How to Build Clones | DIY Guitar Pedals

Hey all!
This is a step-by-step guide to making a guitar pedal clone using a purchased PCB. I go through the best sequence in populating the board, how to complete your offboard wiring, etc. I even touch on how to make an optocoupler. I use a PedalPCB Delegate Compressor as the example, but these steps can be used for all PCB builds.
Hope you find it useful!
02:40 - Workstation and parts
04:25 - Soldering resistors
05:35 - Soldering diodes
06:05 - Soldering IC sockets
07:08 - Soldering capacitors
08:00 - Soldering Transistors
08:27 - Soldering/ Building the LDR and Diode (Optocoupler)
11:43 - Soldering power (On/Off) Diode
12:28 - Soldering potentiometers
15:50 - Affixing the LED Bezel
16:20 - Wiring the 3PDT Switch
17:00 - Connecting the main board to the switch board
20:25 - Installing the DC jack
22:42 - Installing the audio jacks
23:49 - Socketing the ICs
24:20 - Adding the control knobs
25:30 - Closing the case
25:38 - A quick sanity test
Check out how I add graphics here:
• Enclosure Graphics | D...
#pougnetpedals #diyguitarpedals

[@jasonc3a]

You are a horribly underrated channel. Hopefully the algorithm blesses you, your quality of videos deserves it!

[@pougnetpedals]

Thanks man! I am pushing for 1k subscribers. Maybe that will make a difference in the algorithm. Tell your friends! Hahaha

[@allen3497]

Him and Zurowtez

[@asdf9890]

Your resistor separator/sorter is genius! Great stuff, and very underrated channel for this stuff, blame YT's silly algorithm.

[@jstro-hobbytech]

Most pedal jockeys need to practice more and learn how to bias circuits properly. Neither is hard. I'd never buy a kit. I buy parts and give the pedals away. He has to sort 10 components haha. I'd like to see a nodal analysis of the circuit using superposition, kvl and kcl

[@vkp1200]

Nice build video. Just a few things I need to point out: 1. You could have mentioned ensuring the correct polarity of diodes and polarized capacitors when populating the PCB; 2. DIYers may get something wrong so it would be advisable to test the assembly first before committing all that time and energy to cram all that stuff into the pedal case. 3. Check all solder points before you power up. 4. It's best to clean up your workbench as you go. All those stray bits of cut resistor leads, wire, and blobs of spilled solder can get into places we don't want them, i.e. the board, case, etc.

[@shaneglackin]

Aargh, yes, not doing a board test before wiring everything in and installing in the case gives me the ick.

[@tgorycki6825]

Nice tutorial! It's interesting to see how different people do their offboard wiring; over vs under, solder wire to board first vs jacks first, etc. Nice clean build! Thanks!

[@hamsterman1995]

The clipping you do after the soldering is so satisfying.

[@Kallum]

I’m building my own overdrive pedal and i’ve designed a custom pcb for it, this video is very helpful for the next steps

[@jstro-hobbytech]

You have to learn basic theory. Doing nodal analysis on circuits so you know what's going on at any given time. It's really rewarding and super easy. Ohms law, kvl, kvl, lc, rc time analysis and understanding what the circuit is doing using those simple maths. Only buy kits to learn how to solder. I'll hook you up if you need the stuff. If you solder by numbers then it's the same as old people coloring man. I never realized how little people know about simple small signal circuits and waveforms.

[@DakGuy05]

I was wondering what I was doing wrong with the pots, turns out the ones I got have too short of legs and I'll have to add a bunch of jumpers, kinda unfortunate. Thanks for the video

[@chuquiii]

Thanks to you I'm a new person

[@mattcarson4316]

Nice to see the full assembly. No one ever showed me how to shrink wrap the two components like that. Good to know! Probably explains why I have a weak sounding compressor where LED and LSR arent staying close enough. 😆 Curious what printer you use for the decals? Your text looks nice and crisp.

[@pougnetpedals]

Glad you found it helpful. I have just a run of the mill inkjet printer. HP OfficeJet 4630. The main thing is to get good paper. I used to use these when I only did white enclosures - amzn.to/2W99bl4 , but have since changed to these - amzn.to/3r2X7Am - as I have been using more colors. The new ones create a little more steps for color matching, but I am very happy with them. Probably more so than the Avery Clear labels. Less ink run. Also, make sure you set your print to highest quality and for glossy paper.

[@mattcarson4316]

@@pougnetpedals Ooooh. I've been doing waterslide and not vinyl sticker paper. Just ordered some vinyl sticker paper to give a try. Thanks for the help!

[@pougnetpedals]

No problem. Hopefully it works out. I usually try to match color on normal paper, then once i have something close, print it on the vinyl. just note that the vinyl is usually a hair darker than when on standard paper

[@RatBastardDan]

Dang, I ordered different components. My instrument jacks are just TRS, and my DC supply is chrome rather than plastic. The biggest pain is that my footswitch and DC jack holes are too small, so I have to go and buy more bits. Anyway, the big issue I was facing was what order to start mounting things in and whether I would paint myself into a corner by getting things misaligned. This video was an immense help!

[@pougnetpedals]

Glad to help!

[@LTJR.]

Both of the chrome dc jacks I know of (1has 2 connectors & 1 has 3) that are 2.1-2.5 friendly, will short out on a metal enclosure if wired center negative. They should work reversed to center positive, for any newcomers-might save a few headaches. Scrap styrofoam works well also as a parts organizer. Just poke parts in! Cheers!

[@Ak47_russian]

Thanks for the turtorial, I want to build a ibanez black noise clone cause I can't find that shit enywhere only clone board so I have no otjer choice

[@austismm]

mentioned PCB sources: PedalPCB Aion FX Rullywow

[@mariodiaz2114]

Bro you are a badass, thank you for this video!

[@jordanfreeman4170]

Aight, next question. Do you know if Tayda only sells center negative DC jacks? I ordered some in the states and I guess they use center positive for most things.

[@ZephaniahDavis]

this info and demo are very solid. thanks for giving it to people

[@pougnetpedals]

Glad you like them!

[@jstro-hobbytech]

​@@pougnetpedalswhat's fun about soldering other people's designs brother? No offense. I feel like an idiot for learning the math and practicing to a metronome.

[@meldeer6253]

i have 3 kits i bought from china at the instructions are not that good any way they do not work ??? when putting the resitors in the bord or any of the componenits is there a direction for the legs to go in to the PCB board i cant figure out why they do not work very frustrating

[@dustineldreth2102]

I am building this clone and am hesitant to wire up the photoresistor the way that you have. Have you had any issues doing it the way described? I was under the impression that it wasn't supposed to be directly up against the LED and that it being too bright is bad. Did you use forward voltage of 3.2 or 1.6 for the LED?

[@samuelbanya]

Do you know where I can find pcbs for off board wiring? I hate off board wiring

[@eamonnortiz2505]

Hey can do a tutorial how make smaller version of 4 track looper like boss rc 600 not a digital version though?

[@Fartinhalerr]

Are you using stranded 22awg hookup wire?

[@A.PGUITARS]

What temp or setting is the solder gun on thank you

[@theprismaticsystem2833]

That isn't flux it's solder, it might have flux mentioned somewhere on the package if it's rosin core, basically some flux imbedded in it so it can be used with our with separate external flux, but that isn't flux which generally comes in liquid or paste forms.

[@hellephantstonerband]

Hi ! i'm very happy to find your videos ! i was looking for my firts build with the warden clone, and it's done ! i'm a computer and phones repair man, so have some soldier skills (but not an expert), but i've no skills in electronic things. Do you think it's not so difficult for my first try ? i'm a little lost for purchasing component and afraid about forget something... If i've understood, i have to go with tayda and smallbear for parts ? i'm looking too for the Life Pedal building, by chance do you have a video about this pedal ? thanks for all, and i think you've given me motivation to launch the construction ! ;)

[@pougnetpedals]

I use tayda as my primary source. Mouser for quick deliveries, and smallbear or pedalpcb for hard to get components. no videos about the life pedal. Never heard of it till today, but looks like you might be able to achieve something similar with a rat + octave up in the same box.

[@hellephantstonerband]

@@pougnetpedals hi ! Thx for your answer 😎😎 yes this Life Pedal from Earthquaker devices is a boost+rat+octaver, made for doom in collaboration with Sunn O))) band. Indeed I’ve already a boost and modded rat, so I think I’ll try to build an octaver 👍

[@jackwhite6713]

How do you know which way to attach the footswitch to mini board?

[@willfowler8540]

Can you explain to me what IGO means on some pcb diagrams? I can't figure it out

[@nunolance23]

Hi! Just found your channel because of the Delegate Compressor! Would you say this is doable for someone who has never had any experience with soldering/building pedals at all? Could I get all the parts and tools besides the circuit itself from Tayda?

[@pougnetpedals]

You can get everything from tayda save for the LDRs for the optocoupler. Likely, you will have to source those from smallbear. Also the doc says it needs a Tc1044, but it should be a TC1044s

[@nunolance23]

@@pougnetpedals I'll have a look! Thanks!!

[@josephestes7076]

Subbed, great stuff.

[@jordanfreeman4170]

I'm not sure if anyone can answer this but, what is the difference between a 100p and 100pf capacitor. The kit I have came with four of the same and it calls for three 100pf and one 100p, I just don't want to mess anything up.

[@vke6077]

100p and 100pF mean the same thing, 100 picofarads

[@jstro-hobbytech]

Learn how to use ohms law and kcl and kvl brother. It's worth the effort. I'd be ashamed to make a video where I didn't design the circuit or reverse engineer it for people and show the simple math involved. You need a calculator but its easy..

[@jstro-hobbytech]

Plus you can fix almost anything wirh only understanding the basics.

[@spencertait4708]

Brand new to this. Could I place a PCB on top of a breadboard to keep the layout schematic but swap parts in and out to test mods as I go before soldering?

[@theprismaticsystem2833]

Nope, you can use a breadboard but the breadboard will always have the conductors in rows but PCBs often aren't built to way to allow them to be smaller and more dense.

[@nizzamp]

How were u able to print WHITE?

[@pougnetpedals]

It's printed on a white vinyl label. The trick is color matching the image with your pedal enclosure

[@nizzamp]

@@pougnetpedals Hi. Not sure what you meant by color matching the image. I know they make white deckel paper but what do you mean about color matching the image?

[@MusicMinisterJP7]

Very interesting method of building. I enjoy watching and learning from your videos. I do have a question, if you could answer, I'd appreciate it greatly. I have a Tom'sLine AC Stage Acoustic guitar simulator pedal, this one I bought off another musician, said to be working. I tried it out a few days later, but to me, it does not seem to sound acoustic or the effect is inoperable or has lost that acoustic function. I was hoping perhaps you might be able to identify which component inside might likely be the non working one. Also, if you have a vid on building an acoustic sim, I'd like to check that out. Thx.

[@MusicMinisterJP7]

@@mikepougnet OK, thanks, I can relate to that. And for my 2nd question, have you built an acoustic sim pedal? Is it possible? I'm thinking that would a most interesting build. Watching a video like yours, I managed to build "Chism reverb" which has 4 knobs and 2 sw. But I'm very interested in your take on the idea,..

[@pougnetpedals]

Thanks! I don't think I could really help with your pedal though. I believe that acoustic sim is a mini pedal which poses a couple of problems. It is likely a board with surface mount components (essentially micro resistors, capacities, etc). These a very difficult to repair. Also, being a sim, it is likely a digital pedal. This means it has a small programmed chip inside that does much of the effect. The input analog signal from your guitar is converted to digital, edited by the chip's program, and then converted back to analog for output.

[@pougnetpedals]

I would probably just buy a cheap sim off of amazon. You can usually grab one for ~$50. If you are interested in building one, there isn't a lot out there unless you are willing to code. I think there is a project called the "Woody" that gets you half way there and it is all analog components.

[@MusicMinisterJP7]

@@pougnetpedals "Willing to Code"?? Lol, Sounds like we're venturing into the Matrix, Nexux or Twightlight zone..lol. So this "Woody" project, how do I come across it? Thx.

[@buckstarchaser2376]

You mentioned a review video of this build as a cliffhanger ending, which is cheesy by itself, but you also didn't put a link to it for the folks that just invested 27minutes into getting to the point of the video where you mention it.

[@wattsupwiththat1463]

No mention of polarity for diode and electrolytic Caps?

[@pougnetpedals]

Yeah, I guess it is an omission. Most PCBs have the cathodes or anodes marked. Same with the components. Could have been mentioned though.

[@Brodenkirk]

What gauge wire did you use for wiring the switch?

[@PedalChainsAddiction]

Hey man, I’ve been building pedals for about 8 or 9 months now (StewMac and BYOC), and 24AWG is optimal. Kits come with stranded, but I prefer solid for ease of use with the small holes on the PCB. Either will work fine. Hope this helps. Be well!

[@bymbie]

Hi mate - seems like you are a fellow Canadian. Could you share where you order your parts? I prefer to support Canadian suppliers. Cheers.

[@pougnetpedals]

Tayda for the most part. If I need stuff in a pinch from Canada.. mouser

[@frederikortmann6545]

What's up with the Super Troopers Cover in 7:56? Lol

[@pougnetpedals]

when i was putting the video together, it sounded like i said "now" like "neow"...i thought most people would hear it...internet doesn't miss much

[@frederikortmann6545]

@@pougnetpedals I see. Nice one tho

[@Fartinhalerr]

Cool video but a little frustrating that you fast-forwarded through the parts I actually came here for LOL

[@Dr.evil.porkchop]

Some -Bass pedals please.

[@pougnetpedals]

I got one on the bench.

[@jstro-hobbytech]

​@@pougnetpedalsdo you understand the underlying theory? Not a troll. Just, it's more fun.

[@muhammedroshinnazeer9401]

Weare to buy this kit

[@pougnetpedals]

PedalPCB. It's just the board though. You have to source components yourself

[@muhammedroshinnazeer9401]

@@pougnetpedals if it possible to share pcb layout brother.

[@pougnetpedals]

www.pedalpcb.com/docs/Delegate.pdf

[@muhammedroshinnazeer9401]

@@pougnetpedals thank you brother

[@muhammedroshinnazeer9401]

@@pougnetpedals one more help need. Will you please do onboard pream and 3 band eq for bass guitar

[@u.s.a.198]

Thank you!

[@LHaymakeR]

Take a shot everytime he says process

[@toddmcombs]

Not for beginners...you fast forward thru all the stuff I need to see. Good video but not thorough for a full HOW TO video 👍🏼. When I get the basics down I’ll cone back to this video.

[@pougnetpedals]

Sorry man. Didn't want to make the video too long. Let me know what you might like more direction on

[@toddmcombs]

I just a totally beginner entering this world, LoL. I’m looking for a beginning end tutorial. Where/how (best practices) to put the components, soldering (not a solder How-To), which components do what & how they can change for different sounds, ETC....So basically a 2 hour video, LoL.... Just a noob looking for stage 1 to finish 😀 You rock for responding though 👍🏼

[@pougnetpedals]

Try my pedals 101 video. It's was my first vid, so it's a bit rough, but has some of that info. Also, I have lots of builds associated with pedal reviews. Most recent is the aion vector pedal. It shows the build process as well. Just look for "Build" in the title.

[@toddmcombs]

@@pougnetpedals Thanks! I will check those out! Another question...do you have a video that talks about ways to customize any pedal? As a noob I do not understand how to alter tones. Meaning what happens if I change transistors with different values etc. i see videos where they tell you exactly what to do but nit videos that give you options on how to change parts to achieve a truly customized tone. Thanks for the info!

[@pougnetpedals]

That's a tough one. Tone has lots of different contributors. RC circuits, clipping types, gain, etc. Fore example, if you have a passive tone stage (look at passive low pass filters) you can change the R and C values to change the cutoff freq. increasing the cutoff of a LPF would introduce more treble. Unfortunately its not always as simple as just changing values. Specifically with transistors. you need to ensure biasing is correct for your transistor to work correctly (forward active). It's a large topic. maybe something that can be tackled in a series of videos

[@newmanfertig886]

LOL - I have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what he's talking about. None. Zero. Zip.

[@pougnetpedals]

i dunno man, I heard it. I guess the joke was a whiff.

[@LockStoppageSandwich]

NICE 👍