Ampeg SVTVR Manual

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PLUGIN MANUAL | Ampeg SVT-VR

Ampeg SVT-VR Physically Modeled Bass Amp, Speaker Simulation and FX Rack

Contents
Introduction  3 FX RACK Input
INPUT GAIN
 7
7

The Basics 
INTERNAL POWER SOAK 7
4
THE BASICS 4
FX RACK Rec Chain  8
The Amp Section  5
REC CHAINS
REC CHAINS (cont.)
8
9


AMPLIFIER SECTION 5

FX RACK Dynamics
NOISE GATE
 6
6
The Toolbars
PLUGIN SETTINGS TOOLBAR
FACTORY PRESETS
10
10
10
AMP FILTERS (switchable pre/post) 6

Developed under license by Brainworx GmbH Germany for Plugin Alliance LLC USA.
Introduction | Ampeg SVT-VR

INTRODUCTION:
The Main Applications for this Plug-in Are:
The Ampeg SVT has been pounding bass player’s chests and audience’s booties for
four decades. The classic tone of the SVT has made it the standard by which all bass
1. Recording DI bass into the SVT-VR using Apollo’s Hi-Z input with Unison technology,
amps are judged.
then editing and processing them in the DAW completely.
The Ampeg SVT-VR plug-in is simplicity itself. With just a handful of easily identifiable
2. Recording hardware preamps through the power amp simulation and Recording
gain and tone controls, it’s easy to get a great tone ranging from super clean, to
Chains.
blooming to full on crunchy.

3. Practicing at home with minimal latency (in Apollo’s Console, for example), via your
By working directly with Ampeg, Brainworx has produced an exacting plug-in emulation
studio speakers, a home stereo system, headphones or a real bass guitar amp and
of this amazing amp, adding to their growing collection of classic bass amps for
cabinet.
Universal Audio’s UAD platform. The SVT-VR plug-in with Unison preamp technology
faithfully provides the legendary fat, smooth and hearty sound that bassists and re-
4. Playing live via a real power amp and speaker setup.
cording professionals have grown to depend on.

5. Playing LIVE, plugged straight into a live console and / or an in-ear system.
In the FX Rack view you can access a noise gate, 23 world-class Recording Chains and
a power amp simulation including an onboard power soak.
6. Re-Amp less than perfect DI bass guitar tracks, previously recorded with other bass
amp simulations.
Played through a real bass cabinet (via a standard studio power amp) this plug-in rocks
like the real thing. This is certainly not your average amp sim.

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The Basics | Ampeg SVT-VR

THE BASICS:
You can use the amp section of this plug-in exactly like you would operate the real To play and record dry DI bass tracks with the lowest latency and the highest quality
Ampeg SVT-VR tube amplifier. possible, connect your bass to the Hi-Z Input of the Apollo interface or connect a
quality DI Box and Mic Preamp to a line input of your Apollo Series interface.
Plug in your bass guitar (via your computer audio interface in this case), adjust Gain,
Tone and Volume... and Rock’n’Roll! If you insert the SVT-VR plug-in in the Console software mixer (to use the plug-in with
the lowest possible latency) you have to decide whether you want to record processed
Unison Technology bass guitar amp sounds (click the INSERT EFFECTS switch to REC in the Apollo
The Ampeg plug-in was developed with the Apollo series interfaces in mind and made console) or whether you only want to record the dry DI bass signal, while monitoring
com- patible with Unison preamp technology. Of course the SVT-VR will work with any the processed amp sound during tracking, of course (click the INSERT EFFECTS switch
UAD-2 device, but to experience ultra-low latency along with important impedance, to MON in the Apollo console).
gain ‘sweet spots’, and circuit behaviors of the real amp, you need an Apollo interface.
In order to do this, you should insert the SVT-VR in the preamp insert position of The advantage of only monitoring the processed sound is that you can alter the settings
Apollo’s Console application. This will greatly enhance your experience, making the of your amp and FX completely during mixdown. If you find out later that less or more
tone and behavior of your sound an exacting replication of a physical bass amp. Gain would sound better for your song you can still make that happen.

The Ampeg plug-in was developed with the Apollo series interfaces in mind. Of course The advantage of recording pre-processed bass tracks might be that you will need
the SVT-VR will work with any UAD-2 device, but to experience the ultra-low latency fewer plug-ins during mixdown, as your bass tracks will be ready to be mixed. All you
(desirable for playing in real-time) you need an Apollo interface. can do then is EQ and compress the recorded bass tracks, or add effects, just like you
would with traditional bass guitar amp recordings. Once you know ‘your sound’ you
A good producer’s trick is to use a real bass amp (a small combo, for example) for may even save some time by recording processed bass tracks and using them without
real-time monitoring in the control room during tracking while recording only the DI further tweaking or fiddling around... your band mates
bass signal. Then use the Ampeg plug-in when you play back the recorded tracks or your producer may even appreciate this. ;-)
together with the rest of your music. You will need to split the dry bass signal so it
can be recorded in the computer and routed to the real bass guitar amplifier input at
the same time.

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The Amp Section | Ampeg SVT-VR

AMPLIFIER SECTION: 1-2-3 (CHANNEL ONE): This switch selects the frequency that will be affected by the
midrange control. The available frequencies are 220 Hz (left side of the switch engaged),
CHANNEL & NORMAL/BRIGHT SELECTION: To select the SVT-VR channel you would like to 800 Hz (switch in the center position), or 3 kHz (right side of the switch engaged).
use, in either bright or normal mode, click on one of the four jacks. Use the two jacks
in the lower row to select either channel one or two in Normal mode and use the two BASS-CUT/OFF/ULTRA-LO (CHANNEL ONE): Engaging the left side of this switch decreases
jacks in the upper row to select either channel one or two in Bright mode. the low frequency output of channel one. Engaging the right side of this switch enhances
the low frequency output of channel one. The switch is inactive in the center position.
VOLUME (CHANNEL ONE): Use this control to adjust the output level of channel one.
VOLUME (CHANNEL TWO): Use this control to adjust the output level of channel two.
TREBLE (CHANNEL ONE): Use this to adjust the high frequency level of channel one. This
provides up to 12 dB of boost, or 12 dB of cut at 4 kHz. The high frequency output is TREBLE (CHANNEL TWO): Use this to adjust the high frequency level of channel two. This
provides up to 12 dB of boost, or 12 dB of cut at 4 kHz. The high frequency output is flat
flat at the center position.
at the center position.

MIDRANGE (CHANNEL ONE): Use this to adjust the midrange frequency level of channel BASS (CHANNEL TWO): Use this to adjust the low frequency level of channel two. This
one. This provides up to 20 dB of boost, or 20 dB of cut at the selected frequency.
provides up to 12 dB of boost, or 12 dB of cut at 40 Hz. The low frequency output is
flat at the center position.
BASS (CHANNEL ONE): Use this to adjust the low frequency level of channel one. This
provides up to 12 dB of boost, or 12 dB of cut at 40 Hz. The low frequency output is ULTRA-HI (CHANNEL TWO): This switch, when engaged [right side down], enhances the
flat at the center position. amount of high frequency output of channel two. The amount of boost is dependent
on the setting of the volume control.
ULTRA-HI (CHANNEL ONE): This switch, when engaged [right side down], enhances the
amount of high frequency output of channel one. The amount of boost is dependent ULTRA-LO (CHANNEL TWO): This switch, when engaged [right side down], enhances the
on the setting of the volume control. low frequency output of channel two.

POWER SWITCH: Use this switch to engage or bypass the plug-in. 5


FX RACK Dynamics | Ampeg SVT-VR

(1) NOISE GATE: (2) AMP FILTERS (switchable pre/post)


TIGHT FILTER: With the TIGHT filter you can cut LOW frequencies of either the DI bass
‘CLOSED’ LED: signal (PRE) or the processed amp output (POST).
When lit this LED indicates that the Noise Gate is CLOSED. This means the THRESHOLD
setting is higher than the incoming bass signal and the noise gate dims the output PRE: If your pickups produce an unintentional rumbling bass sound you can filter the low
end before the DI sound even hits the amplifier.
signal of the amplifier by the amount adjusted with the RANGE control (e.g. 15dB in
the picture above). POST: If you want to cut some of the low end of your amplifier setting (maybe even only
temporary) you can use this studio quality high pass filter to reduce the bass.
NOISE GATE ON/OFF: Enable or disable the Noise Gate completely. Switch up (‘on’) means
the Noise Gate is activated.
OFF: When set to OFF the TIGHT filter is in bypass mode.
THRESHOLD: The Noise Gate will dim the output signal of the amplifier as soon as the
input signal (your bass signal) falls below a certain level. This level is called Threshold. SMOOTH FILTER: With the SMOOTH filter you can cut HIGH frequencies of either the DI
Adjust the Threshold so the noise of the overdriven amp will be reduced, but make bass signal (PRE) or the processed amp output (POST).
sure you don´t cut fading notes or chords.
PRE: If your pickups catch a lot of hiss or noise you can filter the high end before the DI
RANGE: The output level of your amplifier will be reduced or muted when the input sound even hits the amplifier.
signal is lower than the Threshold setting. You may dim the output level only by a few
decibels (dB), or completely mute the output in pauses by setting the RANGE to its POST: If you want to cut some of the high end of your amplifier setting (maybe even
maximum. only temporary) you can use this studio quality low pass filter to reduce treble.

OFF: When set to OFF the SMOOTH filter is in bypass mode.

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FX RACK Input | Ampeg SVT-VR

(3) INPUT GAIN: INTERNAL POWER SOAK:

If you want to drive the input of the Ampeg preamp harder or softer you may adjust In the real world, power soaks are being used to reduce the volume of a bass power
the input gain to your liking. Some single coil pickups from older or vintage basses may amp. This way you can crank up a (tube) power amp to drive it until it starts clipping,
deliver low level output that can be compensated with the INPUT GAIN. and still record at a volume which will protect your hearing and keep the neighbors
friendly.
The opposite goes for a lot of heavy metal style humbuckers. If you have recorded the
DI signal too hot or if you are using other plug-ins before entering the Ampeg amp A clipping tube power amp adds distortion and harmonics to the bass amp signal. A
plug-in you may want to dim the input signal. fully cranked up tube amp tamed in volume with a power soak will sound different than
the same amp with the master volume turned down.
With most standard bass guitars you can and should leave the INPUT GAIN at 0 (zero)
though. We have modeled the behavior of the Ampeg power amp, so you may experiment with
different settings of the Master Volume of the amp and the internal POWER SOAK.
We recommend a setting of roughly -10dB for most scenarios.

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FX RACK Rec Chain | Ampeg SVT-VR

(4)REC CHAINS: Many bass guitar amp simulations give you some captured impulses of a selection of
Simply select a speaker and a complete studio setup by browsing through the REC
cabinets and microphones, then they leave it up to you to EQ and further process these
CHAINS pull-down menu!
incomplete setups by mixing different microphone setups, adjusting phase and EQ,
and so on. But this really is not an easy job; it takes years of experience to get it right.
In the past two decades Brainworx owner Dirk Ulrich has produced and recorded with
members of DREAM THEATER, TOTO, MICHAEL JACKSON, and with many more
Now all you have to do is select the Recording Chain that sounds best for your amp
famous and infamous acts. The Brainworx Studio in Germany (www.brainworx- studio.
channel and setting, adjust the Tone Stack and Gain and you´re good to go! Recallable,
de) is equipped with one of only nine NEVE VXS 72 consoles ever made, and it also
reliable, flexible and fast.
hosts some of the finest outboard EQs and mic pre-amps available.

And if for any reason you should not like any of the Recording Chains the plug-in
Using this impressive setup Dirk has produced a huge variety of customized ‘Recording
offers, you may use the very last setting (labeled CABINET BYPASS) and use your own
Chains’ for the Ampegs amplifiers, which you can apply to your plug-in amp settings.
mic’d cabinet. This setting will give you the sound of a tube amp wired straight into a
Imagine a selection of 26 perfectly mic’d and EQ-ed cabinets that you can select and
console, which also may be a nice effects sound.
use instantly with a single mouse click!

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FX RACK Rec Chain | Ampeg SVT-VR

(4)REC CHAINS (cont.):


+/- SWITCHES (PLUS / MINUS)
Browse through the REC CHAINS by either using the pull-down menu of the REC As soon as you hear the speaker setup you like best just stop AUTO mode by clicking
CHAIN text box (see above) or just click through the settings using the + and - symbols. the AUTO button again and manually select the desired REC CHAIN. Afterwards, just
fine-tweak the TONE STACK and GAIN and there you are.

AUTO & BAR selection:


If you are trying to find the best sounding REC CHAIN for your actual song it can be HORN on/off:
tiring having to play a few chords, then grabbing the mouse to select the next REC The Ampeg SVT-3PRO’s matching 8x10 speaker cabinet included a piezo horn which
CHAIN, playing a few notes again, grabbing the mouse again, etc. contributed that classic attack tone. We’ve created a separate impulse response for
the horn and added this on/off switch so the sound of the horn can not only be added
to the impulse responses of the 8x10 cabinet, but any of the provided cabinets
For this reason the Ampeg amp plugin offers you the AUTO mode: whether the original had the horn or not.
Just select a pattern (1 Bar, 2 Bars or 4 Bars) and the plug-in will activate the available
REC CHAINS automation, following the actual tempo setting of your DAW. You can
now play uninterrupted and simply listen to the sound of the various REC CHAINS as
the plug-in switches through all of them every single bar, every two bars or every four
bars, depending on your setting.

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THE TOOLBARS| Ampeg SVT-VR

PLUGIN SETTINGS TOOLBAR: FACTORY PRESETS:


BYPASS: Bypasses processing done by the Ampeg SVT-VR These presets are only intended to give you an easy start and to demo some of the
tones you can get out of the Ampeg amp plug-in.
UNDO/REDO (arrows): You can undo and redo changes you made to the controls of the
Ampeg plug-in at any time. The undo / redo will work for as many as 32 steps. This makes
experimenting and tweaking knobs easy. If you don´t like what you did... just undo it.
CREATING YOUR OWN SOUNDS & PRESETS: When you start to create your own sounds the
SETTINGS A / B / C / D: The Ampeg amp plug-in offers four internal settings (A/B/C/D) most important elements to adjust are the DRIVE, TONE SECTION and the REC CHAINS.
that will be stored with every preset. So, one preset can contain up to 4 amp and effects
settings. The settings can be automated (!) in most DAW hosts. This way it´s possible to Dial in as much GAIN or Distortion as you like.
switch from a clean picked sound to a grungy slapped sound, for example. Play through as many REC CHAINS as you like and pick the one that sounds closest to what
you are looking for without altering the TONE SECTION.
COPY/ PASTE / RESET A : To set up variations of similar sounds you don´t have to dial in all the NOW start tweaking the TONE SECTION to fine-tune your amp settings.
parameters several times. Let´s say you like your setting A and want to use the same sound, just
with less Tube Gain, as SETTING B: Experiment, be creative. We are confident that the numerous presets and huge selection
of REC CHAINS will offer you many possible combinations that will sound great on a big
Simply press COPY while you are in SETTING A. variety of musical styles and genres.
Switch to SETTING B by pressing ‘B’ in the SETTINGS section.
Press PASTE, now SETTING B is identical to SETTING A. Combine the Ampeg amp with other plug-ins (dynamics, effects, room simulation), and
Reduce the Tube Gain. Done. you will be able to create countless world-class production-ready bass sounds in the box.
Enjoy.
Now you can switch between A & B to hear the different flavors of tone you have created.

FX RACK: Toggle between FX Rack and Standard view.


ABOUT: Information about the development of the plugin.
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