Tremolo Factory

Based on: Number of parts: Enclosure type:

Zvex Seek Trem Average, total 57 components 1590bb
Effect type: Technology: Get your board at:
Complex tremolo effect Vactrol / Photoresistor Tremolo Factory
Build difficult: Power consumption: Get your kit at:
Intermediate 9V Das Musikding (Europe)

Project overview:
Inspired by Zvex Seek Trem, the Tremolo Factory Rhythmic has all its well-oiled machinery ready to
produce a ton of tremolos effects with complex patterns.

Tremolo Factory by PCB Guitar Mania 1

Document version 1.2v, 8th November 2021
Index
1. Project overview 5. Schematic
2. Index, Introduction & Controls 6. Components, Build Notes, Wiring Diagram
3. Bills of Materials, BOM 7. Drill Template, Licensing and Usage
4. Shopping Lists

Introduction
Are you up to this new industrial revolution? The purpose of this factory-board is to maximize the assembly
of as many complex tremolos as possible. Now join us on this factory tour to observe the line production
processes at work:

Via toggle, you can choose if either 4,6 or 8 potentiometers send an impulse to a decade counter that hits
an optocoupler (or white clear LED and LDR - Easier to source) and then goes its way back to the Tremolo
circuit. This awesomely unique and straightforward take allows you to manufacture your own patterns with
a minimal amount of easy-to-source parts. The second momentary footswitch resets the pattern, so you're
not starting in the middle of it when engaging.

For a circuit test, the LEDs need to be placed in the PCB, or you will not get any Tremolo going on. We
recommend using at least one metal shaft 9mm pot for the speed control, or the PCB will be held in place
only by the toggle. We tried using 3 metal shaft 9mm potentiometers in our build. Another thing to keep in
mind is that these 9mm plastic shaft pots require precise drilling and should be soldered with everything
in the enclosure to allow a smooth rotation.

Now that you have seen how the making process works is your time to build this industrial setup. Are you
ready to have a workshop of unlimited tremolos mass production in your own house?

Controls
Each knob labeled “POT” controls different steps of the tremolo sequence.

• POT4 • POT8
• POT5 • POT9
• POT6 • POT10
• POT7 • SPEED

Switches

• Stop
• Steps

Tremolo Factory by PCB Guitar Mania 2

Document version 1.2v, 8th November 2021
Bill of materials
Resistors Electrolytics Capacitors Transistors
Part Value Part Value Part Value
R1 1m C2 10u Q1 BS170
R2 2m7 C3 100u Q2 BS170
R3 2m7 C4 1u
R4 510r C5 1u
Vactrol
R5 470r C6 220u
Part Value
R6 10k
VACT_1 vtl5c3
R7 100k
Potentiometers
R8 100k
Part Value
R9 10k Switches
POT3 100k B
R10 10k Part Value
POT4 100k B
R11 22k STOP SPST
POT5 100k B
R12 33k STEPS SPST
POT6 100k B
R13 33k (On/Off/On)
POT7 100k B
R14 33k
POT8 100k B
R15 33k Diods
POT9 100k B
R16 33k Part Value
POT10 100k B
R17 33k D0 1n5817
SPEED 100k B
R18 33k D1 1n757a
R19 33k D2 1n4148
R20 33k Trimpots D3 1n4148
R21 4k7 Part Value D4 1n4148
TRIM1 5k D5 3mm LED
Capacitors D6 3mm LED
Part Value IC D7 3mm LED
C1 100n Part Value D8 3mm LED
IC1 TL072 D9 3mm LED
IC2 CD4017BE D10 3mm LED
D11 3mm LED
D12 3mm LED
LED 3mm Red
LED

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Document version 1.2v, 8th November 2021
Shopping list

Resistors Trimpots
Qty Value Parts Qty Value Parts
2 100k R7, R8 1 5k TRIM1
3 10k R6, R9, R10
1 1m R1
IC
1 22k R11
Qty Value Parts
2 2m7 R2, R3
1 CD4017BE IC2
9 33k R12, R13, R14, R15, R16,
1 TL072 IC1
R17, R18, R19, R20
1 470r R5
1 4k7 R21 Transistors
1 510r R4 Qty Value Parts
2 BS170 Q1, Q2
Capacitors
Qty Value Parts Vactrol
1 100n C1 Qty Value Parts
1 vtl5c3 VACT_1
Electrolytics Capacitors
Qty Value Parts Switches
2 100u C3 Qty Value Parts
1 10u C2 1 SPST (On/Off/On) STEPS
2 1u C4, C5 1 SPST STOP
1 220u C6

Diods
Potentiometers Qty Value Parts
Qty Value Parts 3 1n4148 D2, D3, D4
9 100k B POT3, POT4, POT5, POT6, 1 1n5817 D0
POT7, POT8, POT9,
1 1n757a D1
POT10, SPEED
8 3mm LED D5, D6, D7, D8, D9,
D10, D11, D12
1 3mm Red LED LED

Tremolo Factory by PCB Guitar Mania 4

Document version 1.2v, 8th November 2021
Schematic

Tremolo Factory by PCB Guitar Mania 5

Document version 1.2v, 8th November 2021
Components Recommendations
As many people like to experiment with some pedals with higher voltage, always ensure
your electrolytic capacitors' max tolerance is over 25v.

This board has been tested using Film box capacitors for most of the values over 1nf and ceramics discs
for those under 1nf. However, high-quality components such as Wima's Capacitors and Panasonic's
electrolytics can deliver a better performance.

All the resistors used for testing this project are 1/4W Metal Film.

The BOM and Shopping list are exclusive regarding this project. It doesn't include all the hardware like the
3PDT bypass switch, audio/dc jacks, enclosure, etc.

Build Notes
If this is one of your first projects, I recommend you to take a look at our Pedal Building Guide.

For a successful and tidy build, it’s recommended the following order:

1. Resistors & diodes

2. Capacitors, starting with the smaller ones and the ceramic ones.
3. Electrolytic capacitors (always check the polarity)
4. Transistors
5. Wires
6. Potentiometers and switches
7. Off-board wiring

Wiring Diagram
All our projects include a free 3PDT Board to make the wiring easier and tidier. Also, all of our PCBs feature
the status LED on board.

The pad named “Ctrl” or “LED” is the one that controls the status of the led; wire it to the “LED” pad on the
3PDT board or in the control slug of your 3PDT.

This board has been designed to match our EZ 3PDT PCB; check it here to access our Pedal Wiring Guide.

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Document version 1.2v, 8th November 2021
Drill Template
This Project has been planned to fit into a 1590bb enclosure type.
Check the Attached “Drilling templates” to drill the box properly. The files are on Scale 1:1, ready to print
on an A4 page.

Licensing and Usage

We really appreciate your trust and support in buying this PCB, as well as your will to dive into the DIY
electronics world. For us, that's why you can make this project work properly and enjoy not only the building
process but also experiment and play with it on your rig.

We try to reply to every question we receive on our email or our social media. Still, we try to encourage all
our customers to join our PCB Guitar Mania – Builders Group on Facebook to post all your doubts, issues,
suggestions, or requests, share your builds, and have some feedback from other fellow builders and us!

We tested all our projects following this same guide on their standard configurations. Although, not all of
the variations and mods have necessarily been checked. These are suggestions based on the schematic
analysis and the experiences and opinions of others. Feel free to share with us your views and
recommendations regarding the mods your personal experimentation.

These boards may be used for commercial endeavors in any quantity unless expressly noted. No attribution
is necessary, though accreditation or a link back is always much appreciated.

If you are a builder planning to make your own run of pedals, we also offer the service of custom-made
boards with your brand and logo, design according to your specifications.

The only usage restrictions are that, first, you cannot resell the PCB as part of a kit without prior
arrangement with us, and second, you cannot scratch off the silkscreen or other way of trying to hide our
logos and the source of the PCBs. Like it's written above, if you want to have your designs with your brand
and logo, we could undoubtedly reach an agreement.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay in tune with the latest projects!

Tremolo Factory by PCB Guitar Mania 7

Document version 1.2v, 8th November 2021