MDD Effect
MDD Effect
MDD Effect
While it is not “extremely” complicated to build, I would only recommend this to people
who know how to handle SMD soldering and also know how to program the FV-1 (as I cannot
guarantee any support in this regard)
The FV-1 chip is in SOIC28 format (SMD). All other components are through hole.
The PCB was designed to use mini board-mounted rotary switch like these:
It also uses 16mm right angle PCB mount pots like these:
Of course, if you don't use board mounted pots and switches you can use any type you like.
I am no SMD expert but I would advise starting populating the PCB with the FV-1 chip as it is
easier to access, and then follow whatever usual method you usually prefer.
First populate the components side of the PCB, then the back side with the pots and
switches.
A few words about the circuit:
Apart from the circuitry supporting the FV-1 chip, which is more or less straight from the
datasheet, you can see an input buffer and a mixing stage mixing the buffered direct signal
with the output of the FV-1. The hardware mixing works fine in most cases and avoids
dedicating one of the 3 pots controlling the FV-1 parameters. Sadly with some programs
where the signal coming from the FV-1 is too similar to the direct signal, there is some
phasing effect because of the very slight latency or phase shift introduced by the DSP.
There is an internal trimpot to adjust the volume.
I also added a hardware feedback path that takes the right output of the FV-1 and feeds it
back to the right input through a pot.
The 8 programs loaded in the external EEPROM are selected with an 8 position rotary switch
and a network of diode logic.
Next to the FV-1 there is a cap labeled C14*. It is normally not needed but I included it
after hearing some people mentioning having stability problems with certain brands of
oscillators. That second 22p cap is supposed to help in these cases. I have never had the
issue, so it’s there just in case.
The POT0 input on the FV-1 is connected to either a pot or the jack for external expression
input. A momentary switch is also inserted to this input. A 4 position rotary selects between
the use of the pot or expression input each time with the option to have the momentary
switch going high or low.
I added the momentary switch mainly to use it for an infinite reverb effect (freeze) and
also for tap tempo.
There is a 3 pin connector on the PCB to allow programming the EEPROM in circuit but you
can also program the EEPROM in a programmer directly.
The pedal needs to be powered when programming the chip and you need to disconnect the
programmer once the flashing is done. (I have added a switch between my programmer and
the MDD to avoid having to pull out the connector every time)
Then you need to change to a different program on the MDD to activate the new programs.
The controls:
• pot_0, pot_1, pot_1, pot_2 : control a parameter each from the FV-1 program.
• Feedback: feeds the right output of the FV-1 back to right input of the FV-1
Important note: for R28, populate a 1uF film cap instead of a resistor. Otherwise the
feedback knob will crackle a bit when turned.
Drill Template
(only to serve as a guide, make your own measurements to make sure everything fits,
before drilling)