Mixing guide / Character / Valve Screamer
Likely freeKnob names: typical (like the guitar pedal it's modeled on)

Valve Screamer

Pushing a speaker until it gets warm, then gritty.

Overdrive: pushes the sound until it gets warm, then gritty, then distorted. Mostly meant for guitars.

Use it when you want a tiny bit of warmth or rock attitude.

Every knob, in plain words

Drive

How hard it's pushed.

Turn it upGritty, distorted, aggressive.
Turn it downClean or just warm.

Tone

Brightness of the drive.

Turn it upBrighter, more biting.
Turn it downDarker, smoother.

Level

Final volume.

Turn it upLouder.
Turn it downQuieter.

Start here for vocals

  1. Only a tiny amount on vocals: low Drive.

Too much? Listen for…

  • The voice sounds fuzzy or broken.

Try it in 2 minutes

  1. Loop one line of your mains.
  2. Turn one knob all the way, then back. Hear what changed.
  3. Settle somewhere gentle.
  4. Click the power button to compare before and after, at the same volume.

See the recipes table for per-layer settings.