Linear vs Non-Linear Audio

Linear

• “Linear” is Referred to the Usage of Tools that Do Not Add Harmonic Distortion Such as a Digital EQ (What Comes in Goes Out)

• i.e. Behaves the Same Way Regardless of the Incoming Signal Level

• a Digital EQ Over a Sub Group Sounds Exactly the Same as Digital EQ Individual Elements

Non-Linear

• “Non-Linear” is Referred to the Usage of Plugins that Add Harmonic Distortion Such as a Compressors or Non-Linear Enhancers

• e.g. All Tools that are Dependent on the Incoming Signal and /or Shape the Signal Dynamically Lead to a Distorted Signal

• or Saturation is also Dependent on the Input Signal as Input Signal Determines How Much One Drives into Saturation

• Notice that Saturation Over Sub Groups can Lead to “Inter-Modulation” as 1 Frequency Part Changes Another Frequency Part Regarding How It Hits the Non-Linear Distortion Stage