# Distortion

Rift’s **Play View** includes controls for the most important parts of the distortion engine. Here you can choose from 30 custom algorithms and control what part of the input signal is processed by each of them

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**Distortion Types**

**Positive Distortion Type.** Select which effect will be applied to the top part of the waveform.

**Negative Distortion Type.** Select which effect will be applied to the bottom part of the waveform.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/inLWGPWj3LokloYcFA10" alt="" width="195"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

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* **Waveshape.** Soft clipping and similar distortions that result in a saturated or overdriven sound.
* **Wavefold.** Wave folding distortions that result in a harmonically complex signal.
* **Noise.** Distortions that dynamically generate noise and saturate the signal.
* **Bit Depth.** Distortions that reduce the signal’s dynamic resolution, resulting in bright harmonics and amplitude effects.
* **Sample Rate.** Distortions that reduce the signal’s frequency resolution, resulting in aliasing and inharmonic effects.

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**Positive & Negative Shape.** Adjust the depth and style of distortion for the positive or negative Distortion Type. This has a different result depending on which algorithm is selected, but higher Shape settings always make the effect more intense.

<figure><img src="/files/iZ6AWIWIbkUpRbApgy0T" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
For heavier distortion, add more gain with Drive, and try adding more Stages.
{% endhint %}

**Shape Link.** Link Positive Shape and Negative Shape so that they can be easily manipulated together. This does not include modulation.

**Stages.** Select the number of distortion stages. More stages create a stronger effect but require a higher CPU load.

**Blend.** Control at what point in the waveform one distortion ends and the other begins. Turning Blend to the left will mix in more of the Positive Type, while turning it to the right will mix in more of the Negative Type. This is represented by a horizontal red line on the Scope.

**Blend Mode.** Choose between two methods for combining the positive and negative distortions:

**Hard.** Add the positive and negative waveforms together with an immediate cut between the two halves. This usually sounds brighter, with greater definition between the two algorithms.

**Smooth.** Smoothly interpolate between the positive and negative waveforms. This usually sounds warmer, with less definition between the two algorithms.


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