AC RC Booster SMD

The AC Booster and RC Booster are legendary pedals, known for smooth overdrive and transparent clean boost. Build your own version with this pre-assembled PCB.
Steps
  1. Overview
  2. PCB
  3. Enclosure and wiring
  4. Drilling template
Categories
Tayda Electronics Kits, DIY Projects, DIY Guitar Effects
Created by DHEA
Status: Active
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PCB Step 2 of 4

COMPONENTS

PCB
PCB          AC RC PCB

Potentiometers
GAIN        1M-B         1M OHM LINEAR POTENTIOMETER (AC Booster, higher gain)
GAIN        500k-B      500K OHM LINEAR POTENTIOMETER (AC Booster, mid gain)
GAIN        250k-B      250K OHM LINEAR POTENTIOMETER (RC Booster, lower gain)
VOL          100k-B      100K OHM LINEAR POTENTIOMETER
BASS        50k-B        50K OHM LINEAR POTENTIOMETER
TREBLE     50k-B        50K OHM LINEAR POTENTIOMETER

DIP Switch
DIP SWITCH 4 POSITIONS (Optional)

Connector
4 PINS XH-2.54 MALE CONNECTOR (Optional)

 

GAIN POTENTIOMETER

  • RC Booster (250k-B): Keeps the signal clean and transparent.
  • AC Booster (500k-B): Pushes the pedal into a warm overdrive.
  • AC Booster (1M-B): Pushes the pedal into high gain overdrive.

 

PCB

SCHEMATIC

DIP SWITCH SETTINGS

Use a DIP switch for versatility, or wire jumpers to create a fixed configuration. With the switch in the "ON" position, the circuit is closed (shorted), which is the same as creating a permanent connection with a wire jumper. The following DIP switch configuratations are sorted by distortion level. From LED having more open and clean sound, to a pair of silicon diodes with smooth overdrive.

 

S4: LED clipping    

S4 OFF: cleaner sound with high headroom. It provides crunch at high gain and clean at low gain.

S4 ON: engages the silicon diode network, enabling the specific clipping configurations for S1, S2, and S3.

 

S1, S2 and S3: silicon diode clipping    

S1 ON, S2 OFF, S3 OFF: symetric stage with 6 diodes. High headroom and very transparent sound. Original setting for the RC Booster.

S1 OFF, S2 ON, S3 OFF: asymetric stage with 5 diodes. High headroom response with uneven clipping.

S1 OFF, S2 OFF, S3 ON: asymetric stage with 5 diodes. Original setting for the new AC Booster.

S1 ON, S2 OFF, S3 ON: symetric stage with 4 diodes. More compression with even clipping.

S1 OFF, S2 ON, S3 ON: asymetric stage with 3 diodes. More aggressive clipping. The setting for the original AC Booster.

S1 ON, S2 ON, S3 ON:  symetric stage with 2 diodes. High saturation and compression. Best for smooth and sustaining lead tones.

 

 

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