Active Pickguard - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: ehughes
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2011, 02:58:50 am
content: Now that the contest is over (I didn't win....) I can show off the guitar:Done with Altium Designer, Freescale Code Warrior, Alibre Design and Front Panel Express.

author: DrGeoff
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2011, 07:06:49 am
content: What a great project. Really nice design and a good presentation.Not sure I'd keep the RJ connection though, could be damaged over time with consistent use (or roadies stepping on them). Had you considered those mini multi-pin XLR connectors?

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2011, 12:41:14 am
content: wow! that is exceptional work!i found the part about the piezos very interesting. how do they behave with extreme temperature changes? ie: going from a 70°F car to a 93°F outdoor gig?the additional sensors & inputs adds a lot of potential for creativity and possibly even integration with other devices. ie: stage lighting triggering, IEMs, midi, etc.i like the cheap & readily available concept of the CAT6 cable, but like drgeoff, i question its ruggedness in a get drunk and get stepped type on environment. neutrik has their ethercon connector that looks roadworthy.again, my hats off to you! great job!-sj

author: ehughes
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2011, 12:56:33 am
content: I'll take a look at the ethercon. The Cat6 has been somewhat of a novelty item. The shielded Jacks and cables through can take quite a beating though. I was a bit surprised as I have seriously abused them here. When I play out I wrap the cable from behind the strap for strain relief. Standard 1/4" Jacks are absolutely horrible for this..... You have to do the strain relief trick.I have looked at the Mini XLR and they look cool. Right now I use 3 pairs --> Power/GND, AES3+/AES3-, Analog+/Analog- . The analog is balanced line as well as the digital out. I really wish all musical gear would let 1/4" unbalanced die off..... Balanced line is so much better.My dream is to have the Ethernet jack right on the amp. Nothing Else. All control is on the Pickguard. I like the minimalist approach to the amp. (A dumb gain stage!)That being said, wireless would probably be V3..... Need to figure out a battery and good low latency (i.e. one sample period) wireless technology.I plan on open source everything at some point (if there is interest). The debugger/JTAG interface is built onto the pickguard. Codewarrior is free for 128k and works with both linux and Windows. I am sure there is someone out there who has an unencumbered ARM cortex M4 GCC toolchain ready to go.... The hardware isn't cheap though....

author: ehughes
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2011, 12:59:28 am
content: I think you sold me on the ethercon . They sell the housing without the cable and even have nice PCB mount connectors!

author: shadewind
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2011, 10:03:43 am
content: I'm an old school kind of guy so I'd probably never use this myself but I think this is a really amazing and brilliant project. Very innovative! Excellent work!