building an effects pedel.....well kind of!!!

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4

im doing my degree year in software development in september and we have to do a massive project on whatever we want. Im thinking of programming an effects pedel i.e. plug a guitar into the laptop (mic port), the effects can be turned on and off with the mouse, or certon keys, and output the sound through the speakers of the loptop.
the big question, any idea how effects like wah, chorus, delay....are applied to the sound going to the amp. and is it overly complicated.

i think it would be very interesting, and i would learn a lot about effects.

feylya

Unless you know a huge amount about sound programming and DirectX's sound api, I wouldn't go near a project like that.

For the actual effects, delay just samples the guitar and repeats it slightly later, wah is a sweepable filter which cuts frequencies and chorus multiples the signal path so it sounds like there's multiple guitars (iirc).

Dord

Kora Numerous Pirate wrote:

im doing my degree year in software development in september and we have to do a massive project on whatever we want. Im thinking of programming an effects pedel i.e. plug a guitar into the laptop (mic port), the effects can be turned on and off with the mouse, or certon keys, and output the sound through the speakers of the loptop.
the big question, any idea how effects like wah, chorus, delay....are applied to the sound going to the amp. and is it overly complicated.

i think it would be very interesting, and i would learn a lot about effects.

Are you talking about doing a hardware based effect or software based.
If its software you could do a google on VST effects, there are plenty of homebrew ones. I'm sure you could knock one up in code and use it in something like Audacity to demonstrate it.

If its hardware based you're looking to go. Then I suggest you go to http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/
Check out the DSP forum they have there, a lot of discussion on digital based effects pedals, programming, chips, etc. Some very interesting stuff there.

Dord

Frankly though Fey, I think this topic is more suited to the programming forum. Although the title should be changed.

feylya

I'm thinking it's more of a "How do effect pedals affect the sound" thread. I'll leave it here for a while.

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4

joe robot wrote:

Are you talking about doing a hardware based effect or software based.
If its software you could do a google on VST effects, there are plenty of homebrew ones. I'm sure you could knock one up in code and use it in something like Audacity to demonstrate it.

If its hardware based you're looking to go. Then I suggest you go to http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/
Check out the DSP forum they have there, a lot of discussion on digital based effects pedals, programming, chips, etc. Some very interesting stuff there.

its software based. im going to get as much info as i can at work today and look at it tonight. i just thought of doing that project a half hour ago. havnt a clue if i will be able to do it of not!

Dord

I think you need to do more research. Do you need to know how the effect changes the sound or just how to do it?

What year are you in?

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4

joe robot wrote:

What year are you in?

going into 4th year. doing a bit of research now...... *scraches head* its very hard to find a site that will say how effects pedals work!!!, I DONT WANT TO BUY A BLOODY EFFECTS PEDAL!!!!!

Dord

Ok here goes nothin...

http://www.geofex.com > This is your bible...read it all!
http://www.muzique.com > some interesting articles here
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com > more of schematics but some interesting stuff
http://www.tonepad.com
http://www.runoffgroove.com > Awesome site for small projects! With soundclips!!

Hope this helps

DeadSkin

Kora Numerous Pirate wrote:

going into 4th year. doing a bit of research now...... *scraches head* its very hard to find a site that will say how effects pedals work!!!, I DONT WANT TO BUY A BLOODY EFFECTS PEDAL!!!!!

I feel your pain!!!! I'm doin' some research on building a 1X12 cab and all I see are sales sales sales and reviews of thisthatandtother!!!!!!
Best of luck dude

Dord

DeadSkin wrote:

I feel your pain!!!! I'm doin' some research on building a 1X12 cab and all I see are sales sales sales and reviews of thisthatandtother!!!!!!
Best of luck dude

http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Bistro/3491/speaker.html

thats for a 1x15"

there are plently of free speaker cab design programs around, just google for them.