How to use the disto knob

[Anatta_Embe]

I’ve had a Machinedrum for years… the raw no-uw version. The MK1 …but I have a silly question.

I dug it out a few days ago and I’d like to know how to use the distortion button on the routing page.
I’ve tried all sorts of things, but either it just slightly increases the volume or, at the end of its range, it clips, producing a terrible, unusable sound.
Even the digital distortions on the Blofeld are better. That’s saying something…

So what exactly is the distortion button for, and how do I use it?

[shigginpit]

Definitely was looking at the wrong thing my bad.

[Anatta_Embe]

Sorry, I think you’re mistaken.

In the reference manual, page 23, the Dist parameter controls the signal distortion.
The distortion is applied after track synthesis and effects, and before entering the routing. Each track has its own individual distortion.

It is therefore not a question of a problem with signal routing or assignment to any track.

[theobserver]

i think its nice to have a tiny bit on each track to add a tinge of saturation to the entirety to help color it up a bit (sort of compresses the headroom a bit too so its like subtle compression), i really dont like how it sounds when used maximally as an overdrive

[phading]

I see it not as colouring, not as strong FX neither

I see it more like a subtle transient shaper, it tames/crushes the peaks, and raises the overall volume level

I’m a newbie with the MD, would love to hear from someone more experienced

[ram]

@Anatta_Embe

So what exactly is the distortion button for, and how do I use it?

Give it time and experiment. I find that it works better on certain sounds than others.
As @theobserver point out, a tiny bit can add some colour to the sound.
Sometimes I like to add a fair amount of distortion just to the transients of the sound so it stands up more in the mix: route a fast exponential decay lfo to DIST, adjust DEPTH to taste.