Elektor’s very own YouTube channel recently had two new videos added, one showcasing the operation of the Digital Multi-effects Unit published in the September 2010 edition and another in which the freshly developed guitar preamp extension is demonstrated. The preamp is described in the May 2011 edition of the magazine.

 

Both videos allow the impact of effects switching on the guitar sound to be heard. Designer Thijs Beckers also explains briefly how to tweak the preamp to achieve a personalized sound. Provision is made in the circuit for this to be done easily.

 

The preamp is based on the famous Ibanez TS-9. Gain, Tone and Volume are adjustable and there is provision for a bypass. The Digital Multi-effects Unit employs the FV-1 chip from Spin Semiconductor and some standard effects offered by the board include Reverb, Delay, Chorus, Flanger, Tremolo and Pitch Shifter. In addition, parts of the chip can be programmed to store user defined presets (up to 64).