Madbean Pedals updates SludgeHammer bass DI project to 2024 version

November 22, 2024 · 1 sources

Madbean Pedals published the SludgeHammer24 project file on November 22, 2024. The maker states the 2024 version has no significant circuit changes and minor layout tweaks, and now includes a bypass board for the 3PDT switch¹.

The SludgeHammer is a DIY circuit board project, listed at an intermediate build level and described as a bass DI based on the SansAmp Bass Driver DI¹. The maker says it can serve as a pre-amp in a pedal rig and as a DI for home recording or live playing, and that phantom power was left out¹. The board carries controls for level, active bass and treble cut and boost, a blend between the clean input and the presence and drive section, presence, drive, and a balanced output level, plus a direct out and a ground lift switch for the balanced output¹. The balanced output is optional, and the maker recommends a TRS jack over XLR, which requires a 22-24mm hole¹. The build calls for a 1590BB enclosure, a slim 2.1mm DC jack, a standard 3PDT footswitch and a 5mm LED¹.

The maker notes noise and feedback issues in the build, describing them as common complaints from other DIY builders of the Bass Driver that appear inherent to the design¹. The document reports feedback or oscillation with the treble, presence, drive and level controls at maximum through an amp, and noise with the presence control that the maker reduced by changing IC2 from a TL074 to a TLE2074¹. The maker also writes that the drive control bunches up at the end of its rotation and that running the unit at 18V made the highest drive setting smoother, provided caps are rated 25V or higher¹.