With so many ways to describe our methods for shaping sounds, it\u2019s understandable to get them mixed up. We spend hours pouring so much intention into the production process for a few minutes of an experience for listeners, and decisions between choices like phasing vs. flanging<\/a> and analog vs. digital sound design tools<\/a> can significantly affect your final product. The next such side-by-side we’ll explore today is distortion vs. saturation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes, we can solely follow our gut and create unforgettable music, and sometimes it’s important to logically know why we’re choosing one plugin or parameter over another, as to not undo other intentional choices we\u2019ve made. Producers face a crucial mixing decision when choosing between distortion vs. saturation\u2014two tools that each affect tone, character, and texture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this article, let’s break down saturation and distortion individually, and then discuss how they relate and when you might want to consider using each. Feel free to use the table of contents below to quickly navigate to a specific section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s dive in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saturation<\/strong> is a subtle form of harmonic distortion<\/a> that gently alters an audio signal, commonly used to add warmth and depth. It’s also often used in mixing<\/a> and mastering<\/a> as a method of perceptually “gluing” tracks together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like many now-digitized effects, saturation’s roots are in analog hardware, an unexpected gift from the circuits. The effect could come from any number of hardware (even a mixing board itself), though it\u2019s generally most romanticized as a quality of tape machine recordings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s how it works: When signals push circuitry slightly beyond their recommended operating range, the equipment begins adding additional harmonics<\/a> to the sound. While one might assume that these side effects are abrasive, potentially even screeching or dangerous to the listener, at an adequate amount, the added frequencies tend to sit within the sound as if the producer intended it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat you’ll learn:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nWhat is saturation in music production?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n