What to build with a Zendrive kit?

Chalky

I know, obviously, but I have 2 Zendrive clones already and found an old Bitsbox Zendrive kit in the back of my drawer.  

Question for you pedal builders. What similar pedal could I use the components for, while still producing something sonically different to a Zendrive?

Sporky

From a quick Google it's basically a TS style topology.

Different clipping? Maybe put a no-load pot in between the output and input as a feedback path, and a 5K pot in the supply line to get gated fuzzy noises?

simonk

A time machine or teleportation device is where I'd be focusing my efforts!

ICBM

A Timmy. It's the same basic circuit but with minor differences, especially the clipping components.

TimmyO

It's a TS with different clipping and a voice control that trades gain for low end.

Maybe make a good old fashioned tubescreamer? 

ThorpyFX

So the combo of the MOSFET and the Schottky diodes in the zendrive gives a very smooth type of clipping, this coupled with the presence control gives the zendrive its unique voicing. If you want to experiment you can't go badly wrong by adjusting the clipping stage. In this circuit it'll make a big difference. Something with a higher forward voltage like red leds or even higher blue LEDs. Will give you a much less clipped sound, it'll take much more signal for them to clip and when they do, it'll do so in a musical manner. For more fun combine them in different configurations. use your ears and enjoy. 

ICBM

TimmyO said:

It's a TS with different clipping and a voice control that trades gain for low end.

It's actually a TS with Rat filtering really… on the Rat, the Voice (bass on the Timmy) control is fixed, but it's essentially the same circuit. All of them use the Rat's 'filter' control after the TS gain/clipping stage (treble on the Timmy, tone on the Zendrive).

I've always been curious as to whether the Timmy (or Tim) or the Zendrive came first, but I've never been able to find a clear answer.

Chalky

Firstly, thank you all very much for giving me such prompt help. Secondly, thank you all for being so kind and generous with your expert knowledge to everyone on here.  I know I'm not the only one who is very grateful!

PS This doesn't apply to @simonk, only because he didn't include the schematics for the time machine or teleportation device....

Chalky

ThorpyFX said:

So the combo of the MOSFET and the Schottky diodes in the zendrive gives a very smooth type of clipping, this coupled with the presence control gives the zendrive its unique voicing. If you want to experiment you can't go badly wrong by adjusting the clipping stage. In this circuit it'll make a big difference. Something with a higher forward voltage like red leds or even higher blue LEDs. Will give you a much less clipped sound, it'll take much more signal for them to clip and when they do, it'll do so in a musical manner. For more fun combine them in different configurations. use your ears and enjoy. 

Does LED size make a difference? Just going to order some off Ebay. Can you set them up asymetrically? 2+1?

ThorpyFX

Chalky said:

ThorpyFX said:

So the combo of the MOSFET and the Schottky diodes in the zendrive gives a very smooth type of clipping, this coupled with the presence control gives the zendrive its unique voicing. If you want to experiment you can't go badly wrong by adjusting the clipping stage. In this circuit it'll make a big difference. Something with a higher forward voltage like red leds or even higher blue LEDs. Will give you a much less clipped sound, it'll take much more signal for them to clip and when they do, it'll do so in a musical manner. For more fun combine them in different configurations. use your ears and enjoy. 

Does LED size make a difference? Just going to order some off Ebay. Can you set them up asymetrically? 2+1?

Use 3mm leds for compactness, I use 5mm but it's the forward voltage that's key not the size of the LED. You can set them up   assymetrically for a different flavour, the key thing though is to experiment and settle on what you love 

Chalky

Thanks again @ThorpyFX !

Sporky

You can attach diodes to toggle switches and then flick between 'em. I did a few pedals with rotary switches to choose up to 6 different clipping combos, but they were a bit fiddly.