistors..........
I barely managed to stick around to the end of the last video of yours where you're using single and double "Pull" switches.
You clearly have very little knowledge about the little "diy tricks" you're attempting to teach others. And while these sort of pedal hacks etc are more or less harmless, they're not always.
Sometimes in electronics a simple little oversight or mix up with component type or value can be either damaging or destructive. And sometimes potentially even harmful or even fatal.
Hence why a bit of knowledge of the "what" and "why" of different electrical components can give you a much better understanding of what it is you're actually doing, as opposed to just following a guide and parts list.
Would this pedal be considered true bypass?
Could you build this without the switches and leds and make a passive splitter?
The LEDs are only so you can determine the state of the pedal switches. You don't actually need power to this box for it to work however.