Distortion

Distortion is an audio effect that was implemented in the test server in November 2021, being fully released in its present state in January of 2022. It is found under advanced settings, and typically used to give a harsher timbre to instruments. It can also be used to change one instrument to mimic another, like adding distortion to a flute to make it sound more like strings. This second use is mostly specific to online sequencer.

The default screen of distortion and volume control seen on OS

This is not to be confused with audio distortion or hard distortion caused by a sound exceeding the threshold of the speaker causing an increase in harsh harmonics. Generally speaking, hard clipping/distortion should be avoided as it is hard on the hearing and could potentially lead to hearing loss.

OS's distortion works by changing the amplitude of a signal based on a distortion function. Without distortion, signals at a low amplitude are played at a low amplitude, and high amplitude signals are played back at a high amplitude. This can be described as a linear response to amplitude. A distortion function takes the instrument's amplitude, and applies a function that modifies it to behave non-linearly.

Distortions can sound wildly different from instrument to instrument. Also, note that these names often are not very helpful to understand what they do so it's recommended to listen to each one and understand the effect it has on an instrument.

List of distortions

• Limit - Clipping
• Zest - Intense distortion that drastically effects high amplitude signals
• Quasar - Intense distortion that amplifies quiet sounds, and changes the timbre of loud sounds
• Styx - Similar to Quasar but usually gives more upper harmonics
• Lucid - ?
• Tremor - ?
• Zircon - ?
• Hornet -?
• Shear - Subtle distortion that does not effect loud sounds, but clips off the quietest of sounds. Unlike most distortion, quiet sounds are affected more than loud ones.