Lithium Grim SnoWahFlake Instruction Manual

SnoWahFlake
Building instructions
V2.0

SnoWahFlake v2.0
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.
2
Table of contents
PCB layout ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Components ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Modifications........................................................................................................................................... 5
Build sequence ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Off board wiring ...................................................................................................................................... 7
Potentiometers.................................................................................................................................... 7
Side Chaining ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Footswitches and stargrounding......................................................................................................... 8
Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................................... 9
Schematic .............................................................................................................................................. 10
Read this entire manual thoroughly before you start building the effect! There are some available
options and mods and you should choose which one you want to incorporate before starting your
build.
Last update: 23-10-2017

SnoWahFlake v2.0
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.
3
PCB layout
Dimensions: 50 mm x 60,5 mm
1.97 inch x 2.38 inch

SnoWahFlake v2.0
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.
4
Components
Name
Value
Comment
Name
Value
Comment
C1
22n
SMF
R1
10k
1% metalfilm
C2
1u
SMF
R2
1M
1% metalfilm
C3
22n
SMF
R3
1M
1% metalfilm
C4
22n
SMF
R4
10k
1% metalfilm
C5
1u
SMF
R5
5K1
1% metalfilm
C6
220n
SMF
R6
330R
1% metalfilm
C7
68n
SMF
R7
330R
1% metalfilm
C8
8n2
SMF
R8
6k8
1% metalfilm
C9
1u
Electrolyte
R9
4k7
1% metalfilm
C10
100u
Electrolyte
R10
6k8
1% metalfilm
C11
100n
MKT
R11
330R
1% metalfilm
C12
47u
Electrolyte
R12
330R
1% metalfilm
C13
100n
MKT
R13
4k7
1% metalfilm
D1
1N5817
R14
6k8
1% metalfilm
D2
1N4001
R15
1k
1% metalfilm
D3
1N4148
R16
100k
1% metalfilm
D4
1N4148
R17
22k
1% metalfilm
D5
1N34A
R18
22k
1% metalfilm
IC1
LM13700
R19
22k
1% metalfilm
IC2
TL074
R20
10k
1% metalfilm
P1
B100k
Sensitivity
R21
4M7
1% metalfilm
P2
B50k
Resonance
R22
4M7
1% metalfilm
P3
C1M
Decay
R23
330R
1% metalfilm
P4
B50k
Bias
R24
4k7
1% metalfilm
VR1
B50k
Sensitivity Offset
R25
6k8
1% metalfilm
Q1
2N5457
R26
4k3
1% metalfilm
Q2
BC550C
R27
3k6
1% metalfilm
Q3
BC550C
R28
100R
1% metalfilm
REG1
LM78L05
R29
47k
1% metalfilm
SW1
Switching jack
Sidechain
R30
47k
1% metalfilm
A=Log, B=Lin, C=Rev. Log

SnoWahFlake v2.0
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.
5
Modifications
There are different ways to build this effect. The components list above is based on the modded
version of the original.
Original
Optimized
Modded
VR1*
20k
22k
50k*
R17
20k
22k
22k
R18
20k
22k
22k
R19
10k
22k
22k
D5
1N4148
1N34A
1N34A
C9
2u2
1u
1u
C12
x
x
47u
SW1
jumper
jumper
Switching jack
IC2
LM324
TL074
TL074
Q2**
BC550C
MPSA18
MPSA18
Q3**
BC550C
MPSA18
MPSA18
* VR1 uses only in the modded version a trimpot. In the other versions you can use a fixed resistor
and place it between pad Aand Bof VR1.
** The MPSA18 has a different pinout than the BC550C. It needs to be rotated 180o.
You can of course incorporate SW1 for side chaining in any of the versions and feel free to
experiment with mixing the optimizations and mods. You can also choose to not incorporate side
chaining in the fully modded version by soldering a jumper wire in the SW1 pad
Because there is no 7k9 resistor in exsistance, I chose to split it in 2 resistors (R26=3k6, R27=4k3). But
as the resitor value is not that important because the BIAS (P4) can compensate for it, you could
choose to use a 7k5 or 8k2 and compensate by turning the Bias pot a bit more up or down. To do so,
insert the 7k5/8k2 in the bottom pad of R26 and the top pad of R27
P4 (BIAS) is made to fit either an internal 6mm trimpot or to be used with a regular external 16mm
trimpot as in the original. A lot of people just use it as “set and forget” and if you are one of them
then install the internal trimpot. If you prefer to set it in realtime during play, then install a regular
external alpha 16mm pot.

SnoWahFlake v2.0
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.
6
Build sequence
Soldering this board can be very complicated for some people since the solder pads are very close
together. Use a magnifying glass to make the job easier. The trick to soldering a PCB is to work from
small to big components. My building sequence suggestions in this section are based on the parts I
used myself. Sometimes some components are smaller (or bigger) so always use your own common
sense and change the order accordingly. Usually capacitors can differ a lot in size depending on their
rating and value.
Note: Do not blow on your solder in an attempt to cool it down. That can result in a bad join that
might corrode!
Start by soldering the jumpers where needed. Next, solder the resistors and then the diodes. Note
that D5 is a fragile germanium diode and the orientation can be different than you expect. Always
check orientation with a digital multi meter before soldering!
If you want to experiment with other transistors then you could socket them instead of soldering
them to the board. You’ll need a some 20 SIL sockets, break off the sockets and solder them to the
board. Now is the time to solder these sockets on the PCB. Place the transistors only once you are
finished with all soldering and off board wiring!
Now continue by soldering the socket for the IC’s, the small SMF, trimpots and then the big SMF and
Electrolytes.
I suggest you now drill the holes in your enclosure so you can use it during the off board wiring.
Note: Really take some time to determine where to place the pots, (switching) jacks and PCB in the
enclosure before you start drilling. Measure twice, drill once.
You are almost ready to rock, well… not really. The difficult part starts now.
Besides the components mentioned in the table on the first page, you will need:
•2 input jacks. 2 mono jacks if you are not going to use a battery clip (only 9V DC adapter) or
1 mono (for output) and 1 stereo jack (for input) if you will be using a battery clip.
•When side chaining you will need a switching mono jack (see off board wiring section).
•3PDT footswitch (9 pins) and a LED to build in your enclosure (see off board wiring section).
•2,1mm DC jack (isolated).
•9v battery clip (optional).
•22 gage stranded hook-up wire
•Hammond 1590B case (or similar) in your favourite colour. If you are to install the side chain
then I advise you to use a 1590BB.

SnoWahFlake v2.0
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.
7
Off board wiring
Potentiometers
In the pictures below you see the correct pin numbering of the pots (Alpha 16mm style).
Solder the wires accordingly and it is always a good idea to twist the wires together to create extra
shielding against external noise.
You can break off the pin I marked with the yellow circle with a small pair of pliers.
Side Chaining
First off, let’s discuss why you could/should use side chaining. By side chaining the effect you
introduce the original guitar signal back in the effect. This is especially handy when you are placing
the autowah after heavy distortion or fuzz. These type of effects will mess with the triggering of the
autowah. For this you will however need a signal splitter at the beginning of your signal chain. Here is
an example (and of course I also sell a good signal splitter if needed).
Signal
splitter
Guitar In
ODDistortionSnoWahFlake
To amp
Side chain
As mentioned before, if you do not want the effect to be used with side chaining then short both pads
of SW1 with a piece of lead wire (left over from eg. a resistor) else you can wire it as follows:
By using this switching jack, the effect will remain working normal when not using the side chaining.
NB. The sensitivity will need to be adjusted when using the sidechain!
P1 Sensitivity
P2 Resonance
P3 Decay
P4 Bias
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
Sleeve
Tip
Switch

SnoWahFlake v2.0
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.
8
Footswitches and stargrounding
Tip Tip
RingRing
Output JackInput Jack
Cathode (short leg)
Anode (long leg)
Footswitch
Sleeve
R led
Note that R led is a 4k7 resistors. You can change this value depending on the type of LED you use
but 4k7 is safe enough for almost all LEDs @ 9V.
It is now time to place your transistors in the sockets if needed. Connect everything, build it in your
enclosure and enjoy your effect!
The sleeve on the output jack is not connected on purpose. Make sure the output jack is in good
electronic contact with the enclosure else you can try and connect the sleeves of the input and
output together. If you test the unit outside of an enclosure you need to connect the output sleeve
to ground!

SnoWahFlake v2.0
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.
9
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 board). Pay special
attention to the polarity.
•Check that you oriented the capacitors, IC’s ,transistors and diodes the right way. SMF, MKT
and ceramic capacitors as well as resistors do not need to be oriented. A likely sign of
incorrect capacitors and/or orientation is when an effect is sputtering, rumbling or
“motorboating”.
•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 and/or transistors, one might be defective. Before doing that first unplug the
9V and wait for 5 seconds.
•Check that you have good/high grade components. A lot of Chinese sourced parts are fakes
(especially high end opamps, audio capacitors, vintage diodes and transistors) so be careful
that you source your parts from reliable suppliers.

SnoWahFlake v2.0
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.
10
Schematic