System and method for generating musical distortion in an audio amplifier

摘要

A guitar amplifier system is disclosed. Specific implementations for the guitar amplifier system may comprise an audio input for an audio signal, a preamplifier coupled to the audio input, a tone control element coupled to the preamplifier, a power amplifier coupled to the tone control element, and an audio output coupled to the power amplifier. In an implementation, the tone control may be configured to control at least one of sound equalization, compression distortion, chorus or reverb. In an implementation, at least one of the preamplifier and the power amplifier may comprise at least one distortion multiplier circuit. The distortion multiplier circuit may comprise an audio signal multiplier configured to amplify an audio signal and output an amplified audio signal. The distortion multiplier circuit may also comprise a first voltage clamping circuit between a Vhigh preset level and a reference node coupled to the field effect transistor drain, and a second voltage clamping circuit between the Vlow preset level and the reference node. The Vhigh preset level and Vlow preset level may be set at different distances from a center voltage to asymmetrically distort the audio signal through asymmetrically limiting gain of the audio signal above the preset level and when compared with below the preset level. The distortion multiplier circuit may also comprise a blocking element configured to block DC biases of the field effect transistor.

主权项

1. A guitar amplifier system, comprising:
an audio input for an audio signal; a preamplifier coupled to the audio input; a tone control element coupled to the preamplifier and configured to control at least one of sound equalization, compression, distortion, chorus, or reverb; a power amplifier coupled to the tone control element; an audio output coupled to the power amplifier; and wherein at least one of the preamplifier and the power amplifier comprises at least one distortion multiplier circuit comprising:
an audio signal multiplier configured to amplify an audio signal and output an amplified audio signal;a first voltage clamping circuit between a Vhigh preset level and a reference node coupled to an output of the audio signal multiplier, and a second voltage clamping circuit between the Vlow preset level and the reference node, wherein the Vhigh preset level and the Vlow preset level are set at different distances from a center voltage and asymmetrically distort the audio signal through asymmetrically limiting a gain of the audio signal above the Vhigh preset level and when compared with below the Vlow preset level; anda blocking element configured to block DC biases of the audio signal multiplier.