madbeanpedals Retrograde 2019, Manual

Retrograde 2019

FX TYPE: Octavia

Based on the  Tycobrahe Octavia

Changes for 2019: 

New layout, no circuit changes. The layout was re-done to allow the builder to use PCB mounted pots 

instead of wired ones (used on all previous versions). This was achieved by placing the transformer on a daughter board 

which is wired to the main board.

The 

Retrograde

 derives from the Tycobrahe Octavia™ which is another one of those mythical and practically unobtain-

able classic stompboxes. This one is very popular for collectors and it is not rare to see them go for over $1000 on eBay. 

Or, you could build it for $30. Just sayin’.

The Retrograde is a wall of nasty fuzz, with a pronounced octave generated by an inexpensive transformer. It also fea-

tures the ability to turn the octave off with the flip of a switch, and can be built into a 1590B. As with almost any analog 

octave effect, the most pronounced upper octave is achieved by using the guitar’s neck pickup, with the tone rolled all the 

way off and notes played around the 12th fret. You can also get ring modulator type sounds with chords or with the volume 

knob on your guitar rolled down. Best of all, you get a great “dive-bomb” effect when doing double-stop bends!

You can read up a little more on the circuit here:

 http://fuzzcentral.ssguitar.com/octavia.php

Controls are self-explanatory. The octave engages when the switch is in the right position.

Terms of Use: 

You are free to use purchased 

Retrograde 

circuit boards for both DIY and small commercial operations. You may not 

offer 

Retrograde

 PCBs for resale or as part of a “kit” in a commercial fashion. Peer to peer re-sale is fine, though.

TIP! 

Before you start, break the two PCB apart at the bridge between 

them. You can do it with just finger pressure. Use wire cutters to trim up 

the edges of the PCBs, if you prefer.

You can use wires or straight pin 

headers to connect the two boards 

(after populating the main board).