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I'm surprised there hasn't been a thread regarding this topic yet. 3rd harmonic distortion can basically make a wimpy synth sound very prominent. It allows you to increase the volume of a given synth without incurring peaking. (You can also implement this technique concurrently on multiple synths - meaning potentially all synths in your tracks will sound a lot more prominent than they otherwise would have.)

I've provided an example to give you a SMALL idea of what 3rd harmonic distortion can do. Best way to see how this functions is by experimenting with it yourself.

The first 40 seconds of this track I'm working on is WITHOUT 3rd harmonic distortion, the remaining 40 seconds or so is the same segment with 3rd harmonic distortion on the 2 synths. (Scrub for best A/B comparison)

http://www.6ev.net/distortion/3rd_harmonic_comparison.mp3

To make an awesome contribution to this thread, post your own A/B Comparison of 3rd harmonic experimentation.

The third harmonic distortion tool I use (+chebyshev) is located here: http://www.soundhack.com/freeware.php

i dont get it some magick plug thing?3rd harmonic?-wzz this?

isn't this just what saturation does?

lowpass wrote:isn't this just what saturation does?

Third harmonic distortion uses an algorithm to distort only the third harmonics of a signal. The third harmonic is also supposed to be the most aesthetically pleasing harmonic. Best way to see the difference is to experiment - it's pretty fascinating actually.

dictator wrote:

lowpass wrote:isn't this just what saturation does?

Third harmonic distortion uses an algorithm to distort only the third harmonics of a signal. The third harmonic is also supposed to be the most aesthetically pleasing harmonic. Best way to see the difference is to experiment - it's pretty fascinating actually.

What does saturation do to the harmonic content of the signal? surely it uses even-order distortion?

read any literature for either a mic pre being sold as "colored," a tape emulator, or a dynamic processor that does saturation-- this ain't exactly a secret.

basically, in moderation, 3rd order harmonics give you a sense of 'fullness' in sound and also added brightness.

Big difference. I'm certainly gonna give it a shot on my rig. thanks 4 the tip.

dictator wrote:

lowpass wrote:isn't this just what saturation does?

Third harmonic distortion uses an algorithm to distort only the third harmonics of a signal.

That algorithm being called 'saturation'.

It doesn't distort the harmonics, it creates them by distorting the original signal. If it distorted the harmonics, you'd get harmonics of the harmonics

I might post up some SPAN shots of my analogue chain doing this on a sine. You'll shit your pants

macc wrote:

dictator wrote:

lowpass wrote:isn't this just what saturation does?

Third harmonic distortion uses an algorithm to distort only the third harmonics of a signal.

That algorithm being called 'saturation'.

It doesn't distort the harmonics, it creates them by distorting the original signal. If it distorted the harmonics, you'd get harmonics of the harmonics

I might post up some SPAN shots of my analogue chain doing this on a sine. You'll shit your pants

DDooooo itttt!!!

thanks again for clearing this up, for once I managed to guess right

Don't be silly, you know what you're talking about

macc wrote:Don't be silly, you know what you're talking about

I'm getting there, I'm usually just slightly off though.

I guess I'd better get through a few more books

Interesting must give it a go

IMO it needs to be used with diligence. It will not always make things sound
better and some sources will not be improved, very much depends on the source.

I have have a nice analogue circuit that adds third harmonic distortion
(not valve based) as part of one of my optical compressors, it is easy to emulate this type of saturation digitally
but in many cases it is not what is required.

As the original poster suggests and demo'd great for thickening up specific parts
you can fairly swiftly overdo it and end up with a congested high bass / mid range when used on a
whole mix.

No rules, just the right decisions.

cheers

macc wrote:
That algorithm being called 'saturation'.

It doesn't distort the harmonics, it creates them by distorting the original signal. If it distorted the harmonics, you'd get harmonics of the harmonics

I might post up some SPAN shots of my analogue chain doing this on a sine. You'll shit your pants

This is a great thread.

How do you create only the third harmonic? Distort the signal and then low pass it just above the third harmonic? The way the OP was talking it sounded like that plug picks out the 3rd harmonic for you

If you were talking about sub, the first harmonic would be your sub note? If so, how do the second third and subsequent harmonics relate to that primary note?
And, if you only want the third harmonic, would you split the sub into 2 buses, have one as just sub, and hi pass (to avoid the second) and lowpass to avoid higher-than-third harmonics?

thanks anybody who answers

heh not a secret people, we've been advising non specificly via plugin and analog for ages
computer music tutorial tape sat plugin = genius
around here whaterver
give harmonic name
genius
lol

The secrets the pro's use pt.2 : dynamic compression.......

lowpass wrote:The secrets the pro's use pt.2 : dynamic compression.......

pt3 gated filters

yeah its what tape does init

what about tubes,is it the same thing?