Tap Tempo

[DannyBoy]

Is this tap tempo chip something that could be put into vero and used for a pt2399 based delay? I was just searching and came across it and it is $10 cheaper than the taptation chips.

http://www.electricdruid.net/index.php?page=projects.taplfo 

[IvIark]

You could use it with a PT2399 delay but only to control an LFO, maybe to modulate the repeats, you can't use it to control the delay times with tap tempo.  Or at least the last time I looked at it you couldn't, I don't know if anyone has developed it more in that direction.

I won't be buying any Taptation kits at the price they're charging, it's supposed to be bloody DIY so I'm not going to support "boutique" parts suppliers.  Whereas I think the kit below seems very reasonable considering it includes the PCB which I think is a shocking omission from the Taptation at the price being charged.

http://uk-electronic.de/onlineshop/product_info.php?products_id=1797&osCsid=82ee762baf9ac19e795778ba6e4f699e

[Heath]

I agree.  I buy a lot of stuff from guitarpcb.com and the owner usually throws in freebies and out of dozens of those freebies I managed to receive his Delay pcb and the tap tempo pcb that goes with it.  I was thinking "COOL!" (not that I need Delay #9) until I found out the Taptation chip was $20 (not guitarpcb's price, they always have excellent prices... for the taptation chipset they direct you to the vendor).

Considering I got the other boards free and I could hear them in my dreams crying out "Build us!!  Build us!!" I finally caved and ordered the taptation chip because I am too OCD to have a pcb and not use it.  So I am going to end up with a DIY delay pedal that cost around $60 to build (about $44 if you consider the boards were free).  

[IvIark]

If it included the PCB I wouldn't mind, but it's an unfinished job IMO without that and requires you to buy or build something else, which adds another potential point of error and another party that you may have to factor in for support.  I've nothing against someone making money for a good idea, but when the kit as a whole isn't great (and incomplete) then it's not for me.

The fact that the UK Electronic kit build won't end up too much bigger than the Taptation IC is another feather in its cap, especially compared to my layout for the Taptation which is almost the size of the DBD, although admittedly that won't be the same consideration if you're using a PCB.

[Heath]

Just so I know we're on the same page, I think $60+ to build a DYI pedal sucks (apart from kits where part of the price is hand selected parts and assurance for a newbie builder*).  Not saying the end product isn't worth it, but (for example) I can build a DBD for about $24.00 or less, including enclosure and knobs.

$5 enclosure
$3 3pdt switch
$3 PT2399 chips (for several since they are notorious for being "iffy")
$1 Vero board
$1 resistors
$2 capacitors
$3 op amp
$0.50 regulator
$4 Potentiometers X 4
$2 4 cheap knobs

So about $24.00 complete for a GREAT delay pedal.


Adding tap tempo (not taking into account the vero layout)

Everything except the board and chip:
$1 a few more caps and resistors
$2 Trade in 1590B for a 1590BB to accommodate additional tap controls
$1 additional transistor and regulator
$2 New Depth pot
$3 3 toggle switches (Speed cycle, Tempo Scale, Double time)

New total: $33, still well inside the DIY realm for a complex pedal, in my opinion.  


Adding the rest of the tap tempo stuff:
$9.50 for PCB (board + shipping)
$22.50 Taptation set (chip + shipping)

New total $65.00


So yeah, I totally agree.  Not worth it.  I just listen to "Run Like Hell" and remind myself David Gilmour didn't need no new-fangled tippy tap controller.




* for the record, I think Kits are great for beginners and someone who wants to build 1 single pedal and doesn't need or want extra parts and someone who is still deciding if this is a hobby for them or not.  My first couple of pedals were from Mammoth kits and it was very reassuring to have the specific parts I needed laid out in front of me, as I was already fighting confusion.  However, when I think back at what I spent on those kits vs. what I spend to build the same circuit now, I cringe.

[Heath]

Wow, that Tap kit from UK Electronic looks great, especially for that price.  Good on them!

[IvIark]

I honestly don't mind paying a bit extra for certain pedals and think tap tempo delay is very useful, I just think if you're paying a premium you shouldn't have to source a board to mount it on yourself.  That's just greedy and passing the support buck onto someone else.