Author Archives: aaron

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my website. I’m a professional software developer who has been working for over 12 years on a wide variety of interesting and challenging projects. I’ve done everything from database driven web application development to desktop applications to multi-tiered client/server solutions taking on such varying roles in the development lifecycle as application architect, lead developer, database designer, technical lead, release manager, and systems administrator. Since 2004 I’ve specialized in developing embedded systems for the Digital Signage industry.

Here’s a link to my resume in PDF format:

Resume for Aaron S. Flynt

More DIY effects pedal builds

Range Chicken II
I really like the soft switches from AMZFX and wanted some more room on my pedalboard so I did a new version of this pedal using negative ground wiring and with the enclosure oriented ‘tallwise.’ Unfortunately, the negative ground is causing noise issues with the Fried Chicken Fuzz even with that huge filtering capacitor. I’ll probably gut it again soon and use positive ground wiring with a charge pump.
Reiterator Dual Analog Delay
This thing sounds fantastic. It’s two delay pedals in one enclosure. The circuits were built using “Aquaboy” pre-etched PCBs from Madbean pedals that are essentially copies of the original Way Huge Aqua Puss or Boss DM-2.

Here’s a demo video: Reiterator Delay Demo Video
Klone Overdrive
This is basically a clone of the Klon Centaur Professional Overdrive. It was built using a Sunking pre-etched PCB from Madbean Pedals. I’ve since converted it over to true bypass operation. The buffer in this is pretty natural sounding, but I just prefer the sound of the guitar without one.

Here’s a demo video: Klone Overdrive Demo Video
Hunny Bee Overdrive
This is a clone of the Honey Bee Overdrive that I built using a pre-etched “Yellow Shark” PCB from Madbean Pedals. I really liked this one at first, but I’ve since stopped using it. I just doesn’t cut as well as the Klone or Taijidrive when used live. It does have a really natural ‘small amp cranked up’ kind of overdrive tone, though.

Here’s a demo video: Hunny Bee Overdrive Demo Video
Taijidrive Overdrive
This pedal has become my favorite overdrive. It’s a clone of a Zendrive built using a Madbean “Serendipity” pre-etched PCB. I’ve opted for a JRC-4558D opamp instead of the AD712 used in the original. I think the pedal sounds much fatter and more open with that chip.

Here’s a demo video: Taijidrive Overdrive Demo Video
CE-2 Chorus Clone
This is a clone of a Boss CE-2 chorus pedal that I built using a Tonepad pre-etched PCB. I wound up using an LM-833N op-amp chip in there in place of the stock JRC-4558D. The LM-833N makes the effect less dull sounding and more lush. I’ve also changed the graphics a bit since I took this picture. It now has white knobs and is called “That ’80s Pedal.”
Green Ringer Clone
This is a clone of a Dan Armstrong Green Ringer that I built using a pre-etched PCB from General Guitar Gadgets. Sonically, it’s somewhere between a ring modulator and octave up effect. When combined with a fuzz it sounds a lot like the solo on Purple Haze or Blue on Black.

My Guitar Effects Pedals

Uniphase Phaser / Impulse Tremolo

Uniphase Phaser / Impulse Tremolo guitar effects pedal.

Uniphase Phaser / Impulse Tremolo Internals

The internals of my Uniphase Phaser / Impulse Tremolo guitar effects pedal.

Uniphase Phaser / Impulse Tremolo

This pedal is a combination of two different guitar effects pedals. The first is a heavily modified mid 90s MXR Phase 90. I’ve converted the circuit over to the orignal script logo 70’s model schematic, added a flashing led to indicate the oscillator speed, and also added a switch for different phasing textures. The switch has 3 positions, “Phase 90” (stock phase sound), “Leslie” (more of a rotating speaker sound), and “Univibe” (approximation of the classic Univibe pedal sound). The switch toggles 4 different capacitors between 3 different values each. The stock caps are all .05uF, and the switch toggles in more staggered values similar to the values in the Univibe circuit. In the center “Leslie” position the caps are put in series.

The second pedal is based on a classic tremolo circuit published in Electronics Australia magazine back in the late 60s. I purchased the circuit board for this effect from guitarpcb.com, and sourced the components separately (mostly from Mouser). This effect also has a flashing led. The effect has a classic Fender Blackface style tremolo sound but uses transistors instead of an opto-coupler to generate the effect.
Fried Chicken / Rangemaster

Fried Chicken / Rangemaster guitar effects pedal.

Fried Chicken / Rangemaster Internals

The internals of my Fried Chicken / Rangemaster guitar effects pedal.

Fried Chicken / Rangemaster

This is a combination of two pedals that I constructed in the past. The first, the “Fried Chicken” is a variation of the original Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face pedal. I’ve done away with the fuzz control since I always just left it all the way up and used the guitar volume all the time anyway. I’ve also added a “sizzle” control which adjusts the bias of the transistors to compensate for the temperature variation issues they have.

The second pedal is an enhanced copy of the Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster. I’ve added a 3 way selectable “range” control which adjusts the lower frequency of the boost effect between high (stock), midrange, and low end.

Here’s a sound sample of the Rangemaster using the neck pickup of my Strat through my Deluxe Reverb: Crossroads Solo
Gizmo

Gizmo guitar effects pedal.

Gizmo Internals

The internals of my Gizmo guitar effects pedal.

Gizmo

This pedal is my take on the Ibanez Tube Screamer. It’s a simplified circuit without input or output buffers and tweaked part values.
Cyborg Rat

My Cyborg Rat guitar effects pedal.

Cyborg Rat Internals

The internals of my Cyborg Rat guitar effects pedal.

Cyborg Rat

This is basically a hacked up mid 90s Pro Co Rat II pedal with an added “snarl” knob.

The Keepers

Now playing Guitar with my Dad in eclectic ’60 music ensemble:

The Keepers

They don’t seem to be a bit concerned that I wasn’t even alive back then. I guess that means I’m starting to get old. 🙂

Practice Room

This application has been sitting around on my hard drive collecting dust for over a year. It’s an iTunes like program for helping musicians learn songs. In addition to allowing you to organize music into lists, you can also change the speed and pitch of the songs as well as target and remove specific instruments from the stereo mix.

Practice Room Features:

  • Organize Music into ‘songlists’.
  • Change the pitch of music.
  • Change the speed of music.
  • Remove selected instruments from the stereo mix.
  • 31 Band graphic equalizer with preset for removing/isolating bass.
  • Button for allowing you to play along with the music. (The selected audio input device from System Preferences is mixed in with the currently playing song)
  • Ability to repeat a song or entire song list.

I had originally planned on adding more features (like looping) and releasing it as a commercial (non-free) program, but I just don’t have the time right now to do that. Someday I might actually get around to that, but in the mean time I’m going to let people play around with this pre-alpha version for free.

WARNING: This program has no expressed or implied warranty of any kind. Redistributing, modifying or selling this program without consent of the program author (me) is forbidden.

PracticeRoom Application – Universal Binary (692kb zipped dmg)

Obligatory Screenshot: