The mic models really impact the sound, as does the mic placement, for which you have 12 different preset options. Based on the model numbers (no brand names are given), it’s obvious that the modeled mics include the Audio-Technica AT40, the AKG C414, Sennheiser MD421, Shure SM7, SM58, SM57, a Neumann U87, and even a Coles 4038 ribbon mic. There are variations for different patterns, and whether the low or midcut switches are in. You can also pick a virtual microphone, and, assuming you have the Producer Pack, choose from over 30 mic models, taken from 11 different mics. Many are variations on the same cabinets but featuring open or closed back, or mic on bottom or top speaker, but the variety is still huge. If you have the Producer Pack, you get over 50 cabinet model options, although not actually from 50 different cabinets. You get plenty of mic choices as you can see from the pulldown menu.įirst, you dial in a cabinet model (if you’re using one of ReValver 4’s presets, a matching cabinet is assigned automatically to go with the amp in the preset, but can be changed at will). A complete revamp of the previous RIR cabinet modeler, which is also included in ReValver 4, RIR 2 is both easy to use and fully featured. Let’s look more closely at the RIR 2, because it’s one of the highlights of ReValver 4. For the most part, the amp models are excellent, and, in combination with the new RIR 2 cabinet modeler, offer very realistic sound, touch and feel. I would have liked to see more Fender amp models (only one, a Bassman model called “Basic 100” is included), but overall you get a pretty wide selection of tones, which leans toward the crunchy and distorted. If you buy the Producer Pack, you get a Fender, two Marshalls, two Buddah amps, a Vox, a Mesa/Boogie and an Orange amp, along with a whole bunch of Peaveys. The amp model collection consists of 19 amps, at the time I’m writing this, and Peavey plans to add additional models regularly. ReValver 4 allows you to setup two simultaneous amp and effects chains, which can be combined and then routed into ReValver 4’s Output Mixer.
I spoke to Peavey about this, and was assured that mono-to-stereo functionality will be added in one of the regular updates in the near future. Considering that most modelers provide mono-to-stereo instances, not having it is a little inconvenient and seems an unnecessary hurdle. If you want mono-to-stereo functionality, you have to use a stereo track, and while the sound you hear through the track’s output will be in stereo, you’ll only be recording to one side of the track. ReValver 4 can be opened as a mono or stereo instance, but, curiously, not as mono-to-stereo instance.
According to Peavey, “the ReValver support team can release the original USB device reference and the user can register a new device.” It’s actually a pretty good system, but the manual isn’t explanatory enough about the details. My other concern about the copy protection was what would happen if the hardware device that I used for the authorization process failed. But it turns out that it doesn’t actually write to the disk, it simply references its unique USB hardware ID. The manual is a little unclear about how this works, and frankly, until I contacted Peavey about it, I was not inclined to use my iLok, which would have been the most convenient, thinking that perhaps this authorization file written by ReValver could damage the iLok data. As long as that device is connected, ReValver 4 will be authorized. It features a novel copy-protection system that asks that you insert a USB device (it could be a USB stick, audio interface, hard drive, or even an iLok), and ReValver makes note of the unique USB ID of the device, and uses it as a dongle.
ReValver 4 runs both as a standalone application for Mac and PC, and as an AAX (64 or 32-bit), VST, or AU plug-in.
ReValver 3 owners can upgrade to the Producer Pack for $49.99.
That being said, $99.99 is considerably less than many rival modeling apps cost (for example, IK Multimedia AmpliTube 3 and Native Instruments Guitar Rig 5 Pro are both $199), and you are probably going to want the full selection of components, so if you can swing it, get the Producer Pack.
The flexible pricing scheme offers you a lot of flexibility to buy only the modules that you want. You can buy them à la carte (ranging from $1.99 to $7.99 each, depending on the model type), or via the Producer Pack ($99.99), which contains the entire collection of amps, cabinets, effects and mic models. ReValver 4 uses the “freemium” approach made popular with iOS apps: The program itself is free, and comes with a small selection of amps and effects, with more available online at the Peavey Amp Store. The RIR cabinet modeler is under the amp head.