harmonics vs. partials

[Ron Newman]

>Carl,



>and since second harmonic distortion is octave related to the music, it
>don't sound too bad.  The third, however, sounds terrible.

         Is this because harmonic distortion generates its own set of 
harmonics, i.e. the third harmonic becomes the first harmonic or a whole 
new series?

         If so, the third harmonic, as you say, would quickly generate its 
own harmonics out of the chord (is the technical term "secondary 
harmonics"?).

         If not, the distorted third harmonic of an xsistor, being the 
musical fifth, falls nicely into most of the simple chords that loud 
players use, so their preference for tube amps would remain unexplained.



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Ron Newman
Troubadour Technology
http://www.imt.net/~ronman/troub.html
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