Multiplex Echo Machine

The Multiplex Echo Machine is based on tape delays of the past. It has selectable
“modes” that recreate a good approximation of the delay’s they emulate. It also
includes a control for on the fly tape speed manipulation, allowing the repeats to
speed up or slow down while pressing and releasing the footswitch.

What to expect...
This is not a pristine digital delay, some noise will be experienced. Even tape
delays have noise, it just adds to the character...

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Controls
Delay 1: Sets IC3’s delay time

Delay 2: Sets IC2’s delay time

Feedback: Repeats.. .. .. ..

Mix: Adjusts the dry/wet blend

Tape Mode (SW1): Changes the way the signal is routed through the PT2399’s to
simulate tape delays of the past.

Tape Speed: Holding down the SPST momentary footswitch slowly speeds up the
delay speed. Releasing it slows the speed back down to your time
setting. It’s highly interactive depending on how you have Delay 2 set.

Tape Modes
Binson Mode :

This simulates just one of the many cool things about the Binson Echorec. You
can get one long repeat and then subsequent repeats of that note are repeated
faster.

1776 TIP: For ultra LoFi fun set both delay pots to max delay time with the feedback set at one
repeat. While playing hold and release the tape speed switch. This will create a detuned
looping type chaos!

FeedBack
Signal In Signal Out

In Out In Out

Delay 1 Delay 2

Binson Mode

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RE-201 Mode :

This simulates the dual rhythmic repeats of an RE-201 Space Echo. To best
utilize this mode, Delay 1’s time should be shorter than Delay 2’s time. Once you
get the hang of it you can find the rhythmic sweet spots pretty quick.

1776 TIP: For wacky repeats set Delay 2 shorter than Delay 1. Reversing the roles results in an
unsynced delay sure to make kids cry...

FeedBack (from both signal outs)

Signal In
Signal Out

In Out In Out

Delay 1 Delay 2
Signal Out

RE-201 Mode

EP-3 Mode :

This simulates the classic Echoplex. Nothing crazy, just a normal delay setup
using only one of the PT2399’s. Delay 2’s pot sets the time. Delay 1 is
nonfunctional.

1776 TIP: With a medium delay time hold the tape speed switch until the LED is fully lit. Play
and then release the footswitch for a “dive bomb” type effect. Then quickly step on the switch
again for more musical detune action.

Signal In
FeedBack
Signal Out

In Out In Out

Delay 1 Delay 2

EP-3 Mode

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 Multiplex parts List
Resistors R28 20k C21 47uF Transistor
R1 33R R29 2k7 C22 1n Q1 2N3904
R2 1k R30 10k C23 100n IC's
R3 10k R31* 2M2** C24 10uF Tant IC1 TL072
R4 22k R32 10k C25 47n IC2 PT2399
R5 100k R33* 47k** C26 100n IC3 PT2399
R6 1M R34 10k C27 100n Switches
R7 10k Capacitors C28 1n SW1 4P3T
R8 1M C1 1 uF C29 47n Rotary

R9 12k C2 22n C30 47uF SW2 SPST

R10 200k C3 47uF C31 100n Momentary Footswitch

R11 20k C4 100uF C32 100n Regulator

R12 10k C5 47uF C33 100n REG 78L05
R13 10k C6 100pF C34 100n Misc
R14 10k C7 47pF C35 47n H11F1 H11F1
R15 22k C8 1 uF C36 100uF This is provided!
R16 5k1 C9 1 uF C37 100n
R17 10k C10 1 uF Diodes
R18 10k C11 4n7 D1 1n4001
R19 1k C12 22n D2 LED
R20 20k C13 1n D3 1n4001
R21 2k C14 4n7 Potentiometers
R22 2k7 C15 1 uF DELAY1 50kB
R23 10k C16 10uF Tant DELAY2 50kB
R24 10k C17 1 uF FB 50kB
R25 1k C18 10n MIX 50kB
R26 1k C19 1n Trimmer
R27 10k C20 10n V-ADJ 2k

*socketing recommended for experimentation!

**USE 1M for R31 and 33k for R33 with black H11F1

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Parts Notes :
• All resistors are standard 1/4 watt.

• Caps - Electrolytic’s should be 5 mm Dia. x 11 mm or smaller, 100uF’s no bigger

than 6.3 mm Dia. x 11 mm L in order to fit in a 1590BB. For C16 and C24
tantalum caps are recommended but not necessary.

• D2 is for the Tape Speed indicator LED

• V-ADJ is a 2k trimpot. The size is based off the Bourns 3362 series
• Mouser P/N 652-3362R-1-202LF
• Tayda SKU: A-607

• SW1 is a rotary 4P3T switch - Alpha SR2612F-0403-18R0B-D8-N

• Small Bear SKU:0227
• Mouser P/N 105-SR2612F-43-21RN
• The shaft is slightly longer but it can be easily trimmed since it is
plastic.
• SW2 is a SPST momentary (normally open) footswitch
• Small Bear SKU:0206A
• Mammoth P/N: 4SFSSPST-M 43
• Tayda SKU: A-1091

• Potentiometers are standard length 16mm PCB mount, but solder lugs can be
used.

• Enclosure size
• This is designed to fit in a 1590BB but using a 125BB is highly
recommended.  It gives just a hair more room to work without
sacrificing more pedalboard space.  A 1790 would make it really EASY
and give more room to spread out the 3PDT and SPST footswitch.

• PT2399‘s
• With the nature of PT2399’s socketing is HIGHLY recommended. Not
all PT2399’s are created equal. Many exhibit higher noise and you’ll
also get some that “motorboat”. Since we aren’t fishing I recommend
buying a few from different suppliers and “demoing” which ones
sound best. The best way to do this is in EP-3 mode with IC3 empty.
Then you only need to swap out IC-2. When you find the best two
PT2399’s out of your batch use them in IC2 and IC3. Even with the
best PT2399’s you will experience some noise at certain settings of
delay time and/or repeats. You can increase the filtering but the delay
will sound more analog then tape.

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Build Notes :
Take your time! It’s easy to rush and mix up component values. Slow down and
enjoy the fun!

Because the 4P3T PCB mount rotary switch is slightly higher, the PCB mounted
potentiometers need special spacing when soldering. There is a height difference
between the switch and pots. To overcome the difference the pots must be
soldered to the PCB near the end of the pins. The easiest way to do this is by
placing a standard piece of cardboard between the pots and the PCB.

Here are the steps:

One: Take the PCB and place it component side down.

Two: Size and cut a piece of cardboard to slip under the pots.

Three: Place the potentiometers in the correct locations. It will look like the
picture...

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Four: Solder in place, like so... (It’s easiest to do the mix pot first)

Five: Then solder the pot pins on the component side as well.

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4P3T Tips :
Cut the nub off the 4P3T before mounting in the
enclosure. --->

Before placing the 4P3T in the enclosure add some

tape to hold the metal ring tab in place. If the ring
falls out, place the notch back in the 3 spot.
Failure to do so will result in chaos!

V-Adj Calibration for Tape Speed Circuit

In order for the tape speed manipulation to be “ready” after powering up the
pedal a pre-charge circuit was added. Previously, you would have to hold the
momentary switch for an extended period for the circuit’s capacitor to first
charge up. The pre-charge essentially lets the cap (C36) sit at idle partially
charged until you’re ready to activate the switch.

The calibration is a set it and forget it adjustment. This is easily done before
boxing the pedal but it can be performed after boxing if necessary. A video of the
process can be found here www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-ePB7E_uOs

Calibration process:

• First, turn the trim pot fully counterclockwise BEFORE

powering up.
• Connect +9v and gnd to the PCB circuit
• Put you multimeter on the DC V setting.
• Take the black probe and place it on a ground point.
• Take the red probe and place it on the cathode of D3.

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 • VERY slowly turn the trimmer clockwise until you get around 0.45V to 0.5V
on the multimeter. It is important to go slowly because you are charging C36
as you turn the trimmer. You need to let the cap charge slowly, if you go to
far to fast the LED (D2) will light up. If this happens turn the trimmer
counterclockwise until the capacitor discharges and you read the correct
voltage.
• The LED (D2) may light very dim after calibration, this is fine. If it is any
brighter than dim you should recalibrate until it is dim or not visibly lit
(closer to 0.45V)

MODS
Tape Speed Up/Down

The tape speed ramp up and release speed can be adjusted by changing R31 and
R33. This will change the charging(R31)/discharging(R33) speed. They are
interactive, so adjusting one will affect the other. For extra credit use
potentiometers in place of R31 and R33. A good suggestion could be using a 2M2
resistor in series with a 1MB pot for R31 and a 100kB pot for R33. I have not
tried this. EXPERIMENTATION ENCOURAGED! Socketing these R31 and R33 is
worthwhile at the very least.

Filtering

Replacing C13,C19, C22 and C28 with a higher value (1n5 or 2n2) will reduce
noise but will be less tape like. Socket and adjust to taste if you’re indecisive.

WIRING
3PDT wiring is standard FX wiring as shown in Madbean’s wonderful wiring
diagram.

http://www.madbeanpedals.com/tutorials/downloads/StandardWiring_MBP.pdf

The SPST momentary footswitch is wired to the SW2 pads on the PCB.

Note: D2 is a visual indicator of the Tape Speed Mod, it is not an on/off indicator
for the effect. It can be PCB mounted. Use the drill guide for proper enclosure
drilling. An additional LED is necessary along with a CLR as shown in Madbean’s
wiring diagram for effect on/off status.

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Additional Notes :
Each mode is slightly different as far as where your desired settings will sound
nice. For example the EP-3 mode will oscillate at a different point on the feedback
pot than the RE-201 mode will. This is to be expected. There will also be a “click”
that will be repeated when you turn the modes switch. If you’re in a quiet gig
setting I suggest turning off the effect and then switching modes if you need to.

The tape speed mod switch only changes the Delay 2 time setting. It works best
when you have a long delay time set. In EP-3 mode it allows you to slowly glide
between the set delay time and a short delay time then back again.

Have fun, there are many cool sounds to be found!

Last but not least, I owe a special thanks to Brian (aka Madbean) and all the crew
on the forum. Without your support this project would have never happened!

Josh

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Multiplex Schematic

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Drill Guide/Control layout
Print at 100% scale for drilling! If placing in a 1590BB make sure to leave
clearance next to enclosure screw corners as the PCB is slightly wider. Dry fit
the PCB template inside to make sure you have clearance and then place the
template on top of the enclosure to center-punch the hole locations.

PCB Size 2.44” H x 3.06” W

Delay 1 Delay 2 Feedback

Mix
Binson

RE-201

EP-3

Tape Speed
LED

This document and board layout is designed for

personal use only! No commercial use without
written authorization from the owner.

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