AW2 AutoWah Mods

Here are some interesting mods for the AW2 AutoWah, the child of the TW-1 Touch Wah.

  • Instant Attack switch for more psychedelic sounds; this can also stutter with some settings!
  • Up/Down switch, like the TW1 for a second Wah direction
  • Triangle LFO Mod changes the sinusoidal LFO into a Triangle wave for a subtle yet noticeable effect; sounds best at high LFO rates

These mods are of my own design and I have not seen them anywhere else. The schematics are not documented for the AW2, but its predecessor the TW1 is documented and is nearly identical. BOSS, AutoWah, Touch Wah, and AW-2 ARE TRADEMARKS OF THE ROLAND CORPORATION AND ARE USED FOR REFERENCE ONLY. THIS SITE IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE ROLAND CORPORATION IN ANY WAY.

LFO Triangle Mod


The LFO mod is easy and quick. It changes the LFO from sinusoidal to triangle wave in nature. This is a subtle yet effective change especially when combined with the other mods.


STEP 1: Locate D7 and D8 and remove them
D7 and D8 are located next to IC4 near one end of the circuit board. Remove and save these two diodes.


STEP 2: Add Mod wires in place of D7/D8
I cut several sets of mod wires about 6" long for all the mods. Strip, tin, and insert one wire into each hole left by D7 or D8. These wires will travel out to the switch where the other resistors will be located. Its much easier to wire the diodes to the switch than to the cramped PCB.

STEP 3: Wire the Switch
The switch is wired with the original back to back diodes on one side and no connection to the other side. You can use a SPST or SPDT switch for that. Add heat shrink around the diodes to protect them. Solder this end with a heat shrink tubing to one of the D7 mod wires, and solder the center pin of the switch to the other D7 mod wire.

STEP 4: Wire and Test Fit
Wire up the switch (don't forget the heat shrink tubing where necessary. Then test fit it in the enclosure. You can see the two diodes in the heat-shrink tubing in the diagram. The switch is the lower switch on the left.



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