Distortion!

Some Bozo · Post by **Some Bozo** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 7:26 pm

hamo wrote:
DaNextSlash wrote:It's an overdrive pedal. Not a distortion.
Okay, so I'm really going to have to show my ignorance and ask the difference?

None. They refer to the same electronic process, but 'overdrive' is more often used to refer to gentle levels of distortion , and 'distortion' usually means a lot of distortion.

hamo · Post by **hamo** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 7:50 pm

Champion, thanks guys.

Post by Bg » Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:58 pm

that diagram is a bit misleading as the clipped waveforms are smaller than the original signal - certainly with an overdrive, the aim is to boost the signal so it's clipped more by the amplifier than anything else (though a certain amount of shaping/clipping is introduced in the pedal) so the waveform ought to be bigger than the original sinewave. Distortion is more generic clipping within the pedal so the clipped waveform would be more in keeping within the diagram, though it could be bigger or smaller. Bear in mind that either overdrive/distortion is never going to make a SS amp sound like a valve amp due to the harmonic content of the signal and clipping characteristics but they can be used to make a mediocre valve amp sound great

dc · Post by dc » Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:31 pm

bluesgeek wrote:that diagram is a bit misleading as the clipped waveforms are smaller than the original signal - certainly with an overdrive, the aim is to boost the signal so it's clipped more by the amplifier than anything else (though a certain amount of shaping/clipping is introduced in the pedal) so the waveform ought to be bigger than the original sinewave. Distortion is more generic clipping within the pedal so the clipped waveform would be more in keeping within the diagram, though it could be bigger or smaller. Bear in mind that either overdrive/distortion is never going to make a SS amp sound like a valve amp due to the harmonic content of the signal and clipping characteristics but they can be used to make a mediocre valve amp sound great

Damn. That was good.

Vorbis · Post by **Vorbis** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 10:09 pm

Mm...really clear thinking. Thursday night too...

Post by Bg » Fri Nov 23, 2007 12:43 am

yeah but it was bullshit

Post by Bg » Fri Nov 23, 2007 12:45 am

bluesgeek wrote:yeah but it was bullshit

nah not really, but I'd like to hear the fuzziebro's take on it, he'd explain it fully and tell you what fuzz is as well I'm sure - fuzziebro?

fuzziebro · Post by **fuzziebro** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:57 pm

BG's right about the diagram, (although it was helpful to describe clipping categories) - if there is only one source waveform, then for it to saturate/distort/overdrive/fuzz ; the peaks of the waveform will hit the top of the graph (the headroom limit of the audio device/pedal etc) thereupon 'clipping' the top's off the sinewave - the more amplification the waveform is given the more severe the clipping until the wave gets soo much clipping it has no time for nice wiliee the worm sine-wave curves and turns into a square-wave... (he he fuzzie wuzzie time, alright!)

There are some nice graphs on this site:

http://www.bteaudio.com/articles/TSS/TSS.html

here is the waveform of my fuzzbox#3
- almost completely square-wave, albeit a touch asymetrically

Post by Bg » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:05 pm

cool, homebuilt scope?

Post by Bg » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:05 pm

perhaps I should start a 'Show your scope' thread, mines beyond ancient....

rocklander · Post by **rocklander** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:27 pm

anyone ever tried the software based scopes? I've been too chicken to throw any signal for it into my slappertop

Post by Bg » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:30 pm

about 10 years ago, I wasn't impressed but I daresay they've improved

but I doubt I'd put it near anything over 9 volts

rocklander · Post by **rocklander** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:32 pm

considering it's my teleprompter (the slapper) I really am too blouse to try it...

Post by Bg » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:32 pm

btw fuzzy really gets into his scope and effects designing.... note the box of tissues in the pic

fuzziebro · Post by **fuzziebro** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:38 pm

he he show us ur scope...

Got this old thing with a bunch of trannies for around $20...
Every time I turn it on might be the last...