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Drive (saturation)
It adds harmonics by pushing an amplifier: the "growl" of the Wurlitzer and of rock organ.
How to recognise it by ear
- When played hard, the sound "breaks up" and gains bite; played softly, it cleans up.
- Tube drive is warm and round; transistor drive is harsher.
- A touch is enough on blues piano (3–5 %); rock organ takes much more.
Typical settings
Harmonic distortion from 3 % (warmth) to 20 % (rock organ).
What Piano Effect measures
Harmonic distortion in % and its character. It is measured on whatever dominates the mix: if the guitar is distorted, the number is the guitar's.
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Library sounds that use it
- Bar-room blues pianoharmonic distortion 4 % · tube character
- Blues Wurlitzerharmonic distortion 8 % · tube character
- Jazz organ (B3)harmonic distortion 6 % · tube character
- Gospel organharmonic distortion 10 % · tube character
- Neo soul Rhodesharmonic distortion 3 % · tube character
- Rock organharmonic distortion 20 % · transistor character
- Lo-fi pianoharmonic distortion 3 % · tube character
- Lo-fi Rhodesharmonic distortion 4 % · tube character
Frequently asked questions
What is drive (saturation)?
It adds harmonics by pushing an amplifier: the "growl" of the Wurlitzer and of rock organ. Tube drive is warm and round; transistor drive is harsher.
How can I tell if a song uses drive?
When played hard, the sound "breaks up" and gains bite; played softly, it cleans up. Tube drive is warm and round; transistor drive is harsher. To be sure, scan it with Piano Effect: it tells you whether it is there and with which values.
What drive settings are typical?
Harmonic distortion from 3 % (warmth) to 20 % (rock organ).