Distortion+ diodes

[Hal]

What have you guys used for clipping in distortion+'s?

I'd prefer suggestions available from mouser or small bear....

Im assuming different diodes would made a huge differance...but not sure what would be associated with what sounds.

[toneman]

*any* diode will do *something*..
something *good*??? U B the judge.
diodes 2 try......a la TS9/808
1N4148(1N914), signal, hi freq.

1N4001-1N4008, silicon, pwr diodes
Schotcky hi-speed pwr rectifier diodes, #?
1N34--, ger signal? diode
red LED
green LED
white LED
blue LED
2-color LED--built-in symetrical
>>asymetrical<<
2 diodes forward
1 diode reverse
switch em in&out.
transistor wired as diode.
selinium rectifier? anyone?

2 electrons enter,
1 electron fuzzed
tb

[Ansil]

everything i use gets  a 3mm red led..  and a 5mm green led..  both are the non water clear leds  the standard red led used like in boss indicator lights..  and such..  and the green is just like those also except its 5mm and green

[brett]

In order of "clip" per unit volume, the order is Ge less than 1N4148 less than 1N400X less than red LED less than coloured LEDs.

In the Distortion+ I usually use 1 1N4148 and 1 1N4004, which means there's a little harder and lower clipping on one side of the waveform (the 4004 side).  It might be my imagination, but I think this gives slightly more musical results than 2 x 1N4148s.

In the Bazz Fuss I like LEDs, in TScreamer and BBreaker circuits 1N4148 (2+1 for asymetric clipping in the TS, 2+2 as standard in the BB).

cheers

[Fret Wire]

I use the 1N270 ge's, because I like the original sound. Not everybody does. It's a great, simple little circuit, so socket the diodes, and try combo's of all the different types, including the 1n34's. You'll find a custom combo that suits your particular ears, guitar, and amp.

[sunder]

In order of "clip" per unit volume, the order is Ge less than 1N4148 less than 1N400X less than red LED less than coloured LEDs.

In the Distortion+ I usually use 1 1N4148 and 1 1N4004, which means there's a little harder and lower clipping on one side of the waveform (the 4004 side).  It might be my imagination, but I think this gives slightly more musical results than 2 x 1N4148s.

In the Bazz Fuss I like LEDs, in TScreamer and BBreaker circuits 1N4148 (2+1 for asymetric clipping in the TS, 2+2 as standard in the BB).

cheers

I always thought germanium diodes clip earlier (at less output voltage) than silicons? I probably misread your post, but I measured the forward voltages on 1N270 and 1N914 and the germaniums had about 0.3 and the silicons about 0.7.

meaning at the same voltage, germanium diodes will clip the signal harder than silicons. Or, germaniums will clip a signal already when silicons would still be idling.

anyway, I used germaniums because they gave me more fuzz.

[smoguzbenjamin]

A lower forward voltage will clip more, I'm sure he meant that but mistyped. Just read it as

In order forward voltage the order is Ge less than 1N4148 less than 1N400X less than red LED less than coloured LEDs.

Like that

[Hal]

thanks everyone...now just to stock up on tons of diodes :-D

[WGTP]

Don't forget Jfets likeJ201's and Mosfets like 2N7000, maybe one of each.  Or 2 of 1 and 1 of he other.

Also see the Warp article on AMZ that's what I did to My Rat.

Plenty of switching options.  Most of the LED's I have measured from the assortment pack at RS are around 1.8 v.  Si's around .57 and GE's 1/2 that.  Jfet's around .75

My Modded Muff Fuzz has 1 Led and 1 J201.

[petemoore]

Do you think the tolerance differences of parts in a build throws off symmetry...how far the wave swings from + to - affecting when and how hard clipping takes place?
 Could you adjust to a slightly off  bias condition to 'lean on' one diode earlier or harder than the one pointing the other way in an output to ground scenario?

[WGTP]

The Warp Control at AMZ lets you use a pot to pan between several different diodes.  Since I use very disimilar size diodes, LED and Jfet/Si with 1.8/.7 voltage thresholds I'm assuming that the difference between SI's like 4001 with .52 and a 4148 at .57 is relatively is hard to hear.  

I'm mainly unsure how much even ordered harmonics are introduced by the voltage thresholds being disimiliar.  It would appear the set up I'm using with 1.8 and .7 would introduce a lot.  Using 1 SI at .57v in one direction and 2 SI at 1.14v is very popular as well, with the threshold being twice as high on one side than the other.  I would think there is a way to calculate the amount of even ordered harmonics created by this, but it is beyound me.