Members Only Explanation

Analog Pipeline Distortion

Turn your synth or guitar into a distortion powerhouse with this versatile project. Featuring saturating amplifiers, switchable summation, and dynamic low-frequency modulation, the PCB doubles as a sleek control panel packed with knobs and switches for endless sound-shaping possibilities.

This versatile project provides flexible and dynamic signal distortion as a sound effect for synthesizers and guitars. A chain of saturating amplifiers with switchable summation allows for many kinds of overdrive curves. A low-frequency modulator creates dynamically changing distortion. With a fully optimized design, the PCB works as an operative panel with knobs and switches, having other components at the back.

The concept behind this project is to connect several identical amplifier stages in cascade. An increasing input signal will first saturate the last amp, then the amp before that, and so on. Now, if you take the output of each amplifier and send this to an adjustable output summing circuit, you can create all kinds of overload behavior. You can see/hear this in YouTube demo movies here.