Mad Bean Pedals Current Lover User manual

CurrentLoverCurrentLover
FX TYPE: Flanger
Based on the EHX® Electric Mistress™
Enclosure Size: 1590BB
“Softie” compatibility: none
© 2023 madbeanpedals
Overview
The 2023 version of the Current Lover has a new layout and new functionality. Whereas the
previous versions were limited to 9 or 12v operation and the MN3007 BBD, the 2023 ed. allows for
up to 18v operation (15v regulated) and a choice of MN3007, MN3207 or v3207 BBDs. Other minor
circuit tweaks have been made.
Controls
• RATE - Flanger speed.
• RANGE - In Auto mode, this is the anger depth control. In Matrix mode, it controls the notch
point of the lter.
• FDBK - Sets the amount of signal sent back to the anger circuit input.
• VOL - E󰀨ect output volume.
• FILTER - This switch toggles between automatic (left pos.) and manual (right pos.) modes for
the anger.
• BIAS - This trimmer sets the bias point of the BBD.
• CLOCK - Sets the clock range from the LFO to the BBD.
• LIMIT - This trimmer is used to limit the FDBK control so it doesn’t go into self-oscillation.
Terms of Use: You are free to use purchased CurrentLover circuit boards for both DIY and small commercial operations. You may not
oer CurrentLover 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 CurrentLover
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Values CurrentLover
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Traces CurrentLover
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B.O.M. CurrentLover
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Resistors Resistors Caps Diodes
R1 5k6 R28 27k C1 39n D1 1n914
R2 1M R29 24k C2 47n D2 1n4001
R3 5k6 R30 8k2 C3 1n D3 1n5817
R4 1M R31 22k C4 100n Transistors
R5 470R R32 33k C5 10uF Q1 2n3904
R6 4k7 R33 62k C6 680pF Q2 2N5087
R7 5k6 R34 1M2 C7 68n ICs
R8 100k R35 3k9 C8 47n IC1 4558
R9 1k5 R36 10k C9 5n6 IC2 BBD
R10 47k R37 10k C10 220n IC3 TL072
R11 4k7 R38 200k C11 47n IC4 LM324
R12 4k7 R39 200k C12 220n IC5 LM311
R13 10k R40 22R C13 150pF IC6 CD4013
R14 470R R41 1k5 C14 1uF IC7 CD4049
R15 100k R42 jumper C15 100uF Regulator
R16 8k2 C16 33uF REG 78L15
R17 13k C17 33uF Switch
R18 470R C18 1uF FILTER On/On
R19 10k C19 220n Trimmers
R20 470R C20 1uF BIAS 20k
R21 10k C21 22pF CLOCK 10k
R22 22R C22 220uF LIMIT 10k
R23 39k C23 100n Pots
R24 10k C24 100uF FDBK 10kB
R25 30k C25 100uF VOL 50kA
R26 3k9 C26 10uF RANGE 100kB
R27 47k 25 100n RATE 1MC
One cap did not get a proper component label. It’s highlighted.

Shopping List CurrentLover
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Value QTY Type Rating Value QTY Type Rating
22R 2 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 1uF 2 Electrolytic 25v
470R 4 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 10uF 2 Electrolytic 25v
1k5 2 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 33uF 2 Electrolytic 25v
3k9 2 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 100uF 3 Electrolytic 25v
4k7 3 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 220uF 1 Electrolytic 25v
5k6 3 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 1n914 1
8k2 2 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 1n4001 1
10k 6 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 1n5817 1
13k 1 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 2n3904 1
22k 1 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 2N5087 1
24k 1 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 4558 1
27k 1 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W BBD 1 v3207, MN3207 or MN3007
30k 1 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W TL072 1
33k 1 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W LM324 1
39k 1 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W LM311 1
47k 2 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W CD4013 1
62k 1 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W CD4049 1
100k 2 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 78L15 1
200k 2 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W DPDT 1 On/On, Solder Lug or Pin Mount
1M 2 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 20k 1 Bourns 3362p
1M2 1 Metal / Carbon Film 1/4W 10k 2 Bourns 3362p
22pF 1 Ceramic / MLCC 25v min. 10kB 1 PCB Right Angle 16mm
150pF 1 Ceramic / MLCC 25v min. 50kA 1 PCB Right Angle 16mm
680pF 1 Ceramic / MLCC 25v min. 100kB 1 PCB Right Angle 16mm
1n 1 Film 25v min. 1MC 1 PCB Right Angle 16mm
5n6 1 Film 25v min.
39n 1 Film 25v min.
47n 3 Film 25v min.
68n 1 Film 25v min.
100n 3 Film 25v min.
220n 3 Film 25v min.
1uF 1 Film 25v min.

madbeanpedals
Parts Guide CurrentLover
MN3007:
1. https://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/ic-mn3007-xvive-audio-re-makes/
2. https://synthcube.com/cart/ic-mn3007-bbd-panasonic?search=mn3007&description=true
v3207:
1. https://stompboxparts.com/semiconductors/v3207d-bbd-ic/
2. https://cabintechglobal.com/semi
78L15:
1. https://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/ic-78l15/
2. https://stompboxparts.com/semiconductors/lm78l15acz-voltage-regulator-15v/
DPDT (On/On):
1. https://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/dpdt-short-lever-on-on/
2. https://stompboxparts.com/switches/dpdt-toggle-switch-on-on-solder-lug-short-bat/
Bourns 3362p:
1. https://stompboxparts.com/pots/trim-pot-3362p/
2. https://www.taydaelectronics.com/potentiometer-variable-resistors/cermet-potentiometers/3362p.
html
16mm Right Angle Pots:
1. http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/alpha-single-gang-16mm-right-angle-pc-mount/
2. https://stompboxparts.com/pots/16mm-potentiometer-short-pcb-leg/
DC Jacks:
1. https://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/2-1-mm-all-plastic-round/
2. https://stompboxparts.com/power-connections/dc-power-jack-2-1mm-low-prole/
3. https://lovemyswitches.com/thinline-lumberg-dc-power-jack-2-1mm/
1/4” jacks:
1. https://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/1-4-in-mono-nys229/
2. https://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/1-4-in-mono-switchcraft-11/
3. https://lovemyswitches.com/1-4-mono-jack-lumberg-klbm-3/
4. https://lovemyswitches.com/1-4-mono-jack-neutrik-rean-nys229/
My preferred 3PDT switch:
1. https://lovemyswitches.com/pro-3pdt-latched-foot-switch-solder-lugs-feather-soft-click/

Notes CurrentLover
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The chart above shows the di󰀨erent BBD technologies you can use and the operational voltages for
each. At 9v, there won’t be much di󰀨erence between the three types in terms of e󰀨ect quality. With the
MN3007 at 12 or 18v, you should nd a bit more dynamic range and richness in the tonal quality but I
would characterize it as profound. My suggestion is if you have the MN3007, then run it at 12v or 18v.
Otherwise, stick with 9v.
BBD Operational Voltage Regulator
MN3007 9v or 12v no
MN3007 18v yes
v3207 9v only no
MN3207 9v only no
When using the MN3007, set the jumpers as shown in green. For the MN3207 or v3207, follow the
jumpers in red. The jumpers determine which pins get power and ground and also what the Vgg
voltage will be for the two di󰀨erent BBD technologies.
You only need to use the 78L15 regulator when using an MN3007 and 18v power supply. For all other
permutations, omit the regulator and jumper the outer pads of the REG on the PCB as shown above.

Calibration CurrentLover
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• Calibration of the Current Lover is pretty easy. It’s best if you have an audio probe but it’s not
required.
• Before you begin, make sure you have the PCB jumpers set correctly for your BBD type and
voltage supply. Set the controls as follows:
RATE @ 0
RANGE @ 50%
FDBK @ 0
VOL @ 50%
SWITCH @ left
LIMIT @ 0
BIAS @ 50%
CLOCK about 1/3rd up.
1. Using your guitar or signal source at the e󰀨ect input, audio probe pin3 of IC2 to conrm you have
audio input to the BBD. Now probe either pin7 or 8 of IC2 and adjust the BIAS trim until you have
the cleanest output possible. It’s usually around the middle. If you are not using an audio probe,
simply listen to the e󰀨ect output instead.
2. Turn the FDBK control all the way up. Adjust the LIMIT trimmer until just before you get any self-
oscillation. Try di󰀨erent RANGE and RATE settings to verify you have no oscillation at any setting.
3. Leaving the FDBK and RANGE controls all the way up, adjust the CLOCK trim to the point
just before you hear any “chirps” at the peaks of the ange sweep. Adjust the RATE control as
necessary to verify there’s no chirp at any of the RATE, RANGE, or FDBK settings.
4. Toggle the switch to the right position. Now you are in manual mode (lter matrix). You should
hear the xed anger change its notch as you adjust the RANGE control from 0 to 100. The RATE
control is disabled in Matrix mode.
You’re done!
If you switch between BBD or voltage supplies, your CLOCK and LIMIT trimmers will have to be
adjusted using the same procedure described above. IOW, one setting does not t all! For 18v/
MN3007 I had to adjust my CLOCK trim pretty close to the maximum setting. For 9v, it was more
around 50%.

Wiring Diagram CurrentLover
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The bypass LED is soldered directly to the PCB.

1590BB Drill Guide CurrentLover
Note: Drill Guides are approximate and may require tweaking depending on the types of jacks, switches and pots you use.
madbeanpedals
The I/O jacks are placed this way to keep them as far away from the LFO as possible (to
avoid any noise or ticking).

Voltages - MN3007 & 9v supply CurrentLover
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• 9.5vDC One Spot
• Current Draw: 12mA
• All knobs @ 0, switch left.
• If you use an the v3207 or MN3207 for 9v operation, most of these voltages
will be about the same. However, you will get di󰀨erent readings on pins1, 4
and 5 of the BBD. Pin3 voltage reading will be unique to each BBD device,
as well.
• Clock range (with Rate @ 0 and Range @ 100%): 66kHz - 560kHz.
IC1 4558 IC4 LM324 IC6 CD4013 IC7 CD4049
1 4.58 1 7.94 1 ~4.6 1 9.11
2 4.58 2 ~4.1 2 4.4 2 varies
3 4.21 3 varies 3 varies 3 varies
4 0 4 9.1 4 0 4 varies
5 4.57 5 ~4.2 5 4.4 5 varies
6 4.61 6 ~4.1 6 0 6 varies
7 4.64 7 ~4.1 7 0 7 varies
8 9.22 8 varies 8 0 8 0
IC2 MN3007 9 varies 9 0 9 varies
1 9.22 10 varies 10 0 10 varies
2 ~4.3 11 011 011 varies
3 4.6 12 ~4.2 12 0 12 varies
4 0.6 13 ~4.2 13 9.13 13 varies
5 0 14 varies 14 9.13 14 varies
6 4.6 IC5 LM311 15 varies
7 4.4 1 0 16 varies
8 4.4 2 varies Q1 2n3904
IC3 TL072 3 varies C 9.24
1 4.6 4 0 B 4.74
2 4.6 5 9.13 E 4.02
3 4.6 6 9.11 Q2 2n5087
4 0 7 varies C 8.79
5 4.6 8 9.11 B 8.26
6 4.61 E varies
7 4.61
8 9.22

Voltages - MN3007 & 18v supply CurrentLover
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IC1 4558 IC4 LM324 IC6 CD4013 IC7 CD4049
1 7.39 1 varies 1 7.6 1 14.8
2 7.39 2 ~6.8 2 ~7.2 2 varies
3 6.73 3 varies 3 varies 3 varies
4 0 4 14.82 4 0 4 varies
5 7.37 5 ~6.8 5 ~7.2 5 varies
6 7.45 6 ~6.9 6 0 6 varies
7 7.5 7 ~6.7 7 0 7 varies
8 15.01 8 varies 8 0 8 0
IC2 MN3007 9 varies 9 0 9 varies
1 15 10 varies 10 0 10 varies
2 7 11 011 011 varies
3 7.11 12 ~6.7 12 0 12 varies
4 0.98 13 ~6.7 13 14.8 13 varies
5 0 14 varies 14 14.8 14 varies
6 7.56 IC5 LM311 15 varies
7 ~6 1 0 16 varies
8 ~6.4 2 varies Q1 2n3904
IC3 TL072 3 varies C 15.01
1 7.45 4 0 B 6.15
2 7.45 5 ~14.8 E 5.8
3 7.45 6 14.8 REG 78L15 Q2 2n5087
4 0 7 varies I 17.99 C 14.2
5 7.44 8 14.8 G 0 B 13.67
6 7.45 O 15.01 E varies
7 7.45
8 15.01
• 18.24v Dunlop Supply
• Current Draw: 18mA
• All knobs @ 0, switch left.
• Clock range (with Rate @ 0 and Range @ 100%): 68kHz - 715kHz.

Build Pic CurrentLover
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Schematic
CurrentLover
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