The Electra Forums

Answer to question #1: Yes, it used to be a Power Overdrive module.

Answer to question #2: Yes, that is a trim pot peeking through the little hole at the top right.

Answer to question #3: Yes, I made up the name "80L"

Very cool!

RCSBlues

Impressive! I bet JMM would advance order that. What is the maximum delay time? Can you adjust the number of repeats? Good stuff, and thanks for the clip.

Havent seen the clip yet (iPhone)...

But if this is a delay module for the mpc I'm in!

I even have an extra power overdrive to trick out.

Where do I sign up?

Nice work there sounds great. If you decide to pursue more of these little jewels then I would like one also. thanks for giving us a look.

JMM: Yes it's a delay. Finally.... an MPC delay module!

There's good news, and bad news. I'll start with the bad news.
1. There is some noise or artifact in the delayed signal. I'm not sure if it is inherent to the circuit I'm using, or if I have made a mistake in implementation. I'll keep working on it and I'll keep everyone posted as I refine the conversion.

2. Due to the inherent limitations of the MPC module spec, you only get one parameter that is adjustable from the face of the guitar. In this case I have it set up to be delay time. Regeneration (number of repeats) and wet/dry blend are set via trim pots at the module. It really requires three knobs to properly operate a delay, so it's going to be awkward on an MPC guitar. But we've lived within these limitations for years, with no delay module, so this is at least an improvement, right?

Now for the GOOD NEWS. In addition to the analog (yes, analog!) delay that I've demonstrated here, it is possible to make other, new MPC compatible modules including:
- chorus
- tremolo
- compressor
- "tube amp modeling" distortion
- wah/mid range booster

How is this possible, you ask? A few weeks ago I was hanging out with a friend who was showing me his new guitar. He told me it came from an online source that also sells bodies, necks, pickups, hardware, etc. all for fantastically low prices. As I was looking through that web site I stumbled across this page:

http://store.guitarfetish.com/modboards.html

Instantly I realized that the circuit boards are small enough to be installed INSIDE an MPC module box. Soon enough I had ordered the delay board and I just put it together a couple days ago. I have not tried any of the other modules, as either an MPC conversion or a direct install, so I can't comment on any of them yet. Google around and see for yourself if there are any reviews out there. I have not found much info, just a few isolated threads on various forums.

It would be pretty sleazy of me to keep this a secret, so I'm throwing this out to the community so that anyone can venture forth and make their own modules. That being said, I will probably offer a conversion service to those who are unwilling to take on the job on their own. Once I get this delay dialed in and working better I'll post higher quality audio samples so you guys can judge the sound for yourselves.

But... overall- it's pretty darn cool, isn't it?

Awesome - keep us posted!

I think you should call it the ADD, Analog Delay Deceptor, or Attention Deficit Delay or...

80L sounds like "ADL" which, in ol' skool recording studio terms means Analog Delay Line. So it's a bit of a play on that.