Is there a better/simpler way to accomplish this clipping switch?

[ctelecaster]

My goal is this:

Position 1: Symmetrical Hard Clipping
Position 2 (center): Clipping Diodes removed from circuit
Position 3: Asymmetrical Hard Clipping (via a resistor in series with one of the two clipping diodes)

I built the attached schematic around a DPDT on/off/on switch. Just curious if anybody could think of a more simple/slicker way to accomplish this.

Thanks!

[PRR]

When working together on a cocktail napkin we can just point. When beyond arm's reach it can really help to give every part a name.

Your "top switch" seems to do nothing? If it has a third position, indicate that; otherwise this switch is clearly a wasted part.


For this specific problem: diodes and resistors are 5 cents each, switch contacts are 14 cents (2P6T for $2). So use an "extra" part if it simplifies switching, and especially if it simplifies thinking about it. Brain-pain is a real cost; both to think of it and to find the errors. (Home DIY parts-cost is negligible. Again negligible if you will build a million. Yes, boutique pedals can fall in the gap between too few to mention and too many to count.)

[ElectricDruid]

My goal is this:

Position 1: Symmetrical Hard Clipping
Position 2 (center): Clipping Diodes removed from circuit
Position 3: Asymmetrical Hard Clipping (via a resistor in series with one of the two clipping diodes)

This can be done with a simple SPDT On-Off-On, can't it?

The centre position provides the "no diodes" option. Then one side connects to a pair of diodes for the symmetrical clipping, and the other side connects to a pair of diodes and a resistor for the assymetrical clipping.

The secret to making this easy is that the switch doesn't have to *add* the resistor to an existing set of diodes. It's much simpler to just have two sets.

[antonis]

Position 1: Symmetrical Hard Clipping
Position 2 (center): Clipping Diodes removed from circuit
Position 3: Asymmetrical Hard Clipping (via a resistor in series with one of the two clipping diodes)

Just bear in mind that you might experience a big (dependent on diodes forward voltage drop) signal amplitude increase when passing from position 1 to position 2..

P.S.
Dunno if the above proposed Ring-a-Ding-a-Ling configuration could work with Smartphones too..

[R.G.]

+1 - What Antonis said!  Volume will change when you change clippers.

A really neat trick would be to figure out how to add volume modification resistors to minimize the change in volume when changing clipping setups. The shunt switching mentioned would make this easier, I think

You might need a second switch pole + throws to do that well.

I've been on a P-channel JFET switching kick lately. The J176 can operate as a switch with both source and drain at DC ground. You pull its gate high, over 6V or so, to turn it off. This really simplifies JFET switching. They cost about $0.50 each in ones from Mouser. A J176, a diode, a 1M and a 0.1u cap give you a soft-switching SPST. You can then arrange them in any funny switching setup you want, unencumbered by whatever real switches exist.