Audio sample request: harmonic distortion vs saturation

[NinjaPyrate]

I’ve read a lot about harmonic distortion and saturation, and text comparisons of the two (tube vs tape, for example) but am having a hard time wrapping my head around the actual sonic difference. Audio examples of both, without heavy distortion, would be greatly appreciated.

 

[amper]

Saturation *is* harmonic distortion.

 

[bassbrad]

Saturation means different things depending on the context, whether you approach it as a guitar player, bass player, synthesist, electronic musician or producer/mixer. Past that is becomes different shades of the same color as each type of component will have it's unique contribution to the resulting sound. As your ear becomes more sophisticated you will be able to appreciate those often subtle variations.

 

[micguy]

Harmonic distortion occurs whenever the signal's shape is altered (in any way) on the way through something. Saturation is when the alteration occurs from a piece of gear running out of headroom with the signal getting squished from its original shape at the high and low points. Most harmonic distortion you will encounter is from saturation, but not all.