Really dumb question regarding diodes

[Giglawyer]

I am looking at possibly building a Black Arts Pharaoh.  The vero schem that I have calls for a rotary switch to select between six sets of clipping diodes - germanium, silicon, LED, etc.  One set is supposed to be MOSFETs. 

MOSFET diodes?  What is a MOSFET Diode? 

ANy help would be appreciated.

[Kevin Mitchell]

I think it just means a standard N-channel JFET.

But don't take my word for it! I've never seen the description "MOSTFET diode"

[GGBB]

It means using a MOSFET as a diode. Google it (no offence intended) there are plenty of resources on it which will explain it far more clearly than I can.

[FiveseveN]

See here: http://www.muzique.com/lab/zenmos.htm

[Ice-9]

It means that it will be using a MOSFET transistor in the circuit for clipping instead of a diode when switched to this position. This can produce a different sound to the diode. Look up the circuit diagram for a Zendrive for an example of how this looks.

[GGBB]

See here: http://www.muzique.com/lab/zenmos.htm

Bingo.

[Kipper4]

Shaka 5 has mosfet diodes.IIRC.

Edit
Yeppers it do......


http://www.muzique.com/schem/shaka5.gif

[Giglawyer]

Thanks all.  That's what I thought.  Its just that on the Vero layout, they used a standard diode symbol, so I thought I was missing something. 

[PRR]

> I thought I was missing something. 

ALL triodes can be diode-wired.

Vacuum, BJT, JFET, MOSFET..... Even hydraulic control valves.

Long ago it was common for transistor radios to use a half-dead transistor as the detector diode. It is still a fine trick for a bias diode.

When MOSFETs cost several dollars each, nobody thought to mis-use them as 2-terminal diodes. I guess times have changed. The diode-wired MOSFET is not quite like any of the other available diodes. Also a higher threshold voltage than most.

[Kennt82]

The OCD also uses them as clipping diodes.

You're building the Pharaoh SUPREME then?  I built one recently and "mosfet" is my most used setting.