klevgrand STARK User Manual
Welcome!
This is the user manual for STARK, an amp simulator plug-in effect available for iPad (AUv3) and
Mac & Windows (AU/VST/AAX). It has been designed and developed by Klevgrand, a small studio
in Stockholm, Sweden. STARK is a fully fledged amplifier simulator consisting of four modules:
Amplifier, Cabinet, Room and effects slots. These modules are processing audio separately, which
makes it possible to combine different amplifiers with different cabinets and rooms.
What separates STARK from other amp simulators is that the cab, amp and ambience modules are
built on our very own algorithms that doesn’t involve any convolution or FFT analysis. We believe
our approach renders a more natural response to dynamics over the whole frequency spectrum. It
also gives us the ability to fine-tune each profile in ways that just isn’t possible when using
convolving methods.
Get the iOS version at the App Store
Get the AU / VST / AAX version at klevgrand.se
LICENSING (DESKTOP ONLY)
Until unlocked, the plug-in will output 1 second of silence now and then. To unlock the full version,
click the Authorize label (bottom right corner) and type/paste your license key.
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STARK
Amp Simulator
General concepts
The Amp module offers 12 different amplifier profiles. It has both a clean mode and a overdrive
mode, an equalizer functionality (including presence), and a booster controlling the end stage
amplification saturation.
Cabinet simulation consists of 10 different cabinets of various sizes and sound. This module also
offers a stereo width knob that simulates the distance between two microphones put in front of the
cone.
Room simulation offers 6 different kinds of rooms, where each room size can be changed between
Small, Medium and Large. There’s also a decay parameter controlling reflectiviness of the walls
and a dry/wet mix.
The FX section (pedal board) contains 4 slots where any of the 14 effects can be inserted. The
order of the pedals can easily be changed using drag and drop.
There are also about 100 predefined factory presets covering most genres, instruments and needs.
STARK SIGNAL FLOW
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FX
AMP
CAB
ROOM
AMP
The amplifier consists of 12 different profiles, where each profile has two states: CLEAN and
DRIVE. This module controls input gain level, output gain level, and spectral amplification (a threeband EQ and a presence knob). There’s also a “boost” functionality that simulates the end stage
saturation.
AMP SIGNAL FLOW
1. GAIN
Controls the input gain. Use to control amount of
saturation. The meter to the left indicated input
signal, and it’s not recommended to make it peak (red
leds).
2. OUTPUT
Sets the output volume. The meter to the right
indicated output level.
3. BASS / MID / TREBLE / PRESENCE
These parameters simulates a bass/guitar amp equalizer. Bass, Mid and Treble are processed pre
amplification and presence post.
4. BOOST
Controls saturation of the end stage amp. A high value renders an output signal with more energy.
5. CLEAN / DRIVE SWITCH
Swaps between a clean profile of the amp and a overdriven profile. Note that switching between
CLEAN and DRIVE is not the same as changing the input gain, different algorithms are used based
on the state of this switch.
6. AMP PROFILE SELECTOR
Click to reveal a list of all available amp profiles, or use the arrows to step through the amps.
Available amp models:
American Guitar 1
An edgy amp that rounds off nicely at the top.
American Guitar 2
Similar to American Guitar 1, but with some more presence.
British Guitar A1
Gives a full sound with crisp.
British Guitar A2
Similar to British Guitar A1, but with more body.
British Guitar B 1
A slightly saturated amp with nice character in the high mids.
British Guitar B 2
Similar to British Guitar B 1, but with a more linear frequency response.
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Input
EQ
AMP
Presence
Boost
41236
5
CAB
There are 10 different cabinets available, where one of them is artificial and
simulates a “perfect” cabinet with as small resonances as possible. This
module also controls the plugin’s stereo width.
1. STEREO
Controls the stereo width of the output signal.
2. CABINET MODEL SELECTOR
Click to reveal a list of all available cabinet models, or use the arrows to step through the models.
Available cab models:
Vintage Guitar
Old high quality Tube Amp. Perfect thickness for playing jazz and soul.
General Tube Amp
Low saturation, quite linear response. Great on elec. pianos / pedal steel.
Garage Sale Amp
Limited frequency response and saturates. The obvious LoFi choice.
American Bass
A versatile pro bass amp.
British Bass
Works fine more edgy bass playing.
Vintage Bass
Slightly attenuated highs. Perfect for soul/jazz/RnB
Wide Small
Small speakers, lots of resonances
Tight Small
Small single speakers, few resonances
Wide Combo
Medium speakers, lots of resonances
Tight Combo
Medium speakers, few resonances
Wide Normal
Medium speakers, moderate resonances
Tight Large
Full range speakers, few resonances
Wide Large
Full range speakers, lots of resonances
Radiola
Small (broken) speakers, moderate resonances
Bass
Low end speaker/Medium speakers, few resonances
Passthrough
Full range speakers, (almost) no resonances
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