Experimental Op-Amp Distortion Circuit PUBLIC

Experimental 3-Voice Op-Amp Distortion Circuit for Guitar

Experimental 3-voice op-amp distortion circuit for electric guitar. Uses four different dual op-amp ICs to obtain one clean and three distorted signals. Controls Include: Input Gain, Clean Level, Distortion Drive, JFET Attenuation, JFET Level, CMOS Attenuation, CMOS Level, BJT Attenuation, BJT Level, and master Volume. Distortion is achieved using one op-amp as a gain-stage (Driver) in a dual IC to overdrive the other (a Buffer) in the same IC. No tone controls. This circuit should have a tone-control circuit connected before or after, or both. Frequency Range 16 Hz to 10 kHz with all controls at 50%, but broader bandwidth with controls set > 50%. Suitable for 6/7/8-string guitar or 4/5/6-string bass. Maximum Gain = +20 dBV (Vo/Vi = 10) @ 1 kHz with all controls at 50%, or more than twice that with all controls at 100%. [Do not use circuit with all controls at 100% except as worst-case scenario while breadboarding.] Power-supply not shown. Requires a dual-polarity DC supply providing +-9VDC or +-12VDC or +-15VDC at 80 mA of current. And though simulator verified, treat the circuit as experimental. Breadboard test before soldering.