/guitar_pedals

Various guitar pedal type projects

My various guitar pedal projects are collected here

The directories for each project roughly follow this structure once you drill down into the area of interest:

├── project_name
│   ├── construction_docs
│   │   ├── project_name_BOM.html
│   │   ├── project_name_schematic.pdf
│   │   └── gerbers
│   │       ├── project_name_gerbers.zip
│   │       └── various gerber files
│   ├── kicad_[/6]_docs
│   │   ├── all KiCad project files needed to open the project in KiCad
│   │   ├── custom_footprints
│   │   │   └── any non-standard footprints used by the project
│   │   └── custom_symbols
│   │       └── any non-standard symbols used by the project
│   └── pics
│       ├── pcb_front.png
│       └── pcb_rear.png
└── readme.md

The construction_docs directory contains everything you need to build the physical pcb.

  • an interactive HTML BOM

  • a pdf copy of the schematic

  • gerbers

  • a few projects include assembly files for using the low cost smd assembly service from JLCpcb.

    • usually a few parts are not included, either because they were not in stock or they were extended parts at the time I ordered boards.

    • if using this service, double check that all the parts are actually in stock, and check for extended parts.

The kicad_[/6]_docs directory contains everything you need to edit the schematic and pcb layout using KiCad.

  • KiCad project files
  • optional custom symbol libraries
  • optional custom footprint libraries

The pics directory just contains a few rendered images of the pcb so you can get an idea of what it looks like.

Readme files are sprinkled around liberally

  • the project readme files typically indicate whether it is safe to order pcbs or not, and the general state of the project.
  • if a project doesn't explicitly say that boards are tested and safe to order, errors are likely.
  • additionally, if there are no gerbers in the construction_docs/gerbers directory, the project is unlikely to be well tested.

Some projects have been updated to KiCad 6, but many are still using KiCad 5. If a project is made using KiCad 6, the folder containing the KiCad project will be called kicad_6_docs. Projects still using KiCad 5 will have a folder simply called kicad_docs. I will probably update projects now and again, but old and well tested projects may not be updated to KiCad 6 anytime soon.

Older projects may not follow the exact directory structure described above, especially regarding custom symbol and footprint libraries. The general idea is pretty consistent across projects though, and there shouldn't be any major surprises.