Guitar-Mounted F/X for $5!

 by gmoon
Featured
Make a killer tone/WahWah filter effect on the cheap! Project uses a 'Remix' iPod module, made for 'scratching' effects with iPods. The audio quality is actually decent.

The Remix units have hit the discount stores (and ebay.) This one cost only $5 USD! With a 3V power supply, they are easily converted to AA batteries (or keep the AAA supply.)

Unlike many guitar projects, this one requires only minimal soldering and only a few extra parts. And no fabricating circuit boards, etc.

Build one like this for on-guitar use, or encase the guts in a stomp box! (use a volume petal to control the effect...)

And OK--I did have all the adapters and cables (and the textured paint) so the total cost will vary....


Keeping with the 'Ghetto' theme, I've installed one on a cheapo 70's guitar (my Les Paul looks on jealously in the video.) (Oh, and be nice about the playing--this was the first and only 'take'...)

 
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Step 1: Parts and Supplies

DSCN1615.JPG
You will need:


Soldering iron and Solder
Small screwdrivers (for electonics or jewelers)
Textured paint (optional)

Cords and adapters (I had these on hand)

With a host of adapters, custom cables don't need to be made (and the remix unit doesn't need any retrofitted jacks, etc.) Ultimately, it DOES make sense to add new jacks, etc. and NOT to depend on adapters.

But this is a quick-n-dirty hack, after all....;-)
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clayharrison says: Feb 18, 2011. 11:02 PM
Is this the one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-MIXTOOLS-REMIX-iPOD-DJ-MIXER-SCRATCH-YOUR-TUNES-PIN-/190337789874?pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item2c51042fb2
smithman99 says: Oct 25, 2010. 11:58 AM
is there any way to keep this at a one cable maximum?
gmoon (author) in reply to smithman99Oct 25, 2010. 3:26 PM
I dunno, probably not. This is a goofy, rigged effect and I wouldn't spend too much time replicating it... It was just a cheap mash-up...
pickboy2mm says: May 20, 2010. 10:32 AM

you can get any of those sounds out of the way you hold your pick and pluck and finger your guitar as long as you have a decent amplifier.  you couldnt record that guitar because of all the noise and you couldnt play it live because the sound guy would probably kill you.  not being rude.  just want to know the purpose if you already have a les paul?

docnova in reply to pickboy2mmJul 2, 2010. 7:21 AM
It would be rather hard to get a wah sound with your pick and fingers. ;-)
gmoon (author) in reply to pickboy2mmMay 20, 2010. 4:19 PM
The purpose? To have FUN.

WTF does my LP have to do with this?
thisonegoesto11 says: May 23, 2010. 3:26 PM
so you don't need the actual Remix case to make the final product? I was thinking of using the case as a iPod holder in a car thats why I ask. also I remember seeing this nearly a year ago and thinking it would be so fun to do but thought I'd never find a Remix, yesterday I walk into Big Lots and they had one and I instantly remembered this and bought it ha!
citixen12 says: Apr 20, 2010. 7:51 PM
 i can't find the ipod attachment anywhere! any ideas? i also want to take your design, flip in 90 degrees, and add a whammy bar.
oweng4000 says: Mar 13, 2010. 9:26 AM
could i put this in a wah pedal casing?
gmoon (author) in reply to oweng4000Mar 13, 2010. 11:03 AM
Sure.

I don't recall what the POT value was, though.
millersxtremedepot says: Mar 7, 2010. 7:02 PM
Check out my sites modboard page @ http://mxdguitars.yolasite.com/modboards.php
brytank01 says: Jun 5, 2008. 7:40 PM
Is it possible to put it inside the guitar?
sminc in reply to brytank01Sep 15, 2009. 5:25 PM
put mine inside one soon, Maybe ill upload photos along the way? Definitely give credit to gmoon if I do. Will this work on a bass guitar, perchance?
gmoon (author) in reply to brytank01Jun 6, 2008. 1:31 PM
Sure, why not? Require some modifications, of course.
jacobguitar says: Sep 5, 2009. 7:14 PM
random question, how does that vibrato unit work?
fatboy106 says: May 22, 2009. 8:24 AM
guitar -> Remix ->amp instead
gmoon (author) in reply to fatboy106May 23, 2009. 4:17 AM
Sure. Whether or not a Wah sounds good without distortion depends a lot on the amp...
fatboy106 says: May 21, 2009. 8:25 AM
could the distortion be missed out?
gmoon (author) in reply to fatboy106May 21, 2009. 11:40 AM
Not quite understanding your question...
fatboy106 says: May 20, 2009. 9:00 AM
gmoon (author) in reply to fatboy106May 21, 2009. 6:01 AM
It looks like a digital recorder. I don't think the playback and record can happen simultaneously. Might possibly be moddable for a different type of effect...
Koil_1 says: Jan 31, 2009. 2:38 PM
Yet another awesome project man. Keep up the good work!
Calligraphy says: Dec 3, 2008. 4:49 PM
Yeah experimental would be a good tag for this one! I can't help but be reminded of the guitar solo from Triad ( Tool ). I know the guitarist did a weird setup that had his guitar going into the keyboard, somehow resulting with instant feedback if he so much as let go of the strings. I wouldn't be surprised if you could do a close imitation with this gadget.
sasuke_kun12 says: Aug 17, 2008. 12:44 AM
anyone got one of these they can ship to australia on the cheap?
gmoon (author) in reply to sasuke_kun12Aug 17, 2008. 9:37 AM
You can find 'em on Ebay, cheap. Search for "remix ipod"....
mubot says: Aug 13, 2008. 3:43 PM
killer use for it .... i saw these at BIG LOTS for like $5 and grabbed a few ... also grabbed the drum machine thing they had ... i used 1 of the filters ones in my DIY synth ... cool and simple!
gmoon (author) in reply to mubotAug 14, 2008. 5:31 AM
Yeah--I've picked up a couple volume pedals from old organs recently...maybe it's time to do this up right. Make a wah pedal and add all the cable jacks, attenuation (for the feedback), etc., that this quick-n-dirty hack lacks....
DIY Dave says: Oct 2, 2007. 2:34 PM
Where did you get the remix ipod thing in the intro and adapter 2 in step 10?
gmoon (author) in reply to DIY DaveOct 2, 2007. 4:25 PM
The Remix module was had at Big Lots (in the midwest.) If you're not a USA person, it's a discount / closeout type store. I've seen 'em cheap on ebay, too. I had the adapter already, but I'd bet I got it at Radio Shack (you can find all these adapters online for 1/4 the cost at RS.)
bustedit in reply to gmoonMay 22, 2008. 12:50 PM
I saw these at Big Lots a few months ago, but I bought their robot voice changer instead and wa going to put in in a new case. I guess I'm going back to grab 1 or 2 of these now. Nice, fun instructable.
gmoon (author) in reply to busteditMay 23, 2008. 6:33 AM
Thanks--there's lots of room to improve this (I kept it very minimal.) Some attenuation on the output would improve the sound greatly...
DIY Dave in reply to gmoonOct 4, 2007. 7:54 PM
Thanks for the reply
gmoon (author) in reply to DIY DaveOct 5, 2007. 6:50 AM
Yep. rock on.
moesboy says: May 22, 2008. 12:20 PM
they also make the Spin Master Beatz Drum could you do some thing with that
butthead95 says: Mar 3, 2008. 5:45 PM
use wire crimps with difrnt ends instead of solder much easier less work you can buy them at crap sales flea markets swap meets go to the hardware guy there mad cheap too and dont 4get to buy the tool crimps saved me solder and burns
Yerboogieman says: Feb 25, 2008. 8:07 PM
i have that SAME roll of solder, had it for years
gmoon (author) in reply to YerboogiemanFeb 26, 2008. 4:52 PM
hehe. My's pretty old, too. But I've used more in the last six months than in the previous 5 yrs....
SpeakupforRonPaul says: Jan 13, 2008. 2:22 AM
Sounded really cool at 47 before the squeal. Something is not right but the idea of something on a guitar you could "bend" or squelch with your pick hand fingers or a bar would be very widely popular if you get the screech out of it.
gmoon (author) in reply to SpeakupforRonPaulJan 13, 2008. 5:01 AM
I do think this can be improved with just a few more components--some attenuation (a couple resistors), and maybe a capacitor to roll off the feedback. But it's definitely just thrown out there, done as cheaply as possible (with cardboard, bungee cord, etc.) I might work on it again, or I might not... ;-) That's not much incentive for others to replicate the hack, but oh well...
Mentis Nebulus says: Jan 6, 2008. 3:39 PM
Any chance you can make a video of how to put the fx inside the guitar?
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