Spring 2024

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3-Way Pickup Selector

Replaces the mixer module, allowing dual filters to be used without a blend knob. An onboard blend trimmer sets the precise blend of the pickups in the center "both" position.

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Compact CVS Module - DONE

A new custom pot is coming in March for the CVS Volume push-pull. It will be more compact and less expensive, and will fit much better in a tight cavity like a P or J with pickguard.

 

BA Buffer - DONE

Buffer for high output active pickups like EMG X series. Pickup is attenuated at the lowest gain setting, to better match with other pickups. Lower input impedance for reduced noise.

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B5 Buffer - DONE

B5 for 5 string multicoils.

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BZ, and BH Buffers

Fill out the rest of the family of buffers. B5 for 5 string multicoils, BZ for piezos, and a BH "HumBuffer", which buffers each coil of a humbucker (or single plus dummy coils) separately, with a hum trimmer.

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Parametric Treble EQ for Filters

An EQ module for mixing treble back into filtered signals. It will have a stacked pot with frequency and boost settings.

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Improved FT Treble Boost Filter - DONE

Switching is now dead quiet, the gain trimmer adjustment is linear, and there is a slight reduction in noise.

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Shelving EQ Modules - DONE

Bass and treble EQs with shelving (instead of peaking) filters. These are gentle first order filters like the bass and treble on the ET5 Triple EQ. They are perfect for a bass/treble two-hole setup.

 

Low and High EP Modules - DONE

Extended range peaking EQs that together cover the whole range of the bass. This will give the same setup as the old ED5.1 with two bands of EQ.

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Fall 2023

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New "Pedal Board" Architecture - Done

A re-packaging of the circuits to lower cost and complexity, and allow more combinations of modules. See the News page for updates.

 

Investigation of a DSP-based Onboard Preamp

I will be looking into the feasibility of this. Imagine hooking up with your phone and being able to switch between dual filters and EQ, or "Underhill style", "Alembic style", or "Wal style" filters, or to tune the EQ points to whatever you desire. The controls would be encoders, so all of this would be possible without changing pots; just download the new profile.

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Non-linear Switched Q Filters

These are a version of the FS filters that will be replacements for Wal preamps. The Q is varied over the frequency range. There will be separate neck and bridge versions with different tunings.

 

Summer 2023

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ES5 Single Band EQ Module - In Testing

A wide range parametric "mid" control that slightly favors the bass end. Very useful for P and J basses, and uses only 450 µA.  I am now experimenting with a possible single knob "tilt" control as an implementation

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Generation 5 System - Done

The fifth generation products are re-tuned based on customer feedback, have more headroom, and are slightly cheaper to make, so prices will come down a little. 

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CF5 Push-Pull Frequency Pots - Done

These will allow you to switch Q levels and operate bypass or treble boost from a push-pull on the single frequency knobs. With the FS Filter, you can toggle between any two levels.

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ED5 Dual Band EQ Module (2 stacked knobs) - Done

A bass/treble two hole parametric EQ based on the old "Paradactyl" module. Sweepable bass and treble peaking controls with two stacked knobs.

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ET5 Triple Band EQ Module (3 stacked knobs) - Done

Classic bass/mid/treble EQ, but all three bands are parametric, with sweepable frequency. The bass and treble are shelving controls and the mid is peaking.

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Spring 2023

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Grinder Bass Bridge - ON HOLD

See the "News" for posts about the bridge; mechanical development is on hold due to a big move of the company and equipment. The prototype is on the new Grinder bass, and I have completed a design for a manufacturable version. 

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FT4.3 Treble Filter - DONE

It took months, but a different filter topology with exactly the same response as the current FT4 has finally been implemented. The main reason for the change is to eliminate one op-amp and get the power consumption down.

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Winter 2022/23

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FS5 Switched Q Filter - DONE

A new FS Filter that replaces the FQ, FS, and FY filters with a single universal filter. It has three resonance boost levels, 0/5/10 dB like the FY. Onboard switches configure it for fixed Q at one of the three levels. With an external S1 switch and one cable it can be set to toggle between 0/5, 0/10, or 5/10 dB. With an S3 switch and two cables it can be configured like the FY for 0/5/10 dB switching.

 

FE4 Three Band Parametric EQ - DONE

A three band (bass/mid/treble) semi-parametric EQ with 9 dB of boost/cut and variable frequency on each band. Uses three of the same CD4 stacked pots as the FP4 and FV4 filters. Like a traditional preamp, it is intended for the blended channel or a single pickup bass, but you could put one on each pickup if you have enough room for all the knobs!

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FY4 Switched Q Filter - DONE

A resonant low pass filter like the FS4, but with three switchable (low/medium/high) Q settings.

 

PS4 Single Preamp - DONE

Single pickup version of the PD4, updated with bypass selector, and now with two filter slots that can be run in series or parallel (this means you can use the FT4 treble boost filter).

 

CD4 Concentric Pots - DONE

Stacked pots with a center-detented upper knob for Q or boost/cut, and a lower knob for frequency control.

PD4 Dual Preamp - DONE

The 4th Generation preamp. The bypass switches will move to the preamp, and the filter loop jumpers for unused filter connections will go away (there will be an onboard switch). This will make the filters simpler and cheaper, and improve the performance of the bypass, since the signal chain is shortened significantly, and they are "true bypass". The filters will be simplified, and everything will have a "XX4" designation. Old and new filters are still compatible.

 

FP4 Parametric EQ - DONE

A dual band parametric boost and cut control with variable frequency centers. Boards are out for fabrication, so it's coming very soon.

 

FT4 Treble Boost Filter - DONE

This is perhaps the most requested feature, mainly by the "Wal-Nuts", and will plug into the post-blend ("mix") filter position. It takes dry signals from one of the pickups (switch selectable on the board) and mixes treble frequencies back into the final signal. The filter gain can be set via a trimmer on the filter board. The filter is activated with an S2 switch or VS2 volume push-pull. The FT4 will require a PD4 or PS4 preamp.

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Future Products

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PM5 Dual Series Preamp - On Hold

A new preamp for dual pickups, with two filter connections in series. This will allow many new filter combinations for post-blend setups, like a DI out, distortion, HPF for sub bass, onboard compression, etc. The first stage would typically be an equalizer module like the FE, FD, FP, or FM.  (NOTE: This functionality is currently possible with the PS preamp.)

 

Top-Loading Thru-Body String Ferrules

These have tested out swimmingly on the Grinder. I love them! I'm currently looking for a fabricator. See the "News" and Grinder photos for details. They allow you to remove and replace strings in a string-thru configuration, since the button end of the string will pass through the body.

 

PP4 Mag/Piezo Preamp​​

A PD4 with one magnetic and one piezo front end.

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Balanced DI Output Module

Module to use in the mixed position for a TRS or XLR output cable.

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Headphone Output Module

Module to use in the mixed position for headphone output.

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"Fun Filter" - Overdrive

I am working on a quick and dirty overdrive filter that can be toggled with a bypass, and possibly adjusted with a single "drive" knob.

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