Crucially , this stage also contains the (the opposite of the input pre-emphasis). It cuts the highs back down to normal, simultaneously removing the hiss we were worried about earlier. Section 5: The Mixing Amplifier The Carbon Copy is unique because it is a 100% wet mix pedal . Many delays blend internally. In this circuit, your dry guitar signal goes straight to the final output stage via a buffer.
In this post, we aren’t just going to stare at a schematic; we are going to break it down block by block. Whether you are a DIY builder looking to clone it, a modder looking to tweak it, or just a curious player, understanding the Carbon Copy schematic is a masterclass in modern analog delay design. This post is for educational purposes only. The MXR Carbon Copy is a patented, copyrighted design owned by Jim Dunlop. Do not use this information to manufacture pedals for commercial sale. The Big Picture: What Makes the Carbon Copy Special? Before we dive into the resistors and capacitors, let’s look at the signal flow. The Carbon Copy is a BBD (Bucket Brigade Device) based analog delay . At its heart is the CoolAudio V3205SD, a modern reissue of the legendary Panasonic MN3205. Mxr Carbon Copy Schematic
Keep building. Keep tweaking. Keep the analog dream alive. Crucially , this stage also contains the (the
Then, the signal goes back into the . This is the expander . Remember how we compressed the signal earlier? The expander does the opposite. It turns quiet signals down and loud signals up to restore your original dynamics. Many delays blend internally
A BBD chip has a limited headroom. If you hit it with a hard pick attack, it will clip into ugly, splatty distortion. The compressor gently squashes your dynamics so the BBD sees a consistently strong, but not too strong, signal.
However, the magic happens right after the buffer. You will see a network of capacitors and resistors that form a (a high-pass shelf). The Carbon Copy deliberately cuts bass and boosts treble before the delay chip.