Rocktron Blue Thunder - Manual (Page 20)

The Blue Thunder DISTORTION has been custom voiced for Bass. Typically
when using distortion and bass - a subtle distortion is ideal - just enough to add some
“dirt” to your sound. Adding more gain distortion sounds awesome in a lot of
situations but, usually a slight distortion adds a great “edge” to your sound.
This is where the Blue Thunder’s distortion mixing capabilities comes into
play. The DIRMX is one of the most useful features in the Blue Thunder. This
feature allows you to dial in the precise of amount of desired distortion without
effecting your overall tone and low-end.
To access this function you must first press the “EDIT” button to enter into the “EDIT
MODE” and turn the FUNCTION SELECT control to the right until DISTORTION ap-
pears on the display.
The PARAMETER SELECT control will allow you to access each of the following
Distortion parameters.
The PARAMETER ADJUST control will allow you to make adjustments to be made to
the selected parameter:
DISTORTION
Function
The DISTORT I/O parameter determines whether the distortion circuit is active or bypassed for the
current preset. Select IN if you want activate the distortion. Select OUT if you want to bypass the
distortion.
The DISTORTION GAIN parameter determines the amount of distortion added to your signal
The VARIAC adjusts the level at which the preamp stage in the Blue Thunder begins to distort.
Note: A Variac is a voltage attenuating device that plugs into an AC wall outlet that adjusts the
voltage level to any device that is plugged into it. For years musician’s have plugged their tube
heads into a Variac and reduced the voltage coming into the amplifier from the AC outlet. This
allows the amplifier’s tubes to reach saturation at a lower input level and increases the gain pro-
duced. The Variac parameter operates in a similar manner as a conventional Variac where lowering
the parameter level lowers the level at which saturation will take place.
The DIRMX parameter allows you to “dial in” the precise amount of desired distortion and to mix it
with your direct signal. Thus, if you only want a little bit of distortion mixed in with your direct
signal - choose higher numbers. If you want a lot of distortion - choose lower numbers.
DST< 0 DRY - in this setting there is 100% distortion is sent into the DIRECT MIX buffer
DST<50>DRY - in this setting 50% distortion and 50% direct (Clean) signal is mixed and sent into
the DIRECT MIX buffer
DST 100>DRY - in this setting 100% of the direct (Clean) signal is sent into the DIRECT MIX
buffer.
The EFXX parameter allows you to adjust the amount of effected signal added to the distortion or the
direct signal Thus, if you want more effect on the direct signal and only a little on the distorted
signal - choose higher numbers. If you want a lot of effect on the distorted signal and less on the
direct signal - choose lower numbers.
DST< 0 DRY - in this setting 100% Distortion is sent into the effect processing buffer.
DST<50>DRY - in this setting 50% Distortion and 50% of the direct (Clean) signal is mixed and
sent into the effects processing buffer.
DST 100>DRY - in this setting 100% of the direct (Clean) signal is sent into the effects processing
buffer.
DISTORT I/O
DIST GAIN
VARIAC
DIRMX
EFXX
Functions and Parameter Descriptions
17