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Welcome and Overview of Course
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Understanding the Purpose of a PCB
Creating a New Project in KiCad
Building the Input Stage in the Schematic
Adding the JFET Amplification Circuit
Creating the Output Filter and Connections
Building the Power Supply Section
How to Add an LED Indicator to Your Schematic
How to Assign Values and Footprints in KiCad
How to Run the Electrical Rules Checker in KiCad
PCB Layout Goals and Best Practices
Preparing Your PCB Layout in KiCad
How to Create the Board Outline in KiCad
How to Place and Arrange Components in KiCad
How to Route Traces and Connect Your PCB in KiCad
How to Arrange Designators and Label Pads in KiCad
How to Add Ground Planes in KiCad
How to Add Test Points on Your PCB
How to Check Your PCB for Errors in KiCad
How to Export Gerbers and Order Your First PCB
Final Project: Three-Knob Overdrive
Reviewing the Overdrive Schematic and Prepping for Layout
How to Route and Verify your Final PCB Design
How to Use Vias and Export a BOM in KiCad
How to Test and Verify your PCB
How to use these resources
Bonus Downloads!
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Final Thoughts
Meet Jake Steffes – The Engineer Behind the Scenes of Your Favorite Guitar Tone
For over a decade, Jake Steffes has been the quiet force behind some of the most beloved guitar tones in the world. With an electrical engineering degree from Purdue and more than 12 years of experience designing high-performance audio circuits and printed circuit boards, Jake brings a rare mix of technical mastery and musical intuition.
But what truly sets Jake apart isn’t just his resume - it’s the way he hears things.
A lifelong musician himself, Jake doesn’t just design circuits. He designs feel. Every decision he makes, every layout he builds, is filtered through the question: “How will this sound and feel to the player?” That balance - between engineering logic and artistic instinct - is his true superpower.
Since 2013, Jake has worked alongside Brian at Wampler Pedals, handling everything from PCB layouts to DSP coding to the deep, often invisible work that makes a pedal go from “good idea” to “finished product.” Beyond Wampler, Jake’s engineering firm is quietly behind-the-scenes on projects for other top-tier companies and well-known artists across the industry. You may not see his name on those pedals - but you’ve definitely heard his work.
This course marks the first time Jake’s pulling back the curtain and sharing his process publicly. After years of conversations about course design, student success, and demystifying complex topics, Jake partnered with Brian to teach the side of DIY pedal building that rarely gets talked about: how to take your circuit idea and turn it into a professionally designed PCB.
If you’ve ever wondered how the pros do it - without the fluff, without the guesswork - you’re about to find out.
But what truly sets Jake apart isn’t just his resume - it’s the way he hears things.
A lifelong musician himself, Jake doesn’t just design circuits. He designs feel. Every decision he makes, every layout he builds, is filtered through the question: “How will this sound and feel to the player?” That balance - between engineering logic and artistic instinct - is his true superpower.
Since 2013, Jake has worked alongside Brian at Wampler Pedals, handling everything from PCB layouts to DSP coding to the deep, often invisible work that makes a pedal go from “good idea” to “finished product.” Beyond Wampler, Jake’s engineering firm is quietly behind-the-scenes on projects for other top-tier companies and well-known artists across the industry. You may not see his name on those pedals - but you’ve definitely heard his work.
This course marks the first time Jake’s pulling back the curtain and sharing his process publicly. After years of conversations about course design, student success, and demystifying complex topics, Jake partnered with Brian to teach the side of DIY pedal building that rarely gets talked about: how to take your circuit idea and turn it into a professionally designed PCB.
If you’ve ever wondered how the pros do it - without the fluff, without the guesswork - you’re about to find out.