Maxon D and S II Sustainer Pedal

More...

not typically found in distortions. Like a standard distortion, the D&S II features a diode clipping stage after the amplifier section of the circuit. However, rather than using the silicon diodes commonly found in todays circuits, the D&S II uses germanium diodes in this clipping stage. The threshold voltage for clipping is 0.1 0.2V with germanium and 0.7 0.8V with silicon, so the germanium can distort even low level tones, thus making a smoother distortion. In addition, the germaniums rectifier characteristic is inferior to silicon voltage drop with negative current is not as sharp as that of silicon this shortcoming ironically works favorably for the D&S II, creating a somewhat rounded waveform of the clipped signal that contributes to the units warm, natural distortion. Due to their inferior characteristics, germanium diodes are now a very rare component and have generally been replaced with silicon diodes in other manufacturers circuits. Ironically, it is these shortcomings that give the D&S II its signature sound. Also unique to the D&S II is its tone control. While most other overdrives and distortions feature hi boosthi cut tone circuits, the D&S II tone control uses a low range boostcut circuit for added bottom end. In addition, the D&S IIs tone circuit features the JRC4558 IC chip, generally regarded as sonically superior to other op amp models. The combination of these two elements creates a pedal with more low
Close...