Saturation is an effect that happens naturally when one puts too strong a signal through analog equipment or tape. The extra signal overloads the equipment, adds overtones and “distorts” the original sound. This is different from digital tools which just cut off or “clip” the louder signal.

Saturation has many different “flavors” or types depending on how much you overdrive the equipment/plug-in, the sype of equipment used or modeled, and other factors. Words used to describe saturation include:

• Saturation
• Overdrive
• Distortion
• Fuzz

Examples:

Dry (or “clean”) guitar

The same recording with mild saturation

The same recording with heavy distortion

The same recording through a guitar fuzz pedal

What words could you use to describe each type of saturation? What could you use this tool for aside from guitar? How could it add to your creative work?