shorting = no clicks, non shorting = may be clicks
at least there will be MUTES with non shorting switches if you turn them slow enough.
the gain and threshold controls are fed with the audio signal :green:
if you all really are curios how this PoorMan works, you can still study the original fairchild schematic.
if I would have to draw a signal flow chart for both, they would be the same :thumb:
it is just another version ...
easier to build
available parts
I would call it "adapted" to today
and yes, I have had originals in my hands :green: