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Welcome and Overview of Course
Important! Have questions about this course? Ask them here
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!
Still have questions about this course?
Final Thoughts
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(3)
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.
Kevin
Awesome Course!!!
I have used Eagle years ago with moderate success, I finally feel like I have a good understanding of how to create a PCB. Jake's teaching method is awesome! I can't wait to dig in further with some of my own designs that I've had kicking around for a while.
Jesse
Finally! A PCB course teaching me what I needed to know!
I've been wanting to graduate from putting my personal circuit designs on vero and perf board to something more solid for a while now. I've went around on the internet, different YouTube videos, online forums, etc., etc. But I couldn't really find ANY that specifically focused on creating PCBs for guitar pedals. I found plenty of decent sources online with tutorials on basic PCB making, a lot of stuff for KiCad in general. But it was all for more technical electrical and computer circuits (PC building, hobbyist type of stuff, Arduino projects and the like). I did learn a bit about the basics of using some of the different software (including KiCad), and that was a start; but I knew there would be certain things specifically relating to guitar effect circuits that I just wasn't finding. Then this came along and I thought "YES! THIS! That's what I was looking for!" I had already taken the beginner and intermediate pedal building courses and was ready to start putting all that stuff I've been learning into a more permanent and stable form. Much like the previous pedal courses, everything was laid out pretty straight forward. It was all broken down into good, digestible bits and didn't feel to overwhelming or overly technical. Just to the point and focussed on what I needed to know for this specific type and level of circuit building. I don't need to know HOW yeast works, I just need to know how much of it to put in to make the bread, if ya know what I mean. And Mr. Jake was an awesome teacher. Gave out good, clear step-by-step instructions of what to do. Didn't get too distracted or into the weeds trying to show all 20 of the different ways that you can do this or that, just the one, good, quick way. Another win for Wampler! Now I'm ready to really start cookin'!
Derek
Schematic Creation
Great introduction to KiCAD and schematic creation, footprints and running an ERC. You need to have a basic understanding of schematics, components, footprints and layouts. Clear concise instructions, not too wordy. All the info you need broken down in bite size chunks. Jake is a great instructor.