The Boom Shack module adds heft and character to your drum sounds. It does that by adding “boom” — sub-bass content to the lower frequency parts, typically the kick drum — and “shack” — noise content to the top frequencies (typically the snare, but it could include hihats and other sound sources). Note that Boom Shack’s big knob is dual. Adjust the knob’s center for Boom level and the skirt for Shack level.
The Shift module messes with the fabric of time. It alters the frequency and formant (timbre) of the incoming sound, a type of effect used by forward-thinking producers since the mid-1970s, not least to process drums. The big knob determines the amount and direction of the altered frequency and formant content. Turn it clockwise to give your drum beat a chipmunk-like feel. Turn it counter-clockwise for a deep, dark, bass-heavy sound. The tempo stays the same, of course.
The Space module adds reverberation to your sound and includes multiple options, from natural drum rooms to vintage classic hardware reverb units. The big knob controls the level of reverb relative to the dry sound. Adding space can make the sound appear bigger, wider, and larger. But it can also move the sound back, away from the listener — particularly with short reverbs set loud relative to the dry sound.
The Compress module adds compression to the sound, which can give drums a strong sense of punch and energy. The module includes six compressor modes, based on tried and true compression styles and optimized for drums. Turn up the knob for a pronounced compression effect, which will eventually be perceived as “pumping”.
Saturate is where the really good stuff is — this is the distortion section. The saturation/distortion increases as you turn up the knob, adding a raw edge to the drums. You have six different saturation/distortion modes to choose from.
More is more. If you liked Saturate but still think your sound could use some more — well, here’s More for you. Technically speaking, More adds density to your sound by combining a waveshaper and a clipper. Use it for a subtle loudness increase or go nuts and crush your beat. Who are we to judge?
Ordering the effect modules
The modules affect the sound in series, from left to right, except in a few cases. The Boom Shack and More modules have fixed spots at the beginning and end of the chain, but the other four can be rearranged freely. This is done by grabbing the upper left corner of these modules and dragging them to the desired position. Depending on the settings, different orders can yield significantly different results.