Thursday 9 January 2014

Providence Sonic Drive SDR-5

Another one from Providence and another which is most definitely inspired by the TS808.  Based on the clips I've heard, like the Stampede it also sounds pretty good and so I have no doubt a few people will fancy throwing one of these together.

Manufacturers info:

An Overdrive with greater presence

Based on the old SDR-4 which has a uniquely characteristic fast attack and effective edgy sound, a newly added feature cuts out unwanted elements which can affect the presence of your sound. This gives a punchy cutting sound with a full, enhanced low midrange, and provides a new level of presence that represents an evolution in overdrive sound. Even with distortion, the sound and balance of each string remains clear. And in a band environment, a full and vibrant sound can be realized without being masked by the sound of other instruments.

FAT Switch

The FAT switch can be used to control the low frequency range. Turning the FAT switch ON raises the gain in the low frequency range, enabling the production of a particularly fat sound.







16 comments:

  1. any suggestions for transistors?


    thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aah oh yeah, well spotted :o)

      The original uses 2SC3198 which has a BCE layout. But as they're not very common and as it is simply a unity gain buffer and so the type will make no audible difference, I did it based around one of our usual transistors, 2N3904, 2N5088 etc.

      If you do want to use the original type then you'll need to twist the collector and base pins around so the pins match the layout.

      Delete
  2. Hi all.
    Will 1n4148 work in place of 1s1588. If I read their datasheets correctly it will, but I defer to
    anyone with more or similar experience than I. This is the best projuect website ever. I have
    built about 50 effects and want to post pix of my board but don't know how. Help anyone....
    jeffrey dale

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jeff, yes they should be fine to use.
      As far as posting pics goes, unfortunately Blogspot don't let you upload images with your comments, so what people usually do is open a Photobucket account (or similar), upload the images there and post the links in the comments here.

      Alternatively I think that the forum does allow you to upload images, but it is nice when the images are in the comments of the same post to keep things in the right place.

      Delete
  3. VERIFIED!
    I know, I know... Just another TS, so little risk in going for this one even if it has not been verified yet... ^^
    But I like what I hear in the video, and I do not, like some of the people on this blog, already have a dozen TS-like clones on my shelf, so I thought I'd bring a little share of proactive, my (very) modest contribution. :-)
    And I have to say I am glad I have. I have built this one with the original 1S1588 diodes, which I have got from a seller on eBay, and the recommended 2N5088, and I do like it a lot. The clipping sounds very natural, and the overall tone is a bit less nasal than the TS-808 clone I have built recently. The FAT switch sounds audible to me at low volume, unlike what the video suggests, adding a little “oomph” to the sound, not overwhelming with bass.
    I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try, and maybe considering testing a few other builds with these 1S1588s instead of the usual 1N4148s or 1N914s. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's excellent, thanks for verifying Frédéric!

      Delete
    2. Thank YOU, not just for the layout, but also for the way you (and quite a number of people, here) are always helping everybody out by sharing knowledge. :)

      Delete
  4. What's the different between sonic drive and flame drive? Have u make the layout for flame drive? Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Had found myself preferring FET drives, so I'd burried this one at the bottom of a drawer. I pulled it out, the other day, and replaced the 1S1588 with a pair of 2N7000, connecting the drain in place of the anode, and the source in place of the cathode (or vice versa), and tying the gate to the drain. I also replaced the JRC4558D by a JRC4558DD and holy smoke! This things definityely rocks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi all, I get high pitched noise when I turn the either tune or level pots pass 80%.

    Please advise, appreciate and thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have you boxed it already? The grounded enclosure usually tames similar issues. Upping the 33p cap for 56-100p could be another option to tame the oscillation.
      +m

      Delete
    2. it works, thanks a lot.

      Delete
    3. it works, thanks a lot.

      Delete