48 Circuits or Less Cover Image

The “48 Circuits or Less” Series

A Stompbox Electronics series covering the essential circuits behind guitar effects design – from the true bypass to filters, amplifiers, and beyond. Build each one with basic tools and any PROTIS 1 development board. The “or less” part matters: you don’t need to complete every circuit to start designing your own pedals.

The 48 Circuits or Less program started under the Mimmotronics brand. Stompbox Electronics has since been the key contributor and only producer of the PROTIS 1 guitar effects development board, the PROTIS 1 MINI, and the PLEBUS 1 adapter board. The program serves to close the gap between DIY guitar effects design and those interested in the craft. It is recommended to purchase one of the boards to follow along, but it is not a requirement.

If you have any questions on the series or the development boards, feel free to reach out!

The Circuits

Note: the “48 Circuits or Less” articles are currently being produced. Please check back periodically for new articles or join the mailing list!

Circuit 1: The Bypass
Circuit 2: The De-Popper
Circuit 3: The Voltage Divider
Circuit 4: Diode Protection
Circuit 5: The Switched Jack
Guitar effects design in 48 Circuits or Less. Number 6: The Power Supply Filter
Circuit 6: The Power Supply Filter
Guitar effects design in 48 Circuits or Less. Number 7: The Switched Jack
Circuit 7: The Switched Jack
Guitar effects design in 48 Circuits or Less. Number 8: The LED Circuit
Circuit 8: The LED Circuit
Guitar effects design in 48 Circuits or Less. Number 9: The Charge Pump Inverter
Circuit 9: The Charge Pump Inverter
Guitar effects design in 48 Circuits or Less. Number 10: The Voltgae Doubler
Circuit 10: The Voltage Doubler
Guitar effects design in 48 Circuits or Less. Number 11 The Linear Regulator
Circuit 11: The Linear Regulator
Guitar effects design in 48 Circuits or Less. Number 12 The Passive RC Filter
Circuit 12: The Passive RC Filter