Well, it sounds like you need some distortion...
What is distortion?
When a sound is compressed to the point that it just can't take it any more or raised in volume until it starts clipping and producing noisy artefacts, it is being distorted.
This often makes some convenient side effects - Increased sustain from the compression (very useful for live instrumentation) and more harmonic overtones being added to the sound. Not to mention the extra dirtiness and edginess that is inherent with distorted audio!
Distortion effects units have been used for years now, giving a musician control over how much grit to add. Distortion plug-ins brought things up to the next level, providing unparalleled ease with which to mangle your sounds!
Distortion devices vary widely, but here are some of the more common parameters...
Amount - How much distortion is applied or how hard the source sound is overdriven.
Type/Mode - The algorithm used to apply distortion.
Hardness of Clipping/Foldback - How much the wave forms are folded back to achieve different levels of clipping.
Wet/Dry - This controls what percentage of the output from the unit has the effect applied and what percentage is the original source sound.
1. Guitar-style synth sounds
Get yourself a pad that starts with a clicky attack, perhaps due to a filter envelope allowing the high end in for a few milliseconds at the start. Apply tube distortion to get some convincing distorted guitar!
2. Make you beats grittier
Adding or mixing in a small amount of distortion to your percussion can give it a lot more harmonic content, character and punch!
3. Harsh vocals without screaming
If your vocals need that grit but your vocalist is a bit of a pansy, chuck a decent amount of distortion on them et voila! Instant edginess!
