Aion Electronics ASTERIA MK. III Bedienungsanleitung

ASTERIA PREAMP DRIVE MK. III 1

PROJECT NAME

ASTERIA MK. III

BASED ON

EFFECT TYPE

PROJECT SUMMARY

DOCUMENT VERSION

Catalinbread®Formula 55

An adaptation of the Fender®Deluxe 5E3 amplifier from 1955, a classic low-wattage amplifier noted for

its harmonically-rich breakup that can be achieved at low volumes.

Overdrive / Amp Emulation 1.0.1 (2020-12-10)

Actual size is 2.3” x 1.86” (main board) and 1.78” x 0.87” (bypass board).

BUILD DIFFICULTY

Intermediate

This documentation is for the Mk. III version of the project. There is also a Mk. I version, based on

the Formula No. 5 V1, and a Mk. II version, based on the Formula No. 5 V2. While the names are

similar, the circuit and part numbering are different. Please be sure your PCB is labeled “Asteria Mk.

III” before proceeding with this build document.

IMPORTANT NOTE

ASTERIA PREAMP DRIVE MK. III 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1Project Overview 7Drill Template

2Introduction & Usage 8Enclosure Layout

3-4 Parts List 9Wiring Diagram

5Build Notes 10 Licensing

6Schematic 10 Document Revisions

INTRODUCTION

The Asteria Preamp Drive Mk. III is an adaptation of the Catalinbread Formula 55, based on the Fender

5E3 Tweed Deluxe amplifiers from the 1950s. It was originally released in 2017, the third version of the

original Formula No. 5, but different enough that they changed the name.

The Formula 55 replicates the quirks of the original Deluxe amp, including a tone control whose effect

diminishes as the gain is turned up, with almost no change across the sweep at maximum drive. While

the original amp only had Gain and Tone knobs, this circuit adds a master volume, Presence control, and

a toggle switch to increase the gain.

Like several other Catalinbread pedals, this circuit blurs the line between a preamp and an overdrive.

Like a true preamplifier, it’s very reactive to what comes before it, so it’s best placed after other drive

pedals but before modulation. However, it also generates more than enough drive on its own and can be

used as a standalone overdrive pedal just like any other.

The Formula 55 was preceded by two versions of the Formula No. 5 in 2010 and 2011. These are

available from Aion FX as the Asteria Mk. I and Asteria Mk. II.

The original Formula 55 used MPF4393 JFETs, which are no longer produced. Aion FX sells the original

MPF4393 in sets of 5. The PCB also has an extra pad so that surface-mount JFETs can be used (part

number MMBF4393), which are still in production and perform identically to those used in Catalinbread

pedals. See build notes for more details.

The Asteria Mk. III is compatible with the 18V Voltage Doubler / Bypass module if you want to run the

circuit at 18V without an external adapter. The higher voltage provides increased volume and clarity.

USAGE

The Asteria Mk. III has the following controls:

• Volume controls the amount of gain in the first amplifier stage.

• Tone is a treble-cut control. Its function changes with the gain control position, and has no effect

with the gain all the way up.

• Presence is a treble-cut control at the end of the circuit.

• Master is the overall output level.

ASTERIA PREAMP DRIVE MK. III 3

PARTS LIST

This parts list is also available in a spreadsheet format which can be imported directly into Mouser for

easy parts ordering. Mouser doesn’t carry all the parts (most notably potentiometers) so the second tab

lists all the non-Mouser parts as well as sources for each.

View parts list spreadsheet →

PART VALUE TYPE NOTES

R1 1M Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R2 33k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R3 15k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R4 56k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R5 4k7 Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R6 1k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R7 1M Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R8 1M Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R9 1M Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R10 68k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R11 10k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R12 5k1 Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R13 3k9 Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R14 1k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R15 1M Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R16 1M Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R17 100R Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R18 1M Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R19 5k6 Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R20 15k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R21 100R Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R22 10k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R23 10k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R24 100R Metal film resistor, 1/4W

LEDR 4k7 Metal film resistor, 1/4W

C1 1uF Film capacitor, 7.2 x 3.5mm

C2 22uF Electrolytic capacitor, 5mm

C3 2.2uF Film capacitor, 7.2 x 5mm Can also substitute electrolytic (polarity marked on PCB)

C4 100n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm

C5 470pF MLCC capacitor, NP0/C0G

ASTERIA PREAMP DRIVE MK. III 4

PARTS LIST, CONT.

PART VALUE TYPE NOTES

C6 4n7 Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm

C7 22uF Electrolytic capacitor, 5mm

C8 2.2uF Film capacitor, 7.2 x 5mm Can also substitute electrolytic (polarity marked on PCB)

C9 22n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm

C10 3n3 Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm

C11 100n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm

C12 2.2uF Film capacitor, 7.2 x 5mm Can also substitute electrolytic (polarity marked on PCB)

C13 47uF Electrolytic capacitor, 5mm Reference voltage filter capacitor.

C14 100uF Electrolytic capacitor, 6.3mm Power supply filter capacitor.

C15 100n MLCC capacitor, X7R Power supply filter capacitor.

D1 1N5817 Schottky diode, DO-41

Q1 MMBF4393 JFET, N-channel, SOT-23 Substitute for MPF4393 (TO-92). See build notes.

Q2 MMBF4393 JFET, N-channel, SOT-23 Substitute for MPF4393 (TO-92). See build notes.

Q3 MMBF4393 JFET, N-channel, SOT-23 Substitute for MPF4393 (TO-92). See build notes.

Q4 MMBF4393 JFET, N-channel, SOT-23 Substitute for MPF4393 (TO-92). See build notes.

Q5 MMBF4393 JFET, N-channel, SOT-23 Substitute for MPF4393 (TO-92). See build notes.

VOL. 1MA 16mm right-angle PCB mount pot

TONE 1MA 16mm right-angle PCB mount pot

PRES. 50kB 16mm right-angle PCB mount pot

MAST. 250kA 16mm right-angle PCB mount pot

HI/LO DPDT on-on Toggle switch, DPDT on-on

TR1 10k trimmer Trimmer, 10%, 1/4" See build notes.

TR2 10k trimmer Trimmer, 10%, 1/4" See build notes.

IN 1/4" stereo 1/4" phone jack, closed frame Switchcraft 112BX or equivalent.

OUT 1/4" mono 1/4" phone jack, closed frame Switchcraft 111X or equivalent.

DC 2.1mm DC jack, 2.1mm panel mount Mouser 163-4302-E or equivalent.

FSW 3PDT Stomp switch, 3PDT

ENC 125B Enclosure, die-cast aluminum Can also use a Hammond 1590N1.

ASTERIA PREAMP DRIVE MK. III 5

BUILD NOTES

Using SMD JFETs

The MPF4393 JFET is no longer available from the original manufacturer in through-hole format.

This PCB uses a hybrid through-hole/SMD outline for each JFET. An extra “G” (gate) pad is included to

accommodate the MMBF4393 surface-mount version without the need for adapters.

SMD JFETs should be oriented as follows:

All surface-mount JFETs use the same pinout, so this configuration will fit any type that we’re aware

of. However, always check the datasheet if you’re uncertain—they’re difficult to desolder if you make a

mistake.

MPF4393s from Aion FX

We have a large quantity of through-hole MPF4393 and should be able to provide them in hobbyist

quantities for the foreseeable future. They are available in sets of 5. They are manufactured by ON

Semiconductor, the same as those used in the original Catalinbread pedal. They test in the same range

and will perform identically.

Setting bias trimmers TR1 and TR2

Trimmers TR1 and TR2 allow adjustment of the gain of the two main amplifier stages. According to

Catalinbread’s customer support (relayed in this thread at The Gear Page) the trimmers are set at noon

during manufacturing. In the unit we traced, they were both set to zero, so it’s possible they changed

this practice at some point.

Whatever the case, start with each trimmer to noon and then adjust to taste. Setting it lower will

increase the gain and setting it higher will reduce the gain.

SCHEMATIC

ASTERIA PREAMP DRIVE MK. III 6

GND

5817

100uF

50kB

GND

250kA

+9V

100n

1uF

33k MPF4393

15k

10k

GND

22uF

56k

4k7

GND

2u2

1M 1M

MPF4393

GND

100n

1MA

470pF

4n7

GND

68k MPF4393

2u2

1M 1M

MPF4393

GND

10k

GND

22uF

5k1

3k9

GND

22n

3n3

GND

100R

100n

MPF4393

5k6

15k

100R

GND GND

10k

47uF

GND GND

2u2

100R

OUT

C14

PRESENCE

MASTER

C15

R2 Q1

TR1

HI/LO

R7 R8

TONE

VOLUME

R10 Q3

R14

R15 R16

R11

TR2

R12

R13

C9 C10

R17

C11

R18

R19

R20

R21

R22

R23

C13

C12

R24

GND

ASTERIA PREAMP DRIVE MK. III 7

DRILL TEMPLATE

Cut out this drill template, fold the edges and tape it to the enclosure. Before drilling, it’s recommended

to first use a center punch for each of the holes to help guide the drill bit.

Ensure that this template is printed at 100% or “Actual Size”. You can double-check this by measuring

the scale on the printed page.

Top jack layout assumes the use of closed-frame jacks like the Switchcraft 111X. If you’d rather use

open-frame jacks, please refer to the Open-Frame Jack Drill Template for the top side.

LED hole drill size assumes the use of a 5mm LED bezel, available from several parts suppliers. Adjust

size accordingly if using something different, such as a 3mm bezel, a plastic bezel, or just a plain LED.

0 1 2

0 1

INCH

x: 0, y: -1.20

ø15/32”

x: -0.775, y: -1.20

ø5/16”

CENTER (0,0)

ø3/8” ø1/2”

0.385”

0.625” 0.625”

ø3/8”

OUT DC IN

125B

MASTER VOLUME

PRESENCE TONE

FOOTSWITCHLED

HI/LO

x: 0, y: +1.06

ø1/4”

x: -0.65, y: +1.71 x: 0.65, y: +1.71

ø9/32” ø9/32”

x: -0.65, y: +0.41

ø9/32”

x: 0.65, y: +0.41

ø9/32”

ASTERIA PREAMP DRIVE MK. III 8

ENCLOSURE LAYOUT

Enclosure is shown without jacks. See next page for jack layout and wiring.

125B

ASTERIA PREAMP DRIVE MK. III 9

WIRING DIAGRAM

125B

IN +VGND N.C. N.C. OUT

PCB

GND +V +V JACK GND JACK

OUTIN

GND GND PCB

OUT

ASTERIA PREAMP DRIVE MK. III 10

LICENSE & USAGE

No direct support is offered for these projects beyond the provided documentation. It’s assumed

that you have at least some experience building pedals before starting one of these. Replacements and

refunds cannot be offered unless it can be shown that the circuit or documentation are in error.

All of these circuits have been tested in good faith in their base configurations. However, not all the

modifications or variations have necessarily been tested. These are offered only as suggestions based

on the experience and opinions of others.

Projects may be used for commercial endeavors in any quantity unless specifically noted. No

attribution is necessary, though a link back is always greatly appreciated. The only usage restrictions

are that (1) you cannot resell the PCB as part of a kit without prior arrangement, and (2) you cannot

“goop” the circuit, scratch off the screenprint, or otherwise obfuscate the circuit to disguise its source.

(In other words: you don’t have to go out of your way to advertise the fact that you use these PCBs, but

please don’t go out of your way to hide it. The guitar effects industry needs more transparency, not less!)

DOCUMENT REVISIONS

1.0.1 (2020-12-10)

Removed RPD from parts list which was included by mistake. (R1 acts as the pulldown resistor.)

1.0.0 (2020-11-27)

Initial release.

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