Distortion introduces changes to the frequency spectrum of a sound signal. When a signal is distorted, additional harmonics are generated, resulting in an altered frequency response. These new harmonics are typically created at higher frequencies than the original signal's fundamental frequencies.
Linear distortion does not introduce new frequency components to a signal but does alter the balance of existing ones. This diagram shows the behaviour of a signal (made up of a square wave followed by a sine wave) as it is passed through various distorting functions.
Frequency distortion: This occurs when a circuit or device causes the voltage/current of different frequency components in an input signal to be modified by different amounts. This can only be seen on broadband signals. This generally occurs in filters when the magnitude of the Bode plot is nonlinear.
distortion, in acoustics and electronics, any change in a signal that alters the basic waveform or the relationship between various frequency components; it is usually a degradation of the signal.
Distortion and overdrive are forms of audio signal processing used to alter the sound of amplified electric musical instruments, usually by increasing their gain, producing a "fuzzy", "growling", or "gritty" tone.
Types of Distortion
Clipping distortion allows non-harmonics to add color to the sound, while also making it seem like the sound is louder without increasing the peak level. It's also called Overdrive, which is another common term for distortion and works by overloading the input gain for a crunchy sound.
One of the disadvantages of distortion is that it limits dynamic range. When you enhance the harmonics of a sound and crush its fundamental frequency, you instantly lose dynamic range. This consequence is very apparent on vocals, drums, percussion, or any other sound that has exaggerated transients.
: the act of twisting or altering something out of its true, natural, or original state : the act of distorting. a distortion of the facts. : the quality or state of being distorted : a product of distorting: such as. physics : a lack of proportionality in an image resulting from defects in the optical system.
The distinct types of distortion are linear distortion, nonlinear distortion, and multipath fading. There are two types of linear distortions: amplitude distortion and phase (or delay) distortion.
In systems that handle electrical signals, distortion is a generally unwanted change in the signal. Not all signal alterations are considered distortion. For instance, a uniform delay or a linear attenuation or amplification would generally not be considered distortion.
The term high-frequency distortion is used for distortion in the frequency range from 2 kHz up to 1 MHz. A further discussion of this is found in chapter 2. 1.1 Motivation of the work.
Distortion is a deviation from the perfect, desired sound curve. During a teleconference distortion is very unwelcome since we want the sound to be as natural as possible. In music, distortion can for example give an instrument a certain character, but with speech, clarity is significantly degraded by distortion.
The four properties of the string that affect its frequency are length, diameter, tension, and density. These properties are described below: When the length of a string is changed, it will vibrate with a different frequency. Shorter strings have higher frequency and therefore higher pitch.
Distortion brings about a change in the shape of the audio waveform, meaning the output is different from the input. If a single frequency (a test tone) is played into a system, and the output consists of multiple frequencies, there is non-linear distortion.
Signal distortion is not usually significant for lengths less than 30 feet (or 1000 picofarads). To minimize the distortion, use low capacitance cable (less than 30 picofarads per foot), in the shortest length possible for the application.
There are four main types of distortion that come from map projections: distance, direction, shape and area.
A melted crayon, a deflated balloon, a CD or DVD with scratches that no longer plays correctly — these things have all been affected by distortion. Other examples of distortion are things like your reflection in a broken mirror or the sound of your voice underwater.
Two common types of distortion. In barrel distortion (left), magnification decreases with distance from the centre of the image; in pincushion distortion (right), magnification increases with distance.
A distortion is a change, twist, or exaggeration that makes something appear different from the way it really is.
Harmonic distortion may be measured by looking at the output spectrum on a spectrum analyzer and observing the values of the second, third, fourth, etc., harmonics with respect to the amplitude of the fundamental signal. The value is usually expressed as a ratio in %, ppm, dB, or dBc.
Distortion is an effect that comes with a lot of mixed signals. When you want to add some bite to your guitar tone, distortion is your best friend, but when it comes to monitoring your output levels, it can be your worst enemy.
Using too much gain
Many rock and metal guitarists think that more distortion equals better and heavier tone. Not the case! Of course you want your tone to rage, but keep in mind that the more you distort your tone, the more it gets “squared off”—you lose attack and punch, and the transients aren't as sharp.
Distortion adds a consistent crunch or grit to what you're playing. Whereas an overdrive takes your original tone and pushes it harder, a distortion pedal changes the sound completely and saturates the signal. You get the same amount of distortion no matter how hard or soft you play.