RECKLESS: Poor Man's Compressor

Ok, so perhaps this wasn't the sanest idea that I've ever had, but I do like Jonny Reckless Compressors and discrete circuits, so I had to give this a try.  

I do realise that I will probably be the only person foolish enough to undertake this on vero, but I'm perfectly OK with this.  It makes way more sense to build this on a PCB.

Here's the thread by Jonny on DIY Stompboxes with a detailed explanation of the circuit.  Well worth a read.

JONNY RECKLESS POORMAN'S COMPRESSOR - VERO LAYOUT

This layout is untested 

VIDEO DEMO BY JONNY

JONNY RECKLESS: Reckless Abandon

A recent request.  This is a monster of a pre-amp from Jonny Reckless.  Best to read the details on DIY stomp boxes, as there's a lot to this.

I've not built this, and there's a bit going on with it.  I'd suggest checking it against the schematic before starting.  I've looked over it a few times, but I probably won't be building this one any time soon to confirm it.

Link to thread on DIY Stompboxes

JONNY RECKLESS - RECKLESS ABANDON  VERO LAYOUT

SCHEMATIC BY JONNY RECKLESS

VIDEO DEMO, ALSO BY JONNY

RECKLESS: Diode Compressor REV. A1

After building a few fuzzes lately, I thought it was time to change.  I've built a later revision of the Reckless Diode Compressor, and I really liked it.  This is the first version, somewhat subtler than the last revision.  It has similar characteristics but is a more complicated design with a dual rail power supply.  This version also has an additional control for compression time that the later version doesn't have, which is a handy addition.

The power supply gave me a bit of trouble at one stage, as despite all the filtering, I saw some usual distortion on the oscilloscope.  This disappeared when I changed to a MAX1054 - I used a 7660, not a MAX1044, as listed on the schematic.

The schematic calls for 470u caps in the power supply, however, these are usually pretty large, so I listed something a bit more vero friendly.  Could increase the 10u from the base of the transistor to ground from 10u to 47u if you want more out of the capacitance multiplier (Positive to base, negative to ground).  Could also add a 100ohm resistor on the input if you wanted to, there should be room.  

I mostly used MLCC caps to save space on this layout where possible.  If you don't like them in the audio path, there should be room behind the JFET for a pair of electrolytic caps. 

The original thread by Jonny Reckless on DIY Stompboxes, including schematics and video demo can be found here

RECKLESS DIODE COMPRESSOR REV A1 - VERO LAYOUT

VIDEO DEMO BY JONNY RECKLESS

RECKLESS: Little Jim

Another fine circuit from Jonny Reckless, this time he's headed into cranked Marshall territory (hence the name).

Here's the thread on DIY Stompboxes  

RECKLESS LITTLE JIM - VERO LAYOUT

RECKLESS LITTLE JIM - VIDEO DEMO BY JONNY

RECKLESS: Moon LNDer Distortion

Another one from Jonny Reckless - the Moon LNDer distortion, using LND150 MOSFETS.   

All the required details can be found on DIY Stompboxes, including schematics, some suggested mods and a video demo with a few words from Jonny.  

Set drain bias to between 6 and 7 volts by adjust the 10k resistors going to the source of the MOSFETS.

JONNY RECKLESS MOON LNDER DISTORTION - VERO LAYOUT

VIDEO DEMO BY JONNY

RECKLESS: Pellucid Compressor

The Pellucid Compressor by Jonny Reckless on DIY Stompboxes

RECKLESS PELLUCID COMPRESSOR - VERO LAYOUT

note:  if you see an older layout of this from me - don't use it; I uploaded a working file with a mistake and now can't edit the thread on DIY stompboxes.

ON THE BENCH

RECKLESS: Diode Compressor

This diode compressor is by Jonny Reckless on DIY Stompboxes.  An original design of his - it's a really cool sounding compressor, I like it a lot.  You can definitely hear it working, this is not one of those compressors that you aren't sure if it's on or not - great for clean sounds on a strat.

He used to be a designer for Gallien-Krueger (I think, something like that anyway), so he has some idea as to what he's doing.  

There's not much out there in terms of diode based compression, without getting into expensive studio or vintage gear, so this is kind of unique in that sense - it's not another Orange Squeezer in a different wrapper, and for me at least, I think it has a different sound and feel to an optical compressor (which I also quite like).

Here's the thread on DIY Stompboxes

JONNY RECKLESS DIODE COMPRESSOR - VERO LAYOUT

Slightly smaller vero layout - unverified, as I have not built it.  It should work, as it's a variation on the one above, which I have built.  

And another smaller one.

This was made using the narrow layout, but with a few extra rows added either side to allow for proper mounting.