3.5

81MainStage Effects
MainStage Distortion effect
The Distortion effect simulates the low fidelity distortion generated by a bipolar transistor.
You can use it to simulate playing a musical instrument through a highly overdriven
amplifier or to create unique distorted sounds.
Distortion parameters
• Drive knob and field: Set the amount of saturation applied to the signal.
• Tone knob and field: Set the frequency for the high cut filter. Filtering the harmonically
rich distorted signal produces a softer tone.
• Output knob and field: Set the output level.
• Level Compensation button: Turn on to reference the overall processing of the signal to
0dB. This compensates for increases in loudness caused by adding distortion.
• Display: Shows the impact of parameters on the signal.
MainStage Distortion II
Distortion II emulates the distortion circuit of a HammondB3 organ. You can use it on
musical instruments to recreate this classic effect or can use it creatively when designing
new sounds.
Distortion II parameters
• PreGain knob and field: Set the amount of gain applied to the input signal.
• Drive knob and field: Set the amount of saturation applied to the signal.
• Tone knob and field: Boosts the integrated high shelf filter gain both pre- and post-
distortion, which results in a different tone.