After the "doubt stage" that I mentioned in my previous post regarding this project, now is the simplification stage.
I was thrilled to find new schematics and new ways to get my 3-channel no-tube yet-analog guitar preamp. But honestly, I was overwhelmed too. I mean, wasn't all this a bit ambitious ? Considering all that must be done, will all of this be finished one day ?
Then one word came to my mind : a roadmap. As in any project, mostly in IT, there will be an MVP (minimum viable product), then a V1, and why not a V2, etc. So the key word is the evolutivity: build this preamp in a way that makes future versions (quite) easily reachable.
Main or core features of my preamp
- Treble booster with variable frequency based on Jack Orman's Mini Booster: ✅Done and verified
- +9V,+5V power distribution for any upcoming circuit: ✅Done and verified
- IN and OUT management to plug or unplug any circuit easily (solderless) : 🚧ongoing
- MIDI control to select one of the 4 available channels (4 is the max capacity of the CD4052) : ⭐to be done
- 7-segment LED display to show which channel is selected :⭐ to be done
- Buffered mono output :⭐to be done
Minimum viable preamp (MVP)
For the very least, I need:
- A Clean channel inspired by Azabache of Runoffgroove : ⭐To be done
- A Rhythm channel based on Zvex's Box of Rock : ✅❓Done and not yet verified
Next feature
- A Lead channel based on BSIAB2 schematics
- Bypass feature for treble booster
Features set aside
- Stereo output. I will implemented it later if needed. I will certainly purchase a magnificent Eventide H90 which will handle the pseudo-stereo image of my sound. Therefore, no need to have a stereo output for now.
- Channel merge. It is a nice-to-have feature. For now, it is an overhead as I need a signal splitter right after the treble booster, and a signal merger or mixer after the 3 or 4 circuits, then a Arduino controlled switcher to turn off the circuits outputs individually.
- The Orange Squeezer as a first stage of my signal chain will be assembled and integrated later. I may remove the treble booster in the preamp if I implement my enhanced Orange Squeezer compressor
To be continued...