After Hours Audio Lab: Distortion Tips for Bigger, Warmer Mixes

Welcome to After Hours Audio Lab, hosted by Grant Morriss.
In this video, we explore one of the most powerful creative tools in music production: distortion. Far beyond just making things louder or dirtier, distortion can add warmth, character, presence and emotion to your mix when used properly.

With over 25 years of experience across the music world — including performing in UK arenas in support of platinum-selling artists, producing and mixing indie, rock, pop and alternative tracks, and shaping projects in independent studios — Grant has developed a practical, musical approach to using distortion tastefully.

In this tutorial, we look at:
• what distortion actually is and how it affects harmonics,
• the difference between saturation, overdrive and full distortion,
• how to add thickness to vocals, guitars, bass and drums,
• how gentle distortion can make a mix feel warmer and more alive,
• common mistakes to avoid when pushing things too far.

If you’d like help improving your mix or master, you can work directly with Grant on Fiverr:
👉 https://www.fiverr.com/grantmorriss

Stay tuned to After Hours Audio Lab for more in-depth tutorials on mixing, mastering, sound shaping and home-studio production.