Nonlinear distortion adds frequencies that were not in the original signal

Evidence

If the waveform changes as a function of signal or sound level those changes are non-linear distortions—these non-linear mechanisms add frequencies to the signal that were not there originally and are especially objectionable if they are high enough to be audible. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 946

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines nonlinear distortion by its defining property: generating new frequencies not in the input.
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 946
• XREF: connects to: Nonlinear vibration generates new frequencies absent from the original stimulus; Non-linear and time-variant systems generate frequency components absent from the input — Ville Pulkki, Matti Karjalainen, Communication Acoustics- An…, 358; Nonlinear distortion generates new frequencies that change timbre with volume (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• Nonlinear distortion generates new frequencies that change timbre with volume #corroborates (0.95)
• Combination tones arise from the hearing system’s own nonlinearity #corroborates (0.85) — Professor Dr.-Ing. Hugo Fastl, Professor Dr.-Ing. Eberhard, Psychoacoustics- Facts and Models, 430
• Difference noise generated by ear nonlinearities can be heard before the test tone itself #exemplifies (0.75)