Questions tagged [distortion]

Distortion effects create "warm", "dirty" and "fuzzy" sounds by compressing the peaks of an electric musical instrument's sound wave and adding overtones.

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
3 votes
1 answer
90 views

Impact of (a) input sensitivity and (b) guitar "volume" on the point at which a tube amp breaks up

First question here. Please be kind if I've messed up somehow :) I'm hoping someone can explain the theoretical electronics (rather than just trial & error) that connect the interplay between (a) ...
Nick's user avatar
  • 141
4 votes
2 answers
118 views

Is there a way to find the pitch for noisy electronic output? [closed]

Is there a method available to help differentiate notes on a wide variety of electronic noise sounds (not-quite white/pink noise, heavy buzzing, fuzz, etc.)? I've taken on an odd project where I am ...
Mark Ormston's user avatar
3 votes
4 answers
1k views

How to avoid certain notes ringing out when played with distortion

When I play a certain note like the 9th fret on the G string or the 8th fret on the B string (it is more prominent with higher notes) it seems to ring out almost like reverb but I have no reverb on my ...
friendlyneighborhoodbacon's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
2k views

How to make a mini amp sound like rock (distorted/ overdrive)

I'm a beginner and have been getting some trouble with my mini amp. It's the borne strike g30 (brazilian brand) and its settings are: a drive switch (which honestly just seems to be making the volume ...
Marcela V's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
1k views

Theoretical difference between amp distortion and distortion from a pedal

For the last few months I have been playing electric guitar on a small 5W tube amp with a nice saturated gain channel. This past weekend I picked up a Big Muff Pi pedal, which I believe is classified ...
Jason P Sallinger's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
135 views

Alternative intervals power chords in just intonation

I was wondering, distorted power chords tend to work really well because in 12 equal temperament the root and fifth are pretty close to just intonation. A detailed explanation can be found in the link ...
AvidListener's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
635 views

Why are harmonics on guitar easier with distortion?

Background Something I’ve noticed playing electric guitar is that natural harmonics are easier to achieve under heavy distortion. For the sake of disambiguation, when I use the word harmonic, I mean ...
bearacuda13's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
75 views

Is it possible to use one preamp distortion into 2 amplifiers at the same time? [duplicate]

I have a Diezel VH4-2 pedal and a Radial ABY switch. If I use the VH4-2 pedal power amp out will the two outputs from the ABY switch be connected to the return/loop of both amps? Is this possible? I ...
Ellie's user avatar
  • 21
1 vote
1 answer
585 views

Help me get a guitar amp for Mark Knopfler sound [closed]

I play Mark's "clawhammer" fingerstyle and have a Les Paul R8, but don't have any amps. I like Mark's solo career more than his Dire Straits era, and seek a sound close to that. Think about ...
user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
930 views

Fender amp knobs not responding

I have a Fender Champion 100 amp that plays when my guitar is plugged in, but if I try to change the volume, gain, or really any of the knobs the sound is not affected. It’s acting like it’s working ...
Kellie's user avatar
  • 1
4 votes
1 answer
250 views

Why Does Overdrive cause Low End to lose?

When running the bass signal through the OD pedal, the signal gets compressed and this adds harmonic overtones and increases the level of highs and mids to the signal. Q: When people say the ...
user506602's user avatar
1 vote
4 answers
2k views

Guitar Multi effects Pedal connected to amp disables amp distortion

I am a guitar player and I recently got a Zoom g3xn multi fx pedal as well as an Orange Micro Dark amp. I have been using the pedal’s amp and effects models connected to the Fx return of the amp and ...
Aidan Kapur's user avatar
23 votes
7 answers
12k views

What is the difference between increasing volume and increasing gain?

Out of experience, I found that recording with smaller microphone gain results in less noisy audio, which later can be amplified by increasing its volume or adding a gain. My question is which one is ...
Mehdi Haghgoo's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
37 views

Cant get good distortion

I have a ZAR E20R amp and I pump my gain to max but still feel like i get no distortion at all, is there something I can do in EQ to boost it or am I just doomed and need to get a pedal?
paskoo's user avatar
  • 11
2 votes
1 answer
781 views

Distortion kills some notes while playing

Maybe there are solutions of this question like lowering the gain level on a virtual amplifier or something. Right off the bat I want to point out: doing that does not remove those problems, it just ...
Eugen Eray's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
719 views

Connecting a digital piano keyboard with guitar pedal and USB Audio Interface: what am I doing wrong?

I am a n00b in the field of electronic music production, as I have been played acoustic piano for years. I am trying to connect my digital piano, a Kawai CN37, to guitar pedals. I have the following ...
Vaaal's user avatar
  • 505
5 votes
1 answer
496 views

How to get a type of "screech" on guitar [closed]

I've tried searching on the internet for this question but the answers I've got wasn't really what I was looking for. I want to know how to do a kind of "screech" on a guitar. I think it has something ...
Justin's user avatar
  • 51
4 votes
1 answer
479 views

How to make "plastic" sounding distorted guitar sound

I usually don't go for that kind of sound because I usually want my distortion to sound balanced and even (like cutting highs a lot and cutting boxy low end) but I'm interested in how can you achieve ...
Eugen Eray's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
641 views

Was tube screamer designed to run into already distorted tone

Many guitar gear reviewers (one example) claim that tube screamer was designed to run into dirty amp. While it's definitely common application for all mid humped overdrive pedals (especially ones with ...
teodozjan's user avatar
  • 2,535
1 vote
1 answer
272 views

How to sing rock like this?

Can anyone please explain in technical terms how Richie Kotzen achives the singing voice in this song? The more singing terminology the better. Thank you ! Richie Kotzen - Mother Head's Family Reunion
chips's user avatar
  • 227
1 vote
1 answer
324 views

Using just just an amp simulator pedal for my distortion needs

I have a cheap zoom digital effects processor which doesn't have a distortion or drive section. I am gradually switching to an analog setup. I am planning to buy a mooer gas station micro amp ...
Zeeshan Siddiqui's user avatar
19 votes
10 answers
13k views

Do hard rock singers use distortion effects on their vocals?

I've been wondering how hard rock/metal singers (e.g. Layne Staley, James Hetfield, Dave Grohl) manage to achieve such a 'gritty' sound with their vocals. Do professional rock singers ever use ...
Time4Tea's user avatar
  • 918
1 vote
0 answers
32 views

What causes distortion in my Roland 4500?

Roland 4500 sounded normal until I stopped using it when I was sick. Now there's distortion (gravely not scratchy). Can heavy dust be responsible?
Susan Holland Santi's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
186 views

G1on multi effects processor or a normal distortion pedal will have noise?

Whenever I try to record distortion from my G1on Multi effects processor on audacity, I get a high buzz noise...if I try removing the noise from a tool in the software...the recorded guitar doesn't ...
Adrian Charles's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
1k views

How to play this kind of "growly" sound in the guitar?

This is a snippet from "Ride across the river", from Dire Straits. Notice the distorted guitar sound at the beginning; is that sound a result of two close notes (e.g. a semi-tone or tone ...
Alexandre's user avatar
  • 330
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

Hendrix tone using a Marshall DSL and Fuzz Face

I'm playing a strat through a Jim Dunlop Fuzz Face (Band of Gypsys edition) into a Marshall DSL5C combo. I'm looking for a starting point for getting a Hendrix-y tone. Can anyone recommend some ...
Rich Ashworth's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
4k views

How to replicate the lead guitars used in synthwave songs?

As part of my musical composition self-learning effort, I am trying now to compose some synthwave songs, which are, musically speaking, simple. The problem is that I have no knowledge whatsoever ...
Zuchis's user avatar
  • 33
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

Why does signal clipping create more resonance in the upper harmonics

I was watching this video: In it you can see that upper harmonics start to resonate/sustain even grow. What is about a square wave that fosters harmonics better then ...
Mitch kroska's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
474 views

Is this cello distorted?

So I've been listening to 2CELLOS and their cover of AC/DCs 'Thunderstruck'. Several times during the song they play with an unusual timbre. Bringing out some of the high frequencies and mechanical ...
AJFaraday's user avatar
  • 2,315
1 vote
2 answers
1k views

How do I achieve this smooth but powerful gain type guitar distortion?

Can anyone help with a guitar distortion I'm trying to achieve? It's a smooth yet powerful gain type distortion. This song is a Bollywood song with rhythm guitar (starting at 0:19 minutes) which is ...
Gurpreet Singh Kakar's user avatar
4 votes
5 answers
2k views

Balancing sound of Acoustic and Electric Guitars

My band has two guitar players. One often plays acoustic while the other one plays an electric guitar. There has always been a problem balancing the volume and the frequences. While both guitars play ...
SovereignSun's user avatar
  • 3,832
2 votes
3 answers
2k views

Overdrive pedal in an acoustic amp

I have the Fender Acoustasonic 15 amp and I'm wondering whether I can plug in any overdrive/distortion pedal so that when I'm playing my Fender AmSTD it sounds decent.
Bill.M's user avatar
  • 21
1 vote
3 answers
404 views

Why is my muted guitar noisy in my new house and the noise goes away when playing any note?

1) I have noticed that when I leave the metal parts of the guitar and the strings untouched, there is a significant noise when my distortion pedal is on. On touching the strings/tailpiece(I have a LP),...
user35452's user avatar
4 votes
4 answers
554 views

Choosing a guitar stompbox for producing moderate distortion (general advice)

I started playing the guitar about a year ago starting on an acoustic and gradually transferred to an electric. I do not have control over when I get equipment or even what I get usually so when I get ...
Uncreative Name's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
5k views

Sliding my hand on the strings is extremely loud

I have a harshness in my distortion sound that's driving me crazy. It seems so sensitive I can hear things I don't think should be amplified. When I just slide my hand down the wound strings it's ...
jody's user avatar
  • 31
1 vote
1 answer
362 views

Big "saturation" after export on Cubase 8 Elements

I'm kinda desperate. After mixing everything and made everything sound right in Cubase, I encounter an issue while exporting and listening to the result. The bass(and most low-frenquency sounds) have ...
Gawet's user avatar
  • 31
3 votes
3 answers
25k views

Horrible Playback Quaility On Reaper (Distorted Sound)

!!! I found an interesting solution: I installed the program in portable version and everything works smooth now. !!! I used to be able to use Reaper with no problems. But one day, I started to get ...
user avatar
6 votes
6 answers
3k views

Distortion Pedal with Expression Pedal

Does anyone know of a distortion pedal out there that has an expression pedal to control the gain? I've used effects processors (an ancient DigiTech RP200 that I love), but I was wondering if there ...
Mike N's user avatar
  • 63
2 votes
1 answer
255 views

Guitar amp fender 15B

How do I get distortion on my fender 15B amp if it doesn't have a distortion switch or a button? I have tried using existing knobs but just cant get the rock sound I'm after.
kingafa's user avatar
  • 21
2 votes
1 answer
2k views

My amp sounds bad on overdrive channel at headphones

My combo amp overdrive channel sounds really fahrty on headphones nad low level on cabinet. Is something wrong with it? It is Crate Flexwave 15R (15W + 12 inch speaker) It hard to use it at home ...
teodozjan's user avatar
  • 2,535
2 votes
2 answers
999 views

To what frequencies do the overtones (harmonics) created by distortion extend?

I just did a test, recorded my bass guitar through a high gain distortion pedal and then direct to my sound card at 96kHz/24bit, and then using a spectrum analyser, I looked at the frequency content, ...
God Of Atheism's user avatar
7 votes
4 answers
3k views

Do I need humbucking pickups?

I plan to record in a few months and the studio engineer recommends direct input for electric guitar. I'm mainly a drummer and am new to this... Based on what I've otherwise been advised, I assumed ...
Dave C's user avatar
  • 207
2 votes
1 answer
334 views

Guitar amp distorts after being cranked

I have a single channel combo amp. By turning the "volume" (preamp stage) up to about 5, I used to have a great clean tone with just a touch of distortion on the peaks. One night at a show, somebody ...
Nathan's user avatar
  • 31
3 votes
4 answers
16k views

Clean Amp + Distortion pedal vs Distortion from amp?

How does it compare using a distorting amp - say an Orange AD30 or similar - to a clean amp with separate distortion/overdrive/etc effects? I generally prefer an amp with a little "bite" to it but ...
Mr. Boy's user avatar
  • 9,860
9 votes
4 answers
13k views

How to make a bass growl?

There’s a bass tone I really like, that doesn’t quite sound distorted, but instead is sort of a subtle, warm growling noise. I think this might be what guitarists mean when they talk about “crunch.” ...
Bradd Szonye's user avatar
  • 6,698
12 votes
4 answers
13k views

How to use delay with distortion/overdrive and/or a crunchy amp?

I'm pretty new to electric guitar (but an experienced acoustic player). It seems delay is used virtually everywhere both in clean setups and distorted rigs, but when I try to combine delay with ...
Mr. Boy's user avatar
  • 9,860
4 votes
1 answer
192 views

Are there guitar/pickup/effect setups for "ganged" distortion?

One of the audio engineering wisdoms of guitar playing is that only comparatively skimpy voicings like power chords go well with heavy distortion because of cross-distortion. Now one obvious solution ...
user15350's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
2k views

Creamy vs Crunchy Distortion

I'm hearing that you should have a crunchy distortion for rhythm playing and a creamer distortion for lead. In general, I'm usually more a clean player, but I'm trying to learn. I've been playing with ...
Dave Jacoby's user avatar
  • 13.2k
16 votes
6 answers
3k views

Techniques for "Dynamics" with Distortion on Electric Guitar

Recently I went to a workshop on electric guitar. Between several subjects, the presenter talked about dynamics with distortion. He said that you can use palm mute to create the effect of a "growing ...
Gustavo Meira's user avatar
16 votes
12 answers
46k views

How can I avoid getting loud picking sounds on a distorted electric guitar?

Whenever I hear solos from professional guitar players, in songs, for example, I never hear a loud noise of pick hitting the strings, even when the guitar is heavily distorted. I just learned a solo ...
user96872's user avatar
  • 261