Crusher - Analog Bit Crusher

NOTE: the build doc still shows the pre-Direct-Connect version of the PCB. It'll be updated at some point. The BOM is identical. Follow that, not the pic. Sorted.

Some people strive to nail that Gimour tone. Some yearn for Eddie's sound on the first VH album.

....and others want to mess with their shiz. This one's for you.

Most 'bit crushers' are digital affairs, downsampling your lovely sine waves into binary mush before shoving it out the other side. This little puppy avoids the 1s and 0s, employing some Op-Amp and FET fiddling to emulate that downsampling effect. The results are a bit haphazard but can be very rewarding.

Based on the circuit designed by Colin Raffel of experimentalists anonymous, but with some tweaking of components to make it work more consistently. Colin describes it as 'a sample and hold circuit, which is an analog sample rate reducer'.

Caution: This is not a clean, quiet effect. Due to the woo-waaahs and doodads in the circuit that produce the effect there is a whining noise which is very clear when no signal is being put into it. The frequency of the whine changes when you turn the knob, and is actually good for ascertaining which key the effect will work best with at which setting. Part and parcel of messing up your sound. Embrace it or don't use this pedal.

Board-mounted pot for minimal wiring and easy enclosure mounting.

If you want the PCB without parts there's a link for that at the bottom of the page.

Partial kit: PCB, all board-mounted components, pots.

Full kit: As above, plus footswitch and appropriate daughterboard/components for your selected bypass type (see Downloads section for details of those), jack sockets, DC socket, battery snap, hook-up wire, LED.

Enclosure (pre-drilled) is available as an option with full kits, and can take a battery if desired with footswitch positioned 22mm higher, closer to the controls. Knobs are not included.

Builds are only available with full kits including enclosure. Please choose appropriate knobs.

Inspired by: Experimentalists Anonymous Bit Crusher

Difficulty: Medium

PCB size: 50 x 23mm

Knobs required: 1

Enclosure: 1590B

Direct-Connect compatible (4-way)

Download INSTRUCTION PDF

Product Code: Crusher

Brand: Pedal Parts

Weight: 110.0g

Product Condition: New

Kit type* Allow for battery?* Ribbon connector?* Pre-built (UK Only) ?*

£21.60 inc. tax

£18.00 ex. tax

? Tax based on United Kingdom.

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Customer Reviews

4 review(s) posted (write review)

Crusher
"Great bitcrusher, super noisy (in an awesome way of course). Great for crushing samples, and pretty much everything else. Sounds good with a bass. Also got here super quickly. My second Fuzz Dog kit. Highly recommend." Caleb - 31 January 2018

Awesome!
"Super awesome kit, really clear instructions and the PcB makes it so much easier than stripboard. The parts are all top notch and I even managed not to melt any capacitors! Hooray! Sounds super glitchy and awesome! Ive named the pedal after my cat." Adam - 02 October 2014

Great noise maker
"One of the first pedals I've made, and I can happily say the best. Makes a horrible noise, at high setting virtually obliterates your guitar signal. Adjusting the dial seems to adjust the pitch of the output - I've marked mine so it can be used as a really primitive synth. Love it! PS I found the poodle's instructions to be by far the best with any kit I've bought." Michael Capstick - 18 April 2013

mothercrusher
"This was only my second project after getting the soldering bug after a mute synth workshop. My first solo project. I did the board with no problems but had a bit of bother with the switch. This is due to me being a complete novice. Great little kit. Very nasty,noisy pedal. I'm a synth player not a guitarist(sorry if this offends ;) ) I can't wait for my next build. Wonderful. Thanks Poodle" matt brown - 01 April 2013