[sdiy] Harmonic effect of rectification

[Paul Perry]

For the non-mathematicians, the quick answer is that you have a monophonic 
note going to a severe distorter like a rectifier, you get higher multiples 
of the same frequency.

But if you have a number of different frequencies in the signal - like a 
chord - then you get a very non-harmonic bunch.

The very first effect I ever built was a very simple rectifier, which a 
friend ran a bass through. I was suprised that it seemed to make very little 
difference, even though the scope showed a very radical change in wavefor. I 
realise now that the speaker wasn't able to reproduce any of the 
fundamental, anyhow!

paul perry Melbourne Australia