Effects - Pedals, Multi-Effects, and Floor Boxes

[arcadesonfire]

Hi folks, I'm trying to build a mute box. I've got this old BYOC booster project sitting here that I don't really need. So I can take out the guts and still have a 3DPT, mono jack, stereo jack, and LED. Is it possible to build a mute pedal--which won't make a pop when engaged/bypassed--with just these parts?

Can anyone offer instructions? Thanks

[lefort_1]

You'll get a pop if you don't use at least a pulldown resistor and a cap.

Also, you'll need a current-limiting resistor for the LED, and a battery/snap.

You probably have most of the stuff you need in the boost-kit.

[arcadesonfire]

Thanks. i've got a lot of resistors and caps lying around. So thanks for the tips.

Do you have any advice where I should look to find an easy-to-read diagram for putting it together? Google hasn't quite gotten results. I've seen people on different forums giving different advice about little parts of the circuit, but I haven't found diagrams that show everything put together. Any ideas where to look aside from typing "building mute box" into google?

[lefort_1]

well....how do you want this to function?

1. As a "mute everything in the chain, but allow me to tune" ?
2. As a just shut off the signal...silence the signal at the guitar, but leave the chain "alive" ?
3. As a "Silence the chain right before the amp....and ground out the input to the amp too" ?
4. As a box that turns off the signal chain AND turns on a blindingly bright, blue, LED SIGN that screams "SILENCE" to the audience so you can feel the power of being on stage just.one.more.time.

...ahem...

Anyway, did you have any specifics in mind?

[TomVanDeven]

It's impossible. Just give up.

[Mr.Grumpy]

If you need to roll with a store-bought gizmo, there's this: 

http://www.ehx.com/products/signal-pad

Just turn the knob to zero. 

It would be super-simple to build one too. Just have the 'hot wire' connected to both the input and output jacks; run another wire from the 'hot' to a footswitch, then a contact from the footswitch to ground. When the unit's "on" both input and output will be grounded. 

[Dr.Picklebottom]

just rip the cable out of the guitar and throw the it across the stage, followed by the guitar.

[macadood]

yea, just keep the booster circuit as is and put volume to zero on it...BOOM. or just snip a part of the circuit, just cut off one resister and that should silence it when engaged

[lefort_1]

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Mr.Grumpy wrote:

It would be super-simple to build one too. Just have the 'hot wire' connected to both the input and output jacks; run another wire from the 'hot' to a footswitch, then a contact from the footswitch to ground. When the unit's "on" both input and output will be grounded. 

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POP!

Lots a pedals have small DC levels on their output (design and/or component flaw) ...nailing that straight to ground will pop like a mofo.

[Mr.Grumpy]

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lefort_1 wrote:

POP!

Lots a pedals have small DC levels on their output (design and/or component flaw) ...nailing that straight to ground will pop like a mofo.

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1 meg dropping resistor? Yep, it's impossible after all.