AES New York 2013
Tutorial T12
Saturday, October 19, 9:00 am — 10:30 am (Room 1E13)
T12 - FXpertise: Distortion
Presenter:Alex Case, University of Massachusetts Lowell - Lowell, MA, USA
Abstract:
Distortion can be good, or bad. With the right touch, it can lift a track up out of a crowded arrangement and add excitement to a performance. Yet too much distortion renders the track too messy, too murky to be enjoyed. Accidental distortion is a certain sign that the production is unprofessional. Amps, stomp boxes, tubes, transformers, tape machines, the plug-ins that emulate them, and the plug-ins that create wholly new forms of distortion all offer a rich palette of possibilities. Audio engineers must choose the right tool for the job and then tailor the distortion to the music. This advanced tutorial takes a close look at distortion, detailing the technical goings-on when things break-up, and defining the production potential of this always-tempting effect.
