Specifications

Audio Plug-Ins Guide332
PSA-1 Controls
Use the eight knobs to dial in your desired tone
or effect.
Pre-Amp
Determines the input sensitivity and pre-amp
distortion. Increasing the setting produces an
effect similar to putting a clean booster pedal
ahead of a tube amp, overdriving the first stage.
For cleaner sounds, use settings below the
unity-gain point.
Buzz
Controls low frequency break up and overdrive.
Boost the effect by turning clockwise from the
center point indicated by the arrows. As you in-
crease towards maximum, the sound becomes
(you guessed it) buzzy, with added harmonic
content. For increased clarity and definition
when using distortion, position the knob at its
midpoint or towards minimum.
Punch
Sets midrange break up and overdrive. Decreas-
ing from the center produces a softer, “Fender”-
style break up. Increasing the setting produces a
harder, heavier distortion. At maximum, it pro-
duces a sound similar to a wah pedal at mid-
boost position placed in front of a Marshall amp.
Crunch
Brings out upper harmonic content and, on gui-
tars, pick attack. For cleaner sounds or
smoother high end, decrease as needed.
Drive
Increases the amount of power amp distortion.
Power amp distortion is associated with the
“Vintage Marshall” sound—using SansAmp,
you can produce the effect even at low levels.
Low
Provides a tone control specially tuned for max-
imum musicality when used to EQ low frequen-
cies on instruments. Boost or cut by ±12 dB by
turning from the center point indicated by the
arrows.
High
Boosts or cuts high frequencies ±12 dB.
Level
Boosts or cuts the overall gain to re-establish
unity after adding distortion or equalizing the
signal.
PSA-1 Tips and Tricks
Peace and Unity
A little known fact: The arrows in the SansAmp
controls indicate the unity-gain position.
Louder and Cleaner
For best results, don’t set the Pre-Amp level
lower than unity gain when the Drive knob is at
9 o’clock or higher. However, if you want a crys-
tal-clear sound and the Drive control is already
near minimum, decrease Pre-Amp to further re-
move distortion.
Pre-Amp Versus Drive
To create varying types of overdrive, vary Pre-
Amp in relation to Drive. A high Pre-Amp set-
ting emphasizes pre-amp distortion (see
“Mark 1” preset), while high Drive settings em-
phasize power amp distortion (see “Plexi” pre-
set).