Saturday, July 11, 2020

FOXX: Tone Machine

One of my favourites - the Foxx Tone Machine.  I've posted a couple of layouts, one stock, the other is the Aion FX Vulcan.  The Aion FX mods make the Foxx even better - I prefer it with the mid switch mod.  

The mid switch mod really gives this circuit a lot more range.  The diode switch is also interesting - with the octave off, one diode remains in the signal path.  The diode switch bypasses this diode for a slightly different sound.

Apart from the 10uf from Q3 to ground, all other capacitors can be replaced with 1uf electrolytic or poly caps.  Might save some space, or maybe you prefer polys over electrolytic in the signal path.

My only disappointment with making the Foxx, is that I can't replicate the incredibly seventies looking velour stompbox enclosure.

FOXX TONE MACHINE - VERO LAYOUTS


foxx tone machine vero layout



Or something a little more traditional in terms of size and where the wires leave the board.  I could have made the board smaller, but I was going for something with plenty of room around components.  

FOXX TONE MACHINE - GUITAR FX VERO LAYOUT



FOXX TONE MACHINE / AION FX VULCAN - VERO LAYOUT

Read the build docs on Aion FX for the Vulcan to find out more.

FOXX TONE MACHINE VERO LAYOUT


AION VULCAN - TONE MOD

Here's what the responses look like on LTspice (distortion mode), with the tone control set to 50%.  

Increasing the 15n cap to 47n flattens the scoop, and the 1n and 2.2n can also go up a size if you prefer a flatter mid-range (not shown in responses below)

This is with the additional 22k resistor


Without the additional 22k resistor


FOXX TONE MACHINE - LTSPICE

Stock Tone Machine, no mods as a reference

Output in red, plus the response on either side of the tone pot on the distortion setting.  Mellow is blue, and bride is green.




Same again on the octave setting





STOCK FOXX SCHEMATIC



FOXX ON THE SCOPE

This is straight from the first boost stage







6 comments:

Kato said...

Nice layout. On the Aion version, the mid-switch makes all the different. I'd recommend this to anyone on the fence. It's the best octave fuzz I've built.

Andrew said...

The Tone Machine with Aion mods is one of my favourites

Anonymous said...

Is there a way to add footswitch (on/off) for the octave? Thank you!

Andrew said...

Hey - yes there is. The toggle switch is wired the same as a foot switch. Just use a stomp switch instead.

Anonymous said...

I think I will add foot switch between the board and the toggle switch, if theres different octave options.

Andrew said...

Check out the Aion FX Vulcan for some interesting switching options.