Apple MainStage 3 Instruments - MainStage 3 Instruments

Ultrabeat distortion circuit
The Distortion circuit provides either a bit crusher or distortion effect.
The bit crusher reduces the digital resolution of the sound, measured in bits, achieving an
intentionally digital coloration of the sound. The distortion effect is modeled on an analog
distortion unit, which distorts the sound by overdriving the level.
Both methods lead to distortions that are as tonally divergent as the two approaches. Distortion
offers a more analog tone while the bit crusher sounds unmistakably digital.
Note: The arrow in the Filter section determines whether the Distortion circuit is inserted
before or after the multimode filter (see Set the signal flow order through Ultrabeat’s filter and
distortion unit on page 353).
Drive knob
Color knob
Level knob
Crush button
Distort button
Distortion parameters
••
Crush and Distort buttons: Activate the mode you want to use. The name of the active effect
type is indicated in red. If neither button is active, the Distortion circuit is bypassed.
••
Drive knob: Controls the amount of distortion.
••
Color knob: Determines the basic tone of the distortion. Higher values result in a brighter
sound. Lower values lead to a darker, warmer tone.
••
Level knob: Sets the output level of the Distortion effect when in Distortion mode. In Bit
Crusher mode, this knob sets a threshold level for incoming signals from the sound sources
that must be reached before distortion (bit crushing) begins.
Chapter 14 Ultrabeat 354