Source-audio Soundblox 2 Multiwave Bass Distortion User Manual download pdf (Page 7)

Theory of Operation | 7

The shapes of the distortion curves are also different from standard

distortions. Normally, as the input signal voltage rises, the output voltage

also rises, but begins to level off and ﬁnally pins (or clips) at a maximum

value. With a foldback curve, for large enough values of the input, the out-

put will begin to decrease. With more extreme amounts of foldback, after

decreasing for a while, the output can begin to increase again. Maximum

foldback has many regions where the output alternates between increas-

ing and decreasing. This kind of distortion curve adds a lot of high fre-

quency content to the output. It also can provide a lot of control over the

sound based on the level of the input signal. With heavy foldback, chords

containing only octaves and ﬁfths tend to sound best. Other intervals can

cause some strange, although not necessarily undesirable sounds.

Using a special shape of the distortion curve, strong second harmonics

can be created, sounding like a note an octave higher. Rolling off the bass

tone control will help maximize the octave impression. Complex chords

don’t typically work well for octave settings. The result is very sensitive to

the input signal level (as long as the NOISE GATE and DRIVE controls are

not set too high) and can give a sort of auto-wah effect. Try dialing down

the bass volume for some interesting effects.

A conventional distortion effect tends to turn the bass signal into square

waves. Playing harder only makes the transition from negative clip-

ping to positive clipping a little bit steeper. With our foldback and octave

algorithms, a slightly higher input can have a radical effect on the shape

of the output signal.

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Source-audio Soundblox 2 Multiwave Bass Distortion User Manual Page 7