Distortion Definition

What is Distortion?

Distortion in Music refers to any type of alteration or modification of the original sound wave that results in a change in its quality or character. It is typically associated with an increase in the amplitude or volume of the sound, resulting in a “clipping” or “crunchy” effect.

History

The history of music distortion can be traced back to the early days of electronic amplification when musicians began experimenting with ways to intentionally create distorted sounds. Some of the key developments in the history of music distortion are the advent of electric guitars. The first electric guitars appeared in the 1930s and were quickly adopted by jazz and swing musicians.

By the 1950s, rock and roll had emerged as a dominant musical genre, and electric guitars were being used to produce distorted and overdriven sounds. Another key development in the history of music distortion is the development of distortion pedals. In the 1960s, musicians began using electronic devices such as fuzz boxes and distortion pedals to intentionally create distorted sounds. These devices allowed guitarists to manipulate their tone and create a range of new sounds.

In the 1970s and 1980s, heavy metal emerged as a dominant genre of music, and distortion became an essential part of the genre’s sound. Guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and Eddie Van Halen pushed the boundaries of the technique creating new and innovative sounds.

Also in the early 1990s and 2000s, digital signal processing and modelling technology allowed musicians to recreate the sounds of classic amplifiers and pedals in a digital format. This led to the development of digital distortion pedals and amp simulators that could produce a wide range of sounds.

Today, distortion is used in a wide variety of musical genres, from rock and metal to electronic and hip-hop. It continues to be an important part of modern music production, and musicians are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible with distorted effects.

Types of distortion

There are several types of music distortion, each with its unique characteristics and applications. Here are some of the most common types:

Overdrive: This is the most basic type of distortion, which is achieved by overdriving a guitar amplifier or other sound source. It results in a warm, natural-sounding distortion that is often used in blues, rock, and metal music.
Fuzz: Fuzz distortion is a more extreme version of overdrive distortion that produces a thick, buzzy sound. Fuzz distortion is often used in psychedelic and garage rock music.
Distortion pedals: These pedals are electronic devices that are used to add distortion to a sound source. They typically offer a range of sound types and can be used to create a wide variety of sounds.
Compression: Compression distortion occurs when a sound source is compressed too much, resulting in a distorted sound. This type of distortion is often used in electronic dance music and hip-hop.
Clipping: Clipping distortion occurs when a sound source is pushed beyond its limits, resulting in a distorted sound. This type of distortion is often used in heavy metal and hard rock music.
Speaker: Speaker distortion occurs when a speaker is pushed beyond its limits, resulting in a distorted sound. This type of distortion can be used to create a unique, gritty sound that is often used in rock music.
Tape: Tape distortion occurs when a sound is recorded onto magnetic tape, resulting in a warm, distorted sound. This type of distortion is often used in analogue recording and is considered to be a desirable characteristic by many musicians.

Each type of distortion has its unique characteristics and can be used in different ways to achieve a desired sound or effect. Musicians often experiment with different types of techniques to create new and innovative sounds.

Advantages/disadvantages of Using Distortion

Using distortion in music can have both advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

Adds character and depth: Distortion can add character and depth to a sound, making it more interesting and unique. It can also add warmth and richness to a sound that might otherwise be dull or lifeless.
Creates new and innovative sounds: Distortion can be used to create new and innovative sounds that were not possible before. It can also be used to emulate vintage sounds, adding a sense of nostalgia to a recording.
Makes music sound more powerful: Distortion can be used to make music sound more powerful and intense, making it more engaging and emotional for the listener.

Disadvantages:

Can sound harsh or abrasive: Distortion can be harsh or abrasive, making it difficult to listen to for long periods of time. It can also be fatiguing for the listener, making it less enjoyable to listen to.
Can reduce clarity and definition: Distortion can reduce the clarity and definition of a sound, making it more difficult to hear individual parts and instruments in a recording.
Can be overused: Distortion can be overused, making a recording sound too distorted and overwhelming. This can make it difficult for the listener to discern individual parts and instruments in a recording.

The advantages and disadvantages of using distortion in music depend on how it is used and in what context. When used appropriately, it can add a unique and powerful character to a sound. However, when used excessively or inappropriately, it can be distracting and detract from the overall quality of a recording.

Saturation

When producers refer to saturation, they generally mean that it adds additional harmonic content, light compression and EQ changes. This is due to the clipping of a sine wave’s smooth curves when pushed far enough. As this happens, the signal starts to resemble a square wave which contains infinite harmonics.

Saturation can be thought of as a mixing tool, similar to EQ or compression, which can produce overlapping results.

Harmonic enhancement

The addition of extra harmonics through clipping can bring a sparkle to the midrange, particularly in the upper mids which is an area where the human ear is most sensitive.

Rather than simply raising the level of this range with EQ, saturation provides an opportunity to add new harmonic content that can make it sound fuller and more vibrant.

If conventional EQ boosts aren’t giving you the desired effect, try using saturation instead for a more pronounced presence in this critical frequency range.

Lo-fi effects

Harmonics and saturation can have a significant impact on the timbre of a sound. As the waveform begins to clip, some information is lost, but this can be used creatively to shape the sound in a mix. When pushed to its limits, this effect can give off an attractive lo-fi quality that drastically alters the signal.

Subtle compression

If you’re having trouble getting the desired dynamics with other methods, you may want to try saturation instead of compression. This can have a similar effect to compression as it causes the signal’s dynamic range to narrow when the intensity of saturation is increased, and the onset of this effect is nearly instantaneous, unlike a traditional compressor. The clipping point then acts as a threshold for limiting.

Tone shaping

Finally, saturation has an overall influence on the sound’s frequency balance. This is because additional harmonics bring out the higher mids, while simultaneously causing a slight decrease in both lower and higher frequencies. To ensure that your mix sounds balanced, most saturation plugins come with LPF/HPF or shelving filters to help you shape their output.

Where else is there distortion in music?

Guitars are the perfect instrument for distortion

Outside of mixing, electric guitar rigs are the most obvious place to find distortion. From the earliest days of electric instruments, musicians have been pushing their amplifiers to experience the transformative effects of saturation.

This rich, sustaining sound kickstarted the rock revolution in the early 60s and continues to drive it today. Although guitar distortion can still be achieved with tube amplifiers pushed to their limit, many players now use stompboxes to define their unique sound.

Artists who have used Distortion in their music:

Distortion has been used by countless artists across many different genres of music. There are many well-known artists who have used these methods in their music such as Jimi Hendrix who is often credited with popularizing its use in rock music. He used a variety of effects pedals and amplifier settings to create his signature distorted sound.

The Beatles also experimented with distortion in many of their recordings, including the distorted guitar solo in “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and the heavily distorted vocals in “Revolution.”

Also, Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi is known for his heavy use of distortion in his guitar playing, helping to define the sound of heavy metal music. Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain used the technique heavily in his guitar playing, creating a raw, grungy sound that helped to define the sound of alternative rock in the 1990s.

Daft Punk has used distortion extensively in their electronic music productions, adding a gritty, raw quality to their sound. Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor is known for his use of distortion in his industrial rock music, creating a harsh, aggressive sound that reflects the darker themes of his music.

Another band that has used the effect is Radiohead who used distortion in many of their recordings, including the heavily distorted guitar riff in “Creep” and the distorted vocals in “Paranoid Android.”

These are just a few examples of the many artists who have used distortion in their music. Distortion has become a fundamental tool in the music producer’s arsenal, and its use continues to evolve with new technologies and production techniques.

Distortion Plugins Reviews:

There are many distortion plugins available for use in digital audio workstations (DAWs). Here are some of the most popular ones:

Decapitator by Soundtoys: This is a highly regarded plugin that emulates analogue saturation and distortion, adding warmth and character to digital recordings.
FabFilter Saturn: This is a versatile distortion plugin that allows users to choose between different distortion types, such as tape, tube, or amp distortion. It also has a multiband mode that allows users to apply distortion to specific frequency bands.
iZotope Trash 2: This is a comprehensive distortion and audio mangling plugin that includes over 60 distortion algorithms, as well as other effects like filters, delays, and modulation.
Waves Abbey Road Saturator: This plugin is designed to emulate the sound of classic analogue recording equipment, adding warmth, grit, and character to digital recordings.
Guitar Rig 6 by Native Instruments: This plugin is designed specifically for guitar players, providing a wide range of distortion and amplifier modelling options, as well as other guitar effects like reverb and delay.
Ohmicide by Ohm Force: This is a multiband distortion plugin that allows users to apply different distortion types to different frequency bands, creating complex and unique distortion sounds.
PSP VintageWarmer2 by PSP Audioware: This is a versatile plugin that can be used for both subtle saturation and heavy distortion effects. It emulates the sound of classic analogue equipment and has a wide range of options for customizing the distortion sound.

Why Choose a Plugin?

These are just a few examples of the many distortion plugins available. The choice of which one to use will depend on the specific needs of the user and the sound they are trying to achieve.

Overall, what makes these plugins good is their ability to add warmth, character, and depth to digital recordings, as well as their versatility and ease of use. They are powerful tools for music producers and audio engineers, allowing them to create unique and innovative distortion effects that can add a new dimension to their recordings.

Closing Thoughts On Using Distortion in Music Production

Music distortion can be a powerful tool for music producers and artists, adding warmth, character, and depth to recordings, as well as creating unique and innovative sounds.

The advantages and disadvantages of using distortion depend on the context and the listener’s preferences, but overall, distortion can be a valuable technique for enhancing the dynamics of a recording and creating a specific aesthetic.

With the availability of many high-quality plugins, producers and artists have a wide range of options to experiment with and create their own unique sound.

Music Production