Superluminal Distortion PUBLIC

Superluminal Distortion Circuit for Electric Guitar

Experimental superluminal distortion circuit for electric guitar. Simple circuit using a dual op-amp IC, two infrared LEDs, and two infrared photodiodes along with a prism assembly to cause infrared photons to engage in superluminal tunneling, where the photons serve as a carrier for a guitar signal. Controls Include: Input Gain, Output Gain, and Volume. No tone controls. Power-supply not shown. Requires a regulated dual-polarity DC supply providing +-9VDC or +-12VDC or +-15VDC at >= 20 mA of current. And though the op-amp circuitry is simulator verified, this is a completely experimental circuit. Breadboard test before committing to a soldered build. Establish a baseline output signal with the prisms removed and the LEDs set close to the photodiodes, then replace the prisms (as shown) for further testing. The diodes should produce expansion-type distortion when overdriven, but the signal will be greatly reduced by the prism assembly. Increase the gain of OA2, if needed, by increasing the value of the Output Gain pot, and add another gain stage if necessary. Note that noise may become a factor due to the high gain levels. Frequency Range without the prisms or diodes is from 16 Hz to 16 kHz with all controls at 50%. Suitable for 6/7/8-string guitar or 4/5/6-string bass. Maximum Gain = +20 dBV between 100 Hz and 1 kHz with all controls at 50%, and approximately twice that with all controls at 100%. A tone-control circuit (not shown) should be used before or after this circuit, or both. And a fuzz or distortion circuit can be used before or after, to bolster the distortion effect. Instructions for setting up the prisms are given with the diagram.