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Distort-o-gate and similar
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Old 27th October 2012   #1
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Distort-o-gate and similar
A few years ago (early 2000's anyway) I had a subscription to a few hobby mags like EQ, Recording, Electronic Musician...

Long story short, I vaguely remember a few diagrams for lo-fi gadgets wired up on trs connectors to plug into an insert on a mixer (or preamp) that was basically clipping diodes. There was two of them and I don't recall the name of the other (was something like compress-o-gate).

Does anybody remember these and if so have a link of the diagrams? I loaned my collection of mags to an old co-worker, and you know the rest of the story.

I presume they would work with any diodes (led's even?) but cannot remember the arrangement. If this is posted in the wrong place, I am sorry, but I think with the low parts count (one TRS connector and a couple of diodes) this would be a fun, cheap, and easy thing for many to try. Heck, they make an awesome practical joke to put in your band's singer's insert for April Fools.

I have been leaning more towards the British school of thought of recording the tones I want to hear rather than rely on plug-ins and mixing tricks and this is something I now have the time to explore.

If memory serves me, this was in EQ mag, but honestly I am not sure.

I know you folks have been around here longer than I have and can direct me to the right info. Someone on this forum could have written the article for all I know.

Thanks!
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Old 28th October 2012   #2
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I thought Id bump this thread since this sounds like it could be pretty cool.
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Old 28th October 2012   #3
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Bump would also like to know.
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Old 29th October 2012   #4
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Thanks for the replies, I'm sure someone will remember this too. I can't imagine these sounded "good" but may be one of those secret weapon tricks that inspire some creativity.

I am probably bring some trs jacks and a handful of diodes to my buddies house next week. The only insert I have at home is on my Focusrite One and I am not experimenting with that.

I will post my success (or failures) but I still would like to get a copy of the original write up.

Keep your eyes peeled.

Anyone here know people formerly affiliated with EQ mag? I will try to email some people I know, but any help would rock.
Thanks!
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Old 29th October 2012   #5
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Was Craig Anderton still at EQ perhaps? He did a few DIY books back in the day... Maybe it was him that wrote the article?
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Old 29th October 2012   #6
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I just found this earlier from the Ashly SC-40 preamp manual:

"Smooth distortion may be produced by wiring (2) 1N914 diodes paralleled in opposite directions between the tip and sleeve of a phone plug and inserting it into the EFFECTS send. A foot switch can be wired in series with the tip of the plug to switch out the distortion"

I have heard about Geddy Lee incorporating this to get his growl but cannot confirm that either.

I know a bit about clipping (Symmetrical, asymmetrical, LED's, mosfets for clipping) I just don't know exactly how to wire this on an insert. I suppose the first thing to try is tip--diode pair--ground, and if this doesn't work short tip to ring.

I just modded a proco rat 2 by removing the stock diodes and replacing that with a DPDT switch with a pair of red LED's and a pair of germanium diodes (off in the center), so I presume this is similar.

Anyway, thanks for the responses, and I am going to try a few things on my Fender Blues Deluxe effects loop as this only uses TS cable. Wish me luck.
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Old 30th October 2012   #7
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I get some interesting distortion when diodes are soldered from tip to ground on one side of a cable and it is plugged into the send and return of the effects loop.

My guess is the send jack of the Ashly pre is normalled to the output or something.

I'll keep trying some stuff here.

I still haven't had a chance to do the insert cable trick, but band practice is this Wednesday.
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Old 31st October 2012   #8
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Thx for your Infos.
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Old 2nd November 2012   #9
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No problem. I have some TRS jacks on order...
...two solder joints and I can mess with the singer, or get unique sounds. Bonus points if I wire a switch for LEDS or symmetrical or asymmetrical.

Fun times.
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Old 2nd November 2012   #10
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You definitely have my attention!

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Old 6th November 2012   #11
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I'm still waiting on my TRS connectors. I will keep updating. I am still hopeful that someone has access to those old mags. If I can find them, I will post the pics here too.

I found another mention of some guy wiring up cables for an FX loop with clipping diodes. He was calling them "tone cables".

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Old 6th November 2012   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Spark View Post
Was Craig Anderton still at EQ perhaps? He did a few DIY books back in the day... Maybe it was him that wrote the article?
Do you have any contact with Craig Anderton? That would be a great lead. At least is there any online database for back issues of extinct mags?

Thanks!!
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Old 7th November 2012   #13
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No I dont know him. I think he moderates a forum over at Harmony Central though.
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Old 7th November 2012   #14
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Thanks! I have tried emailing him at his website. I will wait, and experiment.
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Old 28th November 2012   #15
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I just got some TRS ends today. I am going to the practice space tomorrow and I will try a few things. I will post success and failure.
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Old 28th November 2012   #16
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Cool
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Old 3rd April 2013   #17
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OK it has been a while since my last update here, but the band I am in has been "training" our 6th drummer in 2 years.

I did try two red LEDs and signal passed, LEDs flickered, but there was minimal clipping. I have some other diodes to play with, but so far I only have "limited success" to report.

I will keep "plugging away"
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