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Projects => General Questions => Topic started by: FuzzMonkey on July 28, 2020, 09:29:43 AM

Title: A Simple Clipping Indicator Circuit?
Post by: FuzzMonkey on July 28, 2020, 09:29:43 AM
I'm putting together a basic op amp based clean boost and thoughts I might experiment adding a clipping indicator circuit to show when the op amp is close to or is clipping the signal. Surprise, surprise.

An online search found plenty for higher voltage power amps but nothing useful in regards to a 9-volt, simple op amp circuit à la the MXR Micro Amp.

Does anybody know of a simple, yet effective circuit or way of accomplishing this?
Title: Re: A Simple Clipping Indicator Circuit?
Post by: mauman on July 28, 2020, 07:59:36 PM
What if you used LEDs as the clipping diodes, and made them visible from the exterior?
Title: Re: A Simple Clipping Indicator Circuit?
Post by: jimilee on July 28, 2020, 08:07:40 PM
Quote from: FuzzMonkey on July 28, 2020, 09:29:43 AM
I'm putting together a basic op amp based clean boost and thoughts I might experiment adding a clipping indicator circuit to show when the op amp is close to or is clipping the signal. Surprise, surprise.

An online search found plenty for higher voltage power amps but nothing useful in regards to a 9-volt, simple op amp circuit à la the MXR Micro Amp.

Does anybody know of a simple, yet effective circuit or way of accomplishing this?
The ginger uses leds for clipping and will light up if they are clipped hard enough.


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Title: Re: A Simple Clipping Indicator Circuit?
Post by: Scruffie on July 28, 2020, 08:20:07 PM
Deluxe Memory Man, Overload LED.
Title: Re: A Simple Clipping Indicator Circuit?
Post by: benny_profane on July 28, 2020, 08:26:15 PM
Quote from: Scruffie on July 28, 2020, 08:20:07 PM
Deluxe Memory Man, Overload LED.
Do you have a schematic for that section of the circuit? (In context within the DMM would be an added bonus.)
Title: Re: A Simple Clipping Indicator Circuit?
Post by: Scruffie on July 28, 2020, 08:38:13 PM
It's just the transistor bit.

Here it is negative ground, 'input' is R10.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6919381827_90f88ac536_b.jpg)
Title: Re: A Simple Clipping Indicator Circuit?
Post by: benny_profane on July 28, 2020, 09:18:18 PM
Thanks! That is extremely straightforward.
Title: Re: A Simple Clipping Indicator Circuit?
Post by: FuzzMonkey on July 29, 2020, 04:24:07 AM
Quote from: benny_profane on July 28, 2020, 09:18:18 PM
Thanks! That is extremely straightforward.

Thanks is extremely straightforward.
Title: Re: A Simple Clipping Indicator Circuit?
Post by: TFZ on July 29, 2020, 08:50:32 AM
It's also rather crude and will only work for one polarity. Since particularly guitar signals can be very asymmetrical, depending on your expectations regarding the accuracy of the clipping indicator this circuit might not be good enough.
For proper and reliable detection you need a full wave rectifier.