Waves Berzerk User Manual

Berzerk

User Guide

Creative Distortion Plugin

2

Introduction

Waves Berzerk is a flexible tool for anyone who wants to use distortion for more than just enhancing an instrument.

It’s a powerful plugin that provides detailed control of all aspects of a distortion effect. It combines distortion,

feedback, dynamics, EQ, and a certain amount of craziness, to help you give a track a whole new personality.

Components .......................................................................................................................... 3

Getting Started ...................................................................................................................... 4

Berzerk Presets ..................................................................................................................................... 4

Getting Started from Scratch ............................................................................................................... 6

Interface and Controls ........................................................................................................... 8

Interface Sections ................................................................................................................................. 8

Controls ................................................................................................................................................ 9

Input Section ............................................................................................................................................................ 9

Drive Section ........................................................................................................................................................... 10

Central Processing Section ..................................................................................................................................... 11

Feedback ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 11

Dynamics ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

EQ ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14

Output Section ....................................................................................................................................................... 15

Berzerk / User Guide

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Mono Component

Stereo Component

Components

There are two Berzerk Distortion components: mono and stereo.

The components are identical except for the

number of channels. Note that the mono

component does not have a Stereo Mode

selector in the Input section or a Channel

selector in the Feedback section.

Both components use very little CPU, even

when up-sampling.

Berzerk / User Guide

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Getting Started

Berzerk Presets

To make getting started fast and easy, we’ve provided several presets that help you round out, edge up, fit, distort,

and otherwise mold your sound. In many cases, you’ll find just the right effect by loading a preset whose name

sounds like (or “feels” like) what you’re looking for. Starting with a preset has two advantages:

• It’s fast. Begin with a preset whose name makes sense for what you want to do. This might be all you need.

• It’s a good way to learn. Load a preset and see how the controls are set. Listen, change some settings, and

notice how it affects the sound. Load another preset, note the settings, make some changes, and listen. Do
this a few times and you’ll understand what the controls do and how the sections work together.

Here are a few examples of how Berzerk presets can help you solve a problem or create a new sound. All of these

presets use the “Crushed” character setting, so that they are easier to compare. Change the character and you’ll

understand the importance of this basic setting.

Presets are loaded from the WaveSystem Toolbar, just above the plugin.

PRESET: M/S PROCESSING

Issue: I want to distort the kick and snare but keep the loop cymbals clean.

Stereo Input Mode: Mid; moderate input level
Drive: Full, Density: Order
FDBK: Blend off, effectively bypassing the section
DYN: Bypassed
Mix: 100%

The interesting part of this plugin is the Input section. Switch between St, M, and S, and listen to how different parts

of the sound are emphasized. Setting the Input mode to M limits distortion processing to the middle, where logically

you’ll find the kick and snare. If the cymbals are on the sides of the stereo image, then they will largely go

unprocessed. Try changing the overall input level, as well as the M level.

Berzerk / User Guide

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PRESET: RIDER

Issue: There’s too much of a brick wall feeling. Can it be more dynamic? Do I need to automate the output to

achieve this?

Stereo Input Mode: ST; moderate input level
Drive: full, Density: Order
FDBK: Blend off, effectively bypassing the section
DYN: Blend full; Down/Rider
Mix: 100%

The Down/Rider combination compresses only the sounds above the threshold, leaving the quieter sounds

unchanged. Use the Threshold and Blend controls to contour the sound that is feeding the Drive section (not the

output). Since the Rider tracks the signal amplitude, you do not need to automate the output level.

PRESET: EXPLODE

Issue: The effect is too gentle.

Stereo Input Mode: ST; moderate input level
Drive: full, Density: Order
FDBK: Blend off, effectively bypassing the section
DYN: Blend full; Up/Dyn
Mix: 100%

The Up/Dyn can produce a pumping sound, raising the floor between notes. Like the Rider preset, this preset

distorts mostly the sounds above the threshold.

P

RESET: IMPLODE

Issue: It’s not crazy enough!

Stereo Input Mode: Stereo; moderate input level
Drive: full, Density: Order
FDBK: Blend and Level set relatively high; Low D (octave 1), High E (octave 5), moderate speed; track sine.
Dynamic; Down/Down
Mix: 100%

Berzerk / User Guide