[sdiy] Timbral musings

[ASSI]

On Monday 17 February 2003 15:57, jhaible at debitel.net wrote:
> (2) finding a transfer function, and "sweet spot" along
>     this transfer function, where a pleasant change of timbre
>     comes from varying input level.
>
> #2 has it's most prominent example in the classic guitar - distorting
>    amplifier configuration. It's advisable to always have a VCA
> between the VCO and Waveshaper.

You can take another hint from how electric guitars are played: 
distortion to my ears often comes to life only when you use it with 
specific _intervals_, especially containing perfect 4ths (relating to 
subharmonic scales, 3rd subharmonic), 5ths and 3rds (relating to 
harmonic scales, 3rd and 5th harmonic). Simply using a sine oscillator 
for fundamental, third, fifth (these two possibly together) and fourth 
and modulating the relative levels into an overdrive already gives 
quite nice effects.

Another overdrive trick that might work with some waveshapers as well 
is to start with a harmonically rich waveform that still has a strong 
fundamental. As you drive it, it actually sounds cleaner as it 
approaches a square wave.


Achim.
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