1 INPUT BUFFER
High-pass filter strips sub-bass before the fuzz.
HPF: fc = bass cut
Clean low end muddies the octave — Mayer cut it here.
→
2 FUZZ STAGE
Gain + germanium soft clip.
f(x) = tanh(drive*x)
Asymmetric bias → even harmonics. Germanium knee ≈ 0.3V.
→
3 TRANSFORMER
Bandpass + ferrite core saturation.
BPF → tanh(sat*x)
Phase-splits for the rectifier. Core adds odd harmonics.
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4 RECTIFIER (OCTAVE)
Full-wave rectify: f(x) = |x|
Doubles frequency → octave up. Fundamental eliminated.
|sin(wt)| = 2/pi - (4/3pi)cos(2wt) - ...
→
5 OUTPUT FILTER
DC removal + tone shaping.
HPF(DC) → LPF(tone)
Smooths rectifier hash. Dry/wet blends with clean input.