Woodcutter
New member
I was wondering what if any was the diference between OD and distortion.
Overdrive vs. Distortion
- Thread starter Woodcutter
- Start date
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: Overdrive vs. Distortion
In overdrive you still have something that still sounds like the original sound, distortion hacks it all up, that is the simple explanation
In overdrive you still have something that still sounds like the original sound, distortion hacks it all up, that is the simple explanation
Kommerzbassist
Thunderbirdologist
Re: Overdrive vs. Distortion
Yes, it's like Rid said... with Overdrive, it'll sound more like the basic tone, but with some overdriven frequencies, while Distortion is an unatural sound and usually sounds meaner :headbang:
Yes, it's like Rid said... with Overdrive, it'll sound more like the basic tone, but with some overdriven frequencies, while Distortion is an unatural sound and usually sounds meaner :headbang:
Robert S.
Super Moderator
Re: Overdrive vs. Distortion
Overdrive pedals usually give you a larger input signal with minimal clipping (sine wave) so the amp creates most if not all of the distortion.
A distortion pedal usually puts out a square wave (clipped before the amps input) and distortion is created before as well as after the amps input.
Overdrive pedals usually give you a larger input signal with minimal clipping (sine wave) so the amp creates most if not all of the distortion.
A distortion pedal usually puts out a square wave (clipped before the amps input) and distortion is created before as well as after the amps input.
TattooedCarrot
New member
Re: Overdrive vs. Distortion
Overdrive adds more power from the guitar to the amp, causing the amp to clip and causes a more distorted sound (from the amp itself). Distortion adds it's own clipping from the pedal before it gets to the amp.
I would say use a distortion pedal with a cheaper SS amp that you want to color the sound (to that of the distortion pedal of your choice), and the overdrive to push a tube amp into clipping earlier to get a more natural distorted sound from the guitar and amp.
Overdrive adds more power from the guitar to the amp, causing the amp to clip and causes a more distorted sound (from the amp itself). Distortion adds it's own clipping from the pedal before it gets to the amp.
I would say use a distortion pedal with a cheaper SS amp that you want to color the sound (to that of the distortion pedal of your choice), and the overdrive to push a tube amp into clipping earlier to get a more natural distorted sound from the guitar and amp.
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: Overdrive vs. Distortion
Overdrive is a sinus with both a clean and a clipped signal as Robert said.
A distortion chops up the whole of the signal, both sides of the sinus is clipped, in various forms depending on how you filter it.
Overdrive is a sinus with both a clean and a clipped signal as Robert said.
A distortion chops up the whole of the signal, both sides of the sinus is clipped, in various forms depending on how you filter it.
Stringmachine
New member
Re: Overdrive vs. Distortion
To me, overdrive is what you're able to get out of a pushed tube amp. Distortion is overdrive pushed to break up.
To me, overdrive is what you're able to get out of a pushed tube amp. Distortion is overdrive pushed to break up.
