Overdrive

There's no hard line that separates overdrive from distortion from fuzz. They all kind of hang out in this nebulous world of spillover from a auditory standpoint. If looking at the manner in which the signal is manipulated to get the "clipped signal", it might be easier to arrive at a place where the distinction between the terms makes a difference.

Overdrive, as we understand the definition, is a clipped instrument signal, typically with only one half (the bottom half) of the waveform of the music signal being clipped. This results in only even-order harmonics being generated. Also characterized by a "soft" type of clipping applied to sine wave with the edges of the clipped signal being rounded as opposed to hard-angled (when viewed in an oscilloscope).

Contrast Guide

Overdrive

Minor waveform squaring-and-rounding from over-amplification, Effects usually only applied to one half of a sound's sine wave. Usually only through one or two gain stages.

Distortion

Major waveform squaring-and-rounding from over-amplification. Effects usually applied to both halves of a sound's sine wave. Usually cascaded through multiple gain stages.

Fuzz

Major waveform squaring without rounding due to diode clipping of waveform. Effect applied to both halves of a sound's sine wave. Usually only occurs through a single gain stage.

Overdrive Pedals

• Maxon OD-9
• Ibanez TS-9
• Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
• Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive

Amps known for Overdrive

• Fender 5E3 Tweed "Deluxe"
• Fender 5F1 Tweed "Champ"
• Fender 5F6A Tweed "Bassman"
• Marshall JTM-45
• Marshall JTM-45/100