Odd vs. even harmonics

Odd vs. even harmonics

Can anyone describe & explain the sound of odd vs. even harmonics of
guitar's amp sound? (when even or odd harmonics are suppressed, and only
their counterpart remain)

Isn't cutting all odd harmonics, just jumping up one octave?

Re: Odd vs. even harmonics

Gonzo wrote:

> Can anyone describe & explain the sound of odd vs. even harmonics of
> guitar's amp sound?

Even harmonics: Think single ended amps, like Fender Champ, Epiphone
Valve Junior. A smoother blues tone.

Odd harmonics: Think push/pull tube amps, like Marshall, Mesa, Fender
Bassman.

I searched for a clip with guitar, couldn't find one. But here's a
synth clip. Buzzier is odd harmonics. Smoother is even:
https://media.zzounds . com /media/OddEvenHarmonicDistortion-b1d5fb60cbfff9ebd47ce99fa25195f6.mp3

> (when even or odd harmonics are suppressed, and only
> their counterpart remain)

It's generally a mix and not exclusive. The push/pull design of an amp
tends to cancel the even harmonics, leaving more odd harmonics. But
it's not perfect. Amps are not perfectly matched in the output stages,
and driving tubes harder will get you more higher ordered harmonics.


>
> Isn't cutting all odd harmonics, just jumping up one octave?

No. Going up one octave is the next EVEN harmonic.

This might help:
* w w w .uaudio . com /webzine/2005/october/text/content2.html Even if
you don't want to read it, look at figure 3.

Re: Odd vs. even harmonics

Jim wrote:

> Gonzo wrote:
>
>> Can anyone describe & explain the sound of odd vs. even harmonics of
>> guitar's amp sound?
>
>
> Even harmonics: Think single ended amps, like Fender Champ, Epiphone
> Valve Junior. A smoother blues tone.
>
> Odd harmonics: Think push/pull tube amps, like Marshall, Mesa, Fender
> Bassman.
>
> I searched for a clip with guitar, couldn't find one. But here's a
> synth clip. Buzzier is odd harmonics. Smoother is even:
> https://media.zzounds . com /media/OddEvenHarmonicDistortion-b1d5fb60cbfff9ebd47ce99fa25195f6.mp3
>
>
>> (when even or odd harmonics are suppressed, and only their counterpart
>> remain)
>
>
> It's generally a mix and not exclusive. The push/pull design of an amp
> tends to cancel the even harmonics, leaving more odd harmonics. But
> it's not perfect. Amps are not perfectly matched in the output stages,
> and driving tubes harder will get you more higher ordered harmonics.
>
>
>>
>> Isn't cutting all odd harmonics, just jumping up one octave?
>
>
> No. Going up one octave is the next EVEN harmonic.

DOH! I may have misread your question.

It is true that each successive even harmonic is an octave higher than
the last. But cutting all odd ordered harmonics probably leaves you
with more than just one octave higher. You'll probably have some two
octaves higher, some three octaves higher, and maybe higher ordered,
depending on design and how hard you push it.


>
> This might help:
> * w w w .uaudio . com /webzine/2005/october/text/content2.html Even if
> you don't want to read it, look at figure 3.

Re: Odd vs. even harmonics

On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 22:25:39 GMT, Gonzo <Gonzo@nospamplease . com >
wrote:

>Can anyone describe & explain the sound of odd vs. even harmonics of
>guitar's amp sound? (when even or odd harmonics are suppressed, and only
>their counterpart remain)
>
>Isn't cutting all odd harmonics, just jumping up one octave?

That's a bit subtle for most. It works exactly for the usual uniform
harmonic distributions, and still works but with changing harmonic
balance) for ANY harmonic distribution.