PROJECT NAME

MAELSTROM
BASED ON BUILD DIFFICULTY
Darkglass® Microtubes B3K Intermediate
EFFECT TYPE DOCUMENT VERSION
Bass overdrive / distortion 1.1.0 (2024-08-12)
PROJECT SUMMARY
A CMOS-flavored bass overdrive with tones spanning across decades, from vintage warmth to modern
bite and aggression.

Actual size is 2.3” x 2.61” (main board) and 1.78” x 0.86” (bypass board).

IMPORTANT NOTE
This documentation is for the PCB-only version of the project. If you are building the full kit from
Aion FX, please use the kit build documentation instead. The instructions are more detailed and
may differ in some areas due to the specialized parts and assembly methods used in our kits.

MAELSTROM BASS DRIVE 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Project Overview 8 Drill Template
2 Introduction & Usage 9 Enclosure Layout
3-5 Parts List 10 Wiring Diagram
6 Build Notes 11 Licensing
7 Schematic 11 Document Revisions

INTRODUCTION
The Maelstrom Bass Drive is based on the Darkglass® Microtubes B3K, a CMOS-based drive circuit,
with some additional tweaks adapted from the Vintage Microtubes.

The B3K started life as the Microtubes 2K, which was originally posted to the DIYStompboxes forum by
Douglas Castro in 2008. After finishing university, he moved from Chile to Finland in 2010 and started
Darkglass Electronics as a commercial entity.

During this time, he continued to work on the design, and the updated Microtubes B3K became
Darkglass’s first product. While the original 2K was not described as a bass drive, the B3K and all
subsequent Darkglass products have been designed primarily for bass players and marketed as such.

As the name implies, the original Microtubes 2K was inspired by the EHX Hot Tubes from 1979 as well
as some other CMOS-based designs in the DIY community. However, by the time it had evolved into the
B3K, it really bore no resemblance to any other circuits. A single CMOS stage is used for the clipping
tone, contrasting with the cascaded inverters used by other similar circuits.

The Vintage Microtubes followed in early 2013. It’s essentially the same circuit as the B3K, but it
removes the two toggle switches and adds a new control called “Era”.

The Maelstrom is a direct adaptation of the Microtubes B3K, with the Era control ported over from the
Vintage Microtubes. With the Era control turned down, it’s identical to the standard B3K. You can also
make some more parts substitutions to build it to full Vintage Microtubes specs if you’d like.

USAGE
The Maelstrom has six controls:
• Drive controls the amount of gain from the op-amp that is fed through the CMOS inverter stage.
• Era filters the tone after the clipping stage. On the low end, it’s warm with a lot of midrange, and as
it’s turned up it adds more treble and scoops the midrange somewhat.
• Level sets the overall output of the drive signal.
• Blend pans between the buffered clean signal and the drive signal.
• Attack (toggle) selects between three different treble modes prior to the op-amp gain stage: Boost,
Flat or Cut.
• Grunt (toggle) selects between three different bass levels between the op-amp boost and the
CMOS clipping stages.

MAELSTROM BASS DRIVE 2

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—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 10k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R2 1M Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R3 100k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R4 1M Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R5 3k3 Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R6 1M Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R7 1M Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R8 200k Metal film resistor, 1/4W 261k in Vintage Microtubes.

R9 6k8 Metal film resistor, 1/4W 6.65k in Vintage Microtubes.

R10 22k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R11 470k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R12 470k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R13 1M Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R14 330k Metal film resistor, 1/4W 220k in Vintage Microtubes.

R15 3k3 Metal film resistor, 1/4W 3k3 + 220n in Vintage Microtubes. See build notes.

R16 6k8 Metal film resistor, 1/4W 6.65k in Vintage Microtubes.

R17 470k Metal film resistor, 1/4W 330k in Vintage Microtubes.

R18 10k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R19 1M Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R20 100k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R21 33k Metal film resistor, 1/4W 10k in Vintage Microtubes.

R22 10k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R23 22k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R24 22k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R25 47k Metal film resistor, 1/4W 100k in Vintage Microtubes.

R26 1k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R27 100k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R28 10k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R29 10k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R30 47R Metal film resistor, 1/4W Jumper for v1.0 PCBs (shipped before August 12, 2024)

RPD 1M Metal film resistor, 1/4W Input pulldown resistor.

LEDR 10k Metal film resistor, 1/4W LED current-limiting resistor. Adjust value to change LED brightness.

MAELSTROM BASS DRIVE 3

PARTS LIST, CONT.
PART VALUE TYPE NOTES
C1 100n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C2 1n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm 22n in Vintage Microtubes.
C3 220n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C4 22n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C5 22n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C6 22n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C7 22n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C8 220pF MLCC capacitor, NP0/C0G
C9 100n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C10 22pF MLCC capacitor, NP0/C0G 220pF in Vintage Microtubes.
C11 4n7 Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C12 22n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C13 220n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm

C14 22pF MLCC capacitor, NP0/C0G 220pF in Vintage Microtubes.

C15 1uF Film capacitor, 7.2 x 3.5mm
C16 680pF MLCC capacitor, NP0/C0G 1n in Vintage Microtubes.
C17 22n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm 4n7 in Vintage Microtubes.
C18 2n2 Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm 1n in Vintage Microtubes.
C19 2n2 Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm 1n in Vintage Microtubes.
C20 2n2 Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C21 1n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C22 1uF Film capacitor, 7.2 x 3.5mm
C23 100uF Electrolytic capacitor, 6.3mm Reference voltage filter capacitor.
C24 100uF Electrolytic capacitor, 6.3mm Power supply filter capacitor.
C25 220uF Electrolytic capacitor, 6.3mm Power supply filter capacitor.
C26 100n MLCC capacitor, X7R Power supply filter capacitor.
D1 1N5817 Schottky diode, DO-41
D2 1N914 Fast-switching diode, DO-35
D3 1N914 Fast-switching diode, DO-35
Q1 J201 JFET, N-channel, TO-92 Available from Aion FX as SMD with through-hole adapters.
Q2 J201 JFET, N-channel, TO-92 Available from Aion FX as SMD with through-hole adapters.
IC1 TL072 Operational amplifier, DIP8
IC1-S DIP-8 socket IC socket, DIP-8
IC2 TL072 Operational amplifier, DIP8
IC2-S DIP-8 socket IC socket, DIP-8
IC3 CD4049UBE CMOS hex inverting buffer, DIP16

IC3-S DIP-16 socket IC socket, DIP-16

MAELSTROM BASS DRIVE 4

PARTS LIST, CONT.
PART VALUE TYPE NOTES
IC4 TL072 Operational amplifier, DIP8
IC4-S DIP-8 socket IC socket, DIP-8

DRIVE 100kC 16mm right-angle PCB mount pot

ERA 100kB 16mm right-angle PCB mount pot

BLEND 100kB 16mm right-angle PCB mount pot

VOL. 100kA 16mm right-angle PCB mount pot

ATTACK SPDT cntr off Toggle switch, SPDT on-off-on

GRUNT SPDT cntr off Toggle switch, SPDT on-off-on

LED 5mm LED, 5mm, red diffused

IN 1/4" mono 1/4" phone jack, closed frame Switchcraft 111X 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.

MAELSTROM BASS DRIVE 5

BUILD NOTES

Vintage Microtubes specifications

The Vintage Microtubes uses an almost identical circuit to the B3K, but with several parts substitutions
to give it more of a vintage flavor.

In addition, the VMT hardwires the Attack switch in treble boost mode (left toggle position) and the
Grunt switch in the highest-bass mode (right toggle position). It’s recommended to include the switches
in this build and just be aware of which positions correspond to the “vintage” modes.

PART B3K VMT PART B3K VMT PART B3K VMT

R8 200k 261k R17 470k 330k C14 22pF 220pF

R9 6.8k 6.65k R21 33k 10k C16 680pF 1n

R14 330k 220k R25 47k 100k C17 22n 4n7

R15 3k3 3k3 + 220n C2 1n 22n C18 2n2 1n

R16 6.8k 6.65k C10 22pF 220pF C19 2n2 1n

R9 and R16: The Vintage Microtubes also uses 6.65k resistors for R9 and R16 instead of 6.8k. This is
almost certainly just due to manufacturing convenience, since the unit is fully SMD and many brands of
precision resistors aren’t available in E12 or E24 values. It’s recommended to stick with 6.8k in these
two positions, but you can find 6.65k metal film resistors at Mouser.

R15: The Vintage Microtubes adds a 220n capacitor in series with R15. The Maelstrom PCB does not
include space for this capacitor. It can be omitted entirely, in which case the unit will have very slightly
more low-end. Or, you can “tent” it with the resistor by putting one leg of the capacitor in one pad of
R15, one leg of the resistor in the other pad, and then soldering the leads together above the PCB. The
order does not matter and there is no polarity.

R30 and v1.1

Version 1.1 began shipping on August 12, 2024. This version corrects an issue on v1.0 where the unused
CMOS inverters were tied to the wrong supply.

The original goal was to provide a small amount of extra power filtering not found in the original circuit.
But the way it was implemented, it means the voltage for the deactivated inverters (VA) is very slightly
higher than the CMOS chip’s supply voltage (VC), and CMOS tends to not be very tolerant of this.

No issues were reported, but out of precaution we recommended jumpering R30 on the v1.0 boards,
which makes it identical to the original B3K’s power scheme.

If the PCB says v1.1 next to the “Maelstrom” text then use a 47R resistor as in the parts list.

MAELSTROM BASS DRIVE 6

BUILD NOTES

Using SMD JFETs

The J201 JFET is no longer available 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 surface-mount devices
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.

J201 adapters
Many DIY builders are intimidated by the small size of surface-mount parts. Aion FX offers pre-soldered
J201s on adapters so they can easily be used as through-hole parts.

MAELSTROM BASS DRIVE 7

SCHEMATIC
+9V VA VC

D1 IC3B
R30
5 4
1N5817 C25 100R C24
C26 CD4049UBE
VB

R28

10k
100n 220uF 100uF IC3C
7 6

GND GND GND CD4049UBE

C23
IC3D

R29

10k
100uF 9 10

CD4049UBE
IC3E
GND GND 11 12

CD4049UBE
IC3F
VA 14 15

VA CD4049UBE
GND VB

1M
R6
C13 220n
LOW 3
Q2 2
VB J201 VA 1
C4 C12 22n

R13

1M
100n
1M
R7

22n IC2A

C9
R8 R11

8
VA 3 TL072P
1 C11 4n7
200k 470k
1M
R2

C8 2
100n

GND

22n

22n

22n

470k
R12
C1

C5

C6

C7
R1
8

IC1A 220pF

4
3 3

R16

6k8
C2

1n

IN R3 Q1
1 2

R15

3k3
10k
2
100k J201 1
GND
TL072P
RPD

R10
6k8

22k
1M

R9 HIGH
4

R14
1M
R4

GND

3
C3 GND
GND 330k

DRIVE
100kC
3k3
R5

220n

2
GND GND GND C10 22pF
GND

1
GND GND

VB

C14 22pF

R17
VB
470k

1
VA IC1B

BLEND
100kB

C22
TL072P

1uF
5
R26

2
VC 7
OUT
6
C16 680pF 1k
1N914

R19

3
1M

VA
D2

100k
R27
1

IC3A IC2B
C15

1uF

R18 ERA
3 2 5 TL072P 100kB
R20 R21 R22 C18 2n2
7
10k
8

CD4049UBE 6 2
1N914

100k 33k 1 3
10k R24 C20 2n2
D3

2 1
R23 GND
C17 3 6
22k
IC4A 7
GND 22k R25
22n TL072P
4

5
C19 IC4B
47k

3
GND
TL072P

VOLUME
GND

100kA
2n2 C21
GND

2
1n

1
GND

GND
VB

MAELSTROM BASS DRIVE 8

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.

INCH
125B

0.385”

0 1 0.625” 0.625”

ø3/8” ø3/8”
ø1/2”
CM
OUT DC IN

0 1 2

VOLUME DRIVE

x: 0, y: +1.29
ø1/4”
x: -0.65, y: +1.71 x: +0.65, y: +1.71
ø9/32” ø9/32”

GRUNT

ATTACK

BLEND ERA
x: 0, y: +0.83
ø1/4”

x: -0.65, y: +0.41 x: +0.65, y: +0.41

ø9/32” ø9/32”

CENTER (0,0)

LED FOOTSWITCH

x: -0.775, y: -1.775 x: 0, y: -1.775

ø5/16” ø15/32”

MAELSTROM BASS DRIVE 9

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

125B

MAELSTROM BASS DRIVE 10

WIRING DIAGRAM

IN GND +V NC NC OUT

PCB GND +V +V JACK GND JACK GND GND PCB

IN IN OUT OUT

125B

MAELSTROM BASS DRIVE 11

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
1.1.0 (2024-08-12)
• Corrected R30/VC junction. R30 is now 47R for v1.1 PCBs. See build notes for details.
• Changed LEDR to 10k to work with a wider variety of LEDs.

1.0.1 (2022-12-08)
Changed R30 to a jumper.

1.0.0 (2021-11-12)
Initial release.

MAELSTROM BASS DRIVE 12