06.10.2024 Build an Overdrive, soldering workshop

This is a beginner-friendly workshop for people who would like to learn soldering, pedal assembly and the basics of overdrive and distortion circuits.

After the workshop you would have all the resources and knowledge to build most of the through-hole pedal or modular synth kits.

We provide all the tools and components, a pre-drilled enclosure and basic knobs.

It is a full day workshop. We start at 12pm and finish around 4-6pm, depending on your skill and prowess. Location is our shop on Weichselstr. 32 12045 Berlin (HEADS UP there are two streets with the same name in Berlin, you need the one in Neukölln, not Friedrichshain).

Discounts are available for people from underrepresented communities and those who can not afford the full price of the workshop. Please reach out and we'll figure something out hey@pedalmarkt.com

Overdrive

This pedal is a color and texture device. With different clipping and brightness options it can act as a boost, an overdrive or a distortion. It stacks well with other pedals, responds to your playing and is a classy beast all around! 

We are going to be building an original discreet overdrive/distortion circuit. It's based around a discreet opamp soft-clipping block similar to the one used in the Boss Blues Driver and OD-2.

Knobs: Volume, Gain.
Switches: Filter (Bright/Dark), Clipping (One of two sets of diodes or Off)

Customization

You will be able to experiment with different sounds by choosing a combination of clipping diodes, transistors and HPF capacitors in the circuit. We'll have different options available for you to experiment with.

Enclosures

We will have acrylic markers and rubber stamping tools at the shop for you to decorate the enclosure.

We can also laser-engrave your own graphic on the enclosures that have a powder coat (every enclosure option except for "bare"). For instructions please see this doc. Deadline for the designs is one week before the workshop.

After the workshop

We have collected a decent amount of links and resources for you to use by yourself. We also have a small community on Discord, there you can ask questions and get help with your builds. You will get access to those after the workshop.

Cancellations

You have the option to cancel and get a refund up until 1 day before the event. We would of course refund everyone if we have to cancel the workshop for any reason.