Hey everyone! I’m Jooyoung Kim, an engineer and music producer.
Starting this week, Plugin Boutique is holding a sale on Headrush’s ReValver, an amp and effects simulation plugin that I think is seriously worth checking out. I’ve been impressed enough to write up a little intro for you all!
I got a 3-month demo code for this plugin from Plugin Boutique to try it out. Also, if you buy it through the links in this post, I’ll earn a small commission that really helps me keep doing what I do—so thank you in advance! 😊
Ready to get started? Let’s go!
What Makes ReValver Stand Out?
Headrush’s ReValver is up there with the likes of IK Multimedia’s Amplitube, Native Instruments’ Guitar Rig, and Positive Grid’s Bias FX—all of which I’ve used before. But what grabbed me right away is how intuitive its UI feels.
At the top, you’ve got a clear signal path laid out: Stomp (pedals) → Amp & Cabinet → Effects. Just click on any section, hit the “+” button, and add whatever you want. Super straightforward.
ReValver comes packed with 72 stompbox effects, 49 amps, 47 cabinets, and 20 additional effects. These days, most sims offer a ton of options, so I won’t bore you with a full rundown. Instead, let’s focus on the three big features that set ReValver apart from the crowd:
- Loading External Plugins (VST3, AU)
- ACT (Audio Cloning Technology) – Capturing audio characteristics
- Tweaking Schematic – Circuit-level adjustments
These give ReValver a level of flexibility that’s honestly pretty mind-blowing.
1. Loading External Plugins
This feature is straight-up wild—I mean it! If ReValver doesn’t have the exact amp sound you’re after, you can just pull in something from Amplitube, Guitar Rig, or any other VST3/AU plugin. You can also layer on filters, sound-shaping tools, or whatever crazy effects you’ve got in your arsenal to create totally unique tones.
Don’t like ReValver’s built-in compressor pedal? Swap it out for something like a UADx LA-2A right inside the plugin. The routing freedom here is unreal—you’re basically unlimited in how you can mix and match.
Honestly, this alone makes me want to recommend ReValver to everyone. With a little creativity, the possibilities are endless!
2. ACT (Audio Cloning Technology)
ACT is another killer feature. Short for Audio Cloning Technology, it lets you profile the sound of a real guitar or amp and transform it into a different instrument or tone. It’s like magic for tone chasers.
You can apply ACT in three spots:
- Input Stage: Profile your instrument.
- Amp & Cabinet: Clone amp tones.
- Effects Rack: Shape the final sound.
At the input stage, it offers 43 default tones covering acoustic guitars, basses, and electrics. Play your instrument into the Source Profile to analyze it, then pick a Target Profile for the sound you want to achieve. The same process works for amps and effects racks too.
It’s a game-changer if you want to turn, say, an acoustic guitar into an electric vibe or match your amp to a legendary tone.
3. Tweaking Schematic (Circuit Adjustments)
When I first saw this, my jaw dropped. Right-click an amp and select Tweaking Schematic, and you’re literally tweaking the virtual circuitry—like you’re inside the amp itself. Some models support it fully, others only partially:
- Full Support: Peavey and Budda amps, built in collaboration with ReValver’s developers, let you tweak almost everything thanks to detailed circuit modeling.
- Partial Support: Non-Peavey amps (like Marshall JCM800 or Mesa Dual Rectifier) have limited tweaks—like swapping tubes or adjusting the output section—since only parts of their circuits are mapped.
If you’re a gear nerd who loves digging into schematics, this is your dream come true. It’s not just Impulse Response (IR) snapshots either—these amps are digitally modeled at the circuit level, which makes them feel more alive and tweakable.
Why I Recommend It
After playing around with it, I’m genuinely impressed. You can assign MIDI controls to any parameter, and the built-in stomps, effects, amps, and cabinets are all rock-solid. But the real kicker? That ability to load external plugins—it’s a total game-changer.
Right now, it’s 50% off until March 31st. Whether you buy from Headrush’s site or Plugin Boutique, there’s a 10% tax added. That said, I’d go with Plugin Boutique—you’ll get a free plugin and some bonus points, making it a smarter deal overall.
Wrapping Up
ReValver’s mix of top-notch modeling, cloning tech, and insane flexibility makes it a standout choice. Whether you’re a guitarist, a producer, or just starting out, it’s a tool worth having in your kit.
That’s all for now—catch you in the next post! 😊
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