Strymon Deco

130 Guitarist January 2015
QUICK TEST
MISCELLANEOUS
Peavey’s ReValver 4 is a major
update to its standalone and
plug-in amp modelling
software, that allows you to
tweak the amps at component
level. The company says that it
is a complete redesign from the
ground up, so that all aspects of
the program are new, from the
engine of the program to its
graphical user interface.
Also new is the pricing
structure, which sees a basic
version of the program
downloadable for free, with
additional modules (amps,
stompboxes, etc) available for
purchase online from $1.99 to
$7.99. If you don’t fancy doing it
that way, there’s a ReValver 4
Producer Pack ($99.99) that
comes loaded with all the
equivalent amp/stomp/effects/
RIR cab modules from version
III.V, plus some new stuff.
Owners of III.V can upgrade to
the Producer Pack for half
that amount.
In Use
ReValver 4’s GUI is more user-
friendly than the previous
version. Now, rather than one
single scrolling rack view, you
can call up separate views for
the input and output sections,
the amps and cabs and the post-
effects rack, plus you get a nice
virtual pedalboard to drag
stompboxes onto. ReValver 4
offers a dual signal chain, so you
can run two rigs together with
various output options and,
with plenty of Peavey amps,
plus the popular choices from
other manufacturers, there are
a lot of great-sounding tonal
options available even before
you start tweaking. ReValver’s
unique feature right from the
start has been the fact that you
can look at schematics and mess
around with any amp’s
components – change valves,
swap transformers, et cetera –
and now Peavey has refined that
with new technology, opening
the route to custom designing
your own amps. The speaker
side of things has also improved
with the RIR 2 Speaker
Simulation module, which
offers convolution-based
cabinet modelling with
adjustable mic placement and
attention to details such as
adjustment of the interraction
between guitar and cab.
Two entirely new features
are worthy additions to the
program. The first is yet another
sound-tweaking option in the
form of ACT (Audio Cloning
Technology). This module
offers shaping of the guitar
sound at the input to make your
guitar sound like a different
guitar/pickup combination
chosen from a set of profiles –
Les Paul, Strat, for example. You
can also use ACT after
modelling for some final tone
shaping. The second new
feature is a GIG mode, whereby
you can load eight presets into
the memory for instant access.
You can switch between these
using your mouse, but they can
also respond to MIDI control,
so you could use a MIDI
switcher, making live use
a more practical proposition.
Verdict
ReValver’s sounds are very
responsive to picking dynamics
and guitar volume control,
making for a satisfying playing
experience. With a pair of amps,
some cabinets, overdrive,
tremolo and reverb, the free
version has plenty to get you
started and let you know
whether ReValver is for you. If it
is, we reckon that the Producer
Pack is a real bargain.
[TC]
GUITARIST RATING
Guitarist says: This massive
reworking of the software offers
improved usability, adjustability
and sonic authenticity
Peavey’s ultra-tweakable amp sim gets a major update
CONTACT: Peavey PHONE: [phone] WEB: www.peavey.com
Peavey ReValver 4 £Free
GIT389.rev_quick.indd 130 26/11/2014 17:23