# Add some Grit: Overdrive/Distortortion/Bit- and Sample-Rate-Reduction

**URL:** <https://backstage.polyend.com/t/add-some-grit-overdrive-distortortion-bit-and-sample-rate-reduction/16291>\
**Category:** Feature Requests\
**Tags:** synth\
**Created:** [November 25, 2024, 11:31am UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/add-some-grit-overdrive-distortortion-bit-and-sample-rate-reduction/16291 "2024-11-25T11:31:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Lizard-of-Oz](https://backstage.polyend.com/user_avatar/backstage.polyend.com/lizard-of-oz/32/4267_2.png) [@Lizard-of-Oz](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/Lizard-of-Oz)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 11:31am UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/add-some-grit-overdrive-distortortion-bit-and-sample-rate-reduction/16291/1 "2024-11-25T11:31:33Z")

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### What is the problem?

All the Synth can distort is the phase, so it sounds relatively soft and smooth overall. As a user with a wide range of emotions, I’d like to add some grit to my sound, so that I can better express myself through my music.

### What should this feature achieve?

Fuck up every sound easily, and a lot, too, if desired.

Some considerations:

- Sample Rate Reduction and Bit Rate Reduction are simple effects, and are best placed _before_ a filter, because then the filter can be used to make things a bit smoother if so desired.
- overdriving the filter input is quite common in synthesizers
- overdriving the mixer input is also a common technique in music productions

Any combination of that would be nice, but simplest way to add distortion to _any engine_ is in the mixer, on a new page, or [on a page with a basic EQ](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/add-basic-eq-to-synth-1-3/16287). That distortion would, of course, go before the effect sends, and before any EQ.

### Are there any workarounds?

One can add a EHX Platform or EXH Operation Overlord (both provide stereo distortion) to the output of the Synth, which is nice (I tried it), but not the same.

### Any links to related discussions?

[Overdrive everything](https://llllllll.co/t/overdrive-everything-overdrive-distortion-fuzz-etc/10573)

[a wish for an EQ in the mixer, that can make space for a distortion, too](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/add-basic-eq-to-synth-1-3/16287)

### Any references to other products?

- Mackie CR1604, Tascam M216, Boss BX-8/16/80 are some mixers that sound nice when the inputs are well in the red
- all Moog synthesizers allow for overdriving the filter input
- Elektron Digitakt has Bit Rate Reduction before the filter, plus overdrive after the filter, Digitakt 2 has even more, IIRC
- Elektron Syntakt has overdrive in most (if not all) engines.
- Erica LXR-02 has overdrive in the filter, distortion (waveshaper) for each sound in the mixer, and a distortion effect on top