Noise Ensemble

[Freppo]

Here's a fun little circuit for you noise freaks. :) - Verified!

It's invented by Anchovie at the diystompboxes forum (original thread here) and is described as "extreme amounts of fuzz, delay, flanger-style sweeps, chorus, wobble and pitchbend effects. Similar to a Clari-not, but with less controls and a wilder/fuzzier sound"

Soundclips here





Popular mods:
* Remove the 47K resistor (cleaner repeats)
* Place a 1m resistor between the input and output (for feedback)
Both mods could be switched.. breadboard and experiment ;)

cheers
/ Freppo

[Freppo]

Built it and boxed it, so this one is verified :)
A recommended built imo, if you like crazy effects!

I added the feedback/hold/loop mod to mine (placed a 3.3m resistor on a switch between the input and output). Another worthwhile mod is to put a 4.7nF cap from the input to ground (especially if doing the feedback mod) - it removes the ugly fizz when the repeats gets crazy (it doesn't change the sound otherwise). I added the cap on the footswitch since the layout was already built.

/ Freppo

[Synsound]

Do you know what the third pot on the demo vid does?
I just had to give my Clari not up in a trade and plan to either buil another or this.
Thanks

[Freppo]

Sorry, I have no idea what the third pot in the video does - maybe a tone control? The Noise Ensemble is much dirtier/fuzzier than the clari not, and a easier build. I like the simplicity and sounds of the Noise Emsemble alittle better, but both are cool

/ Freppo

[Synsound]

Thanks buddy!
I have already completed a new Clari but this is simple enough to throw together for a listen.

[cylens]

fun little circuit! thanks for the vero, Freppo!

here's my build:

[Synsound]

I built one today. I love the initial sounds but for my taste, it clouds up too quickly. I want to add blend or at least a way to control the repeats. I like the predictability of the modulation more so than the Clari but desire more control. I don't know much on the tech end of this stuff but I thought I may try to mimic some of the Clari board into this to find a personalized medium. If anyone has suggestions I would love to hear them.
Beyond my issues of personal taste, this was a great layout and works as advertised on the first try. Thanks

[Freppo]

Cylens - That looks great!

Synsound - Yes, it gets a bit mooshy quicky. I know Alex @ Earthtones Audio posted a modded version in the original Noise Ensemble thread, with less fuzz and more controls. I played around with it on the breadboard, but decided I liked the original version best. But maybe I'll do a layout for the modded version aswell.

BTW, I really love the feedback mod. It makes it so much more fun :)

cheers
/ Freppo

[Synsound]

I took some time to play around with this tonight and found that the tone pot on my guitar actually serves as a repeat/ FB control. At the lowest settings I get a single fast repeat and the more treble I bring back the more repeats I get.
Just thought I'd toss that out there. Strange but interesting little circuit.

[heuermh]

I'm getting the gated fuzz and some noise from this, but not much in the way of flanger/chorus/pitchbend.

There is feedback+noise when I mute my strings, and it changes based on the guitar's volume pot.

As suggested for mods I added a 4.7nF cap from input to ground and put a 3.3M resistor between input and output on a momentary switch.  I also socketed the 47k and that doesn't make much difference.

Any suggestions on where to start looking, or is that just the nature of this beast?  I'm thinking now I should've breadboarded first.

[Synsound]

It's been a while since I listened to mine and have since stolen the hardware from it. From what I remember there really shouldn't be any flanger or chorus sounds. I think it was a fuzz with a slightly modulated delay.
I know everyone has their own opinion but for what it's worth, I greatly preferred the Mi-Fi Clari(not) to this.
Best of luck

[heuermh]

Oh man, I replaced my 50k pot with the 22k pot for shambles as recommended and then found the sweet spot, it's not turned all the way up.

Much better.

[Synsound]

I swear to God that every time i use this thing it works different.
In the past I got multiple repeats.. Not anymore. I did the feedback mod but ended up having to use a 3.3K instead of the  3.3 M as I heard no change. Now I get kind of a sample and holdish thing. I think I might rebuild this and compare.
I like the metallic overtones and distortion. I just need a degree of consistency or predictability.
Anyway, that's what's happening here. Wish me luck.

[tabbycat]

many thanks for layout freppo. this is sick and wrong. there should be an eu law or something...

[BetterOffShred]

If you lift one end of the 47k and add a 500k pot it cleans up the warbly stuff as you roll it up.  I built mine a year or so ago and didn't box it up, though I just got the box drilled and added a 2M on a momentary stomp for the hold mod.  I really like this pedal. It gets nutty with tapping and harmonics.

The 500k pot trick isn't my idea, I remember reading it from Anchovie or someone in the original thread, but I highly recommend it. Adds another crazy-ass dimension to this already bananas pedal. One of my favorites for drunken movie jamming (drink beers, watch a movie, play guitar the whole time)  
-Brett