Lithium Grim Klon-ed Buffer Instruction Manual

Klon-ed Buffer
Building instructions
V1.1

Klon-ed Buffer v1.1
Manufacturers and product names are mentioned solely for circuit identification, and where applicable their trademarks are the
property of their respective owners who are in no way associated or affiliated with the author. No cooperation or endorsement
is implied.
22
Table of contents
Components ............................................................................................................................................ 3
PCB layout ............................................................................................................................................... 3
General building tips ............................................................................................................................... 4
Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Off board wiring ...................................................................................................................................... 5
Schematic ................................................................................................................................................ 5
Read this entire manual thoroughly before you start building!
Last update: 16-05-2016

Klon-ed Buffer v1.1
Manufacturers and product names are mentioned solely for circuit identification, and where applicable their trademarks are the
property of their respective owners who are in no way associated or affiliated with the author. No cooperation or endorsement
is implied.
33
Components
Name
Value
Comment
C1
100n
MKT/WIMA/SMF
C2
4u7
Electrolytic 10V+
C3
47u
Electrolytic 10V+
C4
47u
Electrolytic 10V+
D1
1N4742
Zener 12V
IC1
TL072
R1
1M
1% metalfilm
R2
27k
1% metalfilm
R3
27k
1% metalfilm
R4
100k
1% metalfilm
R5
560R
1% metalfilm
PCB layout
Besides the components mentioned in the components table on this page, you will need:
2 input jacks. 2 mono jacks if you are not going to use a battery but only the 9V adapter. 1
mono (for output) and 1 stereo jack (for input) if you will be using both a 9V battery and the
9V adapter.
3PDT footswitch (9 pins). I also sell an easy off board circuit for true bypass.
2,1mm DC jack (isolated).
9v battery clip (optional).
22 gage stranded hook-up wire.
1 x 3mm LED as status LED.
Hammond 1590A case (or similar) in your favorite color.

Klon-ed Buffer v1.1
Manufacturers and product names are mentioned solely for circuit identification, and where applicable their trademarks are the
property of their respective owners who are in no way associated or affiliated with the author. No cooperation or endorsement
is implied.
44
General building tips
It is advised to socket the IC1 using a DIP-8 socket so it can be easily replaced in case it breaks or if
you want to test other Op amps. Start by soldering the resistors, the diode, then the DIP-8 socket and
finish by soldering the capacitors.
There is some discussion on the internet about the right way the buffer should be designed. To
prevent me from taking any sides, I incorporated all versions in this built. If you use all components
on the PCB you will get as close as possible to the “original” Klon buffer™ with all capacitors and
diode as used in the original schematic. On the other hand, most other versions do not use C4 and D1
and use 100k resistors for both R2 and R3, as well as a 1uF non polarized MKT/SMF/Wima for C2. You
can decide for yourself which side you are on and build accordingly. I never noticed any sound
difference.
Another thing. Most designs use a TL072 dual Op amp as they are cheap and almost all DIY fanatics
have bins full of them. But the design only uses 1 of the Op amps. Potential problem is that the
unused Op amp will introduce noise and extra power consumption. To prevent this I tied the unused
negative input of the second Op amp to Vref and the positive input to the output of the second Op
amp. This will prevent any problems (see article below). And yes… I could have designed it using a
single Op amp (eg. TL071), but a lot of purists do not want that as the original uses a TL072.
For some reading on the technology:
Manticorefx –Why all Klon buffers are wrong
Texas Insturments –What to do with unused Op amp
Troubleshooting
All PCB’s have been 100% factory e-tested and out of every batch I receive I build an effect to double
check, so there should not be a connection problem on the PCB itself.
The board is not working (at all), what now?
Check if your 9V is plugged in correctly (and/or soldered correctly on the PCB).
Check that you oriented the capacitors, IC’s ,transistors and diodes the right way. SMF, MKT
capacitors and resistors do not need to be oriented.
Check if you used the correct values of the components. For resistors you can look here:
http://www.diyaudioandvideo.com/Electronics/Color/
Double and triple check your soldering! A loose or cold solder can be really bad for your
board.
Replace the IC’s and transistors, one might be defective. Before doing that, first unplug the
9V and wait 5 seconds.
Check that you have good/high grade components. A lot of Chinese sourced parts are fakes
(especially high end op-amps, vintage diodes and transistors) so be careful that you source
your parts from reliable suppliers.

Klon-ed Buffer v1.1
Manufacturers and product names are mentioned solely for circuit identification, and where applicable their trademarks are the
property of their respective owners who are in no way associated or affiliated with the author. No cooperation or endorsement
is implied.
55
Off board wiring
S
Tip
Sleeve
Sleeve
Output Jack
Input Jack
Cathode (short leg)
Anode (long leg)
Footswitch
Ring
R led
Tip
R led can be 3k3 or higher depending on your taste. Note that this wiring is based on star wiring and
requires that the output jack is making good electrical contact with the enclosure. When testing is
outside the enclosure please make sure you connect the output sleeve to ground!!
Schematic