Waves Audio PRS SuperModels User Guide

PRS SuperModels

User Guide

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PRS SuperModels

Precision Guitar Amps

Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 3

Proper Input Signal ..................................................................................................................................... 3

Product Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 3

Signal Flow....................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Interface ........................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Components ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Quick Start .................................................................................................................................................. 6

Modules ....................................................................................................................................................... 7

Amps ................................................................................................................................................................................ 7

PRS Archon 50 ............................................................................................................................................................................ 8

PRS Dallas ................................................................................................................................................................................ 12

PRS Blue Sierra V9 ................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Input and Output Module ................................................................................................................................................ 18

Input Section .............................................................................................................................................................................. 19

Cabinet Loader .......................................................................................................................................................................... 20

Additional cabinet control ........................................................................................................................................................... 22

Cabinets Module ............................................................................................................................................................ 23

Loading the Cabinet IRs ............................................................................................................................................................ 24

Process Panel............................................................................................................................................................................ 26

Other cabinet controls ................................................................................................................................................................ 27

Using a Third-Party Amp ................................................................................................................................................ 27

Standalone Application ............................................................................................................................. 28

PRS SuperModels / User Guide

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Introduction

Thanks for choosing Waves! In order to get the most out of your PRS SuperModels amplifier plugin, please take a few
minutes to read this user guide. We suggest
system and host requirements, troubleshooting guides, and much more.

To register and activate your new products, check for upgrades, and manage your account, log into your Waves

account and click My Account. If you don’t have a Waves account, click Create Account.

We hope that PRS SuperModels brings you just the guitar sound and feel you’ve been waiting for.

that you visit Waves Support, where you’ll find an extensive answer base,

Proper Input Signal

The performance of a guitar amp is affected by the impedance of its input signal. Waves SuperModels is no
different. If the impedance is not correct, you may not experience the true sound of the original PRS amps. We
recommend that you play through a high-z instrument input (1M ohm or higher) and a buffered output (10k ohm)—
any ordinary tuner pedal, for example—between the guitar and your audio interface input.

The first time you instantiate PRS SuperModels, you’ll see a window that tells you how to properly set up your amp
input. This window will appear only once.

Product Overview

Waves PRS SuperModels is a highly flexible guitar amplifier plugin. It was methodically modeled after three
amplifiers made by distinguished guitar and amp maker Paul Reed Smith. Each amp captures the sound and attitude
of the hardware original. Controls are the same as on the originals; on some amps we added a knob or switch for
greater flexibility.

You can choose the speaker cabinets in which the amplifier output sound is created: Swapping the cabinet can
greatly alter the overall sound. The shape, size, and reflections inside the cabinet are captured using impulse
responses (IRs), which are very detailed descriptions of a space. Load one cabinet to accurately place the amp into
a specific cabinet—or combine cabinets to create a new cabinet sound.

You also have control of tube and power amp transformer behavior. This influences the amp’s harmonics and
dynamics.

PRS SuperModels / User Guide

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Signal Flow

Archon Signal Flow

V9 Signal Flow

Dallas Signal Flow

PRS SuperModels / User Guide

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Amplifier module

Modeled after the three original
PRS tube amplifiers.

Interface

Input and Output module

Used primarily to select cabinet IRs.
It also manages input and output
levels and the “air” (space) within
the cabinet.

Cabinets module

Use this module to preview, select,
and control cabinet IRs. Cabinets
can be mixed together and exported.

The interface is divided into three modules: Input/Output, Cabinets, and Amplifier. The Input/Output and Amplifier

modules vary slightly, depending on the selected amp. The Cabinets module is the same for all amps.

Components

There are six PRS SuperModels components: two for each amp.

mono-to-mono mono input/mono output
mono-to-stereo mono input with a stereo output

PRS SuperModels / User Guide

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Quick Start

Start by inserting PRS amplifier on a mono track. Choose a mono or mono-to-stereo component. Each amplifier
loads with its own default preset: a suggestion from Paul Reed Smith about how to get his sound from that amp. You
can use the default preset as is, or as a starting point for building your own sound. You can also choose from the
many presets in the Load menu, which affect all plugin parameters.

If you want to set up your amp from scratch, follow these steps.

WaveSystem Toolbar (top of plugin)

To completely reset the plugin to its default settings, click on the Load button on the Toolbar. Select “Full Reset.”

Input/Output module (bottom panel)

1. Use the Auto Input function to set gain to a level that best suits the amp and the gate. Choose an interval for
automatically setting the input level: 2.5, 5, or 10 seconds. Click the On button and then play your guitar as
you normally do. Auto Input switches off at the end of the interval. Input level is now set appropriately. If you
load a different amplifier, you should recalibrate the input level.

2. Use the Cabinet Loader knobs to select a factory IR for each cabinet. These factory IRs are sorted by cabinet
power, from the most aggressive to the least. Each cabinet can be bypassed independently.

3. Adjust the noise gate to reduce noise from pickups, amp gain, and digital processing, as well as noises that
result from playing, such as ringing strings.

4. Use the Air control to add “space” within the cabinets. Lower settings yield a tighter cabinet sound, while
higher settings create a bigger sense of air and space.

Amplifier module (top panel)
The Amplifier modules are just that: amplifiers. If you’re comfortable making an amp do what you want, this will be
easy.

5. Adjust Amp Gain and EQ to taste. Boost adds gain to the input of the amplifier. It typically increases midrange
and reduces lows, so you can use it to pull a guitar to the front.

6. The Archon amp lets you select between the Lead and Clean channels. These are markedly different sounds.

PRS SuperModels / User Guide

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Go back to the Input/Output module

PRS Archon

A very aggressive sounding amp that’s designed for heavier music, yet with surprisingly

pristine, clean sound. It can also deliver a warmer, quieter sound. Two-channel design:

Lead and Clean.

PRS Dallas

An amp whose sound ranges from very clean to a mild overdrive, with a classic sound
that's very spacious. Excellent at producing sparkling, clean tones, but you can push it into
a classic overdrive. This is a single-channel design.

PRS Blue Sierra V9

This overdrive amp is warm, fat, and raw, with a sweet-sounding distortion. It has a huge

bottom end, and it’s focused and controllable. The V9 amp was never released, so you get

to play on a PRS prototype.

7. Adjust the Output level. This sets the output of the plugin itself.

You can use the Cabinets module (middle panel) to fine-tune cabinets and mix them to create new IRs. This panel
lets you audition all of your cabinets automatically, whether factory IRs or others. Click the Gear button on the
Cabinet Loader to access the Cabinets module.

Play and enjoy! Each amp has its own look and a few different controls, but once you’ve played through one of them,
you’ll have no trouble using the others. Modules, controls, and workflows are described throughout this user guide.
Use it as a refence as you get to know the plugin.

Modules

Amps

PRS SuperModels gives you a choice between three Paul Reed Smith amplifiers:

PRS SuperModels / User Guide

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PRS Archon 50

Amp bypass

Boost on/off and
Lead/Clean

Access Power controls

Bright on/off

Power Amp section

Preamp section

Clean channel

Lead channel

Boost controls

Power amp setup

The Archon 50 is very aggressive. It has a huge low end, yet it’s focused and controllable. Separate clean and lead

channels deliver two very different amp sounds.

controls access

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On/Off

Bypasses the amp. When switched off, only the Input/Output and Cabinet modules are heard. A green
lamp indicates that the unit is on. Bypass the Amp module when you use a third-party amp.

Boost

Increases gain in the input of the amp. It typically increases midrange frequencies and reduces lows, so
it can be used to focus a guitar.

Click the pedal icon to access button to access the Boost control panel.

Gain

The amount of overdrive added to the sound

Level

The output level of the boost module that’s pushing the front end of the amp

Shape

A six-way rotary switch for tone shaping. Settings range from boosting low frequencies and
reducing highs (full counterclockwise) to boosting the high frequencies and attenuating the lows
(full clockwise).

Clean

Provides a clear sound without a lot of drive.

Lead

Provides a heavy music sound with modern high-gain distortion.

Bright

Bass

Middle

Treble

Volume

Choose between two separate Amp Channels.

The EQ (Preamp) section is immediately before the amp in the signal flow.

This high shelf sits at the beginning of the EQ section.

Clean/Lead channels low frequency control

Clean/Lead channels mid frequency control

Clean/Lead channels high frequency control

Preamp gain

PRS SuperModels / User Guide