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Let's do something fun

4/2/1998 12:19 PM
Ever	Let's do something fun Since this is a DIY forum, I have an idea of something to try here. If y'all would humor my for a couple of posts, I think you'll see where I'm coming from. The situation is this: We (the collective) decide that we're going to develop a distortion pedal that emulates a 'cranked' tube amp. I have a multi-step process in mind and once we arrive at a decision for a step, we'll progress to the next. This will also leave open the possibility for the process to fork resulting in multiple designs. The point is to have the design 'evolve' rather than force it and to not just 'go-for-the-carrot' and jump to the end. So, step one would be what kind of distortion do we want? I'll start with two possibilities: preamp distortion or power amp distortion. Preamp distortion will be primarily asymetrical while power amp distortion will be more symmetrical type clipping. The details of clipping dynamics and equalization will come after we characterize the type of clipping we are going for. I would also like to add that it will be easier if one of the requirements is to make this as simple as possible. Although we are starting out attempting to emulate something, what we end up with may be something that just sounds good because it has enough of the 'right stuff'. So limit the analogies to tube amps older than 1965 or so to eliminate models specifically designed to distort. So, majority wins: what type and why? E

4/2/1998 12:19 PM

Ever

Let's do something fun

Since this is a DIY forum, I have an idea of something to try here. If y'all would humor my for a couple of posts, I think you'll see where I'm coming from.

The situation is this:

We (the collective) decide that we're going to develop a distortion pedal that emulates a 'cranked' tube amp. I have a multi-step process in mind and once we arrive at a decision for a step, we'll progress to the next. This will also leave open the possibility for the process to fork resulting in multiple designs. The point is to have the design 'evolve' rather than force it and to not just 'go-for-the-carrot' and jump to the end.

So, step one would be what kind of distortion do we want? I'll start with two possibilities: preamp distortion or power amp distortion. Preamp distortion will be primarily asymetrical while power amp distortion will be more symmetrical type clipping.

The details of clipping dynamics and equalization will come after we characterize the type of clipping we are going for.

I would also like to add that it will be easier if one of the requirements is to make this as simple as possible. Although we are starting out attempting to emulate something, what we end up with may be something that just sounds good because it has enough of the 'right stuff'. So limit the analogies to tube amps older than 1965 or so to eliminate models specifically designed to distort.

So, majority wins: what type and why?

E

Replies:

Ever Re: Preamp Distortion -- 4/2/1998 12:23 PM
Ever Re: Poweramp Distortion -- 4/2/1998 12:24 PM
Steve A. Re: Let's do something fun -- 4/3/1998 12:39 AM
MHelin So, step on... -- 4/3/1998 3:26 AM
Don Symes What about a full amp, with 12AX7 o... -- 4/10/1998 12:27 PM