Diodes, Resistors, and Caps ONLY

[coot]

Hey all, complete noob question... but I want to really understand how basic components (caps, resistors, diodes) can affect tone before venturing into the complicated world of transistors, ICs, Opamps, etc.

Is that even realistic? Can I even make any effects with just those three basic parts? Or does even the most basic fuzz need a transistor?

I know that caps and resistors are passive (diodes aren't, I guess?), and have done some simple experimentation just running my signal through some (no power), but just get an apparently unaltered signal.

I'd consider myself a tinkerer, at best. Just looking for something fun and manageable to clear my mind!

coot

[antonis]

Hi and Welcome..

First of all, search for resistive Voltage dividers..

Then, substitute a capacitor for any of them..

hint: Capacitors exhibit frequency dependent resistance..

P.S.
Any search for high/low/band pass filters should be quite satisfactory..

[rsq]

Exactly ! I had fun (and learned a lot) building passive filters, using resistors and capacitors.

You can also check passive mixers and vactrol-based "passive" circuits. (you can make your own vactrols by taping a led to a LDR).
I made a cool low pass gate/vca some time ago, similar to this design :

[mozz]

You can make a fuzz with a diode.

[coot]

You can make a fuzz with a diode.

Do tell! Any sample schems?
The diodes need to be grounded, correct?

[CodeMonk]

You can make a fuzz with a diode.

Do tell! Any sample schems?
The diodes need to be grounded, correct?

There was something out a few years back called Black Ice.
It just some diodes, no battery needed for an overdrive/distortion/fuzz sound (never heard it myself so I don't know how to classify it).
I googled it and it seems there are several variations of it.

[mozz]

Just put a diode in series with your signal, heard they used to do it in basses years back. I guess you could put it from signal to ground also, just wire it up right on the output jack.

[antonis]

Just put a diode in series with your signal,

Halfwave rectification..(Sounds terrible)..
Mixing it with an also halfway rectified phase reversed signal, sounds good..(Octave)

you could put it from signal to ground also, just wire it up right on the output jack.

Halfwave (asymmetrical) clipping..
Sounds interesting..
(with curremt limiting resistor, of course..)

[coot]

antonis,
     Those sound like cool ideas... so what do I need to look for?
"halfway rectified phase reversed signal"?

I like pictures.

[antonis]

I like pictures.

Me too..!! 
(but from where I post it's almost impossible..)

See this: https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/amplifier/phase-splitter.html

and then proceed to Q2, C2/3, D1/2 and R7/8/9/10 here: http://www.kobra.hr/Schematics/Octaver/Green%20Ringer.gif

[iainpunk]

See this: https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/amplifier/phase-splitter.html

you don't need a phase splitter, you can also use a humbucker with the center tap grounded and two Germanium transistors to rectify the signal passively in your guitar. i have that on a bass of mine and it sound cool and gated.

[antonis]

That seems to me more permanent case than intermediate effect, Iain..