Tape Saturation (15IPS) Diode Ladder Clipping

[redbagy]

Hi, with reference to this schematic, can someone explain what difference the connections between each diode pair achieves? (when compared to the typical hard clipping - something like the right image).

Thanks

[antonis]

IMHO, just to be more discrete each diode pair in case of add/subract forward voltage drops..

e.g. it should be more easy to use one switching ground point for D1/D2 & D3/D4 set out of clippling configuration..

[ElectricDruid]

I don't think it does anything. I can't see a way that current could possibly flow through any of those crossways connections.

Think about it: If the voltage at the top is positive, the only way the current can flow is down the diode chain on the right hand side. It can't go across any of the paths because the diodes in the other direction block it.
If the voltage at the top is negative, the same thing happens, but with current going the other way up the left hand side. Again, I can't see how it would ever go across any of those connections.
So if no current ever flows in them, I'd say they're useless.

What do you think? Is this sound logic?

[amz-fx]

I don't think it does anything. I can't see a way that current could possible flow through any of those crossways connections.

^^This

It makes no difference. Any leakage current through the reversed diode is too small to have any effect.

regards, Jack

[PRR]

the connections between each diode pair

SOMEBODY is gonna say "ladder". It's not a ladder without the crossbars.

It is a false analogy which hurts nobody (except the ecosystem, by excess lead consumption).

[redbagy]

Apologies for the late reply and thank you for your answers - I agree 

[Paul Marossy]

I recently built the circuit mentioned here from a printed copy of the schematic (essentially the same diode arrangement). I wanted to to make my current speaker cabinet simulator maybe a little more realistic sounding. https://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=25077.msg163558#msg163558

I also modeled the circuit in LTSpice a few weeks ago and it makes no difference if you have all those rungs on the ladder or not. The only one that matters is the one at the bottom of D7 & D8. The rest really aren't necessary.