Four Key Differences Between Overdrive and Distortion (Measured & Explained)

Why do overdrive and distortion pedals feel and sound different? In this video, we compare four classic pedals—the Timmy, Tube Screamer, RAT, and JHS AT+—using both audio demonstrations and laboratory measurements. We’ll identify four key characteristics that help explain how these pedals respond, how they saturate, and why similar clipping curves don’t necessarily produce the same tone. This video introduces the comparison framework we’ll use throughout future episodes to analyze guitar pedals. Phase Two Music website https://www.phasetwomusic.com #GuitarPedals #MusicTechnology #distortionpedal #overdrivepedal #Timmy #RAT #TubeScreamer #JHSAT