Dist + Diodes...

[petemoore]

I just got one going using a 5534, and it's quite well behaved.
 I used a 1n914 and a 1n34 type, in back to back configuration.'
 The output level is quite good, noise is also quite low [unlike my many other Dist+ tries].
 So what should I try for the diode configuration to try and keep some of the nice grind, but lose some of the high end grit? I have many and tried many small caps paralleling the diodes...I really need to stock up on some more diodes, but for now would like it if some of You Dist+ afficianado's would 'chime' some diode configurations in here for me.
 Ive been using 386's for Powering up OA's, they seem to do quite well, the added large electrolytics I tried across the rails seem unnecessary.

[Fret Wire]

I always liked the original spec 1n270's the best. Warmest sound to me. Not buzzy or shrill like the silicon diodes. Less output though.

[will]

Hi Pete,

Mine sounds pretty good with a 10K resistor 3 germanium diodes (1N60) for asymmetrical clipping and a .001 uF cap to ground.

You could put in a 20K trimpot in place of the 10K resistor and up the cap to .047 uF then you can vary the treble roll off from 1.7K to way above audibility.

Regards,
Will

[Jered]

Try fets in place of the diodes for a smoother sound. source=cathode, gate=anode
 Jered

[brett]

Hi Pete.  
I quite like a pair of 1N4148, which would sound quite hard, but then I put a 0.001uF cap to ground after them, and it gets a lot smoother.

My second choice would be 4 Ge diodes (2 each way) with no extra cap.

The way I figure, the Distortion plus is naturally more your rock'n'roll beast than a tubescreamer or similar, so don't totally soften it out.

cheers

[RDV]

Mine just has the DOD250 cap values with 2 NOS Ge diodes, & sounds great! I used a 741, but it's not that noisey.

RDV

[petemoore]

Thanks a whallop guys....I know weve been through these diodes countless times...still I needed the refresher !!!
 Pete goes to get more diodes [ge/Si/??] to try in the Dist+ !!!
 No worries, I can tell this one is a good one, even without the diodes in it. Just listening to the OA gives Me a good indication of what the cct is like...I feel confident that I'll be able to tune this one into a really Nice Dist+ type.

[Jim Jones]

Hey guys,

Is there any perceivable tonal difference between different Ge diodes, say 1N270's vs. 1N34A's?

Jim

[WGTP]

On my Rat, I used the AMZ Warp control to pan between a GE and LED with a 10K pot.  Used a SI for the other diode.  Fun to play with.

Along with a Jfet, I would suggest a Mosfet like a 2n7000 or BS170, but they blow up easy if you aren't carefull.  

[Mark Hammer]

Consider soldering another 5534 on top of the one you already have.  I tried this out on my Dist+, following a suggestion from Dave Barber, and I quite like the results.  I suppose by the time one has a dual-paralleled 5534-based circuit with a pair of silicon diodes it probably isn't a Distortion+ anymore, but it has a nice "muscle" to it.

[petemoore]

Still a work in progress !!!
  I''ll probably get to smoothing it some...I guess I'm getting used to my ~SD-1's and ~TS's...I'm just not used to those spikey edged peaks being so uh spikey!!!
 Thanks again again for all the suggestions. Dude is still going to get those different diodes to try...lol...right now it two NTE 158's sit in the clipping sockets. [oh some little rolloff cap].
 I'll get to it, and report on the results...!!!