Questions tagged [distortion]

Distortion is the alteration of the original shape (or other characteristic) of a signal representing an object, image, sound or waveform.

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Efficient method of measuring total harmonic distortion

I have been trying to create a set-up for measuring (estimating) the reported total harmonic distortion of an op-amp. (Please don't ask why I don't use a spectrum analyzer because I have been assigned ...
Fateme's user avatar
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LM393 dual comparator outputs are not the same

I applied the same signals to both inputs of the LM393P double comparator. The number 2 comparator output gave the expected result (first photo). However, when I apply the same signal to comparator 1,...
Baris's user avatar
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My DIY tube amplifier distorts more than I planned

I have built a JTM145 clone. The original amplifier is clean and distorts when the volume is turned up, but my own copy of that amplifier distorts at low volume at the second 12AX7 tube from pin 7 to ...
Eternal_Sunshine's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
237 views

The input to the gate of an N-channel MOSFET is a pulsed signal but I am getting a ramp signal

I am trying to generate an output voltage of minimum 30V and maximum 50V, current of minimum 10A for a load of 2-10ohms using a MOSFET. I am connecting an NPN transistor's collector to the gate of the ...
Sahasra Vaiishnavi's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
2k views

Why am I getting heavy output distortion from a BJT amplifier when driving an 8 ohm load?

Hello electronics professionals and enthusiasts! Software engineer mingling with breadboards and discrete components in his spare time here. I'm trying to build a simple BJT amplifier for my electric ...
Alex's user avatar
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Pspice: FFT and distortion in output file does not coincide

I don't understand how Pspice calculate the distortion factor of a signal. I have this 1kHz output signal from an amplifier, and here is the FFT with 10 montecarlo simulation (zoomed): In the "...
Northumber's user avatar
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100 views

Why are the phases of a distorted sine wave always these four values?

In this image I show how I distorted a sine wave with three defects in the transfer function, similar to what you might see in a real transistor or tube circuit. I did the FFT on it and the extracted ...
Dan Bullard's user avatar
-1 votes
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Why does my spectrum have humps?

In a fun experiment I used an Applicos ATX7006A 18 bit AWG to generate a 1 kHz sine wave and used an Analog Devices AD7671 16 bit ADC to digitize the waveform, then coherently captured the digital ...
Dan Bullard's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
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Tube preamp overdrive question

Is it possible to add an overdrive gain pot (instead of just simply a bypass switch) to a preamp tube circuit? I am designing a new amplifier, and I want to include an overdrive/distortion option to ...
Mike Hale's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
85 views

Generalized Memory Polynomial in Digital Pre-Distortion

I am currently trying to understand the concept of Generalized Memory Polynomials used in Digital Pre-Distortion and I wanted to seek some answers for some questions that were bothering me. The form \...
User626's user avatar
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Name and cause for phenomenon in microphone preamp output as seen on scope screen

What might cause 1 kHz sinusoidal signal to change such as seen on the screen? How is this phenomenon possibly called? I have quite a lot of hand microphones with built-in opamp preamp and electret ...
UIR's user avatar
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What is causing the distortion in the negative cycle of this push-pull speaker driver?

I'm trying to build a unity-gain push-pull output stage to drive a small ~8 Ω speaker (measured DC resistance is 7 Ω; I don't have a datasheet for it). This is for use with a single rail battery ...
mountainmad's user avatar
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174 views

VAS loading distortion in amplifier

I'm trying to solve the VAS (voltage amplifier stage) loading distortion in a three-stage amplifier. Excluding the input stage (called IPS in the circuit below), here is represented a typical VAS ...
Brando's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
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I designed and built an op-amp using 4 NPN and 2 PNP BJTs. What are the pros and cons, and how can it be improved?

There have been some questions asked recently about op-amps, and I was curious to see how to make one with just NPN and PNP transistors. I did a simulation in LTspice and it seems to work pretty well, ...
PStechPaul's user avatar
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3 votes
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Output signal distortion from op-amp

I am currently using a TLE2144, and the input signal of 600 kHz, 4.5 Vpp is generated from a function generator. Using a voltage follower with TLE2144, I was able to get an output of 4.5 Vpp with an ...
Sam Shurp 's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
126 views

What causes the large THD increase measured after the output resistor in this op-amp stage?

I'm designing an audio mixer and took good care to create a relatively low THD signal path. At the final output stage I'm measuring a a THD of 0.06%, (10 Vpp, sine @ 1 kHz.) This is measured directly ...
Matt's user avatar
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2 votes
4 answers
351 views

Unexpected non-linear response of operational amplifier

I have a resistive sensor that I'd like to use to generate an amplified voltage in a small range. I'd also like to shift/offset that range up and down with the use of a DAC to kind of "zoom in&...
Yodel185's user avatar
-1 votes
4 answers
324 views

Does a resonant peak produce a distorted wave form?

Context I am re-enforcing my understanding of the frequency response. From 1, I understand that, In an audio system, [the frequency response] may be used to minimize audible distortion by designing ...
Michael Levy's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
101 views

Distortion pedal volume and tone control messing up circuit

I have built a distortion pedal with 3 variable controls: gain, tone and volume. R8 is my gain control (it will be a potentiometer with 50k to 500k resistance.) R5 is the tone control, (low pass ...
Marko Jurisic's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
645 views

Square wave distortion at low frequencies, high-pass filtering, AC coupling

This is an update on my previous question. As Hearth suggeste, I changed to DC coupling on my scope. This is what I got: That's a clear change. Not a perfect square waves but I guess it is because of ...
kawasaki997's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
684 views

Square wave distortion on low frequencies

I have this old Soviet low frequency sine and square pulse generator "G3-36A". I ran into an interesting problem. When I try to generate square pulse under 100Hz I get a distorted wave. ...
kawasaki997's user avatar
2 votes
4 answers
765 views

I'm desiging a class AB amplifier with class A preamp, what are the problems with my design?

I'm attempting to design a class AB guitar amplifier with a class A preamp. I'm a novice and this is the first actual project I'm attempting. What are the possible caveats, as well as my choice in ...
Daniel Oren-Ibarra's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
298 views

Discrete LM 741 using transistors only

I read how to build a discrete LM 741 op amp here. I tried to simulate it in LTspice: When I increase the sine wave frequency to make it operate at a higher frequency (10kHz,) the square waveform ...
Testing Su's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
397 views

What happens to a signal when it passes by diodes that are connected antiparallel to ground?

What are diodes 1 and 2 doing in this schematic? This is the schematic for a distortion guitar pedal. Why doesn't all the current flow to ground through diode 2? How does diode 1 have any effect if ...
user199827463's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
2k views

Overdrive guitar pedal sounds better without a clipping diode

I built a guitar pedal which looks like this (the schematic is a clone of a Tube Screamer) and I have a question regarding something unusual I discovered. There are two diodes, D1 and D2, which ...
Max Walczak's user avatar
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130 views

I'm tryin' to build my own fuzz but when I plug it in my amp it just makes too much noise

If you need the schematic, just tell me and I'll draw it for you as soon as I'm home again. Anyway, it consists of 3 transistor stages with the first one having the boost control by regulating emitter ...
Operatore_Nabla's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
335 views

THAT1646 Distortion on output signal

I am working on an audio project using the THAT1646 balanced output driver (project is a hi-fi mixer for studio insert gear). The project uses a bipolar +/-15V supply. I am experiencing distortion on ...
Emmett Palaima's user avatar
-1 votes
2 answers
138 views

Waveform distortion with high ohm resistor [closed]

I have a problem that waveform distorted after adding high ohm resistor, (second figure shows that resistor voltage which doesn't follow of input pulse (yellow). So I added Darlington pair right after ...
shortcircuits's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
120 views

Extremely basic guitar amplifier

I've been attempting to make a very basic guitar/condenser microphone amplifier for a long time, and I think I'm getting close (this is the first time I'm reaching out for help on the matter). I'm ...
Aaron R.'s user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
745 views

Pedal circuit not working on 9 V battery or 9 V AC adapter

I built a simple NPN fuzz pedal (negative ground) and soldered it up on some perf board. It works just as expected using my power supply but when hooking up to a 9 V battery or a 9 V DC adapter the ...
Scott's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
300 views

What is the relationship between power supply rating and audio amplifier power rating?

I use many different types of Class D amplifiers in my designs. I am aware that the rated audio (RMS) power (with typical 10% distortion) relates to a sine wave which is not typical of music and audio ...
Rudjeev's user avatar
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17 votes
3 answers
4k views

Why NPN and PNP in parallel in this distortion pedal circuit?

I've come across a guitar pedal circuit called a "Tube Sound Overdrive". The schematic is shown below. It looks like a typical common emitter transistor circuit with an adjustable bias (RV1),...
Dave H.'s user avatar
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-2 votes
1 answer
977 views

Choosing an opamp for the amplifier stage of a signal generator (uses AD9833) [closed]

I am currently on a project to make my own signal generator for use in testing circuits etc. I have based it largely on a tutorial here: https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/projects/how-to-DIY-waveform-...
k.h's user avatar
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0 votes
2 answers
482 views

What actually causes the distortion in the output wave due to an Astable Multivibrator?

I've witnessed that the output square wave from an astable multivibrator using two BJTs has its edges rounded during the rise up time(just as it is seen in fig. 1). Across resources, I've come to know ...
Abhinav Tahlani's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
116 views

Why does this oscillator not work with a voltage less than 9 V?

By chance of my research and simulations and various tests, I found the diagram of an oscillator with strange behavior. All the oscillators (quasi) that I have encountered work whatever the supply ...
Antonio51's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
486 views

Add negative feedback to this 2-stage amplifier

I am designing this 350mW 2-stage amplifier. The amplifier has only a voltage amplification stage Q2 biased with a current source Q1+Q3, a buffer Q6 and an output stage Q4+Q5. The input will be an ...
Rojj's user avatar
  • 297
7 votes
3 answers
2k views

Is it possible to reduce distortion in a common emitter amplifier?

I am designing a common emitter amplifier for educational purposes. I work in a different engineering field so please bear with me. The gain of the circuit is around 26 (enough for my purpose), but ...
Rojj's user avatar
  • 297
0 votes
1 answer
290 views

DIY function generator with an operational amplifier

I am trying to make my own function generator. I will make it with adjustable frequency and peak voltage but for test reasons I'm simulating a constant frequency one. My output has distortion which I ...
Tombeki's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
100 views

How to reduce distortion in a TPA3110D2 amplifier?

I bought these cheap amplifiers (2x15W TPA3110, the red ones with four caps and 4 inductors.) They sound good at normal volumes but then distort at high volumes. When I increase the input voltage, it ...
Franclinstiles's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
536 views

wien bridge oscillator distortion

I built simple wien oscillator. How to reduce distortion of the sine wave? Leads was as short as can be, soldered "Manhattan style". Tried 2x KD305D power supplies as well as split battery ...
GNDLoop's user avatar
  • 21
2 votes
3 answers
406 views

Inducing an intense varying magnetic field with a coil and audio amplifier

Disclaimer: I'm computer scientist I want to test a system described in an old (~1990) french patent and experiment with it if it works. The system requires to generate an "intense" varying ...
chmike's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
298 views

Class AB Amplifier - Weird oscilloscope output

I have built this little kit for a class AB Amplifier. This is the schematic if you do not want to follow the link It works fine, I can hear decent sound. I then tried to check the output with an ...
Rojj's user avatar
  • 297
4 votes
1 answer
477 views

LM393 comparator misbehaving and causing issues

I've been stuck on (what seems to be) a very unusual issue with a little audio circuit I’m designing. I wonder if anyone here can quickly highlight the flaws of my design and/or offer an insight into ...
Edd_P's user avatar
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0 votes
3 answers
55 views

Would we like to have a linear circuit application to cause low distortion at the output port?

Would we like to have a linear circuit application to cause low distortion at the output port? What about a power amplifier? Is it necessary for a power amplifier to have only low distortion at the ...
austen's user avatar
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0 votes
3 answers
240 views

How do a generate a clean, precise pulse wave electronically without jitter?

I am trying to build a simple pulse generator circuit for electrophysiological stimulation purposes. It seems to be surprisingly difficult to generate a square/ pulse waveform where the pulses have ...
Benj Prush's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
210 views

Distortion in output signal in amplifier after connecting load

I want to design an amplifier which works in 20kHz-100kHz range with 0.1V peak to peak signal. This is my circuit. It works fine in the simulation. It works fine without connecting R6 8 ohm load. But ...
jan411's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
104 views

Debugging Signal Distortion/Oscillation

Finally built up the circuit below that I've been designing/toying with in LTSpice and its working OK but I'm wondering if an experienced eye might be able to quickly label what/why the oddities are ...
Cdevelop's user avatar
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0 votes
3 answers
869 views

LM318 Voltage Follower Self-oscillation and Output Noise

I've been trying to tame an LM318 opamp in order to replace the LM741 in a circuit because I need to buffer a higher frequency sine wave than the LM741 likes (1Mhz). The datasheet shows the following ...
namezero's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
102 views

Why does my BA speaker truncate the negative part of the waveform?

I'm developing a custom earphone and I'm having some issues with producing a clean sound from my balanced armature (BA) driver (Sonion 31D005/8). I've come up with a pretty standard circuit (see below)...
meekeech's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
446 views

Distortion in Transistor Amplifier

I want to design amplifier in 20kHz - 200 kHz range. I have designed following circuit using BC547 transistor. I have set VCE voltage to 6v and set Q point to the middle of the load line. But when ...
jan411's user avatar
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