We derive a novel explicit wave-domain model for “diode clipper" circuits with an arbitrary number of diodes in each orientation, applicable, e.g., to wave digital filter emulation of guitar distortion pedals. Improving upon and generalizing the model of Paiva et al. (2012), which approximates reverse-biased diodes as open circuits, we derive a model with an approximated correction term using two Lambert W functions. We study the energetic properties of each model and clarify aspects of the original derivation. We demonstrate the model's validity by comparing a modded Tube Screamer clipping stage emulation to SPICE simulation.

Authors: Werner, Kurt James; Nangia, Vaibhav; Bernardini, Alberto; Smith, III, Julius O.; Sarti, Augusto
Affiliations: Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy(See document for exact affiliation information.)
AES Convention: 139 (October 2015) Paper Number: 9360
Publication Date: October 23, 2015
Subject: Signal Processing

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