OpAmp Overdrive

201

03:34:46

The blue wave represents the audio signal
being amplified (E-Guitar for example) and
the green wave is the output.  Notice that the
green wave is clipped at the top and bottom
of the wave.  This distortion occurs when the
amplification exceeds the reference voltages
(+/- 15V).  The clipping is what gives hard rock / metal guitars their distinct, "electric" sound.  This is informally called overdrive.

published 1 year ago

TobiasJ

1 year ago

A pleasingly low part-count circuit, I'll have to try breadboarding it some time! Incidentally, the input signal you've got here seems quite 'hot' for normal guitar pickups (at least from my understanding, although apparently some humbuckers can output as much as 800mV!) I was able to get it to still clip with the input signal at 200mV however, by increasing the feedback resistor value (lower right) and/or decreasing that of the other resistor. Also I wasn't quite sure where the reference voltages you mentioned are?

add comment in editor

EveryCircuit is an easy to use, highly interactive circuit simulator and schematic capture tool. Real-time circuit simulation, interactivity, and dynamic visualization make it a must have application for professionals and academia. EveryCircuit user community has collaboratively created the largest searchable library of circuit designs. EveryCircuit app runs online in popular browsers and on mobile phones and tablets, enabling you to capture design ideas and learn electronics on the go.