RawFoodGuy,
One man's 'tone' can be another's 'distortion'.
Not all tone is desirable, nor is all distortion undesirable.
Many forms of (or presentation of) music rely on distortion for
identity. Distortion is often used to present or reinforce feeling or
emotion. Not necessarily a good or bad thing.
When a piece of electronic or mechanical equipment (including hands,
mouth, tongue, throat muscles, lungs, diaphragm) changes the pure tone
of an instrument it can be considered modulation, distortion,
enhancement, etc. Even harp reeds' sound can be distorted, by air
pressure, velocity, etc.
Voice can be 'distorted' by merely tightening or relaxing head and chest
muscles.
Why is it that pick techniques that cause an amp to deliver something
'unpure' but desirable, please some, but not others?
To define "distortion" as "great" or 'not great' can be arrogant,
meaningless, and often too subjective to be considered a standard.
For so-called experts to define their subjectiveness as a standard, and
to consider neophytes' attempts to emulate the original sound of
ground-breaking artists as "numb nuts" is also arrogant and meaningless.
Why is it that, in spite of high and mighty pronouncements by some
ego-maximus players, that some long time very accomplished artists still
employ certain kinds of distortion in their music?
Are those great artists that still use saturated tube grids and plates,
and voltage adjustment to enhance their "tone", "numb nuts" for not
using acoustically pure equipment?
Even the back of a Strad adds something that the strings, resin, and bow
cannot achieve.
Tone vs. distortion is not a black and white issue...
Do what you like, play it like you feel it, make it sound like YOU want,
...and don't take some folks on this newsgroup too seriously.
TONE:
–noun
1. any sound considered with reference to its quality, pitch, strength,
source, etc.: shrill tones.
2. quality or character of sound.
3. vocal sound; the sound made by vibrating muscular bands in the larynx.
4. a particular quality, way of sounding, modulation, or intonation of
the voice as expressive of some meaning, feeling, spirit, etc.: a tone
of command.
5. an accent peculiar to a person, people, locality, etc., or a
characteristic mode of sounding words in speech.
6. stress of voice on a syllable of a word.
7. Linguistics. a musical pitch or movement in pitch serving to
distinguish two words otherwise composed of the same sounds, as in Chinese.
8. Music.
a. a musical sound of definite pitch, consisting of several relatively
simple constituents called partial tones, the lowest of which is called
the fundamental tone and the others harmonics or overtones.
b. an interval equivalent to two semitones; a whole tone; a whole step.
c. any of the nine melodies or tunes to which Gregorian plainsong psalms
are sung.
9. a quality of color with reference to the degree of absorption or
reflection of light; a tint or shade; value.
10. that distinctive quality by which colors differ from one another in
addition to their differences indicated by chroma, tint, shade; a slight
modification of a given color; hue: green with a yellowish tone.
11. Art. the prevailing effect of harmony of color and values.
12. Physiology.
a. the normal state of tension or responsiveness of the organs or
tissues of the body.
b. that state of the body or of an organ in which all its functions are
performed with healthy vigor.
c. normal sensitivity to stimulation.
13. a normal healthy mental condition.
14. a particular mental state or disposition; spirit, character, or tenor.
15. a particular style or manner, as of writing or speech; mood: the
macabre tone of Poe's stories.
16. prevailing character or style, as of manners, morals, or
philosophical outlook: the liberal tone of the 1960's.
17. style, distinction, or elegance.
–verb (used with object)
18. to sound with a particular tone.
19. to give the proper tone to (a musical instrument).
20. to modify the tone or general coloring of.
21. to give the desired tone to (a painting, drawing, etc.).
22. Photography. to change the color of (a print), esp. by chemical means.
23. to render as specified in tone or coloring.
24. to modify the tone or character of.
25. to give or restore physical or mental tone to.
–verb (used without object)
26. to take on a particular tone; assume color or tint.
—Verb phrases
27. tone down,
a. to become or cause to become softened or moderated: The newspaper
toned down its attack.
b. Painting. to make (a color) less intense in hue; subdue.
28. tone up,
a. to give a higher or stronger tone to.
b. to gain or cause to gain in tone or strength: toning up little-used
muscles.
29. tone with or in with, to harmonize in tone or coloring; blend: The
painting tones with the room.
[Origin: 1275–1325; ME (n.) < L tonus < Gk tónos strain, tone, mode,
lit., a stretching, akin to teínein to stretch]
Post by Keith AdamsHey rawfood. Distortion isnt great tone. You couldnt
beg,borrow,steal,coax,threaten or force a good tone out of a Fatdog Amp
because there arent any in it. I think harp players are turning to that
sound because it saves them the time it takes to learn how to play their
instrument. The so called good harp tone standards didnt come about by
choice. It came from using mics that werent designed for accurate sound
reproduction and low powered amps that couldnt get enough volume before they
distorted. In other words. Inadequate equipment. That sound wasnt
intentional and was probably unwanted. After awhile numb nut beginner harp
players started trying to emulate their heros terrible tone.
Post by John AgostaI inherited this amplifier.
Anyone here have any opinions on it - generally, and maybe some regarding
playing harp through it ?
(I'm still saving up for my FatDog......)