Experience
Audio hardware experience built through real products, real prototypes, and hands on engineering.
From Keeley Electronics to independent contract work, the AVGMNTD background combines circuit design, PCB layout, embedded control, prototype validation, enclosure development, and production support for modern audio hardware.
This page highlights experience and project contributions across those areas.
Built from hands on audio hardware experience.
My name is Drew Pappadopoulos, founder of AVGMNTD Systems.
I started working in audio hardware at Keeley Electronics where I learned pedal/amp design, repair, circuit development, prototyping, manufacturing workflow, and what it takes to move a product from an idea to a working piece of hardware.
Since then my work has grown across analog audio circuits, PCB layout, embedded control, firmware, DSP based platforms, hybrid circuits, enclosure design, prototype validation, and production preparation.
Alongside that hands on experience, I have studied Electrical Engineering, Software, and am currently working toward my Computer Engineering degree.
That combination of real product work, engineering education, and years of hands on development is the foundation behind AVGMNTD Systems.
Independent Contract Work
In addition to my experience through Keeley Electronics, I have completed independent contract design work for audio companies and builders. These projects were handled directly through my own engineering process and form a major part of the foundation behind AVGMNTD Systems.
View the Projects
Heather Brown Electronicals
Independent Contract Work.
Product Platform Development.
Custom pedal platforms, universal main board architecture, low noise power, MCU soft touch switching, buffer/true bypass control, power up state recall, production support, and released products including Darlene and Clean Break.
Work included:
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Analog circuit design and development
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PCB layout for prototype and production builds
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MCU based switching and control integration
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Low noise power supply design
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APx analyzer testing and real world validation
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Enclosure development and hardware fitment
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Production setup, documentation, and workflow support
Jordan Pedals
Independent Contract Work.
Production Focused Redesign.
Production ready redesigns of pedal and plug in effect platforms, including: schematic redraws, low noise power supply updates, PCB mounted hardware, simplified assembly, and updated board layouts for products like Buzz Tone, Acid Tone, Buzz Tone Plugin, and Dallas Plugin.
Work included:
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Redrawn schematics and updated circuit documentation
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Production friendly PCB layout
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Low noise power supply redesign
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PCB mounted jacks, pots, and switching hardware
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Cleaner assembly workflow for drop in enclosure builds
Experience Through Keeley Electronics
Before launching AVGMNTD Systems, I worked on audio hardware projects as a Junior Engineer through Keeley Electronics for several outside companies and brands. These projects gave me hands on experience taking designs from schematic work and PCB layout through prototyping, testing, revision, documentation, panelization, and production preparation.
My role varied by project, but the work commonly included the following:
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Schematic redesign and circuit development
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PCB layout for prototype and production builds
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Low-noise power supply implementation
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Buffer/true-bypass switching systems
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MCU-based soft-touch control
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LED logic and firmware development
Design & Engineering
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Bent aluminum enclosure design
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Hardware fitment and assembly planning
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Control, jack, switch, and board integration
Mechanical & Product Development
Prototype Validation
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Prototype board ordering
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Hand population and bring-up
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APx analyzer testing
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Real-world amp testing and listening validation
Production Preparation
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BOM and CPL development
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Part pricing and cost estimation
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Panel layout for production
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Pick n place setup
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Oven/reflow workflow setup for production runs
View my Project Contributions Through Keeley Electronics below
Designed drive, fuzz, and distortion pedal platforms.
Work included schematic redesign, PCB layout, low noise power supply implementation, buffer/true bypass switching, MCU based soft touch momentary switching, LED control, firmware development, and bent aluminum enclosure design.
The switching system allowed the pedal to move between true bypass and buffered bypass by holding the momentary footswitch, while the MCU also managed on/off LED behavior.
Supported development work for the Fuzz Echo pedal by redesigning circuitry around the MCU and helping troubleshoot firmware and hardware issues related to specific power up scenarios with different power supplies.
Designed a reverb card platform for amplifier integration.
Work included schematic drawing, PCB layout, and development of a Spin FV-1 DSP based reverb platform programmed with a stock preset reverb.
Redesigned the provided schematic, added a low noise power supply, and laid out the PCB for production oriented development.
Reverse engineered an existing pedal, recreated the schematic, and developed a new PCB and enclosure platform.
Work included buffer/true-bypass switching, low noise power supply design, MCU based soft touch momentary switching, LED control, firmware development, and bent aluminum enclosure design for proper fit and assembly.
Reverse engineered and recreated designs related to the ’59 Sound and Box of Rock platforms.
Work included schematic drawing, power supply updates, low noise implementation, PCB layout, prototype development, and production preparation.
Capabilities Proven Across These Projects
Circuit Design
- Analog audio circuits
- Schematic redraws
- Redesigns
- Reverse engineering
- Production ready circuit development
PCB Layout
Board layouts for:
- Pedals
- Plug in effects
- Amps
- Control boards
- Production hardware
Embedded Control
- MCU based switching
- Soft touch momentary
- LED logic
- Buffer/true bypass
- Recall behavior
- Firmware/Programming
Low Noise Power System
- Power supply redesigns - Filtering approaches for quieter audio hardware
Prototype Validation
- Prototype ordering
- Hand population
- APx analyzer testing
- Amp testing
- Troubleshooting
- Design verification
Production Preparation
- BOMs
- CPLs
- Part pricing
- Panelization
- Pick n place setup
- Oven workflow
- Assembly planning