Mixing Music | Music Production, Audio Engineering, & Music Business Exclusive Archive | Tape vs Tube Saturation
Jan 1, 2026
Dive into the fascinating world of tube versus tape saturation! The hosts break down even- and odd-order harmonics, revealing how tubes create musical sounds while transistors provide punch and aggression. Learn about practical uses for drums, clippers, and how to make sounds pop. They also explore plugin modeling and how software can compete with hardware. Packed with humor and technical insights, this discussion will enhance your understanding of audio production!
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Practical, Not Engineering Expertise
- Dee Kei admits he's not an electrical engineer and reads widely to understand circuits, so his comments are practical observations.
- He warns that real circuits include resistors and transistors, so even tube gear often shows mixed harmonic content.
Even Vs Odd Harmonics Affect Tone
- Tubes tend to produce even-order (second) harmonics that reinforce octaves and sound musical and smooth.
- Transistors and tape often generate odd-order (third) harmonics that sound brighter, rougher, and more aggressive.
Triode Vs Pentode Tonal Character
- Triode tube designs emphasize even-order harmonics and yield full, musical, organic tones according to Dee Kei.
- Pentode designs and some transistor circuits push more odd-order harmonics, giving punch and edge.