Guitar Effects Switchbox

This effects switchbox will help make the stage a safer and tidier place. All your effects units can be kept out of harm’s way and seamlessly operated using a single footswitch. Guitar effects units such as distortion, flanger or phaser are fiddly to switch on and off. Each effects unit has its own mechanical switch. In order to select a particular effect, first that effect must be switched on and then the others switched off (or vice versa). Since it is rather tricky to operate the switches simultaneously, a seamless changeover is impractical. The circuit described here solves this problem in a simple and effective way. It is not limited to switching guitar effects in and out, but is suitable for similar applications where analogue signals are passed through a chain of units.

This is a MEMBER ONLY article. You need a subscription to read this article.

Benefits of a subscription

Unlimited access to online Member Only articles
3 new editions Elektor Magazine (digital)
More than 5000 Gerber files
20% member discount on e-books (at elektor.com)
10% member discount on Products (at elektor.com)

View the offers
Available from €5.33 per month.

What is Elektor Exclusive?

Materials

020181-PCB.pdf

Gerber file

CAM/CAD data for the PCB referred to in this article is available as a Gerber file. Elektor GREEN and GOLD members can exclusively download these files for free as part of their membership. Gerber files allow a PCB to be produced on an appropriate device available locally, or through an online PCB manufacturing service.

Elektor recommends the Elektor PCB Service service from its business partner Eurocircuits or AISLER as the best services for its own prototypes and volume production.

The use of our Gerber files is provided under a modified Creative Commons license. Creative Commons offers authors, scientists, educators and other creatives the freedom to handle their copyright in a more free way without losing their ownership.

PCB

Download Gerber file: 020181-1.zip

Component list

Effects switch
Resistors:
R1 = 8-way SIL array, 10k?
R2-R8 = 680?
Capacitors:
C1,C2,C7-C15 = 100nF radial
C3,C4 = 1000µF 25V radial
C5,C6 = 10µF 16V radial
Semiconductors:
B1 = B80C1500 bridge rectifier in round case (80V piv, 1.5A)
IC1 = 74HC148
IC2 = 74HC173
IC3 = 74HC138
IC4,IC5 = 4051 or MAX4617*
IC6 = 74HC04
IC8 = 7805
IC9 = 7905
LD1 = 7-segment display with common cathode (e.g., HD1133O, Siemens)
Miscellaneous:
K1 = 25-way sub-D socket (female), PCB mount, angled pins
K2,K5 = mono jack socket, 6.35 mm, PCB mount
K3,K4 = 16-way boxheader
K6 = 2-way PCB terminal block, lead pitch 7.5mm
Tr1 = mains transformer
2×9V/2.6VA (Hahn BV EI 303 2016)
IEC mains appliance inlet with integrated fuse holder
16 mono jack sockets, 6.35mm, chassis mounting
PCB, order code 020181-1
Footswitch
Semiconductors:
D1-D8 = LED, 3mm, low current
Miscellaneous:
K1 = 25-way sub-D plug (male)
S1-S8 = footswitch (e.g., Monacor/Monarch FS-10)