A Very Simple Tremolo Pedal | DIY Modulation Effect

[@asdf9890]

Wow, every schematic makes oscillation pedals look so complicated. You made this out of very little components and described it amazingly. Thank you!

[@Psychotenuse]

Thanks for watching! :D

[@marcmurray8847]

I'm just getting started looking into DIY pedals and considering giving it a go, this is the most helpful video I have ever seen in terms of explaining what the parts do to the sound so clearly and simply. Thanks, I'd love to see more!

[@Psychotenuse]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching :)

[@Ekelemen2]

Freaking brilliant in its simplicity, and such a clear explanation for the electronically barely literate. I was not sure that I wanted a tremolo pedal until now, and now I feel like I have to build this one. PLEASE do more videos like these--LOVED the amplifier and the preamp and, well, all of it! You might enjoy the videos of heavymetalATC, who builds such things out of scrap, scavenged and cheap parts. I look forward to seeing what else you come up with.

[@Psychotenuse]

Thanks haha, glad you like the videos! I have a couple of ideas and hope to make new videos soon, but I've just graduated college and started a research assistant job so things are and have been a bit hectic. Nevertheless, thanks for watching :)

[@clydemackillop2234]

Great video! Only just getting into this after years of playing. Thank you for keeping it simple 👍 keep up the good work!

[@Psychotenuse]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching :)

[@notsmelliott]

Seriously cool stuff, i feel super inspired watching you create!!!

[@Psychotenuse]

Thank you! Glad you like it :)

[@DoonHarmonic]

man your creativity makes us smile

[@luiginotcool]

Come back to KZbin !! I’ve just binged all your videos and I want to get into electronics so much now!!

[@Psychotenuse]

Thanks haha! I do plan to make a couple of videos in the coming months.

[@RetroPlus]

That's so simple, really inspiring

[@Psychotenuse]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@Bastelhirni]

That's a great idea. I'm going to replace the LED flasher with an Arduino LED flasher. That might give me even more options as the LED can be controlled very precisely via the PWM output, for example. Great video.

[@Psychotenuse]

Yes :) Make sure to use proper smoothing capacitors or the PWM will come through on the audio. Good luck! Would love to see what you come up with too!

[@drumbo1919]

Hello ​@@Psychotenuse and thanks for this video. I'm embarking on an Arduino version too, what cap value and where should it be put? Between pwm and led? Also, is it possible to achieve a more square wave? I like chopping things 🙂

[@Psychotenuse]

@@drumbo1919 You would essentially want to low-pass the current to the LED

[@woolmusicph]

Thank you‼️I have zero knowledge but i really wanted to learn to build my own pedals.

[@anugrahmurmu9255]

Really loved it

[@Psychotenuse]

Glad! Thanks for watching :)

[@bashtian10]

Dude, how do you have only 1k subs??? Your content is amazing.

[@Psychotenuse]

Haha, thank you! So glad you like it. I just don't upload very often unfortunately :P

[@daveincalgary1205]

Excellent and clear video! thank you. Using this on a diy keyboard project!

[@Psychotenuse]

Awesome! Glad it helped!

[@gustavog.c.2997]

Is it possible to use another transistor? I can´t find to buy it in my country...

[@Psychotenuse]

This circuit doesn't use a transistor; you could try another sensitive-gate thyristor instead of the one I use, but I'm not 100% sure it will work :/

[@19TheJohn93]

Wait, I don't get the Z-Diode, wouldn't it shortcircuit the led when it's brightest? I figured thats why it sounds so choppy

[@Psychotenuse]

Yes, you're right, it would sound less choppy (but also less loud) if you remove the Zener... which gives me a cool idea actually! You could make a "depth control" (technically It would be more like height control) by simply putting a variable resistor in series with the Zener.

[@issamkhatib]

Very nice and clear work. I did the same, and was wondering can we get rid of the ticking sound. When the effect is on, there is a click with the oscillation. speed.

[@Psychotenuse]

This is a question I have got a few times and I have often suggested smoothing capacitors but no one has got back to me on that and I haven't actually tried it so I don't actually know if it works :P Try putting a resistor and capacitor in series, then putting that combination in parallel with the LED.

[@Frecuencia420]

Is there a way to put a potentiometer that controls the speed of the tremolo?

[@Psychotenuse]

That's what's on there

[@Xtn1Insecticide]

A want to make a pedal with which cuts the signal in and out sharply not vary, could i use an optical relay on/ off instead of and led and use it to cut the sound throughput? I’m fairly new to making stuff.

[@Psychotenuse]

Hi, it could definitely be done but would require a few extra components, probably.

[@Xtn1Insecticide]

@@Psychotenuse thanks for the info, appreciate it

[@yotamargaman7102]

Hi great video! Ive learned alot from it and now i want to build the pedal. Question. What are the values of the capacitor in terms of volt? I would love to get the entire model of the capacitor for this. Thanks

[@Psychotenuse]

Thanks :) The voltage rating of the capacitor should be higher than 9 volts, but otherwise doesn't matter.

[@AdonisMediaProductions]

very clear and concise explanation, I i might take a stab at building this. Cheers, I subscribed!!

[@Psychotenuse]

Glad you liked it! I'd love to hear how it goes if you try and build it :)

[@vincentkelly5143]

Id like to try to use IR diode emitter and receiver for this instead of the ldr

[@Psychotenuse]

The directionality of a photodiode complicates things.

[@Ian-Threaded]

This is the coolest idea ever. One question: What value of photoresistor is that? I see packs of all types of different values on amazon

[@Psychotenuse]

Thanks! I'm not sure what designation exactly the LDR is. I've seen listings for "5mm LDR", that would be my best bet... but honestly I don't think it matters a whole lot.

[@Ian-Threaded]

@@Psychotenuse thank you for the reply, I will give it a try and see if I can make one

[@angeleduardo434]

What type of switch did you use, like the one that presses it and gives effect? thx

[@Psychotenuse]

It's just a latching on/off switch

[@angeleduardo434]

@@Psychotenuse Thanks I thought it was a 3dpt or something

[@florianwilluhn5682]

Hey. Thank you for this video. Is there an easy way, to soften the blinking? I hear it tickling, cause the led flashes like a ramp. Do you have an idea? Thank you

[@Psychotenuse]

You could use an RC filter to smoothen the envelope. I think what you would need would be two resistors in series with the LED, and a capacitor in parallel with the LED and one of the resistors. Like this: --------)|-------- ----|

[@florianwilluhn5682]

@@Psychotenuse Ive build a six way tremolo in my guitar with this circuit. It worked really nice. At the end, I didn’t change the tickling. It’s actually nice to hear it it my guitar. I’ve uploaded a video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5-6l3hnbNSsis0

[@scottscarboro8743]

Neat circuit. When ordering parts, I see a lot of various BT 169s. Can you be more specific of which one or does it matter? Thanks

[@Psychotenuse]

As far as I can tell the difference between bt169b, bt169d and bt169g is the max voltage rating, which shouldn't matter.

[@ngotiendung7660]

Hello. I tried to make the circuit but the led doesn't blink. The shop doesn't have the BT169, so I buy the BT151 to replace it, does it work? Can you help me pls

[@Psychotenuse]

I think you need a sensitive gate SCR. It might not work with the BT151. You can _try_ using a smaller value for R1.

[@ngotiendung7660]

@@Psychotenuse I tried using a smaller value for R1 but it doesn't work. I think I should find another shop to buy the BT169. Thank you for your advice.

[@Psychotenuse]

Alright, good luck :)

[@ngotiendung7660]

@@Psychotenuse Hello, I found the BT1690, a make the same circuit like the diagram have been given, but the led doesn't blink :(( Can you help me pls

[@Psychotenuse]

@@ngotiendung7660 You can try adjusting the value of R1, try a bit higher (~15k) or a bit lower (~7k). Also you can try it without D2. Sorry I can't be more helpful :(

[@charlescruz8023]

This video really helps!! Thanks a lot!!

[@sevriendaems]

Hello, can you tell me why there is a 10K resistor at the input? Wouldnt this just lower the output signal? Greetings

[@Psychotenuse]

Yeah, that's the point. That resistor forms the top half of the voltage divider that attenuates your guitar signal. In other words, it is a drop resistor, which means the difference between the input and output signal voltages lives across that resistor. With no resistor, the input and output signals would be the same. Now if you get rid of the 10k resistor, the tremolo effect might still _work._ It would be relying on the drop across the actual source impedance of the incoming signal. This means it could behave very differently depending on what the signal is coming from (guitar/pedal/preamp). It would not work at all if the signal source has low impedance.

[@olenfersoi8887]

I'm not an electronics geek, but want to replace mechanical bridge "whammy bar" with a simple tremolo circuit controlled by a spring loaded poteniometer to which I can attach a bar. I was thnking of just attaching such a bar to a variable capacitor, but I don't think the outputted variable tone by wiggling the bar would give the desired tremolo sound. What I am sure of is that the desired circuit is quite simple, not justifying the retail price charged for commercial tremolo pedals! What do you think?

[@Psychotenuse]

I think you just want a volume pedal, which is essentially an expensive potentiometer in a box

[@zachary963]

Love your channel! Do you ever think about making a etsy or reverb store and selling these things?

[@Psychotenuse]

Glad you like it! I've never seriously considered it. My craftsmanship isn't that great :P Maybe someday though. I suppose I might consider selling a version of my neon bulb drive pedal with the removable element...

[@Yourcocktailstudio]

@@Psychotenuse I will be the first buyer 🔥

[@Rubiksman123]

Do I have to use a blue LED? What about using a white LED?

[@Psychotenuse]

White might work, but I'm not sure. You can try it out.

[@NenadStefanovicbach]

How do you solve the cracking noise? Any suggestions. Thanks in advance!! Great video!!!

[@Psychotenuse]

You could try smoothing the LFO output by putting a capacitor across the LED.

[@NenadStefanovicbach]

@@Psychotenuse I'll try!! Thank you very much!!

[@lucianasaraceno9704]

Hey i cant find the tb169 anywere. Im argentinian. Is there any other component i can replace it with?

[@Psychotenuse]

The bt169 is I believe a sensitive gate SCR. This circuit should in theory work with other sensitive gate scrs, but the resistor values may have to change. The circuit is a bit finicky unfortunately and I've only ever tried it with the bt169.

[@seansher]

Nice video and circuit, thanks. I am building a similar trem pedal (only using a 555) with the same LDR/input output section. I am gettign a slight "popping" sound when the trem is active. I notice your circuit does the same. Any ideas how to fix this?

[@Psychotenuse]

I assume you have a current limiting resistor in series with the LED? A capacitor across the LED might help then. Maybe 10 or 100 microFarads

[@seansher]

@@Psychotenuse ok thanks, I'll give that a try.

[@HaroldGC]

Excelente video, que pasaria si le pones un optoacoplador en ves de una ldr y un led? Digo, talves tenga un mejor resultado o sera que hace algo de ruido?? 🤔

[@Psychotenuse]

No sé. Usé el LED porque demuestra visualmente el LFO. ¡Gracias por ver y comentar! :)

[@jamiebrough749]

Loved this video! Really great stuff, and explained so that a beginner (me) can understand. If you have any interest in making a video explaining and building a simple phaser I would be soooooo happy!

[@Psychotenuse]

A phaser is a bit more complex than this but I might try someday haha. Glad you liked it, thanks for watching :)

[@ILLGREEN1]

Thank you and excellent presentation.

[@Psychotenuse]

Glad you liked it :)

[@marcochaiwallah811]

could u build one with a really slow sinus wave shaped stereo panning circuit ??? im trying to find sth like that... cheers

[@Psychotenuse]

Well, anything like that would be much more complex than this circuit. In particular I'm not sure how to make a true sine wave LFO with analog circuitry, though I'm sure it's possible.

[@hobbeldibbel]

Very interesting - is it possible to replace the LED/LDR with an optocoupler? And if so, which?

[@Psychotenuse]

I'm sure it could be done, but I don't really know what kind of optocoupler would be best.

[@VisualMaelStrom]

I would start by using a VTL5C3 Vactrol / Optocoupler. Seems to be very common in the audio world

[@ngotiendung7660]

Nice! Can I have a question? Does the 47k ohm RV1 control the Tremolo's speed? thanks. Sorry ab my bad English

[@Psychotenuse]

Yes, it does. Thanks for watching! :)

[@mrc25381]

Does the LED need to be blue?

[@Psychotenuse]

Yes! Thanks for watching and commenting :)

[@nickiebrook7165]

Could you make a multi effects pedal? A switch maybe to different effects??

[@Psychotenuse]

Well at that point it seems like it would make more sense to just set up a pedalboard, no?

[@riktamondal3440]

Can you make a chorus pedal for guitar?😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@stuartchapman5171]

Hi great video. I built something similar using a reverse avalanche type LFO controlling the led. I'm going to rework it, with a lpb1 boost circuit. The reason being it works with a higher line level type signal but not with guitar. Have you encountered this issue? Is the signal going straight out the guitar to the tremolo?

[@Psychotenuse]

Yes, in my case the guitar signal was going straight to the tremolo. What matters here is the dark-state resistance of your LDR. It should be on the order of 100k (ideally 250k-500k) for this to work. If it's much lower then the circuit will only work for line level signals.

[@stuartchapman5171]

@@Psychotenuse Thank you for clearing that up. It was a bit confusing as to why it wouldn't work. I'll revise this project.

[@lennonstacatalina]

Try using a Opto coupler in very good at that circuit

[@Psychotenuse]

Yeah, that would work better. It might have made the video less easy to understand, though. Thanks for watching :)

[@tonygonzalez4720]

great video. You're a genius!!!!

[@Psychotenuse]

Haha no, but thanks :)

[@Ma7hness]

where does the pot goes?

[@Psychotenuse]

As a variable resistor in series with a diode, between the anode and gate of the thyristor. There is a schematic linked in the description. Thanks for watching :)

[@andrewwlt5330]

Great tutorial👍

[@DeepthiRanathungaAahh]

wow ..amazing .. thanks💗

[@israelgiron9089]

Hi there, i really appreciate it, what you doing, thank you a lot for your explanation, can you confirm that is an saw-tooth waveform that is generated?

[@Psychotenuse]

Thanks for watching! It's kinda sorta something along the lines of a sawtooth wave or triangle wave. There will of course be no true straight lines in the waveform. There will be an approximately exponential charge and discharge of the capacitor as with most relaxation oscillators, but there are plenty of nonlinear effects too due to all the semiconductors.

[@israelgiron9089]

@@Psychotenuse I see, I've just made it, I've being thinking of using this circuit to generate an osc then amp it back to another stage of another circuit for the generation of an arc that can be used as a plasma lighter ''kind of'', but i think it wont work cause as you said, due to the ''nonlinear'' effects of the oscillation caused by the physical aspect of the silicate, i have to find the right magnetic resonance response that are needed for the generation of the arc, and obviously that need to be the more stable possible, I've also replace the cap for an 10uf and the diode for an germanium 0.3v, seems to be stable but i don't know if it will be enough, thank you for your response, i really appreciate, cheers from Canada.

[@Psychotenuse]

The point of this circuit is that it is a Low Frequency Oscillator, which is generally harder to make than a high frequency oscillator. Higher frequency oscillators typically make use of some stray inductance at least. A plasma lighter would run at perhaps hundreds of kilohertz. You would probably want to use some sort of LC oscillator driven (with feedback) at resonance, and then a transformer or voltage multiplier to step the voltage up to arc levels.

[@israelgiron9089]

@@Psychotenuse Thank you for the tip, i will study that, by the way nice to meet you! ;)

[@israelgiron9089]

I like the way you play your guitar too, keep going!

[@DiaconescuAlexandru2024]

I'm not into music but this idea could also work for tremolo in LED custom lights.

[@Psychotenuse]

I bet it could, in fact if you have a higher voltage DC rail and a bunch of LEDs in series then it's actually easier to make a flasher using a thyristor.

[@DiaconescuAlexandru2024]

@@Psychotenuse Already have some thyristors (2N1613) and a couple other ones so I'll try it out sometime.

[@lucalull13]

How did you do the LFO?

[@Psychotenuse]

I talk about that from 2:54

[@lucalull13]

@@Psychotenuse thank you man, my english its not so great hahah

[@Psychotenuse]

@@lucalull13 Your English seems fine :)

[@OFFICIAL_RAMAN_MUSIC]

Nice 👏👍😊 my spot you where are you from

[@Psychotenuse]

I currently live in UP, India.

[@PatrickRai]

Great video! Can u pls tell how to add a depth control to the circuit?

[@Psychotenuse]

One very simple way would be to put a variable resistor (100k or so) in series with the LDR. Glad you liked it!

[@TIMO140]

thanks bro

[@Psychotenuse]

You're very welcome :)

[@hrishavghosh6998]

In Which college do you study?

[@Psychotenuse]

I graduated this year.

[@hrishavghosh6998]

@@Psychotenuse o nice

[@hrishavghosh6998]

@@Psychotenuse hello have you graduated from NIT warangal?

[@Psychotenuse]

No, BIT Mesra. I was at NIT Warangal for a couple of years but dropped out.

[@hrishavghosh6998]

@@Psychotenuse will you mind if I ask you why you left NIT warangal as it is a central institution?