mcquackinfx DIY and effects repair

McQuackinFX new effects builds for 2012 richmccrackenII@gmail.com

2011-12-26T11:29:00.000-08:00

2011-11-24T22:40:00.001-08:00

2011-11-24T22:13:00.001-08:00

The legendary Guild Rotoverb,used by Nils Lofgren,Neil Young,Hendrix,to name a few. I did some research on this effect and I think I figured out which circuit it is. During this time in the 1960's a lot of companies were contracting other manufacturers to build their effects and license their name on it. This pedal in particular was actually made by JEN in italy. The cct is gooped,but I would bet that this cct(circuit) is a Farfisa Sferasound!

2011-11-24T22:11:00.001-08:00

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A note about the Univibe project

2011-11-24T19:44:00.000-08:00

When you look at the pics of the univibe Ive gathered together here from various sources on the net,there should be enough info here to build an exact clone of a real vibe and be a great resource for musicians repairing a vibe. If you scroll to the bottom of each page,you'll see OLDER POSTS. click there and it'll take you to the next set of pages. Stay tuned for more effects schematics/pics of music circuits.

THE COMPLETE DIY PROJECT FOR ORIGINAL UNIVIBE

2011-11-23T21:45:00.000-08:00

Here is the info/pics to build an original univibe I have gathered from the net. From the pics included,you can build a real vibe and construct a correct/real circuit board and if your a metalworker you can make the chassis. Google the schematic and make the PC board by using clear copy sheets and sanford marker.
Cut to size of univibe trace side board and put clear sheet on that,trace with sanford marker,take trace to xerox machine,copy, take copied paper reload in xerox machine and use PressnPeel blue(read instructions) when blue sheet copies, take blue sheet and iron on copperclad board,drop in ferric chloride,agitate,clean,drill,finished,ORIGINAL UNIVIBE BOARD made. follow pics for parts layout and wiring,you'll have a true UNIVIBE,try and use original parts! GOOD LUCK! ENJOY! Hit 2011 blog archive for complete pics,etc.

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theory about analog effects

2011-11-23T19:14:00.000-08:00

The analog circuits from yesteryear all used transistors which passes a signal different than digital.The transistors are more variable and you get more sounds than using pre-programmed digital effects and modeling,which is basically using a microprocessor chip than has had the sound burned on to the processor in a process called doping. This is what is done by all the companies that make modeling processors,amps,etc. They basically sound like phony crap. Digital reverbs are cool and some reverse effects,sitar simulators,but to my ears, analog circuits have the truest sound for music. When I was attending classes at my tech college,I remember a professor telling me that the Japanese scientists had developed an IC with vacuum tubes on it. I would love to get ahold of some. Can you imagine what you could build with those? One rant that I have is why cant IC manufacturers reisssue the SAD1 1024 and 4096 and 512 chips? The machines still exist,so does the demand. These were once sold thru Radio Shack! They could do it again and charge the same original price. I have figured out the secret to Oil Can delay units. The disc is anodized aluminum which has larger pores in the aluminum. This is what creates the delay time. As the motor spins the oil in the can,the disk spins and continuously dips in the oil,which constantly lubricates and is picked up by the read and write heads,which are basically a piece of metal with conductive neoprene rubber that reads around 10M.The first tube which was generally a 7199 was used for high impedance input. A lot of other units just used 2 12ax7s. The original oil is carcinogenic with PCBS. My research has found that the oil contains an electrolytic similar to a polarized cap. The motor and disc create a GRND and the heads create the + Basically a giant variable capacitor creates the echoes. Very Cool An educated guess is that the anodized disc is rubbed with wax and the oil must contain a form of polypropolene gylcol and the oil is mixed with a little akylyde similar to rubbing alcohol? This info here is to further us DIY's research into vintage effects. Have Fun! I have more posts in the works!

the greatest of all time

2011-11-23T17:47:00.001-08:00

schematics

2011-11-23T17:45:00.001-08:00

THE BURNING HOTELS

2010-04-29T18:02:00.001-07:00

The Burning Hotels
"Novels"

by Rich McCrackenII

This new band called The Burning Hotels has a very contemporary sound that is a blend of the most current sounds at this time during this era of music. At first listen,you can hear elements of bands like Kings of Leon,and The Killers, but The Burning Hotels have their own individual sound with great vocals and very melodic guitar riffs that create the sound of contemporary pop/rock. A mark of a good band is how much musical information the listener can aquire off of listening to one tune from a band's CD/album. This happened here during the review for The Burning Hotels and their song, "To Whom It May Concern". This is a hit song and will be on the radio soon. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for listeners of contemporary POP/ROCK

www.McQuackinFX.com

2010-03-26T00:22:00.000-07:00

Hello,my name is Rich McCrackenII. I have decided to include some technical information about guitar effects and my upstart guitar effects company. I build hand-made vintage-style guitar effects with all-analog signal path. Im a music writer/journalist and also electrical engineer/guitarist. Very soon,I will include pics of my builds when I get rid of my $10 crappy camera. Lately,I have finally found a supplier for the metal enclosures to put the electronic circuits in. If you would like to see demos of some of my guitar effects,go to www.McQuackinFX.com My email info is there also for those who want to purchase a great-sounding McQuackinFX guitar effect. Check back soon for more tech info and McQuackinFX updates.

THE MAG SEVEN

2010-02-03T19:15:00.000-08:00

The Mag Seven
"Cotton Needle Sessions"
endsounds.com

by Rich McCrackenII

The Mag Seven "Cotton Needle Sessions" is a new instrumental album that really delves into the retro rockabilly and surf music of the late 50s and early 60s. It is really cool to see current groups making albums of all instrumentals. This idea helps to keep all musical ideas limitless as it should be. New albums from all current bands should vary musically and not get too one- sided,which seems to be happening with a lot of current musical acts. The Mag Seven has the right idea to create music with no boundaries while retaining an individual sound and learning from the retro origins of rock and surf music.The song "A1A" contains vintage rockabilly and surf sounds. It brings to mind the song "Apache", guitarist Link Wray, and tunes from that era of music. "Deacon Browns" sounds like a blend of the Ventures,Dick Dale, and Stevie Ray Vaughn-clean guitar tones. This tune has sinister chords that conjure up the 1958 Peter Gunn musical style. The Mag Seven "Cotton Needle Sessions" is a true listening album and the kind that you pick up from your coffee table and pop in your CD player and LISTEN to every track on this CD.The Mag Seven "Cotton Needle Sessions" album is RECOMMENDED to fans and listeneners of vintage rock,rockabilly,and surf music.

MxPx

2009-11-29T21:23:00.000-08:00

MxPx

"Left Coast Punk"

by Rich McCrackenII

MxPx is a very good contemporary punk rock band. They have stuck to their guns soundwise,and have created an individual sound that's all their own. In my past CD reviews,one of the CDs I wrote a review for was by MxPx,so Im familiar with this band's musical style. This CD is really good. It's very hard for a band to have an individual sound and then transfer that when working on new musical material. This band has accomplished that. "One Step Further" is a fast-paced punk rock song that has hints of Green Day meets Fishbone. This tune is in the realm of traditional punk rock. The song "Shanghaied in Shanghai" has a semi-fast beat that has a raw,almost AC/DC-like quality. This tune contains more harmony vocals with an original sound quality similar to Offspring meets AC/DC. The really cool part of this song is the interaction between the Bass,Guitar,and Drums. Overall, the new CD "Left Coast Punk" by MxPx is RECOMMENDED to fans of traditional punk rock and contemporary rock music.

LINDA EDER

2009-11-10T17:24:00.000-08:00

LINDA EDER
"Soundtrack"
http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/

by Rich McCrackenII

Linda Eder ia an accomplished vocalist in the field of jazz and pop.On this new CD,Linda Eder covers tunes that were part of movie soundtracks for some very well-known blockbuster films. The songs chosen here are a good choice for Linda Eder and some of the musical interpretations for these songs give them a new twist with the vocal stylings of Linda Eder."Against All Odds",originally done by Phil Collins,is tastefully redone here with Linda Eder's own sound. This is a good rendition with nylon string guitar,cello,acoustic guitar, and piano accompaniment."Everybody's Talking" has a different remake with a melody more like slow jazz samba. When this tune was done by Nilsson,it seemed to be more of a folk-song melody. "Everything I do" was a song on the radio in constant rotation,and this version is more of a easy-listening ballad, than Bryan Adam's original rock ballad. Overall, Linda Eder's "Soundtrack"CD will be a breath of fresh air to fans of these original songs that were featured on blockbuster movies. This CD is RECOMMENDED for fans of jazz,pop,and easy listening.

TINA TURNER

2009-11-07T22:14:00.000-08:00

TINA TURNER
"Tina Turner/Tina Live"
Manhattan Records

by Rich McCrackenII

Tina Turner is a music icon.She is the true queen of rock and roll.This new CD/DVD compilation celebrates Tina Turner's 50th Anniversary concert tour. "Tina Live" was recorded live at the GelreDome in Arnhem Holland. Tina Turner is a true pioneer of rock and roll.She started out singing blues,but has remained current thru blending all musicial styles and innovative stage performances. Tina is the rock and roll foundation that current female singers can follow. All musicians can learn how to be a professional and a true rock and roller by watching Tina Turner perform. This new "Tina Live" CD/DVD spans Tina's whole career. "River Deep,Mountain High" sounds fantastic with Tina's great vocals and accompanying band.A true classic song. "We dont need another Hero" is one of the finest arrangements in Tina Turners collection of hit songs. The tune is truly timeless and started out as a soundtrack for a MadMax movie. Finally,my favorite Tina Turner song of all time is "Nutbush City Limits" This song is also a biography and to me,it's the true sound of Tina Turner. The new "Tina Live" CD/DVD , by one of the true ambassadors of rock and roll is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to all fans of music. There are only 5 or 10 greats of rock music,and Tina Turner is in that list. As it says in one of Tina Turner's hit songs,"Simply the Best".

ALICE IN CHAINS

2009-10-13T19:07:00.000-07:00

Alice in Chains
"Black Gives Way To Blue"
Virgin Records

by Rich McCrackenII

ALICE IN CHAINS is a very well known rock band. In the 90s' they were pretty much the foundation of grunge/alternative rock music. A mark of a great band is if they have a recognizable sound. Alice in Chains certainly have achieved that on this album. You can hear hints of this bands past sounds along with new sonic territory. "Lessons Learned" has a driving rock beat and the trademark Alice in Chains harmony vocals. This is a very radio-friendly song from this band. "Black Gives Way To Blue" has a cool slide guitar beginning. This song seems to be more of a slow rock ballad by Alice in Chains. Overall,this album is Recommended to fans of Alice in Chains and to listeners of really good modern rock music.

LIVAN

2009-10-13T18:46:00.000-07:00

LIVAN
Happy Returns
Pumpkin Music LTD
http://www.livan.co.uk/

by Rich McCrackenII

LIVAN is a new music artist that combines sounds similar to Billy Idol,The Clash,Sex Pistols with a new twist on brit-pop and rock.You can hear the influences of classic bands,but thru it runs new musical territory. "King of the World" has a fast beat that churns out the new sound of british rock and pop.LIVAN combines new music and lyrics that are clear as a bell to create a new form of rock. "Where I Bleed" has a very unusual beginning.It's the sounds of medievel England meets Nine Inch Nails. It's cool the way that LIVAN can change musical styles. Overall,LIVAN has a new sound for british rock and pop. This music is easily mainstream to american radio listeners. The LIVAN album is Recommended for fans of classic and modern rock and pop music.

children collide

2009-09-28T17:46:00.000-07:00

children collide
"the long now"(filter 2009)"

by Rich McCrackenII

The band Children Collide create a new sound with many delayed guitar effects and good vocals. You can hear elements of retro-rock such as Bowie,Stooges,and U2 in their music. It's cool to hear new bands taking sound pieces of past music and creating a new hybrid with it. The band plays as one unit with the instruments and vocals being very clear. "Social Currency" starts out with a sound of tape echo-gliding guitar licks and an uptempo groove that has a driving sound. This is an upbeat sound and has a cool ending with the sound of reverb springs clanging. A very nice added touch to this song."Seasons Changing" starts with (echoplex on meltdown) effects that go into vintage sounding doubled vocals. This track brings back a retro sound while inventing new overtones. I can hear elements of Bowie/Ronson and Iggy Pop. The delay guitar reminds me of GenerationX era Steve Stevens. Sound effects always enhance an album,and Children Collide have a good grasp on new sounds. Overall, Children Collide have created a new album with sounds that are a mix of new and retro and keep the listeners attention. I RECOMMEND this album to music fans of retro and future rock music.

ghostbird

2009-09-28T17:35:00.000-07:00

ghostbird
self-titled EP
www.myspace.com/ghostbirdmusic

by Rich McCrackenII

Ghostbird has a new sound that is contemporary and shows where Pop music is heading thru sound and catchy melodies. "toysoldier" is a song that's so in touch with our current economic/political situation,while being a fresh sound in pop music. "night kills day" has a melodic guitar beginning that goes into a full-on distortion with a sycopated beat. The sound of this song really sums up Ghostbird's melody and songwriting skills. You can hear elements of early 80s' new wave,alternative, that blends into current pop. The vocal filtering effects accent this track. There is a different melody here and the ending is really cool with sound effects that fade into white-noise synth textures. Overall,Ghostbird definitely have their own sound that is contemporary,but is also different than a lot of current bands. RECOMMENDED to listeners of contemporary pop.

2009-09-05T17:18:00.000-07:00

Hello,my name is Rich McCrackenII. For the past 2 yrs,I have written music reviews for METROSPIRIT newspaper. Now, I have created this blog to continue writing about the latest,greatest upcoming bands in the industry. THANKS