A Simple Clipping Indicator Circuit?

[FuzzMonkey]

I'm putting together a basic op amp based clean boost and thoughts I might experiment adding a clipping indicator circuit to show when the op amp is close to or is clipping the signal. Surprise, surprise.

An online search found plenty for higher voltage power amps but nothing useful in regards to a 9-volt, simple op amp circuit à la the MXR Micro Amp.

Does anybody know of a simple, yet effective circuit or way of accomplishing this?

[mauman]

What if you used LEDs as the clipping diodes, and made them visible from the exterior?

[jimilee]

I'm putting together a basic op amp based clean boost and thoughts I might experiment adding a clipping indicator circuit to show when the op amp is close to or is clipping the signal. Surprise, surprise.

An online search found plenty for higher voltage power amps but nothing useful in regards to a 9-volt, simple op amp circuit à la the MXR Micro Amp.

Does anybody know of a simple, yet effective circuit or way of accomplishing this?

The ginger uses leds for clipping and will light up if they are clipped hard enough.


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[Scruffie]

Deluxe Memory Man, Overload LED.

[benny_profane]

Deluxe Memory Man, Overload LED.

Do you have a schematic for that section of the circuit? (In context within the DMM would be an added bonus.)

[Scruffie]

It's just the transistor bit.

Here it is negative ground, 'input' is R10.

[benny_profane]

Thanks! That is extremely straightforward.

[FuzzMonkey]

Thanks! That is extremely straightforward.

Thanks is extremely straightforward.

[TFZ]

It's also rather crude and will only work for one polarity. Since particularly guitar signals can be very asymmetrical, depending on your expectations regarding the accuracy of the clipping indicator this circuit might not be good enough.
For proper and reliable detection you need a full wave rectifier.