How did distortion effects become synonymous with rock? What are the differences between distortion vs. overdrive vs. fuzz? Today we discuss this essential rock sound in detail and give a few examples of some products that can help you create the correct distorted sound for every occasion.
As the decades went on, some performers enjoyed the sound of distortion so much that they intentionally damaged their equipment to make the desired sound. For example, Rock guitarist Link Wray infamously used a pencil to punch holes in his amp’s speaker. A more modern example is the Kink’s guitarist Dave Davies using a razor to slash his speakers.
Today, you don’t need to buy old fashioned, faulty, or broken amps and speakers to create distortion effects. There is also no need to deliberately break or damage your own equipment—unless you are a traditionalist. Instead, since the 1960s companies have imitated distortion effects through the use of different types of pedals.
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History of the Various Types of Distortion
Distortion effects have been part of rock—and electric guitar playing—from the very beginning of the genre. At first, these results were not intentional, but the consequence of old and damaged equipment. Also, early amps were of a relatively low quality, which meant that they produced distortion if played at their limits.As the decades went on, some performers enjoyed the sound of distortion so much that they intentionally damaged their equipment to make the desired sound. For example, Rock guitarist Link Wray infamously used a pencil to punch holes in his amp’s speaker. A more modern example is the Kink’s guitarist Dave Davies using a razor to slash his speakers.
Today, you don’t need to buy old fashioned, faulty, or broken amps and speakers to create distortion effects. There is also no need to deliberately break or damage your own equipment—unless you are a traditionalist. Instead, since the 1960s companies have imitated distortion effects through the use of different types of pedals.
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Conclusion
One of the most difficult aspects of distortion effects is trying to keep the three different types—distortion vs. overdrive vs. fuzz—apart. Part of the problem with this is that all three fall under the umbrella heading, distortion. Distortion being a term for both a type of distortion and the groups of distortion effects can be a little tricky. However, here is a quick guide that will help you remember the difference between distortion vs. overdrive vs. fuzz.Overdrive: The gentlest of the distortion effects. Overdrive only creates distortion at the highest dynamic levels. When you play softly, no overdrive effects can be heard.
Distortion: The medium level of distortion possible. Distortion is probably the most recognizable sound in rock and is occasionally described as “dirtying” or adding “grit” to an electric guitar’s timbre.
Fuzz: The most amount of distortion possible. Fuzz is also the oldest effect used by guitarists. It completely distorts your signal and can make your amp sound like it is broken.
The type of distortion you use for a specific song depends on the type of sound you are trying to create and the genre in which you are playing. As mentioned above, each subgenre of rock has its own typical distortion sound. Therefore, play around with each type of distortion. There are all kinds of pedals out there to play with. Try a friend’s or buy your own and learn about the wonderful world of distortion effects.
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April 17, 2018 at 04:11PM
