Opportunity to CLIP

[WGTP]

IMHO, one of the things that seems to be overlooked is that the Distortion+/Rat type circuits are actually 2 clipping stages rather than 1.  Unlike the Tube Screamer/Super Overdrive designs with the diodes in the loop which limit the op-amp output (althougth it has been suggested the op-amp still may clip) the diode to ground designs provide op-amp clipping, in addidtion to the diode clipping.  Try a Rat without diodes, and it is still distorting.

So, it appears in dual op-amp designs with diodes to ground, adjusting the clipping levels with various diodes and the gains of the op-amps with resistor values in the loop and between stages, could result in 4 different clipping stage

Thoughts???   

[petemoore]

  Another nice option is adjustabe diodes [pot between thema and Gnd.] also frequency specific clipping !!!
  I don't mean to twist the subject, recently done a Full TS type, but with small input cap and large enough cap just to be noticable between the diodes and Gnd.
  I did that too on a Liquid Drive, but I think the cap is z bit too large...pot and cap is another option.
  Anyway multiple clipping stages are nice options for tuning the perfect Fuzz/OD.

[MartyMart]

I guess the problem is "control" of all those stages !
You would need to know exactly when the op-amp is being
driven and that the diodes at that stage are NOT being driven
enough to clip.
OK, you can switch OUT the diodes/switch to a different set, so
you can have "op-amp" clip/diode clip and a combination of both,
but there is the problem.... how do you recognize that the "combo
clipping" is working as it should ?
Hmmm, you got me thinking here, I mean the "Hotcake" has no
diodes involved at all, just a TL071 op-amp and seems to work well
and be quite a popular seller.
Why didn't he also use a switch to add in some feedback loop clipping
or diodes to ground?  Just keeping it a little bit "unique" or was it a
"tone" choice ?
Anyone else to shed some light on these questions ?

Marty.