My Pedal Prototype

It has been a while since I last wrote a proper blog post, what with it being summer and all I thought I'd have a rest, but I wasn't just relaxing - I have been prototyping a guitar pedal! Using software development techniques I learnt at university, trial and error and online forums I think I am through the early stages, so I'm sharing what I've done so far.

The main audio effects are written in a piece of software called Pure Data, a real-time graphical dataflow programming environment for audio. In this programme I've created 11 effects (so far), which include a hall reverb, flanger, phaser and vibrato, as well as a few of my own more creative, unique effects. Pure Data is ran on a Raspberry Pi, which will run headless once the project is totally completed.

Connected to the Raspberry Pi by USB is an Arduino Uno, which is used to connect buttons and potentiometers to the Pure Data project and to control an LCD screen. The button controls are to turn on and off audio processing, to cycle through the effects, to load preset settings and finally one button to control which effect parameter the one potentiometer controls. The LCD screen displays the name of the selected effect and the control parameter which is currently selected.

I'm currently using my Lexicon Omega audio interface to test out the effects, but I will soon buy a dedicated Raspberry Pi audio card which has line level inputs and outputs, which, whilst not being perfect levels, are significantly closer to instrument level than headphone levels.

As you can tell there is still a bit of work to do, including designing a PCB to replace the breadboards I'm currently using to prototype. I will then design an enclosure and put everything together!  I will keep you updated with the progress of this project, but apologies if posts are less regular than they used to be!

Coming Soon...

Apologies for the lack of posts recently, what with it being summer I have had some weeks off! I have also been busy working on a new pedal design, which soon I will be posting about.

Thank you for your continued support for The Pick, look forward to what is to come!

#TBT Gravity Picks Spotlight

Since the summer, the Gravity Razer pick has become one of my regular picks, which is one of the reasons why receiving a package of different Gravity picks to try was so exciting. Just before Christmas I received a package which included the Tripp Standard 1.5, the Edge standard 3, the Classic Pointed Mini 2, the Sunrise Mini 3 and the Stealth Standard 2. These are a variety of sizes and shapes, and the Classic Pointed Mini has a oval shaped grip hole.

So I'll start with the Sunrise Mini 3. This is a Jazz III sized pick, with slightly pointed sides, and the rough 'Master Finish' edge. Being 3mm thick, it feels very similar to the Razer Standard 3 which I regularly use. Tonally, it exhibits the similar treble boost I've come to enjoy with Gravity Picks, in a shape which is great for fast alternate picking and intricate, detailed parts. The 'Master Finish' can sometimes be a bit scratchy sometimes, but not so much that you could hear it, more feel it in your hand.

The second smallest pick is the Classic Pointed Mini 2. As I'm sure you've already worked out, this pick is a smaller classic pick shape (like a rounded-off Sunrise Mini). Like I previously mentioned, this pick has an oval shaped grip hole. This is an interesting feature, an option available on many (if not all) of the Gravity picks. It works well, but the Gravity picks themselves are made from a grippy material - I guess it's for the 'belt-and-braces' kind of player. Also with the "Master Finish", this tone exhibits a tone which is very similar to the Sunrise Mini.

Up in size again is the Edge Standard 3. This pick is similar to the classic shape, but with wider wings. It also has a polished bevel, and more rounded edges than the other. This pick plays really nicely, and sits very comfortably in the hand. Great for many different playing styles, I think this pick is my favourite of the lot I was sent.

The Stealth Standard 2 is like the pointed version of the Edge Standard, with three equal sides and three identical picking corners. For a 2mm thick pick, this feels quite thin, but has the same great feel as the other Gravity picks. This pick is probably my least favourite, it's just not for me!

The final pick is the most unique pick of the lot. With three different tips, you have one which is more pointed and similar to the sunrise shape, which is better for shredding, one which is rounded like the Axis pick and better for strumming, and a third which is in between the two which is the jack-of-all-trades setting. Being 1.5mm thick, it's smaller than I'm used to when playing electric guitar, but this encouraged my to play acoustic, and worked really well for that. I've often found that with plastic picks like these (the High-Grade Transparent Thermoplastic known as Polymethyl Methacrylate to be precise), they don't sound great with acoustic guitars, but this pick was very pleasing to use.

Since discovering Gravity picks earlier this year, I've been using them as my regular picks almost exclusively. They play louder than most other picks I've used and don't wear out at all from what I've noticed so far - I'd definitely recommend checking these out, no matter what you're used to, there's something for everyone.

Do you use Gravity Picks? What shape and gauge do you use? Let me know in the comments!