How do pedals work?

I decided doing a series of posts, in which I'll try to explain how effect pedals work, without getting too technical and theoretical. We'll see the bigger picture and explore what parts are needed to get an effect going! I often get the question if "clones are different from originals?" and it is always a lengthy answer by my side. With what we'll learn, I hope you'll get your own opinion on that matter.

Let's start by seeing what are the main parts on the box. 

We'll use an EHX Lpb-1, which is a pretty simple circuit.

This effect is clearly done in a factory automized setting.

1.In and Out plugs

You can get all kinds of types on these, every type has its ups and downs. Things can get tight in an enclosure, so in hand-made pedals we mostly see the first (open) type, while in factory-made we mostly get the 3d type. .

2.The Footswitch with which you choose between "True Bypass" or "effect". Here is the junction between the In and Out plugs and the effect board. We will later examine switches so, I'll just tell you that we mostly see the standard blue "3DTP" switch. Our LPB-1 uses the -easy connect- board seen on 2nd pic, seen mostly in factory pedals.

3.Power Supply

Most pedals need 9V DC to run and all require the "Boss type" barel plug. Some effects run on 18 or even 24volt, some on different +/- polarity. Again, on the LPB-1 we see the second type attached on the board. In hand made you see the first, screw type.

4. The maindboard.

Here is where all the magic (grow up) happens. The board is used to route the needed connections between components, signal and power to complete the circuit. This particular board is a PCB (Printed Circuit Board). It has drill holes and an exact place for each component. In factory made pedals, we can find boards that have place for every part, even plugs and switch. You can also see boards that require wires to make the connections between parts, that's the main approach on diy.

5.The Pot(entiometer).

Everyone knows what may happen if you give it a spin, but how that happens? Each pot is a part of the circuit and can change the balances between components. It can have minor or major effect for each case. We can see the first pot has "solder lugs" that are very handy for using with wire. On pcb you'll see the "pins" instead of the "lugs".

and last but not listed...

the enclosure!

Enclosures are mostly aluminum or metal. Some companies design and construct their own ones, other use some standard designs, some use plastic (Boss style) and some are built from heavy fukin metal. I once came across a Kramer distortion that was heavy and thick enough to have a tank over it. That didn't prevent the pedal from having a defective pot and a burned out component though. We will be mostly dealing with the 1950 series, the most widely spread type. 

That's all for now, we'll see closely about all the parts on the next posts.