# 121: The Idea of Mojo

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2015-10-14
- Length: 1h 01m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-10-14-121-the-idea-of-mojo
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/embedded-ep121mp3

## Summary

Fran Blanche of Frantone, who has been designing and selling guitar effects pedals for 21 years, explains the analog electronics behind distortion, compression, and time-domain effects like flanging. She details the use of bucket brigade chips for analog delays and op amps like the JRC 4558D, discussing how component selection and circuit topology influence tone. Blanche argues that the 'mojo' of vintage gear stems from the visceral, imperfect nature of analog physics, contrasting it with the deterministic perfection of digital emulation.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-10-14-121-the-idea-of-mojo#t=6) Introduction: Fran Blanche and Frantone
- [1:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-10-14-121-the-idea-of-mojo#t=94) Pedal Control Labels and Design Philosophy
- [4:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-10-14-121-the-idea-of-mojo#t=286) Distortion, Overdrive, and Time-Domain Effects
- [11:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-10-14-121-the-idea-of-mojo#t=679) Bucket Brigade Chips and Analog Delays
- [14:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-10-14-121-the-idea-of-mojo#t=848) Compressors and the Loudness War
- [21:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-10-14-121-the-idea-of-mojo#t=1319) Op Amps, JRC 4558D, and Component Selection
- [27:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-10-14-121-the-idea-of-mojo#t=1671) The Myth of Mojo and Vintage Components
- [35:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-10-14-121-the-idea-of-mojo#t=2158) Analog vs. Digital: Transfer Functions and Fidelity
- [47:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-10-14-121-the-idea-of-mojo#t=2850) True Bypass and Building Your Own Pedals

## Topics

- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Frantone (company)
- Mammoth Electronics (company)
- Electro-Harmonix (company)
- JRC 4558D (chip)
- Bucket Brigade Chips (chip)
- Les Paul (other)
- Toni Fisher (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Apple HQ and Vintage Arcade Games - The Mothership Manifesto](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-06-15-apple-hq-and-vintage-arcade-games-the-mothership-manifesto) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Kendall Castor-Perry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-01-27-an-interview-with-kendall-castor-perry) (The Amp Hour)
- [Fran Blanche Version 3](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-04-18-fran-blanche-version-3) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Fran Blanche](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-08-21-an-interview-with-fran-blanche) (The Amp Hour)
- [Ep 222: VCF East Special Edition](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-06-09-ep-222-vcf-east-special-edition) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-10-14-121-the-idea-of-mojo. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.