How can I do this distortion effect?

[esl]

Any ideas on how I use an insert effect to distort only the high frequences on a track?

That is, when the sound, say a flute for example, is playing various notes only the high registering notes get distorted. All the other notes below a set point or frequency (detirmined by me) would be unaffected.

[Jafo]

You'll need to separate the higher frequencies (perhaps by a high-pass filter), distort the result, and mix back with the original signal. A quick and easy way to do this is to double your track in your host and do this to one track. It'd also be easy to do in SynthEdit.

Btw, isn't this basically what the Aural Exciter is supposed to do?

[shamann]

One complication you'll find is that notes and frequencies are very different things.

Notes aren't restricted to one frequency, rather they are defined by the loudest/most perceivable frequency, which is called pitch or the fundamental frequency. A note for any given instrument may contain a whole load of extra frequencies and noises.

So if you want high frequencies distorted, you could use a multiband distortion like Tridirt, where only the high band is altering the sound. Or use a frequency band splitter like TinyGod's TinySplitter, send two outs dry, and the high out to distortion. This kind of set up works easiest if your host allows flexible routing and multiple outs anywhere. There are several other options like using a high pass filter before the distortion and mixing with a dry signal, or searching for a distortion effect that already has a highpass built-in, or using something like an exciter (although those are usually fairly mild distortion and set to really high frequencies).

But if you only want high notes affected, you'll need a more complicated set-up. For instance, you could use a MIDI filter to block out notes below a set threshold, then use the notes that pass through as triggers for a MIDI-triggerable gate (I'm sure there are several around if you go searching, easy enough to make one in most modular synths/environments), fed to a distortion unit.

The easiest way if you are just sequencing rather than playing live would be to cut your high notes to separate track and stick distortion on that channel only.

[flanneljammies]

You'll need to separate the higher frequencies (perhaps by a high-pass filter), distort the result, and mix back with the original signal. A quick and easy way to do this is to double your track in your host and do this to one track.

What host are you using? Stuff like this is REALLY simple using racks in Tracktion.

[esl]

Hmmmm, good suggestions. Thanks.

I had never heard of "Tridirt." Looks interesting.

re: separating midi notes; I am looking to effect sounds that are already recorded, so that wouldn't work.

Perhaps splitting the signal and applying eq's is the best option.

[rbet]

I think Izotope Trash can do multiband distortion.

[deleted]

DELETED

[Jafo]

You'll need to separate the higher frequencies (perhaps by a high-pass filter), distort the result, and mix back with the original signal. A quick and easy way to do this is to double your track in your host and do this to one track.

What host are you using? Stuff like this is REALLY simple using racks in Tracktion.

Tracktion, actually. Never bothered with racks, since I prefer to have my tracks under my control, not my host's.

Err, also, I don't know how to get Tracktion to stop applying rack effects to all tracks indiscriminately...

[shamann]

I am looking to effect sounds that are already recorded, so that wouldn't work.

In that case, experiment with different ways of isolating upper frequency bands. If you don't use a host that allows modular routing, try out the demo of energyXT as an insert effect, and build a bunch of different effects chains in there to see what gets the best results. That will help you get results faster.

Remember though, that since you'll be affecting a recording, that all notes will to some degree be distorted, because most discrete sounds contain high frequencies above their perceivable pitch. So for instance in recordings of most acoustic instruments, there's a fair degree of noise on the attack of each note, so you will here some added grit there for sure.

[Jafo]

Btw, isn't this basically what the Aural Exciter is supposed to do?

Yep. Which is why I will never buy one...

Heh. Likewise. It just tends to make the high notes (which are generally already too bright) harsh.

Although if it were more flexible, it might be useful -- say, adding a touch of even-order harmonics to the midrange, or just a few specific notes. This is probably the sort of thing that Line 6 does with the Variax.

Edit: Along with the usual filter techniques.

[flanneljammies]

Tracktion, actually. Never bothered with racks, since I prefer to have my tracks under my control, not my host's.

I don't quite understand how using racks give you any less control. In fact, just the opposite. I've done the exact sort of thing you're talking about using racks. Works spendidly.

Err, also, I don't know how to get Tracktion to stop applying rack effects to all tracks indiscriminately...

Again, not sure what you mean. If you've got an instance of a rack on every track then you'd get that behavior. Maybe formulate a more specific question and post over on the Raw Materials/Tracktion board?

[rockstar_not]

You'll need to separate the higher frequencies (perhaps by a high-pass filter), distort the result, and mix back with the original signal. A quick and easy way to do this is to double your track in your host and do this to one track.

What host are you using? Stuff like this is REALLY simple using racks in Tracktion.

Tracktion, actually. Never bothered with racks, since I prefer to have my tracks under my control, not my host's.

Err, also, I don't know how to get Tracktion to stop applying rack effects to all tracks indiscriminately...

Not sure what you mean here with either comment.

Racks only show up if YOU put them there, not the host. In all of the various bugs which have been present in Tracktion, this is the first mention I've seen of indiscriminate racks appearing magically on tracks.

T2 now has Aux sends built in if you like - simply put a HF distortion, or a signal chain with a HP filter then distortion on the receive track.

-Scott

[ermi]

Howcome nobody mentioned BugDrive?

It is a multiband distortion/overdrive VST. Free too.

[Jafo]

Tracktion, actually. Never bothered with racks, since I prefer to have my tracks under my control, not my host's.

I don't quite understand how using racks give you any less control. In fact, just the opposite. I've done the exact sort of thing you're talking about using racks. Works spendidly.

Err, also, I don't know how to get Tracktion to stop applying rack effects to all tracks indiscriminately...

Again, not sure what you mean. If you've got an instance of a rack on every track then you'd get that behavior. Maybe formulate a more specific question and post over on the Raw Materials/Tracktion board?

Hmm. Maybe it's just my version of Tracktion (1.6.0.1), but I simply cannot assign a rack to a specific track; each rack's window refuses to move, and the only options I get within the rack are midi and l/r, in and out -- no choice of tracks, no choice of midi channels, nothing. This happens whether I first highlight a track or not; I get the identical behavior in both situations. And the helpfile steadfastly refuses to even mention racks. Oh, and there seems to be no way to adjust the relative mix between things within a rack -- a critical flaw. In short, it seems to be just another way to have master effects (and instruments); useful feature, that.

Besides, I find it far more intuitive and functional to simply double tracks, apply (instruments and) effects individually, then mix as appropriate. It's natural, powerful, effective, and simple.

Still, you do have a point. There's really no need to have multiple instances of the same instrument or effect when they do the same thing. It's a huge waste of cycles and memory to do so. (But then, I usually have enough going on that I have to freeze a lot of tracks anyway, even without considering this sort of parallel work.)

[shamann]

Howcome nobody mentioned BugDrive?

It is a multiband distortion/overdrive VST. Free too.

Well, there are several free multi-band distortion effects we didn't mention. Didn't think we were giving a shopping list, but rather trying to solve a problem.