Due to the importance of this topic, here are the basics of audio distortion. To begin with, distortion is any deviation that mimics an audio waveform between two points in a single path. Unwanted distortion usually comes from an extremely strong signal. When an audio signal level is too high, it loses some of its essential components. When this happens, a distorted sound emerges. Adding to this, a distortion is a form of audio signal processing used to modify the sound of amplified electrical musical instruments. This process occurs by increasing their gain until the user achieves a growling or gritty tone.
The Basics of Audio Distortion: Speaker Damage
Sometimes speakers can sound distorted. However, since distortion is an audible detection of signal clipping, it doesn’t cause speaker damage. Clipping occurs when an audio component is no longer able to offer enough power supply voltage to clearly amplify a specific audio signal. It can happen at any point within the signal chain.
Speakers tend to distort at higher volumes because the amp needs a power level that is not always achievable. You can damage low-quality speakers easily at high volumes. The explanation is simple: when the volume increases, the heat inside the speaker rises. If the speaker components are poor quality, heat damage might occur. In conclusion, this leads to sound distortion. And as the volume level rises, the damage becomes more evident.
Distortion: How to Achieve It
Although this is not the most intuitive fact, it’s real that musicians sometimes desire to create distortion. In this case, the user should turn the gain and overdrive knobs up while turning the volume knobs down. When this happens, you get the desired loudness. Musicians use distortion to add emotion, feeling, and strength to a mix.
The Basics of Audio Distortion: How Not to Achieve it
In order to prevent sound distortion, it is essential no choose high-quality speakers. It is also important to choose an amp that offers sufficient power for a particular sound system. The key to high-quality sounds is a combination of high-quality speakers with an accurate amplifier.
