Distortion

Distortion, in its strictest sense, is the sudden or repeated alteration of the predetermined audio signal in a recording. While this phenomenon is usually undesirable for speech recordings, filming of any event or even during radio broadcasts, distortion is often intentionally used by rock and heavy metal musicians. Many electric guitars have a distortion facility within or it can be achieved with an external distortion creating accessory. This distortion adds a touch of the ethereal to guitar riffs and solos.

Guitar distortion involves effects such as generating gravely notes or sustaining the tones emitted when a guitar is strummed. One of the most common distortion accessories for the guitar is the effects pedal. This electronic device is enclosed in a metal or reinforced plastic housing that is placed on the floor. An electrical cable connects the distortion device to the guitar. This cable fits into an approximately 1/4 inch jack. The device incorporates inputs and outputs in either mono or stereo mode.

The guitarist usually manipulates the distortion by depressing the pedal with his/her feet as and when desired. Used both for the guitar as well as the keyboard, distortion pedals have three-band equalizers and other controls that enable the player to intricately manipulate the sound output. Distortion pedals permit distortion across varied frequencies and this effect is often referred to as total harmonic distortion.