Waves MDMX Screamer User manual

User Guide
MDMX
Modern Distortion Modules
Screamer, Overdrive, Fuzz

MDMX Distortion Modules / User Guide
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Waves Modern Distortion Modules
Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Using MDMX Presets.............................................................................................................................................. 5
MDMX: Fuzz .................................................................................................................. 6
Components....................................................................................................................................6
Getting Started................................................................................................................................7
Using MDMX Fuzz Presets...................................................................................................................................... 7
Getting Started from Scratch ................................................................................................................................. 8
Interface and Controls ....................................................................................................................9
Processing Sections ................................................................................................................................................ 9
Controls................................................................................................................................................................ 10
Input Section ........................................................................................................................................................................................10
Gain Section..........................................................................................................................................................................................12
Dynamics Section .................................................................................................................................................................................13
EQ Section ............................................................................................................................................................................................14
Output Section .....................................................................................................................................................................................14
MDMX: Screamer ........................................................................................................ 15
Components..................................................................................................................................15
Getting Started..............................................................................................................................16
Using MDMX Screamer Presets............................................................................................................................ 16
Getting Started from Scratch ............................................................................................................................... 17
Interface and Controls ..................................................................................................................18
Processing Sections .............................................................................................................................................. 18
Controls................................................................................................................................................................ 19
Input Section ........................................................................................................................................................................................19

MDMX Distortion Modules / User Guide
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Shaper Section......................................................................................................................................................................................19
Output Section .....................................................................................................................................................................................20
MDMX: Overdrive ........................................................................................................ 21
Components..................................................................................................................................21
Getting Started..............................................................................................................................22
Using MDMX Overdrive Presets ........................................................................................................................... 22
Starting from Scratch ........................................................................................................................................... 24
Interface and Controls ..................................................................................................................25
Processing Sections .............................................................................................................................................. 25
Controls................................................................................................................................................................ 26
Input Section ........................................................................................................................................................................................26
Shaper Section......................................................................................................................................................................................27
Dynamics Section .................................................................................................................................................................................28
EQ Section ............................................................................................................................................................................................29
Output Section .....................................................................................................................................................................................30

MDMX Distortion Modules / User Guide
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Introduction
Waves MDMX Distortion Modules
Waves Modern Distortion Modules (MDMX) is a toolkit that includes three separate plugins: Screamer, Overdrive,
and Fuzz. It’s designed for musicians, engineers, and producers who need top-notch distortion and overdrive effects
for instruments or mix busses. These three plugins run the gamut of distortion effects, from subtle to scorching.
•MDMX Fuzz is the most aggressive MDMX plugin. It can track the distortion signal in octaves, apply dynamics
and octaves ahead of the distortion processor, and color the distorted signal. Bottom line: a big, in-your-face
distortion effect that lets you go as far as you want.
•MDMX Overdrive is similar to MDMX Fuzz, but with less coloring. Like Fuzz, it can do a number on an
instrument, but Overdrive is generally a bit gentle.
•MDMX Screamer is a straight-ahead overdrive generator. It generates subtle to strong overdrive, while
holding on to the sound of the instrument or track.
Each of these three plugins is described in its own section of this user guide.
MDMX stereo components give you the choice of distorting the entire stereo signal, or the center or sides. This
provides great control when fitting an instrument into a mix and it lets you change the way a sound relates with the
space around it.
There are other Waves plugins that use distortion as a creative tool or to weave a sound into a mix:
•Berzerk is a wide-open distortion tool that lets you build effects from scratch. It combines distortion,
dynamics, feedback, and distortion character control with a random generator. It’s made for engineers,
producers, and sound designers.
•To bring a “too clean” track to life, add a bit of precise distortion with the Abbey Road Saturator plugin. The
effect might go unnoticed, but the instrument or track will have more sparkle and will sit better in the mix.
Saturator is not shy; when called upon, it can also add real attitude to an instrument.

MDMX Distortion Modules / User Guide
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Using MDMX Presets
Each MDMX plugin comes with an assortment of factory presets. In many cases, you’ll find just the right effect by
loading a preset. Sometimes you’ll load a preset as a starting point and then make adjustments to achieve what
you’re after. Starting with a preset has two advantages:
•It’s fast. We’ve already done most of the work needed to produce a specific sound. Begin with a preset
whose name sounds like what you’re looking for and tweak a few controls. That might be all you need.
•It’s a good way to learn. Load a few presets and see how the controls are set for each one. Pay attention to
how the different settings influence the sound. Do this a few times and you’ll understand what the controls do
and how the sections work together.
Each module has a section in this user guide called “Using Presets.” It shows you how we address some common
distortion and overdrive issues using that tool. You can, of course, design an effect from scratch, without using a
preset.
Once you like the sound you’ve created, you can save the settings as a preset. This is important if you want to use
the preset in other sessions or elsewhere in the current session. Go to the Save menu in the WaveSystem Toolbar
at the top of the interface and select one of the save options. Refer to the WaveSystem User Guide for more
information.

MDMX Fuzz
MDMX Distortion Modules / User Guide
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Mono Component
Stereo Component
MDMX: Fuzz
Waves MDMX Fuzz is a distortion tool with an attitude. It can provide a huge amount of distortion with a surprising
amount of control. Its distortion shaper, synthesized octaves effects, dynamics and EQ sections, and M/S processing
let you take distortion as far as you like without completely losing touch with the soul of the instrument.
In general, signal flow is: Input->Dynamics->Gain->EQ->Output. The Dynamics section loops back to the Gain
section.
Components
There are two MDMX Fuzz components: mono and stereo.
The mono and stereo components
are the same, except for the number
of channels. Note that the mono
component does not have a Stereo
Mode select. Both components use
very little CPU, even when up-
sampling.

MDMX Fuzz
MDMX Distortion Modules / User Guide
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Getting Started
Using MDMX Fuzz Presets
In many cases, you’ll find just the right Fuzz effect by loading a factory preset whose name makes sense, based on
what you want to accomplish. More often than not, you’ll need to load a few presets until you find one that’s a good
match, and then adjust the controls to your liking. Save the settings as a user preset. Here are three Fuzz factory
presets that help you find your way when you’re creating a distortion effect. All three use the octave up/down control
to brighten, thicken, or increase the disorder of a track.
PRESET:OCTAVE UP
Issue: You want to brighten or add excitement to the source
Particular to Fuzz is the up and down octave generator that lets you quickly add and mix octaves to the distortion. When a
distortion signal is too dark, add sparkle as a part of the distortion, rather than with the EQ section, which is after the distortion
in the signal flow. Try both, the result it quite different.
Move the metal button in the octave pad to change the mix. The further to the right, the more jagged the effect.
PRESET:OCTAVE DOWN
Issue: You want to thicken the sound without making it too dark.
As with Octave Up, this preset is all about the Octave pad. Here, however, we want to add weight. By mixing in some of the
generated octave down signal, we can add bottom end while maintaining transparency. Move the Octave button left and right
to explore the effect on the low frequencies. Alternatively, adjust the low shelf in the EQ section. As you increase the low
frequency, the sound is thicker. These are two very different effects.
PRESET:OCTAVE BOTH
Issue: You want to add disorder to the track without altogether losing its personality.
This preset is, in essence, a collision of the last two examples. It combines the sizzle of Octave Up with the weight of Octave
Down. The result is a bit nutty, especially if the left and right channels of the input are significantly different.

MDMX Fuzz
MDMX Distortion Modules / User Guide
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Getting Started from Scratch
You may choose to forgo presets and build your own Fuzz effect from scratch. Open the plugin and start turning
knobs. It’s very likely that you’ll do just fine on your own, but we suggest that you first get to know the plugin by
following these steps.
INPUT SECTION
Adjust the Input level. A LED above the input knob indicates peak level. In the stereo component, the Mode
switch lets you select which part of the sound image to distort: mid, sides, or entire stereo image. If you’re
focusing the distortion effect on the mid or sides, use the small input control to adjust that level relative to the
overall input level. There’s also a low-cut filter that you can use to reduce rumble in the input signal or to change
the character of the distortion.
GAIN SECTION
Use the Gain knob to adjust the amount of generated fuzz. Choose between two basic shapes: A or B. The
selected waveform is shown on the right. Use the round control on the left to adjust the synthesized one-octave-
up and one-octave-down signals.
DYNAMICS SECTION
Control dynamics of the signal sent to the Gain section. Choose between a compressor (Punch) or a gain rider
(Rider). Blend is the mix between the input signal and the processed dynamics signal going to the distortion
generator.
EQ SECTION
Adjust the tone of the signal from the distortion generator. The EQ feed directly to the Output section.
OUTPUT SECTION
Mix is a wet/dry balance between input and processed signal, Output sets the output of the plugin, and
Temperature controls the overall color of the output signal. Make sure not to clip the signal that’s returning to
the DAW.
If you don’t like the way things are going, it’s probably better to start over than to keep fixing your fixes. Choose
“Fuzz Full Reset” in the Load menu to return all controls to their factory reset values. Once you’re happy with the
sound, create a user preset in the WaveSystem Toolbar.

MDMX Fuzz
MDMX Distortion Modules / User Guide
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Interface and Controls
Processing Sections
Input sets input level from the DAW.
Gain controls the character and amount of
fuzz generated. It includes a one-octave-up
and one-octave-down generator whose
signal you can combine with the distortion.
Dynamics (center) controls the dynamic
processing of the signal sent to the Gain
section.
EQ provides four-band equalization, post-
Gain and post-Dynamics.
Output sets the level of the return to the
host. It also lets you define the temperature
of the output sound and control the dry/wet
mix.

MDMX Fuzz
MDMX Distortion Modules / User Guide
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Controls
Input Section
INPUT GAIN
Controls plugin input level. The input level can have a dramatic effect on
the behavior of the plugin. Experiment, too, with the level of the signal
being sent from the DAW.
The small light next to the Input knob indicates input peak level. Green
generally indicates a healthy level. An occasional red flash is unlikely to
create unwanted internal clipping, but reduce input gain if the peak is
consistently red.
Range: -24 dB to +24 dB
Default: 0 dB
LOW CUT
Controls the amount of low-shelf attenuation before the signal is sent to
the distortion generator. Higher settings tend to deliver more clarity. Lower
settings typically yield a warmer sound.
Range: Off, -12 dB, -24 dB
Default: Off
Tip: You can largely prevent low frequencies from being distorted without losing low frequency power. Select a
-24 dB low cut and then add back some of the lows using the low shelf in the EQ section. Input is pre-distortion,
while EQ is post-distortion, so the lows are removed before processing and added back later. This helps
prevent the very bottom of the input signal from mudding the distortion, plus, it’s a different sound.