1n4005 vs 1N914

[23]

In an asymetrical setting which of the two diodes above will produce more overdrive? also vs Asymetrical LED's and germs? Using it in a similar trotsky set up with a MSPA13. Wanting good vol and the most drive/.

[23]

I like the sound of 2 leds in a TS circuit but am looking for more distortion (drive) would 2 si (1n914) + led be similar but more? I tried 2 1n34 and 1 1n914 and the volume wasnt there and I didnt really care for the sound..........

so does a higher clipping threshold result in les distortion but more vol..... right?

then again 2 GE + led or 2 led + 1 ge.........

[anchovie]

so does a higher clipping threshold result in les distortion but more vol..... right?

Right.

With a TS, if you want to retain that volume level but have more distortion, increase the value of the drive pot (or put a resistor in series with the current pot, if you're not bothered about the cleaner end of the range).

There wouldn't be much point in having 2 LEDs on one side of your clipper - the threshold would be about the same as the rail of the op-amp.

[Al Heeley]

using a 1meg gain pot intead of the stock 500k is a good move. The use of 2 antiparallel red led's gives a much higher output more raunchy distortion for me than 2 si diodes. Ive tried quite a few different si diode pairings now on various builds and don't notice very much difference between them. I prefer the smoother asymmetric si diode config which for me sounds more like a natural rich tube harmonic distortion.

[oliphaunt]

In the Trotsky you are building you will get more distortion with a lower threshold clipping device, so germanium diodes should give you the most clipping, then silicone, then LEDs.  You will loose the most output volume with geremaniums however.  You can always add a makeup gain stage if you have to.

[23]

I like the rail clipping and sym LEDs in the TS circuit...... so would sym LED s have a similar effect in the Trotsky esque drive Im building?

I have 2 germ + 1 si on the other side of the switch of the TS and really dont like them........

Could you point me in the direction of Vol Recovery stage so I get some idea how to build and implement one?

[TimWaldvogel]

I have a digitech bad monkey and I am curious about getting more drive. Are the pots soldered directly to the board? Is it possible to do it

[amptramp]

The 1N914 is rated for a 4 pF junction capacitance.  The 1N4005 junction capacitance is much higher, so it will not clip high frequencies as much as the 1N914.  Even though they are both silicon diodes, the effect will be very asymmetrical.

[Brymus]

The 1N914 is rated for a 4 pF junction capacitance.  The 1N4005 junction capacitance is much higher, so it will not clip high frequencies as much as the 1N914.  Even though they are both silicon diodes, the effect will be very asymmetrical.

That explains why I like the sound of the 1n40xx diodes over 1n914/4148 ,nice to know.

[John Lyons]

The 1N914 is rated for a 4 pF junction capacitance.  The 1N4005 junction capacitance is much higher, so it will not clip high frequencies as much as the 1N914.  Even though they are both silicon diodes, the effect will be very asymmetrical.

Very Interesting! Thanks for the info.

[amptramp]

The 1N914 datasheet is here:

http://www.datasheetcatalog.org/datasheet/cdi-diode/1N914.pdf

and its usual substitute, the 1N4148 is here:

http://www.datasheetcatalog.org/datasheet/cdi-diode/IN4148-1.pdf

The 1N4005 datasheet is here:

http://www.datasheetcatalog.org/datasheet/bytes/1N4002.pdf

Note that in all cases, capacitance decreases with increased reverse bias.  Of course, the difference in conduction has some effect also.  They will sound different.  There are other manufacturers who put out datasheets with greater or lesser detail, but they should not contradict each other.

[23]

are 2 diodes from path to ground separate different from 2 diodes from path, joined then to ground ( parallel) (symmetrical) .......if that makes sense.