CAKEWALK REVALVER User manual
The content of this material is copyrighted
Alien Connections. Trademarks are copy-
righted to their respective owner.
ReValver
Manual
This manual covers the handling of Alien Connections ReValver, a Guitar
Valve Amplifier simulator.
February 25, 2001
ReValver Manual 2
What is ReValver?
ReValver is a software guitar amplifier simulator.
-Why would anyone want to simulate an amplifier?
-Because amplifiers designed for guitars are very spe-
cial, and have very little in common with ordinary Hi-Fi
amplifiers. Guitar amps distort the signal in a way that is
very pleasing to the ear. ReValver also includes a lot of
effects that are specially designed for guitars.
ReValver is a DirectX plugin and can be used in
DirectX-plugin compatible host applications.
ReValver Manual 3
Constructing a program
How Does ReValver work?
ReValver is a DirectX plugin (a DirectShow filter). It can
be used in any DirectX compatible program, such as
many kinds of multi trackers and waveform editors.
A ReValver program is built from the combination of the
ReValver modules. The modules can be configured in
many different combinations and orders1.
The signal in ReValver goes from the top to the bottom.
This means that the top-most module gets the input signal
from the host application, and the bottom-most module
delivers the output signal back to the program.
Constructing a program
To place a module in a chain, click the empty area on the
screen, or click between two modules. The module
chooser will enable you to choose any type of module to
place.
1. Some modules can not be used at certain places in the
chain. The modules must come in some sort of sensible
order. They all have different physical properties, and
must be treated that way.
ReValver Manual 4
Loading & Saving programs
Even though you can choose any module, they may not
be compatible with each other. The modules follow cer-
tain physical laws; for example:
The following simple rules applies to the order of
modules:
Speakers must appear after a power amp.
Studio effects must appear after a room, speakers,
preamp, or at the beginning of the chain.
Rooms (room simulation) must appear after speakers
Preamps must appear after a studio effect or at the
beginning of the chain
Power amps must appear after studio effects or preamps
The following modules do not follow any rules:
Trim pots
Parametric filters
Loading & Saving programs
By clicking ‘Load’ and ‘Store’ preset you can load or
save a configuration. The settings from each module are
saved to disk along with their internal order in the chain.
There is no limit to the number of programs that can be
saved.
ReValver Manual 5
Loading & Saving programs
You can also save the setting of an individual module by
clicking with the mouse and choosing ‘Save settings for
this module’1.
1. When saving or loading settings for the room simulator
module, only the reference to the ‘filename.room’ is
stored, not the room-parameters themselves. This means
that if you wish to store a preset/setting on a different
media, you must also include the *.room file. To design
your own room, you must use software compatible with
the format, for example Pristine Sounds.
ReValver Manual 6
Multi trackers
Using ReValver in host
applications
Some aspects may be of importance when using ReVal-
ver in a 3rd party host application.
Multi trackers
A multi tracker is a host application that can play several
waveforms simultaneously. This implies that you could
have any number of instances of ReValver running at a
time. The settings of ReValver on one track will not
interfere with another track.
Input level: The “volume-knob” in a multi tracker may
determine the input signal to ReValver. This will affect
the distortion, and it is advised you are careful when
feeding ReValver with a signal.
Monoandstereotracks:Whenever ReValver is fed a ste-
reo input it will deliver a stereo output, and likewise,
given a mono input it will deliver a mono output. How-
ever, some sub modules in ReValver are necessarily
mono or stereo in nature. A mono module (such as a
preamp or a poweramp) will merge L+R into a mono
information signal. In such a case you will lose stereo
ReValver Manual 7
Multi trackers
information (such as stereo panning). Further more, using
a stereo module (such as reverb or chorus) on mono audio
will not produce a stereo effect because as described pre-
viously, mono input generates mono output.
Given a mono input, ReValver will generate a mono output.
The output of any stereo module will be merged into
mono by either a mono module or on output.
ReValver Manual 8
Multi trackers
Given a stereo input, ReValver will generate a stereo out-
put. Mono modules will merge stereo streams into mono
automatically.
Examples of mono modules are preamps, poweramps
and speakers without room ambience. Examples of ste-
reo modules are most effects and speakers with room
ambience.
ReValver Manual 9
Handling of a module
Techniques for creating
programs
ReValver was designed to be used in ways similar to real
life hardware. The modules have the same look and feel
as ordinary 19” rack modules. By constructing a chain of
modules a unique sound can created.
Handling of a module
When a module has been placed in the chain there are
several ways of entering parameters into it. Most modules
have a graphics display showing the values of the knobs.1
By clicking on an empty area of a module the main menu
is displayed:
* Move module (change to location in the chain)
* Remove module (removes the module from the chain)
* Replace module (replaces the module with another)
* Bypass module (temporarily turn the module off)
* Load preset (loads a parameters for the module from disk)
* Save preset (saves the modules parameters to disk)
1. By simply clicking on a knob, its content is shown in the
display. It will be lit for a couple of seconds, or until you
click another knob.
ReValver Manual 10
A chain of modules!
By dragging the modules’ edges (left or right) you can
scroll the system up or down. (Sooner or later you will
have more modules than will fit in the window...)
If you feel uncomfortable with turning the round knobs,
you can double click on the knobs and use the slider.
A chain of modules!
It is the combination of modules and their internal order
that makes the unique sound of a system. Most often you
will want to include a preamplifier. The “sound” of a
guitar amplifier is created by the preamp.
To create a good sounding system...
you should start by selecting a preamplifier. This is what
will create the characteristics of the finished amplifier.1
Effect-loops, stomp-boxes and mixer-room effects
When an effect (reverb, chorus etc.) is used after a
preamp, it can be thought of as an effect in an effect
loop. When they are used before a preamp, they can be
1. Note that trim pots and filters can be placed at any point
in the chain. They should be thought of as an internal
components of other modules. With filters you can
enhance the sound of those other modules. You should
not be afraid to use many filters.
This manual suits for next models
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