I think a tape recorder that is symmetrically saturating the tape will produce the 3rd harmonic, and at least some 5th harmonic and perhaps the 7th harmonic (at least when the 5th and 7th fall within the frequency range of the tape head).
I think a tape recorder that is Un-symmetrically saturating the tape will produce 2nd harmonic, and at least some 4th harmonic and perhaps the 6th harmonic (at least when the 4th and 6th fall within the frequency range of the tape head). Un-symmetrical is unidirectional; example when a kick-drum has a big positive excursion, but is dampened out by the cotton head that hits it, the big signal in one direction saturates the tape, and the dampened reduced amplitude signal in the other direction (other polarity) does not saturate the tape in the other direction.
I have seen some drum signals that "clipped" in one polarity, but not the other.
Just my opinions.
I think a tape recorder that is Un-symmetrically saturating the tape will produce 2nd harmonic, and at least some 4th harmonic and perhaps the 6th harmonic (at least when the 4th and 6th fall within the frequency range of the tape head). Un-symmetrical is unidirectional; example when a kick-drum has a big positive excursion, but is dampened out by the cotton head that hits it, the big signal in one direction saturates the tape, and the dampened reduced amplitude signal in the other direction (other polarity) does not saturate the tape in the other direction.
I have seen some drum signals that "clipped" in one polarity, but not the other.
Just my opinions.
I ran across this product on another thread today. It generates 2nd and or 3rd harmonics. Maybe a schematic is out there somewhere. The "2nd harmonic Fet Crusher" and "3rd Harmonic Zener Blender" give some clues. https://vintageking.com/vertigo-sound-vsm-2-mix-satellite-mk2-full-version
A "plug in" is available that emulates this processor. https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/vertigo_vsm-3.html
It's cheap. I wonder what player software could handle it? Equalizer APO?
It's cheap. I wonder what player software could handle it? Equalizer APO?
