aion Cadmus User manual

CADMUS DUAL BOOST 1
PROJECT NAME
CADMUS
BASED ON
EFFECT TYPE
PROJECT SUMMARY
DOCUMENT VERSION
ZVEX Super Duper
A two-channel boost composed of identical MOSFET gain stages. The boosts can be cascaded in series
or selected independently.
Dual-stage boost 1.0.0 (2023-03-24)
BUILD DIFFICULTY
Easy
Actual size is 2.3” x 1.57” (main board) and 2.3” x 1.05” (bypass board).

CADMUS DUAL BOOST 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1Project Overview 6Drill Template
2Introduction & Usage 7Enclosure Layout
3Parts List 8Wiring Diagram
4Build Notes 9Licensing
5Schematic 9Document Revisions
INTRODUCTION
The Cadmus Dual Boost is based on the ZVEX Super Duper, which is two of their SHO boost circuits in
series and independently switchable.
The SHO is an extremely simple MOSFET booster, small enough that even two of them together have
fewer components than most single effects.
The Super Duper is similar in concept to the Box of Rock, which adds a 3rd SHO stage as well as a tone
control. That effect is more of an overdrive while this is a two-stage clean boost, though with both
stages engaged this one can get into clipping if desired.
The Cadmus is a direct clone of the Super Duper with no added features other than pull-down resistors
on each input to help prevent popping.
Note that since the channels are identical to individual SHO circuits, the two gain controls exhibit the
characteristic “crackle” of the SHO when they are adjusted, since they are directly biasing the MOSFETs.
This is normal.
USAGE
The Cadmus has three knobs:
• Gain A controls the amount of gain in the first boost.
• Gain B controls the amount of gain in the second boost.
• Volume controls the gain at the output of the second boost stage. It is disabled when Channel B is
disengaged.

CADMUS DUAL BOOST 3
PARTS LIST
This parts list is also available in a spreadsheet format which can be imported directly into Mouser for
easy parts ordering. Mouser doesn’t carry all the parts—notably potentiometers—so the second tab lists
all the non-Mouser parts as well as sources for each.
View parts list spreadsheet →
PART VALUE TYPE NOTES
R1 10M Metal film resistor, 1/4W
R2 10M Metal film resistor, 1/4W
R3 5k1 Metal film resistor, 1/4W
R4 100k Metal film resistor, 1/4W
R5 10M Metal film resistor, 1/4W
R6 10M Metal film resistor, 1/4W
R7 5k1 Metal film resistor, 1/4W
R8 100R Metal film resistor, 1/4W Power supply filter resistor. Labeled R23 in original release.
RPDA 2M2 Metal film resistor, 1/4W Ch. A pull-down resistor. Can be as low as 1M.
RPDB 2M2 Metal film resistor, 1/4W Ch. B pull-down resistor. Can be as low as 1M.
LEDA 10k Metal film resistor, 1/4W Ch. A LED resistor. Adjust value to change LED brightness.
LEDB 10k Metal film resistor, 1/4W Ch. B LED resistor. Adjust value to change LED brightness.
C1 100n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C2 10uF Electrolytic capacitor, 5mm
C3 100n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C4 10uF Electrolytic capacitor, 5mm
C5 100uF Electrolytic capacitor, 6.3mm Power supply filter capacitor. Labeled C17 in original release.
C6 100n MLCC capacitor, X7R Power supply filter capacitor. Labeled C18 in original release.
D1 1N5817 Schottky diode, DO-41
D2-D3 1N5239B Zener diode, 9.1V, DO-35 Can sub any 9.1V zener, such as 1N4739A.
Q1-Q2 BS170 MOSFET, N-channel, TO-92 Can sub 2N7000, but rotate 180 degrees.
GAIN A 5kC 16mm right-angle PCB mount pot
GAIN B 5kC 16mm right-angle PCB mount pot
VOL. 50kB 16mm right-angle PCB mount pot
A.LED 5mm LED, 5mm, red diffused
B.LED 5mm LED, 5mm, red diffused
IN 1/4" mono 1/4" phone jack, closed frame Switchcraft 111X or equivalent.
OUT 1/4" mono 1/4" phone jack, closed frame Switchcraft 111X or equivalent.
DC 2.1mm DC jack, 2.1mm panel mount Mouser 163-4302-E or equivalent.
A.FSW 3PDT Stomp switch, 3PDT
B.FSW 3PDT Stomp switch, 3PDT
ENC 125B Enclosure, die-cast aluminum Can also use a Hammond 1590N1.

CADMUS DUAL BOOST 4
BUILD NOTES
MOSFET selection and pinouts
The original Super Duper uses BS170 MOSFETs, which is what this layout is designed for. These are
identical in specification to the 2N7000, but the 2N7000’s pinout is reversed. If using the 2N7000,
rotate it 180 degrees from the orientation shown on the PCB silkscreen.
R23, C18 and C19
The initial run of Cadmus PCBs had a few parts on the PCB mislabeled as follows.
• C5 (main board) is labeled C18. It should be 100uF.
• C6 (footswitch board) is labeled C19. It should be 100n.
• R8 (footswitch board) is labeled R23. It should be 100R.
The PCB diagram on page 1 shows the correct numbering, as well as the schematic on the next page.

SCHEMATIC
CADMUS DUAL BOOST 5
TO
CH.A
IN
TO
OUTPUT
JACK
FROM
INPUT
JACK
TO
CH.B
IN
FROM
CH.B
OUT
FROM
CH.A
OUT
FX 1 OUT
10k
1N5817
100uF
50kB
5kC
GND
+9V
100n
VA
BYP_GND
10M
10M
BS170
1N5239
GND
5k1
100n
100R
VA
GND
10M
10M
BS170
GND
5k1
VA
GND
10k
+9V
BYP_GND
100n
10uF
100k
GND
1N5239
5kC
GND
10uF
2M2 2M2
GND GND
CH.A IN
CH.B OUT
CH.A OUT CH.B IN
LEDA
LED_A
D1
C5
VOLUME
1
2
3
GAIN_A
1
2
3
A2
A3
A1
CH.A_A
B2
B3 B1
CH.A_B
C2
C3
C1
CH.A_C
3
3
C6
R1
R2
Q1
D2
R3
C1
R8
R5
R6
Q2
R7
LEDB
LED_B
A2
A3
A1
CH.B_A
B2
B3 B1
CH.B_B
C2
C3
C1
CH.B_C
C3
C2
R4
D3
GAIN_B
1
2
3
C4
RPDA RPDB
GND

CADMUS DUAL BOOST 6
DRILL TEMPLATE
Cut out this drill template, fold the edges and tape it to the enclosure. Before drilling, it’s recommended
to first use a center punch for each of the holes to help guide the drill bit.
Ensure that this template is printed at 100% or “Actual Size”. You can double-check this by measuring
the scale on the printed page.
Top jack layout assumes the use of closed-frame jacks like the Switchcraft 111X. If you’d rather use
open-frame jacks, please refer to the Open-Frame Jack Drill Template for the top side.
LED hole drill size assumes the use of a 5mm LED bezel, available from several parts suppliers. Adjust
size accordingly if using something different, such as a 3mm bezel, a plastic bezel, or just a plain LED.
ø3/8” ø1/2”
0.385”
0.625” 0.625”
ø3/8”
OUT DC IN
125B
GAIN B GAIN A
VOLUME
CH. B CH. A
x: -0.65, y: +1.71 x: 0.65, y: +1.71
ø9/32” ø9/32”
x: 0, y: +0.66
ø9/32”
x: -0.765, y: -1.675
ø15/32”
x: -0.765, y: -1.675
ø15/32”
x: -0.765, y: -1.10
ø5mm
x: +0.765, y: -1.10
ø5mm
CENTER (0,0)
0 1 2
CM
0 1
INCH

CADMUS DUAL BOOST 7
ENCLOSURE LAYOUT
Enclosure is shown without jacks. See next page for jack layout and wiring.
125B

CADMUS DUAL BOOST 8
WIRING DIAGRAM
125B
A.IN +VGND A.OUT B.IN B.OUT
CH.A
IN
GND +V +V JACK GND JACK
OUTIN
CH.A CH.B CH.B
OUTOUT IN

CADMUS DUAL BOOST 9
LICENSE & USAGE
No direct support is offered for these projects beyond the provided documentation. It’s assumed
that you have at least some experience building pedals before starting one of these. Replacements and
refunds cannotbe offered unless it can be shown that the circuit or documentation are in error.
All of these circuits have been tested in good faith in their base configurations. However, not all the
modifications or variations have necessarily been tested. These are offered only as suggestions based
on the experience and opinions of others.
Projects may be used for commercial endeavors in any quantity unless specifically noted. No
attribution is necessary, though a link back is always greatly appreciated. The only usage restrictions
are that (1) you cannot resell the PCB as part of a kit without prior arrangement, and (2) you cannot
“goop” the circuit, scratch off the screenprint, or otherwise obfuscate the circuit to disguise its source.
(In other words: you don’t have to go out of your way to advertise the fact that you use these PCBs, but
please don’t go out of your way to hide it. The guitar effects industry needs more transparency, not less!)
DOCUMENT REVISIONS
1.0.0 (2023-03-24)
Initial release.