Project overview

Let’s get excited about the Color Exciter! Create from slight distortion to heavy dirt with this amazing musical device. This is a DIY project based on the circuit instructions by Ethan Winer in Project Articles. Thanks, Mattias Augustsson, for sharing the article with us! 

This easy-to-make, pick-performing circuit proves that sometimes great distortion can be achieved with less than more. Instead of going for the typical aproach full of tubes and transformers, which may end up underperforming, Ethan used only a few diodes and resistors with amazing results.

Introduction

Ahhh, friends, it’s time for you to treat yourself with something delightful. With the Color Exciter, you can experience amazing distortion—all with a few simple diodes and resistors! Banish your tube- and transformer-filled days of underachieving performances; reach great sound, all with the Color Exciter! It’s easy to make and still gives you outstanding results—what more could you ask for? 

This beauty goes from very subtle distortion to heavy dirt in no time. The setting also allows switching in a capacitor to gently roll off the highest frequencies to counter the added buzziness. With gentler settings, the overall effect is similar to running music through a tube amplifier or an analog tape recorder but without the added tape hiss and flutter.

Treat yourself well and build this little hidden doorway of joy, and if why error, you end up misplacing a value, just remember: 

“We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.”

Controls

Potentiometers

• AMOUNT

Switches

• GLUE/BYPASS/MOJO
• ODD/EVEN
• TRANSFORMER
• DIODE
• CAP

For any technical questions regarding this build don’t forget to check out our Facebook Group and our forum at Free Stomp Boxes.

Colour Exciter – Drilling template