Theory and Circuits
The word distortion literally refers to any modification or addition to the wave form of a signal by any kind of equipment. In the context of music amplification distortion is equated with clipping.
Clipping is a non-linear process that produces frequencies not originally present in the audio signal. These frequencies can either be "harmonic", meaning they are whole number multiples of the signal's original frequencies, or "inharmonic", meaning dissonant odd-order overtones. Harmonic distortion produces harmonically related overtones while intermodulation distortion produces inharmonic overtones.
"Soft clipping" gradually flattens the peaks of a signal and de-emphasizes higher odd harmonics. "Hard clipping" flattens peaks abruptly, resulting in harsh-sounding, high amplitude odd harmonics.
Distortion circuits distort a signal before it reaches the main amplifier. Overdrive circuits do not create distortion themselves but rather boost signals to levels that cause distortion to occur at the main amplifier's front end stage.
Read more about this topic: Distortion (music)
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