the cost of clipping diodes !!

[Jean-Rock]

I'd like to add a clipping diodes stage to my build. I really like the sound, but I'v lost 6db(at least) and when I switch back to bypass setting full volume is back.

is there a way to manage it

Thank you !

[midwayfair]

This is what diodes do -- it's what signal clipping is. They limit the signal to an "artificial" headroom -- for example, .6v peak to peak for silicon, or .3v peak to peak for germanium, or 1.7v peak to peak for LEDs. The lower headroom squares off the top of the wave and we hear that as distortion. There is no "fix" for it except to adjust the volume knob after switching in/out the diodes. Or makeup gain in a following stage.

[Jean-Rock]

for example, .6v peak to peak for silicon, or .3v peak to peak for germanium, or 1.7v peak to peak for LEDs.

Is it why the LEDs clipping is less expensive(in volume) than the germanium

Or makeup gain in a following stage.

It means that I can another stage of makeup gain with diodes(or LEDs) clipping and flip it with a switch or bypass it and keep the same volume level

[Jean-Rock]

I hope you undertand what I'm saying....my English is not very good !!!

[midwayfair]

for example, .6v peak to peak for silicon, or .3v peak to peak for germanium, or 1.7v peak to peak for LEDs.

Is it why the LEDs clipping is less expensive(in volume) than the germanium

Yes. They limit the signal less. There is also less distortion.

Or makeup gain in a following stage.

It means that I can another stage of makeup gain with diodes(or LEDs) clipping and flip it with a switch or bypass it and keep the same volume level

Yes. But I don't understand why you would do that. Is there some reason you can't adjust the volume control on your pedal after switching on the diodes? maybe if you described what you're attempting to do, and what circuit you're using, a better solution can be found.

[Jean-Rock]

Thank you for your tips Jon !!

There's no reason not to adjust the volume.....I'm just curious to know. I made a tube scremer and the diode clipping has to be cranked to kick in and it makes me unhappy. Same thing with a JHS "Low Drive". Thanx again.