Project overview
The Echo Nightmare is a dream come true for everyone who likes to experiment with lo-fi delays, ambient noises, and crazy fuzzes, all in one box. With seven knobs and two switches, we can assure you that this is definitely the tweakaholics dream!
This circuit allows you to build such a versatile pedal capable of experimenting with different shape of waveforms, slapback, or self-oscillating feedback, you can even use the modulation and fuzz sounds with the delay or on their own, just by flicking the dry switch, making this circuit way more versatile than any
other delay pedals.
Introduction
The circuit of the Echo nightmare is as crazy as the tones it generates; like always, we could not expect less from the people from DBA.
The most interesting part of this circuit is, without a doubt, the XR2206P IC in charge of changing the shape of the wave, controlling depth and speed of the modulation. Definitely a unique approach for a modulated delay.
We included an internal charge pump over the original design that provides the XR2206P with 18v for the right functioning.
Every time you face a Death by Audio pedal you are in front of a challenge!
For this case, we have this fuzz-reverb-delay-noise machine featuring a pt2399, one dual opamp (MC3372 on the original, could be replaced by more common ones), one discontinued and hard to find XR2206, plus an internal voltage duble in charge of feeding this circuit with the right voltage!
In this first prototype, there was a missing capacitor in the front; you just need to wire it in between the 3pdt and the IN pad. Plus, an external wire as present in the picture of the final build!
Controls
- Delay-Blend
- Delay-Time
- Depth
- Feedback
- Fuzz
- Master
- Speed
For further analysis on this circuit take a look at this thread on Free Stomp Boxes Forum.
For any technical questions regarding this build don’t forget to check out our Facebook Group and our forum at Free Stomp Boxes.
Tom (verified owner) –
Great delay with hard to find components. I found a 2206 chip on eBay and I used a 5532P as suggested in place of the other hard to source IC. Sounds cool. I encountered an error in the instructions as per assigning IC placement. I forget exactly which goes where but I just used the provided schematic below to figure it out. I think the 1044 goes in the top middle position, the 5532 below it, the 2399 is near the regulator and the 2206 is on the left-hand side (double check the schematic). A big board and seven total pots combined with the unobtanium makes this build a bit of a pain. But it’s cool. DBA circuits tend to be hard to replicate but since this one is chip based it seems to be a bit more cut and dry. Thanks PCBGM. And thanks for replacing the boards when the USPS lost my pkg.
jeshuamachado (verified owner) –
Excellent PCB design, durable and well fabricated. Its’ a great delay with strange (in a good way) modulation, not really your typical square/sine wave. I could manage to fit all the pots and PCB in a 1590BB case thanks to the drilling template provided by PCBGM. Instructions were clear for me so it was easy to build this project quickly. Shipping was good and super fast too. Thanks PCBGM!
sylvaintherrat (verified owner) –
Very good ! I bought from Musikding, and it works just great ! It’s tricky to set up the modulation, but when it is done, what a great modulated delay… Can do pretty creazy sonds ! Not an always on pedal but it has quite some tone !
kroars (verified owner) –
Tons of fun to be had with this one and sounds great! The delay, the fuzz the versatility -everything about it is awesome. Decent amount of components and one IC in particular is very rare and susceptible to counterfeiting, so be careful out there.