Simple Explanation

When audio sounds different from how it was originally recorded, usually due to unwanted changes to the signal.

Concise Technical Definition

Any alteration of the original audio signal that results in added, removed, or reshaped components, often due to nonlinearity in the system.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Like looking at a photo through a wrinkled plastic sheet—some of the original details are twisted, blurred, or bent out of shape.

Industry Usage Summary

Distortion can occur in amplifiers, digital converters, or speakers when they are pushed beyond limits or introduce unintended artifacts. Engineers measure it with tools like THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) to quantify how “pure” the audio remains.

Engineering Shortcut

Signal deformation = nonlinear response; added noise/harmonics = distortion.

Full Technical Explanation

Distortion refers to any unwanted modification of an audio signal, excluding changes in volume. It typically arises when a system introduces nonlinearities that alter the waveform, causing it to deviate from its original shape. This can include harmonic distortion, intermodulation distortion, clipping, or time-based errors. The most common result is added frequency components or signal artifacts that were not part of the original recording. Even if these changes are microscopic, they affect clarity and fidelity. Engineers analyze distortion through spectral tools and quantify it using THD, IMD, and other metrics.