Distortion is a commonly used effect in music. Musicians use it to add grit, crunch, and drive to their sound. It’s most commonly associated with rock and metal, but it’s used in many other genres as well. In this article, we’ll explore how distortion works, what it does to your sound, and the different types of distortion.
What is distortion?
Distortion is an effect used in music to alter the sound of an instrument or voice. It’s created by intentionally overdriving a signal, causing it to clip and distort. When a signal is overdriven, the peaks of the waveform get sliced off, creating a square wave instead of a smooth sine wave. This results in a more aggressive, distorted sound.
How does distortion work?
Distortion works by overloading a signal so that it exceeds the limits of the amplifier or processor. When a signal is too hot, it causes the output to clip, resulting in a distorted sound. Distortion can be achieved in several ways, including:
- Gain staging: Increasing the volume of the signal until it overloads the amplifier.
- Valve saturation: Overdriving a valve amplifier to create natural distortion.
- Clipping: Hard clipping the waveform to create a square wave.
- Soft clipping: Clipping the waveform gently to create a smoother distortion.
What does distortion do to your sound?
Distortion can have a significant impact on the sound of an instrument or voice. It can add warmth, body, and character, as well as making it sound more aggressive and intense. The exact effect of distortion depends on the type of distortion used and the playing style.
- Hard clipping: This type of distortion creates a harsh, gritty sound with lots of sustain. It’s often used in heavier genres, like metal and hard rock.
- Soft clipping: Soft clipping creates a smoother, more musical distortion. It’s often used in blues and jazz to add warmth and character to the sound.
- Valve saturation: Valve saturation creates a natural, warm distortion that’s highly sought after by many musicians. It’s often used in vintage-style amplifiers and recordings to add character and depth to the sound.
How is distortion used in music?
Distortion is used in a variety of ways in music. Here are a few examples:
- Rhythm guitar: Distortion is often used on rhythm guitar to add power and drive to the sound. It can also help the guitar cut through the mix and create a more aggressive sound.
- Lead guitar: Distortion is commonly used on lead guitar to create sustain and harmonics, making the notes sing out more. It can also be used to create a more aggressive and intense sound.
- Bass guitar: Bass guitar can benefit from distortion, too. It can add grit and punch to the bass, making it more audible in the mix.
- Vocals: Distortion can be used on vocals to add character and aggression. It’s often used in heavy styles of music, but can also be used in more subtle ways to add warmth and depth to the vocals.
The different types of distortion
Hard clipping
Hard clipping is one of the most common types of distortion. It creates a harsh, gritty sound with lots of sustain. It’s often used in heavy styles of music, like metal and hard rock. Hard clipping is created by hard limiting the waveform. When the waveform reaches the maximum level, it’s clipped to a flat line, creating a square wave.
Soft clipping
Soft clipping is similar to hard clipping, but it’s a little more subtle. It creates a smoother, more musical distortion that’s often used in blues and jazz to add warmth and character to the sound. Soft clipping is created by gently limiting the waveform, which rounds off the peaks of the waveform instead of clipping them off completely.
Valve saturation
Valve saturation is a natural form of distortion that occurs when a valve amplifier is overdriven. It creates a warm, natural-sounding distortion that’s highly sought after by many musicians. Valve saturation can be achieved by turning up the volume on the amplifier, or by using a dedicated valve saturation pedal or plugin.
Fuzz
Fuzz is a type of distortion that was first popularized in the 1960s. It creates a thick, full-bodied sound that’s often used in psychedelic and garage rock. Fuzz is created by using a specially designed fuzz pedal or by cranking up the gain on an amplifier.
Overdrive
Overdrive is a form of distortion that’s a little more subtle than hard clipping. It’s often used in blues and classic rock to add sustain and warmth to the sound. Overdrive is created by overloading the circuitry of an amplifier or a dedicated overdrive pedal.
Distortion vs overdrive
Distortion and overdrive are often used interchangeably, but they’re two different things. Distortion is a more aggressive, clipped sound, while overdrive is a warmer, more saturated sound. Distortion is often used in heavier genres, while overdrive is more commonly used in blues and classic rock.
Conclusion
Distortion is a powerful effect that can dramatically alter the sound of an instrument or voice. It can add warmth, character, and drive, as well as making it sound more aggressive and intense. By understanding the different types of distortion and how they work, you can use them to create the perfect sound for your music.
Common questions about distortion
- What causes distortion in speakers? Distortion in speakers is often caused by overdriving the amplifier or by exceeding the rated power of the speaker.
- What is digital distortion? Digital distortion is a type of distortion that occurs in digital audio recordings. It’s caused by clipping the waveform in the digital domain, resulting in a harsh, unpleasant sound.
- How do I get a good distortion sound? Getting a good distortion sound requires some experimentation. Try different types of distortion pedals, amps, and settings to find the sound that works best for you.
- Is distortion bad for my gear? Using distortion won’t damage your gear as long as you’re using it within the recommended limits. However, excessive distortion can cause wear and tear on your equipment over time.
- Can I use distortion on acoustic instruments? Distortion can be used on acoustic instruments, but it’s less common than on electric instruments. It can add a unique character to the sound, but it’s important to use it tastefully.
References:
- https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/how-to-master-distortion
- https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/distortion-vs-overdrive-vs-fuzz-whats-the-difference/
- https://www.musicradar.com/tuition/guitars/how-to-use-guitar-effect-pedals-the-guitarists-guide-468494