What is non-linear processing, and why does it matter?
In this episode we dive deep into the topic with our guest Dan Worrall, and talk about: what non-linear processing is, why it can sound great and when it can sound terrible, and how to know the difference. Along the way, we also discuss
- Is reverb non-linear ? And why it’s confusing
- How linear processing makes top-down mixing a good idea
- The difference between saturation and distortion
- …and how to use them creatively
- The difference between a perfect 5th and a power chord
- …and how to play chords on a trombone
Links
Dan’s video: WTF is a non-linearity?
And I Won The Loudness War
TMS #14 Distortion (The good, the bad and the ugly)
TMS #9 Analogue Versus Digital (More about intermodulation distortion & high sample rates)
Excellent show! The greatest takeaway point is that linear and non-linear processes are often subject to the "grey areas" fed by human psychoacoustic Frames of Reference, wherein sensory discrimination breaks down. This happens within all areas of music, by the way - what distinguishes a Rhythm from a Tone when the Tempo of a piece becomes significantly faster than the "ear-brain" can track?
What a wonderful accidental find. I was something of a trombone prodigy in high school and when my teacher demonstrated the playing of a trombone harmony I became obsessed with mastering the art. What a lot of time I spent trying to put the trombone’s note out of mind while concentrating on singing/humming another tone. I achieved it but now at age seventy I’ll health prevents me from playing the ‘bone however what a wonderful memory you’ve stirred up for me. Thanks.