Doc Q7.0
49
CF TIME, CF RATIO
– These parameters determine the attack time and ratio used for CF (Preamp) Comp.
CF HARDNESS
– The Quantum firmware series improved modeling for tubes driving cathode followers. In
models that use cathode followers, this results in warmer distortion with smoother decay. Set the shape of
cathode follower distortion using this parameter.
OUTPUT COMP THRESH
– Sets the threshold of the Output Compressor (found on the Power Amp
Dynamics page (“PWR DYN”).
OUTPUT COMP CLARITY
– Used in conjunction with the other Output Compressor parameters, this
adjusts the bass response of the compressor and can be used to add clarity to the bass.
PREAMP TUBE TYPE
– This selects a tube type for the virtual preamp from the following options: 12AX7A
JJ, 12AX7A RCA, 12AX7A Syl(vania),12AX7A, 12AX7B, 7025, ECC83, ECC803S, EF86. This parameter is set
automatically to an appropriate type whenever a new amp model is selected.
PREAMP HARDNESS
– Controls the asymmetry of the triode mode to determines how sharply they enter
saturation, simulating “softer” or “harder” tubes. This subtle effect is most apparent at edge of breakup.
Lower values give softer saturation with less even and more odd harmonics. Higher values give a more
aggressive breakup. The default is set when an amp Type is selected but can be changed any time.
PREAMP BIAS
– This is a duplicate of the PREAMP BIAS parameter on the amp’s DYN PRE page.
POWER AMP HARDNESS
– Controls the hardness of the virtual power tube grid clipping. The lower the
value the softer the distortion, but this often is not noticeable because negative feedback around the power
amp makes the distortion harder. Another factor which controls power amp hardness is Transformer Match:
turn it up, and turn down Negative Feedback for softer power amp distortion.
POWER AMP BIAS
– Adjusts the offset voltage of the virtual power amp to vary the symmetry of the
clipping of the virtual power amp. A value of zero produces nearly symmetrical clipping with very little even
harmonics. Higher values are increasingly asymmetrical which increases even harmonics. Small amounts of
even harmonics can make the power amp distortion sound “warmer” and more bell-like while higher amounts
will give a “fuzzier” tone. Most amps have some amount of offset and the amp models will default to a typical
value. Note that this parameter is only applicable for push-pull power amp types. For single-ended power
amps the Power Tube Bias parameter sets the symmetry (as always).
PICK ATTACK
– Controls a sophisticated dynamic range processor that operates on leading edge transients.
Negative values reduce pick attack while positive values enhance it.
AMP Trem/Mix Page
The
Amplifier
block also has a
MIX
page with
LEVEL
,
BALANCE,
and
BYPASS MODE
parameters.
TREM FREQ, TREM DEPTH
– These create true bias tremolo by varying the bias of the virtual power
tubes. Bias Tremolo is very organic and varies based on a multitude of variables including power amp settings,
damping, bias, and more. It is also “self-ducking” and decreases as you play harder. On some amp types,
extreme bias
TREM DEPTH
can result in excessive crossover distortion. On other amps the amount of tremolo
can vary greatly between loud and soft playing. All this, however, is part of the allure of bias tremolo as it
results in a particularly “organic” sound.
