Distortion

Distortion adds harmonic content by pushing a signal beyond its clean range. Different distortion types produce different harmonic series: tube/valve distortion adds warm even harmonics, transistor clipping creates brighter odd harmonics, and digital clipping produces harsh, buzzy artifacts. In synthesis, distortion transforms clean tones into aggressive, complex timbres. It's essential for dubstep basses, rock leads, and lo-fi aesthetics. Key parameters include drive (how much the signal is pushed), tone (post-distortion filtering), and mix (blend with clean signal). Subtle distortion (saturation) adds warmth and presence; heavy distortion completely reshapes the sound's character.