distortion

Distortion DEPENDS_ON gain as its operational mechanism: the accepted definition states 'driving an electronic signal beyond the linear operating range' which requires applying gain to push the signal past the linear threshold. Remove gain and distortion has no way to drive the signal into non-linear territory. Direction: distortion (dependent) → gain (operand), per Law 8b removal test.

distortion is a specific kind of audio-effect: it intentionally alters sound by clipping or overdriving an electronic signal to add harmonic content. As an audio-effect, it is a tool for deliberate sound modification through signal processing — the core purpose of any audio-effect.

A saturator is a specific kind of distortion effect — it intentionally adds harmonic distortion (primarily even-order harmonics from gentle nonlinear operation) to enrich signal timbre. Nearest kind: distortion, per accepted definition. Not DEPENDS_ON — saturation is its operating principle, not an external dependency.

A clipper IS a specific kind of distortion: it intentionally distorts a signal by truncating waveform peaks, producing flat-topped waveforms and harmonic content. A competent speaker would say 'a clipper is a distortion effect.' Nearest kind: distortion (ACCEPTED).

Clipping IS a specific type of waveform distortion — specifically, the truncation of signal peaks at system limits. A competent speaker would call clipping 'a kind of distortion.'

Bit-crusher is a specific kind of distortion effect: it reduces bit depth and sample rate to produce quantization noise and aliasing, which are forms of harmonic distortion. A competent audio engineer would classify bit-crusher as a type of distortion effect, alongside overdrive, fuzz, and clipper. Nearest-kind INSTANCE_OF.