Oscillators sans Solder

I created some noise finally. I like it. Simple. 2 oscillators with pots for pitch control. Cooler with overdrive. Project from Handmade Electronic Music. Awesomeness. No solder, yet. 

Project 3 Unsuccess

Double Fucksticks! I am working on a Fuzz pedal clone called the Bionic Guzzfun. I really felt in my heart this one would work, but after testing I am met with failure. This wouldn't have been so bad if I had not just failed on 2 other attempts to make an Atari Punk Console. The electronic music god spits in my face. Bastard. I am getting a clean signal, so I must have a circuit, but no fuzzy chaos. I have a message in to the head Poodle at Poodle parts, just for recommendations on what to try. We'll see what he says.

Here are some photos I took of the project, hoping they would be accompanied by a nice sound or video clip of the pedal working. I send a prayer out to St. Isidore that I can get it working in the next few days.

I know this is not something I can be instantly successful at but I really need a little boost. I am just trying to make a little noise. Maybe I will go bang some trash can lids or something. I could always just practice my guitar more. I really want to wow my bandmates with this pedal. Seriously bummed. 

Feedback Loop

Loop created with two effects pedals. The Swollen Pickle and a Cheap Arion Phaser with a stereo output. Really cool noise I thought.

Project 2: Confidence Boost

My second project was a kit by BYOC. The device is a simple volume boost. It has one potentiometer for gain that you adjust with a screwdriver. It runs around $14.99. The purpose of this kit is to get your feet wet at a low cost. If you fuck up soldering you've only lost a few bucks. I did not fuck up too bad and the thing actually works. The directions were pretty clear and includes useful info about the different parts and how to populate a circuit board. The most interesting part was figuring out the color code on tiny resistors. Every resistor has a number of color rings printed around it to indicate it's resistance value and tolerance or how close to that that value it may be.

 My soldering went pretty well.

Populated circuit board.

 Mounting device in enclosure.
I used a mint tin. My holes for the in and out jacks had to be moved to make room for the battery, leaving 2 unsightly holes in the enclosure. Everything was super snug in the mint tin. It didn't really fit right. Hence, the black electricians tape

Unsightly hole.