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Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Rotary Clipping Switch

Ever want to have as many clipping options as possible on a distortion or overdrive pedal? Here's a way to add up to 6 different combinations of diodes, LEDs or Mosfets with a 6-way rotary switch. Here's the break down on the different diode layouts by switch position:
  1. Standard 2 diode orientation
  2. Asymmetrical diode orientation
  3. Diodes in series 
  4. Mosfets
  5. Asymmetrical LED orientation
  6. Standard 2 LED orientation
You can always omit components from one of the switch positions to have a clipping bypass mode. You can also use jumpers or angle diodes if you don't want series or asymmetrical diodes. Use a 26mm enclosed 2 pole-6 position PC mount rotary switch (preferably from Alpha as their datasheet is what I used to layout the switch pads) and mount it on the component side.


15 comments:

  1. If I were to use this as an off board selector, where would I wire it to the board, say in Muff or something?

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    1. Anywhere there are clipping diodes you could use it. In a Muff, there are 2 clipping sections, so you could use this for one of them (like in the Blackarts Pharaoh) or you could use 2–one for each clipping section. Typically it'd be used in a Rat, Distortion +, Tube Screamer, OCD, etc where there's typically only one clipping section.

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  2. What transistor are used in this schematic? Can i use 2N7000?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, 2N7000s are what's shown but BS170s can also be used (just rotate them 180º from what's shown).

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  3. Hey! Is there a way to make one of these rotary switches fit on perfboard?

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    Replies
    1. You could drill out holes for the switch pins, remove any pads that might cause jumps and wire it that way I guess.

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  4. Hello! Great job!
    Is it possible to use different switches? Say 1 pole 12 position?
    I´m having trouble finding the 2/6.

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    Replies
    1. You'll need to check the datasheet of the switch, but in theory it should work.

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  5. The wiring will be something like that? Thank you!!! regards!! https://ibb.co/gzVJQG

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    Replies
    1. Reverse your labels (A to blue pad, Ground to green) and you're good to go.

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    2. Great thank you very much!!!!

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  6. boa noite, estou confuso qual entrada e saída, alguém pode me ajudar?

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  7. Can this be made up of dip switches instead of rotary switch?

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