Distortion

Question 1

What type of technology is most associated with soft clipping

Answer 1

Analogue

Question 2

How does distortion affect the dynamic range of a sound

Answer 2

It reduces it, making us perceive it as louder

Question 3

What is clipping

Answer 3

When the input signal is too high for system it is passing through

Question 4

What is the function of an exciter

Answer 4

An exciter adds harmonics by distorting a specific frequency range; they are often used for adding high frequency content and making parts cut through the mix more effectively, or in remastering / tape recordings

Question 5

What is saturation

Answer 5

Saturation occurs when an input going into analogue gear e.g. tape / preamp is around the point of distortion it responds at this point in a non-linear way; the loud parts just start to clip, adding harmonics and colour

Question 6

What is overdrive

Answer 6

Overdrive occurs when the signal exceeds the maximum input level the amplifier can handle causing clipping; it is described as rich / warm and gives sustain

Question 7

What is fuzz

Answer 7

Fuzz gives a more distorted / higher driven sound than overdrive: when pushed, it makes the waveform look more like a square wave

Question 8

What is bitcrusher

Answer 8

Bit distortion occurs when the bit depth of a signal is reduced; this can be used as a lo-fi creative effect in electronic music production to add character or grit to a sound (e.g. in electropop), or as unwanted alias tones

Question 9

When were solid state amplifiers introduced

Answer 9

Late 60s/early 70s

Question 10

How does distortion affect harmonics above the fundamental

Answer 10

It makes them more audible, and analogue clipping adds desirable harmonic content