Depending on what hardware (or emulated hardware) you use it will add different sorts of harmonics. Even harmonics of a tone, e.g. x2, x4, are much more pleasing to our ears and add warmth.

This is why tube amps can make vocals sound really really nice.

Here is an example of saturation producing overtones. If I play a pure sine wave that is 110Hz (an A) and I add a saturator then push the drive really high it introduces odd harmonics of 330HZ, 550Hz, and so on.

This is so obvious in hindsight, but Analog in Ableton doesn't produce pure a sine wave i.e. just the fundamental frequency. It replicates analogue synth circuitry and adds harmonics.

Operator, however, does produce pure tones. A useful thing to know if your intention is to learn about this stuff.

I'm currently reading about why saturation adds harmonics to a signal. Like, I understand pushing a signal higher than hardware can handle causes the wave form to get clipped, but why does it introduce harmonics?

I was already taught this but it has left my smooth brain.

I’m also having a much easier time reading intervals which is cool! I saw a video recently where someone explained reading sheet music is more about playing intervals than understanding the notes.

Like here is a sixth at the beginning of the second bar, with some thirds leading up to it :)

no wayyyyy

I even bought a modern flashable gameboy cartridge because I’m an adult with a salary, instead of buying weed let’s just make tunes.

I remember back in 2011 using my student loan to buy some EMS 64m carts, which was an investment back then.

Feels nice having money to spend on my hobbies now.

A lot of this stuff has just been hanging out under beds or in cupboards, might as well sell it to people who’d use it.

This way I can buy more appropriately sized things, my wee office space will double as a mini music production space.

I’m hoping the intentionality here will help inspire me.

I haven’t heard this song in a minute! Just as good as I remember it dude