Studio 101 – Distortion and Saturation

Distortion can result from a recording flaw, often due to improper gain staging (blown levels, clipped converters, etc.) or broken, abused equipment. However, it is equally, if not more, used as a noticeable effect. Initially favored by guitarists with loud amps and pedals, distortion is also a popular tool to add subtle analog warmth or over-the-top sonic destruction to today’s digital recording world. Let’s examine how distortion, both analog and digital, is generated and utilized for obvious effect and subtle warming.