Op Amps: Function Synthesis

In this video we discuss the concept of function synthesis (AKA function generation) and explore a simple way to implement the idea using an inverting voltage amplifier configuration with zener diodes.
References: Operational Amplifiers and Linear Integrated Circuits: Theory and Application; Chapter 7, section 4.
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[@simonyoungglostog]

I love it, fascinating. Could you use this for a 'soft' clipping application? Re. the 15kR, I can see that about 7.5V drops across the Zeners, I can't untangle the maths for the angle of slope. I haven't got to this in the text yet, is it in there?

[@ElectronicswithProfessorFiore]

Yes, it's in the text, and with greater detail. You can make a soft clipper using this. I've done similar things. It might not be quite as dramatic as you'd expect, though. After all, in that application you're trying to get distortion so there's a tendency to "crank it up". Things like this can take a little of the edginess or brittleness out.

[@simonyoungglostog]

@@ElectronicswithProfessorFiore Thank you. I'll get to that in a few days. I'm on Datasheets at the moment. Something to 'curve' a hard edge sounds like a good idea. I wonder how NAD did it on their 3020?