The Hardware Fixations Laser Control Module.
The idea for this pedal came while I was exploring the concept of cassette futurism for a contest on the DIY Pedals subreddit. This is a specific style of retro sci-fi that focuses on cassette era retro futurism. For this project I wanted to create a pedal that would translate guitar dynamics into pulsing light, like a laser.
The enclosure is an old Archer project box, originally sold by RadioShack for $5.95. The faux wood grain and matte black faceplate felt like a perfect match for the cassette futurism vibe.
While building, I searched everywhere: Google, YouTube, forums, and reached out to anyone who might have insight. The DIY Pedals subreddit and DIY Pedals Facebook group were especially helpful. After testing at least three different circuits, I finally landed on one based around the LM386 chip.
One of the earlier versions worked on a breadboard, but I couldn’t get it functioning again once I moved it to perfboard. Eventually, I got a circuit working with a standard LED. Transitioning from LED to laser module wasn’t easy and honestly, I never fully got it behaving the way I envisioned. This is probably a project I will come back to in the future as my electronic knowledge grows.
In the current version, the laser module stays on when you’re not playing and cuts off (somewhat glitchily) when you do. In tandem, a red LED glows when you start playing. So they kind of dance back and forth, on and off, as you play.
This is a great visual effect and it gives instant visual feedback while playing, which is especially fun when soloing. I haven’t ever experienced anything quite like it. Kind of like seeing the music as you play it in a way. In a dark room with a little fog, this setup really shows off.
The pedal circuit inside is a clone of the Death By Audio Octave Clang. It’s wild and unruly, and it’s a blast trying to wrangle that chaos while triggering a DIY laser light show in real time.
Thanks for checking it out!
Weston Maines - Hardware Fixations