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→Mixing Multiple Distortions
== Mixing Multiple Distortions ==
The key to a great distortion tone involves mixing multiple gain stages to a get a rich distortion throughout the frequency spectrum without the signal turning into a noisy, chaotic mess. Modern high-gain amps have been hip to this technique since the late 70's, using multiple distorted pre-amp tubes in series (aka ''cascading gain stages''). These use different biases or frequency treatments between stages to layer the distortion in a controlled manner, where each one adds to the tone rather than mucks it up.
However, there are cases where we want to utilize different methods of distortion other than overdriving preamp tubes. This can be quite difficult, as mixing distortion can often result in lots of noise, squeals, harshness, and rough edges. Here's some general rules:
* Only one distortion stage should be heavily distorted at most. Generally, its best to mix two or three mild distortions to get one big distortion tone. When using one saturated gain stage, any others should be very mild. Otherwise, you will get a mushy, noisy tone.
* The big advantage is to mix different ''types'' of distortion. Chaining several similar distortions is likely to get a similar tone as just one of them, but with less control and more noise. You can often get a better tone simply by turning up the gain on just one distortion stage and removing the others.
=== Pre-Amp and Power Amp ===
Power amps are usually difficult to drive into heavy distortion and distort in a rough, somewhat nasty manner. Sometimes this is all you need to give your tone that edge that a smoother preamp doesn't provide. Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to control, requiring loud volumes to achieve. Also, distortion is frequency response dependent, but you don't have much wiggle room here. If you use the pre-amp's EQ or an EQ in the effects loop after the pre-amp distortion to prep the signal for power amp distortion, you may get the distortion tone you want, but the frequency response after the power amp may need some EQ tweaks. Yet it's impossible to EQ after the power amp and before the speakers. You ''can'' EQ post-mic'ing, but this won't help for practice/gigging applications.
=== Distortion Pedal and Amp ===
=== Multiple Distortion Pedals ===