Mad Bean Pedals Aquaboy Deluxe 2019 User manual

AquaboyDLX_2019
FX TYPE: DELAY
Enclosure Size: 1590BB or 125BB
Based on the Boss® DM-2™
Softie compatability: none
© 2019 madbeanpedals
Overview
The 2019 version of the Aquaboy Deluxe is a complete re-design of the 2015 project. This version
incorporates many of the requested features lacking in the previous version: 15v operation, on-
board charge pump, and both true bypass and tails footswitches. It keeps the same 1590BB
footprint, although a 125BB is also a good choice. The ABDX has about 550ms of delay and includes
modulation (triangle and squarewave).
This is complex project that should not be under-taken by novice builders. It is also a costly project
to make. The BBD chips, clock and compander alone will set you back $50 or so. However, this is
the type of project where money spent will go a long way toward making a unique and professional
sounding delay AND still be cheaper than many commercially available analog delays with similar
features.
NOTE: smallbear is currently out of the Xvive MN3005 re-makes. So, if you do not already have these
you may be waiting a while to get them. I do not have any sources for the NOS MN3005 and most
likely neither does anyone else. Hopefully, smallbear will be able to get more of the re-makes soon.
You will need a multimeter, audio probe and some kind of testing rig/breadboard set-up to get the
ABDX properly set-up.
Controls
• DELAY: The total amount of signal delay from slapback to approximately 500ms.
• FDBK: The number and intensity of delay repeats from one to innity/self oscillation.
• MIX: The level of delay signal relative to the dry path of the guitar signal.
• RATE: The speed of the delay modulation from slowest to very fast.
• DEPTH: The intensity of modulation from moderate to extreme.
• MOD: This On/Off/On DPDT allows you to choose between square, none and triangle modulation.
Trimmers
• T1: Sets the maximum amount of feedback possible in order to control the total range of the FDBK
control.
• BIAS1, BIAS2: Used to set the biasing point on the input of each BBD.
• CANCEL: Sets the mix of the two outputs on BBD2.
• CLOCK: Sets the lower limit of the clock frequency used to drive the BBD chips.
Terms of Use: You are free to use purchased AquaboyDLX_2019 circuit boards for both DIY and small commercial operations. You may not
offer AquaboyDLX_2019 PCBs for resale or as part of a “kit” in a commercial fashion. Peer to peer re-sale is ne, though.
Technical assistance for your build(s) is available via the madbeanpedals forum. Please go there rather than emailing me for
assistance on builds. This is because (1) I’m not always available to respond via email in a timely and continuous manner, and (2)
posting technical problems and solutions in the forum creates a record from which other members may benet.

Parts AquaboyDLX_2019
madbeanpedals

Values AquaboyDLX_2019
madbeanpedals

Traces AquaboyDLX_2019
madbeanpedals

B.O.M. AquaboyDLX_2019
madbeanpedals
Resistors Resistors Caps Caps Regulator
R1 1M R32 10k C1 47n C32 1uF REG L7815
R2 10k R33 10k C2 1uF C33 10uF Photocell
R3 470k R34 10k C3 6n8 C34 10n LDR1 9203
R4 10k R35 10k C4 100pF C35 22uF Swtiches
R5 10k R36 10k C5 100pF C36 10uF MOD On/Off/On
R6 47k R37 10k C6 6n8 C37 100pF TAILS 3PDT
R7 47k R38 33k C7 1uF C38 100uF BYP 3PDT
R8 47k R39 10k C8 1uF C39 100n Trimmers
R9 10k R40 47k C9 1uF C40 10uF CANCEL 10k
R10 47k R41 100R C10 10uF C41 10uF BIAS1 25k
R11 150R R42 470k C11 100n C42 100uF BIAS2 25k
R12 100k R43 470k C12 220n C43 10uF T1 50k
R13 100k R44 220k C13 100pF C44 47uF CLOCK 1M
R14 100k R45 220k C14 10uF Diodes Pots
R15 10k R46 1k C15 6n8 D1 15v Zener RATE 100kC
R16 10k R47 4k7 C16 100n D2 1N5817 DEPTH 50kB
R17 10k R48 4k7 C17 330pF D3 1N5817 MIX 50kB
R18 10k R49 4k7 C18 10uF BP D4 1n914 FDBK 50kB
R19 10k R50 4k7 C19 1uF LED1, 2 any DELAY 1MB
R20 10k R51 220k C20 10uF BP LED3, 4 RED
R21 4k7 R52 33k C21 1uF Transistors
R22 82k R53 22k C22 2n2 Q1 - Q4 MPSA18
R23 100k R54 18k C23 33n Q5 BS250
R24 100k R55 10k C24 1n ICs
R25 5k6 R56 1M C25 39n IC1 TL072
R26 5k6 R57 10k C26 330pF IC2 NE570
R27 4k7 R58 10k C27 10uF BP IC3 MN3005
R28 100k R59 10k C28 220n IC4 MN3005
R29 100k R60 10k C29 100pF IC5 MN3101
R30 100k R61 22R C30 1uF IC6 TL062
R31 10k R62 2M2 C31 220n IC7 LT1054

Shopping List AquaboyDLX_2019
madbeanpedals
Value QTY Type Rating Value QTY Type Rating
22R 1 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 10uF BP 3 Electrolytic, Bi-Polar 25v min.
100R 1 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 1uF 6 Electrolytic 25v min.
10k 1 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 10uF 7 Electrolytic 25v min.
18k 1 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 22uF 1 Electrolytic 25v min.
22k 1 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 47uF 1 Electrolytic 25v min.
150R 1 Metal / Carbon Film 1/8W 100uF 2 Electrolytic 25v min.
1k 1 Metal / Carbon Film 1/8W 15v Zener 1
4k7 6 Metal / Carbon Film 1/8W 1N5817 2
5k6 2 Metal / Carbon Film 1/8W 1n914 1
10k 22 Metal / Carbon Film 1/8W LED 2 any - for bypass switches 3 or 5mm
33k 2 Metal / Carbon Film 1/8W LED 2 Red, Diffused 3 or 5mm
47k 5 Metal / Carbon Film 1/8W MPSA18 4
82k 1 Metal / Carbon Film 1/8W BS250p 1
100k 8 Metal / Carbon Film 1/8W TL072 1
220k 3 Metal / Carbon Film 1/8W NE570 1
470k 3 Metal / Carbon Film 1/8W MN3005 2
1M 2 Metal / Carbon Film 1/8W MN3101 1
2M2 1 Metal / Carbon Film 1/8W TL062 1
100pF 5 Ceramic / MLCC 25v min. LT1054 1
330pF 2 Ceramic / MLCC 25v min. L7815 1 15v regulator, T0-92 style
1n 1 Film 25v min. 9203 1
2n2 1 Film 25v min. DPDT 1 On/Off/On, Pin Mount
6n8 3 Film 25v min. 3PDT 2 Solder Lug
10n 1 Film 25v min. 10k 1 Bourns 3362p
33n 1 Film 25v min. 25k 2 Bourns 3362p
39n 1 Film 25v min. 50k 1 Bourns 3362p
47n 1 Film 25v min. 1M 1 Bourns 3362p
100n 3 Film 25v min. 100kC 1 PCB Mount, Plastic Shaft 9mm
220n 3 Film 25v min. 50kB 1 PCB Mount, Plastic Shaft 9mm
1uF 2 Film 25v min. 50kB 2 PCB Mount 16mm
1MB 1 PCB Mount 16mm

madbeanpedals
Parts Guide AquaboyDLX_2019
10uF BP:
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Panasonic/ECE-A1EN100U?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtZ1n0r9vR22ZGaUoI0JcRfXPh%2F
zavJdWI%3D
15v Zener:
https://www.mouser.com/Search/Rene?Keyword=512-1N4744A
MPSA18:
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Central-Semiconductor/
MPSA18?qs=sGAEpiMZZMshyDBzk1%2FWiw99kSkYzPxmglTcpIOZtXI%3D
BS250p:
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Diodes-Incorporated/
BS250P?qs=%2Fha2pyFaduhUNPEB3rTpwbpDH35b3gpFVXgc39Dgjmg%3D
v571 (sub for NE570):
http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/ic-v571d/
MN3005 (currently out of stock):
http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/mn3005-re-makes-xvive-audio/
MN3101:
http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/ic-mn3101/
LT1054:
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Texas-Instruments/
LT1054IP?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtitjHzVIkrqfSWpcWTPe%252BSNc10CtLc4Cw%3D
L7815:
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/STMicroelectronics/
L78L15ACZ?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtUqDgmOWBjgLAmId5B%2FjmHe8yhWKd8M1Y%3D
9203:
http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/photocells-cds-5mm-diameter/
DPDT (On/Off/On):
http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/dpdt-center-off-pc-mount/
Bourns 3362p (10k, 25k, 50k, 1M):
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Bourns/3362P-1-103LF?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvygUB3GLcD7k%252Bod3ZqvEIQboR
RPdOKB6M%3D
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Bourns/3362P-1-253LF?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvygUB3GLcD7vRbQqL9uMLMqIpepdvy
yRc%3D
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Bourns/3362P-1-503LF?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvygUB3GLcD7vRbQqL9uMLMZgtO2Ks
3Q%2F4%3D
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Bourns/3362P-1-105LF?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvygUB3GLcD7kddhVJPyV2kST8Lo8Gl
%252B%2F8%3D
9mm pots (100kC, 50kB):
http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/alpha-single-gang-9mm-right-angle-pc-mount-w-knurled-plastic-shaft/
16mm Pots (50kB, 1MB):
http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/alpha-single-gang-16mm-right-angle-pc-mount/

Analog Delay Basics AquaboyDLX_2019
madbeanpedals
The BBD is made up of hundreds or thousands of tiny mosfet transistors (called steps) that delay the
input signal via capacitive charging (each step may also be referred to as a clock cycle). The more
steps in the device the longer the signal can be delayed. This delay is measured in milliseconds.
The clock outputs a continuous square wave at a specic frequency. This frequency instructs the BBD
as to the rate at which its steps “catch and release” the signal. The clock (which actually outputs two
frequencies 180° out of phase) can also be altered over a range to change the rate at which the BBD
processes the signal. It is this range that changes the delay signal from short to long.
This type of design has two major caveats: the clock generally operates on a frequency that is
within the human range of hearing and the signal processing of the delay degrades the input signal
continuously. The lower the clock frequency, the more delay you get, but the further it creeps into the
audio range.
Analog delays attempt to optimize the balance between signal degradation and clock bleed by a
series of additional signal processing chains. These are compression, ltering and expansion. The
compressor portion “beefs up” the incoming signal to minimize its degradation while traversing the
BBD. The ltering removes some of the high end content so that the clock does not bleed into it
(which would create a high pitch whine). Finally the expandor portion “de-compresses” the processed
signal and gets it ready for the output mixer.
This entire process is also responsible for creating the “magic” and “mojo” of the analog delay. That
magic is warmth. The continuous ltering of the guitar signal removes more and more high end
frequencies with each repeat which the ear perceives as warmth in the resulting guitar signal. This
is why people like analog delays so much---they create a very pleasing “bed of sound” that is neither
too piercing nor distracting. Each analog repeat ts neatly under the preceding one to create a very
natural and musical sound.

Notes AquaboyDLX_2019
madbeanpedals
Changes to the 2019 version circuit
• 15v operation: The entire circuit now runs of 15v regulated from a standard 9v 100mA power
supply. A well-regulated supply is still the preferred option for lowest noise.
• Charge Pump: The charge pump bumps up the 9v supply to 18v then regulates it to 15v for the
effect. It uses a T0-92 regulator which turns out to be plenty enough for the current requirements.
• True-Bypass and Tails foot-switches: The bypass is the standard effect input ground switching
used on all mbp projects. The Tails switch allows you to toggle the delay on and off when the
pedal is on. So, if you like your delay repeats to spill over when you turn them off, simply leave the
pedal on all the time and use the Tails switch to control the actual delays. When the pedal itself is
off, the Tails switch does nothing audible.
Nerd Notes
Even though the circuit is running at 15v, I decided to leave the output voltage of the compressor
portion at the standard 3v as used on the DM-2. If you built older versions of the ABDX, you may
remember I suggested that if you wanted to run it at higher than 9v to change the voltage divider
resistors (here R15 and R16) to a larger value to increase the voltage output (pin7) of the compressor
(the idea being that a larger voltage there would increase headroom and also the bias voltage of the
pre-emphasis lter that follows).
After doing some more listening tests on the 2019 version, I ended up preferring the lower headroom
you get from the stock 10k resistors. To my ears, the higher voltage you get from an output voltage
of 5v or more ends up making the repeats too percussive and they have a tendency to sound more
“dithered” after 6 or 7 repeats. I did compensate for this in the expander portion of the compander
by including the 33k resistor on pin12 (R38). This bumps the output of the compander up about one
extra volt. This seemed to have no negative effect on the repeats.
If you want to tinker, then I suggest socketing R15, R16 and maybe even R38. Higher values for R15
and 16 will increase the output at pin7 of IC2. Lower values of R38 increase the voltage output at pins
10 and 11 (at low values it may stop operating).
You can use this chart I made that shows the relationship b/w compressor output and the value of
R15 and R16.

Notes AquaboyDLX_2019
madbeanpedals
Calibration
Before starting, remove IC4. This is necessary to start the biasing process. Set the controls as shown.
• DELAY, MIX controls to their center position.
• FDBK at about 1/3 up.
• RATE and DEPTH controls all the way down.
• MOD switch to the center (off) position.
• BIAS1, BIAS2 and Cancel trimpots to their center position.
• T1 full CCW.
• If you have frequency measurement on your DMM, adjust the Clock trimmer to about 6.5kHz while
probing either pin2 or pin4 of IC5. If you don’t have this feature set the Clock trim half-way up.
1. Audio probe pin7 of IC3 to conrm you have signal reaching the BBD. It is normal for this signla to
be loud and even somewhat distorted. You may hear clock noise, as well. If you have no signal at
pin7 you need to work your way back through the circuit to nd out what went wrong (start at pin7
of IC2).
2. Audio probe pin3 or 4 of IC3 while either strumming the guitar or send some audio through the
input of the effect (a looper, etc). Adjust the BIAS1 trimmer until you get delay passing. The area
over which the trimmer will result in delay is usually about 1/4 of its range. Continue rening the
position of BIAS1 until you get the lowest amount of distortion on the delay signal.
3. Now probe pin4 of IC3 to conrm it is also passing delay. If it does not, make sure that you have
clock frequency on both pins 2 and 6.
4. Unplug power and replace IC4. Repeat the same procedure above by audio probing pin3 of IC4
and adjusting BIAS2 for the lowest amount of distortion on the repeats. Conrm that pin4 is also
passing delay.
5. Set the Delay pot to Max. Now nely adjust the CLOCK trimmer until just before you hear any high
pitch whine in the audio path. This is the maximum delay setting. The clock frequency should land
somewhere around mid-6kHz. Leave the Cancel trim in the center position.
6. T1 fully CCW is the lowest volume/# of repeats you can get with FDBK fully up. At about 3/4 up,
T1 is the stock setting of the DM-2. I suggest setting FDBK about 90% of the way up and then
adjust T1 until it just starts to go into self-oscillation. That should give you plenty of repeats on the
control with the possibility of going into oscillation if that’s your thing.
If you do have a scope, you can use it instead of an audio probe to make the proper adjustments to
BIAS1, BIAS2, Clock and the Cancel trimpots. When using a scope, set the Cancel trimpot so that the
two output waveforms from pins 3 and 4 of IC4 converge.

Wiring Diagram AquaboyDLX_2019
madbeanpedals
The LED indicators for the two bypass switches as well as LED4 (modulation rate
indicator) should be soldered directly to the PCB.

1590BB Drill Guide AquaboyDLX_2019
Note: Drill Guides are approximate and may require tweaking depending on the types of jacks, switches and pots you use.
madbeanpedals
A 125BB enclosure is the same foot-print but taller than the 1590BB shown here. If you
like more room to work with, use this template with the 125BB and just move the top jacks
up accordingly. It gives you the advantage of moving the input jack further away from the
delay clock, too.

Voltages AquaboyDLX_2019
madbeanpedals
IC1 TL072 IC3 MN3005 IC6 TL062 Q3 MPSA18
1 7.5 1 14.88 1 varies C 14.97
2 7.5 2 7.11 2 varies B 5.84
3 7.49 3 6.38 3 varies E 5.26
4 0 4 6.38 4 0 Q4 MPSA18
5 7.49 5 0 5 200mV C 14.97
6 7.5 6 7.04 6 0.63 B 5.23
7 7.5 7 6.5 7 0.63 E 4.66
8 14.97 8 0.97 8 14.9 Q5 BS250p
IC2 NE570 IC4 MN3005 IC7 LT1054 D 9.42
1 1.08 1 17.88 1 1.63 G ignore
2 1.77 2 7.12 2 5 S 9.26
3 1.77 3 5.88 3 0 REG L7815
4 0 4 5.85 4 0 I 17.55
5 1.77 5 0 5 0 G 0
6 1.77 6 7.12 6 2.54 O 14.97
7 2.98 7 6.19 7 1.39
8 1.77 8 0.96 8 9.26
9 1.77 IC5 MN3101 Q1 MPSA18
10 3.98 1 14.24 C 17.97
11 3.99 2 7.12 B 6.9
12 1.77 3 0 E 6.6
13 14.97 4 7.12 Q2 MPSA18
14 1.77 5 6.64 C 14.97
15 1.77 6 7.35 B 2.97
16 0.96 7 6.88 E 2.39
8 0.96
• 9.42v One spot
• Current Draw: ~38mA
• Measurements taken with modulation switch
set to Off.

Build Pic AquaboyDLX_2019
madbeanpedals
It’s a good idea to put some heat-shrink (or other light blocking material) over your
LED/LDR combo. At least while testing it before boxing!
Tip: Use an MLCC or Mica 100pF for C37 and a Delay pot that measures as close
to 1M as possible. These will give you the best delay time.

Schematic AquaboyDLX_2019
madbeanpedals