Analog distortion created by hardware oscillators and electrical circuits includes phase distortion in addition to the distortion of waveform geometry.
This distortion cannot be recreated simply by injecting random sample values directly over a signal, since this creates aliasing which must then be filtered. Ideally it must be created with a smooth band limited signal applied to the oscillator phase or frequency.
Fathom does not insert distortion as an effect late in the signal flow. Instead, distortion is applied directly to the oscillator to mimic the behavior of real analog electronics.
Every oscillator contains a distortion section which provides both harmonic and inharmonic distortion patterns. These patterns are used to inject small random variations into the oscillator frequency using a continuous function, so that the resulting distortion is free of harsh aliasing in the higher frequencies.
All distortion parameters can be modulated.
Noise
The same design approach is used for our white noise, which also includes an entire oscillator page devoted to controlling it.
Our noise is generated in real time, and never by using a prerecorded loop. A random and continuous signal is used which creates realistic noise in any desired frequency range before being filtered.
Keyboard tracking is also provided for both the noise frequency and filter frequency, so that the tonality of the noise in relation to MIDI notes can be controlled.
All noise parameters can be modulated.