Poly-face
Based on: Amount of parts: Enclosure type:
Polyphaser EHX High, total 153 components 1790NS
Effect type: Technology: Get your board at:
Ultimate Vintage Phaser – Photo-resistors Poly-face
Envelope Filter Power consumption: Get your kit at:
Build difficult: 18V Das Musikding (Europe)
Advanced
Project overview:
Inspired on Electro Harmonix Polyphase. Ready to challenge yourself with a rare vintage unit?
Index
1. Project overview 6. Build Notes
2. Index, Introduction & Controls 7. Schematic
3. Bills of Materials, BOM 8. Wiring Diagram
4. Shopping Lists 9. Drill Template
5. Components Recommendations 10. Licensing and Usage
Poly-face by PCB Guitar Mania 1
Document version 1.0v, 13th March 2021
Introduction
Welcome to the experimental guitarist's paradise. The Poly-face offers a level of interactivity way beyond
a typical pedal to give you the most important thing: total control.
Its complexity enables you to have a level manage over the effects parameters that is not that far away
from what a synthesizer can offer.
Not only does it deliver the classic phase sounds, but it also reaches new dimensions with its envelope
filter mode. It is no beginner project for sure; controls for rate, feedback, envelope sensitivity, envelope
modulation, and modulation rate plus a sweep toggle will do everything between funky envelope filter to
Leslie-like rotary sounds.
Is it necessary to mention the enormous potential that this pedal hides behind these features?
Now let us go to the technical part; make sure you source your TL1054 from a trusted source. Also, keep
in mind there are three optocouplers. If you decide to use LDRs and LEDs, you need to cover them (some
guys put them in a heat sink tube) because otherwise, the light of one will affect multiple light-sensitive
resistors at once.
Controls
• ENV. MOD
• ENV. RATE
• ENV. SENSE
• FEEDBACK
• RATE
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Document version 1.0v, 13th March 2021
Bill of materials
Resistors R37 100k R75 3k6
Part Value R38 15k R76 3k6
R1 2R2 R39 470k R77 15k
R2 100R R40 470k R78 1M
R3 100R R41 15k R79 1m
R4 100R R42 240k
R5 22K R43 100k
Capacitors
R6 6k8 R44 15k
Part Value
R7 100k R45 100k
C4 100n
R8 390R R46 100k
C6 100n
R9 56k R47 100k
C10 47n
R10 620k R48 100k
C15 8n2
R11 1k3 R49 15k
C19 47p
R12 470k R50 100k
C21 4n7
R13 390k R51 15k
C23 5n6
R14 75k R52 100k
C24 470n
R15 51k R53 15k
C25 10n
R16 470k R54 100k
C27 22n
R17 100k R55 100k
C28 22n
R18 100k R56 2k7
C29 10n
R19 56k R57 15k
C30 10n
R20 56k R58 10k
C31 10n
R21 100k R59 330R
C33 10n
R22 620k R60 15k
C34 330n
R23 220k R61 15k
C36 10n
R24 18k R62 12k
C37 4n7
R25 5k1 R63 100k
R26 620k R64 4k7
R27 100k R65 75k
R28 4k7 R66 15k
R29 82k R67 15k
R30 36k R68 820k
R31 22k R69 39k
R32 4k7 R70 100k
R33 18k R71 15k
R34 8k2 R72 18k
R35 15k R73 43k
R36 15k R74 36k
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Electrolytics Capacitors IC2 JRC4558 D7 1N914
C1 10uf IC3 CD4013.2 D8 1N914
C2 10uf IC4 CA3140 D9 1N4001
C3 220uf IC5 JRC4558 LED 3mm Red LED
C5 100uf IC6 LM324
C7 100uf IC7 JRC4558
C8 100uf IC8 LM1458
C9 100uf IC9 JRC4558
C11 1uf IC10 JRC4558
C12 470nf
C13 1uf
Transistors
C14 22uf
Part Value
C16 2u2
Q1 2N5088
C17 10uf
Q2 2N5088
C18 10uf
Q3 2N5087
C20 22uf
Q4 2N3904
C22 1uf
Q5 2N5088
C26 22uf
REG1 LM7815
C32 10uf
C35 1uf
C38 1uf Vactrols
Part Value
OPTO 11 CLM8200/2*
Potentiometers
OPTO 12 CLM8200/2*
Part Value
OPTO 13 CLM8200/2*
ENV.MOD 100k B
ENV.RATE C1M
ENV.SENSE 10k B Switches
FEEDBACK 100k B Part Value
RATE C1 M SWEEP/ENV DPDT ON-
ON
Trimpots
Part Value Diods
BIAS** 10k Part Value
F.ADJ*** 50k D1 1N5817
D2 1N5817
D3 1N5817
IC D4 1N914
Part Value D5 1N914
IC1 LT1054 D6 1N914
Poly-face by PCB Guitar Mania 4
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Shopping list
Resistors Capacitors
Qty Value Parts Qty Value Parts
3 100R R2, R3, R4 2 100n C4, C6
6 10n C25, C29, C30, C31,
17 100k R7, R17, R18, R21,
R27, R37, R43, R45, C33, C36
R46, R47, R48, R50, 2 22n C27, C28
R52, R54, R55, R63, 1 330n C34
R70 1 470n C24
1 10k R58 1 47n C10
1 12k R62 1 47p C19
15 15k R35, R36, R38, R41, 2 4n7 C21, C37
R44, R49, R51, R53,
1 5n6 C23
R57, R60, R61, R66,
R67, R71, R77 1 8n2 C15
3 18k R24, R33, R72
1 1M R78
Electrolytics Capacitors
1 1k3 R11
1 1m R79 Qty Value Parts
1 220k R23 5 10uf C1, C2, C17, C18, C32
1 22K R5 1 220uf C3
1 22k R31 4 100uf C5, C7, C8, C9
1 240k R42 5 1uf C11, C13, C22, C35,
1 2R2 R1 C38
1 2k7 R56 1 470nf C12
1 330R R59 3 22uf C20, C14, C26
2 36k R30, R74 1 2u2 C16
1 390R R8
1 390k R13
1 39k R69 Potentiometers
2 3k6 R75, R76 Qty Value Parts
1 43k R73 2 100k B ENV.MOD,
4 470k R12, R16, R39, R40 FEEDBACK
3 4k7 R28, R32, R64 1 10k B ENV.SENSE
1 51k R15
2 C1M ENV.RATE, RATE
3 56k R9, R19, R20
1 5k1 R25
3 620k R10, R22, R26
Trimpots
1 6k8 R6 Qty Value Parts
2 75k R14, R65 1 10k BIAS**
1 820k R68 1 50k F.ADJ***
1 82k R29
1 8k2 R34
Poly-face by PCB Guitar Mania 5
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IC Vactrols
Qty Value Parts Qty Value Parts
1 CA3140 IC4 3 CLM8200/2* OPTO 11, OPTO 12,
1 CD4013.2 IC3 OPTO 13
5 JRC4558 IC2, IC5, IC7, IC9,
IC10
Switches
1 LM1458 IC8
Qty Value Parts
1 LM324 IC6
1 DPDT ON-ON SWEEP/ENV
1 LT1054 IC1
Transistors Diods
Qty Value Parts Qty Value Parts
1 2N3904 Q4 3 1N5817 D1, D2, D3
1 2N5087 Q3 1 1N4001 D9
3 2N5088 Q1, Q2, Q5 5 1N914 D4, D5, D6, D7, D8
1 LM7815 REG1 5 1N914 D4, D5, D6, D7, D8
1 3mm Red LED LED
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Schematic
Poly-face by PCB Guitar Mania 7
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Components Recommendations
As many people like to experiment with some pedals with higher voltage, always ensure
your electrolytic capacitors' max tolerance is over 25v.
This board has been tested using Film box capacitors for most of the values over 1nf and ceramics discs
for those under 1nf. However, high-quality components such as Wima's Capacitors and Panasonic's
electrolytics can deliver a better performance.
All the resistors used for testing this project are 1/4W Metal Film.
The BOM and Shopping list are exclusive regarding this project. It doesn't include all the hardware like
the 3PDT bypass switch, audio/dc jacks, enclosure, etc.
CLM8200/2*: Could be replaced by VTL5C3/2 Or LED R or with square leds and 2 resistors per vactrol.
Check on the picture below for further referece. Don’t forge to encapsulate the led+photo resistors on
heatshrink tube or with some black tape to avoid outside light interference on the operation of your
photo-resistors.
For this project we used the following photo resistors:
https://www.taydaelectronics.com/photo-conductive-cell-resistor-ldr-650nm-radial-ke-10720.html
https://www.musikding.de/Photo-cell-8k-20k-1M
Bias** Check the correct biasing of this circuit using the reference pads on board labeled with the target
voltage with your multimeter. Remember for the right functioning of this circuit you have to plug it into a
18v power supply, make sure that all your electrolytic capacitors are suitable for 25v or more just in
case.
F-ADJ*** Set how much feedback you want on your unit.
Build Notes
If this is one of your first projects, I recommend you to take a look at our Pedal Building Guide.
For a successful and tidy build, it’s recommended the following order:
1. Resistors & diodes
2. Capacitors, starting with the smaller ones and the ceramic ones.
3. Electrolytic capacitors (always check the polarity)
4. Transistors
5. Wires
6. Potentiometers and switches
7. Off-board wiring
Poly-face by PCB Guitar Mania 8
Document version 1.0v, 13th March 2021
Wiring Diagram
All our projects include a free 3PDT Board to make the wiring easier and tidier. Also, all of our PCBs
feature the status LED on board.
The pad named “Ctrl” or “LED” is the one that controls the status of the led; wire it to the “LED” pad on
the 3PDT board or in the control slug of your 3PDT.
This board has been designed to match our EZ 3PDT PCB; check it here to access our Pedal Wiring
Guide.
Drill Template
This Project has been planned to fit into a 1790NS enclosure type.
Check the Attached “Drilling templates” to drill the box properly. The files are on Scale 1:1, ready to print
on an A4 page.
Licensing and Usage
We really appreciate your trust and support in buying this PCB, as well as your will to dive into the DIY
electronics world. For us, that's why you can make this project work properly and enjoy not only the
building process but also experiment and play with it on your rig.
We try to reply to every question we receive on our email or our social media. Still, we try to encourage all
our customers to join our PCB Guitar Mania – Builders Group on Facebook to post all your doubts,
issues, suggestions, or requests, share your builds, and have some feedback from other fellow builders
and us!
We tested all our projects following this same guide on their standard configurations. Although, not all of
the variations and mods have necessarily been checked. These are suggestions based on the schematic
analysis and the experiences and opinions of others. Feel free to share with us your views and
recommendations regarding the mods your personal experimentation.
These boards may be used for commercial endeavors in any quantity unless expressly noted. No
attribution is necessary, though accreditation or a link back is always much appreciated.
If you are a builder planning to make your own run of pedals, we also offer the service of custom-made
boards with your brand and logo, design according to your specifications.
The only usage restrictions are that, first, you cannot resell the PCB as part of a kit without prior
arrangement with us, and second, you cannot scratch off the silkscreen or other way of trying to hide our
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logos and the source of the PCBs. Like it's written above, if you want to have your designs with your
brand and logo, we could undoubtedly reach an agreement.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay in tune with the latest projects!
Poly-face by PCB Guitar Mania 10
Document version 1.0v, 13th March 2021
