It’s Not a Guitar . . . It’s a Guitar, Reimagined
Rob Papen’s penchant for sound design has taken him all over the sonic map, dissecting multitudes of instruments, effects, mixing tools, and synthesis styles that led to the development of industry-standard virtual gear. PowerChord distills his decades of dedication to aural exploration in the form of a virtual guitar synthesizer that has Sweetwater’s guitar gurus and production pros enamored by its distinctive tonal character. Across more than 50 guitar choices, 12 playing modes, multiple tuning configurations, and over 40 stacked guitar-model styles, PowerChord was engineered to meld the sonic multidimensionality of guitar sounds with the near-limitless creative flexibility of virtual synthesis. The plug-in’s expansive array of analog-modeled filters, 11 distortions, over 30 types of effects, and highly detailed voicing versatility ensures tonal contouring is always within reach for nearly any genre. Its comprehensive expressivity and programming possibilities mean that real-time performances are filled with lifelike nuance, all of which can be deftly applied to sequences, thanks to its Groove Sequencer — four layers, each containing up to 32 steps, can be custom-mapped across different MIDI zones. With its extensive expression options, ribbon-style controller, modulation matrix, and amp/cabinet simulators, PowerChord brings the dynamism and control of virtual synthesis to the aural character of guitar-style sounds, fit for nearly any genre.
Note: At the time of release, NKS compatibility is still forthcoming. Please contact your Sweetwater Sales Engineer with any questions or concerns regarding use with your setup.
Related Videos: PowerChord Virtual Synthesizer and Groove Sequencer Plug-in
Step into sequence: virtual precision, lifelike performances
As Papen himself puts it, “PowerChord will never replace a real guitar player . . . but a real guitar player will never replace PowerChord.” This strikes at the heart of what PowerChord is: the timbres, tones, and expressivity you love about the guitar, with the exploratory flexibility of virtual synthesis. Down to the individual note, dedicated Volume and Decay values can be defined for standard, Long, and Ghost strokes when using the multifaceted Groove Sequencer, with per-step values adjustable for the Decay and Release values of both the Filter LFO and Amp, as well as Velocity, Semi-offset, swing, smoothness, and ratcheting parameters. What’s more, each of the Groove Sequencer’s four layers includes 32 steps, each with malleable keyboard-splitting options to distribute each layer linearly across the keys of your controller. Plus, every layer offers two free spaces of the sequencer’s 11 per-step variables, allowing for extensive customization of presets and home-brewed sounds.
Electrifying expression and multitudes of modulation
While PowerChord’s step sequencer offers immense depth and dynamism, the plug-in’s real-time performance capabilities supply unrivaled control over the expressive nuances of your playing — not unlike a physical guitar but tailored to the unique potential of synthesizer-driven sonics. The 8-slot modulation matrix lets you craft evocative and complex aural relationships, limited only by your expressive ambition, while pitch-bending capabilities can be individually adjusted for their respective upward and downward ranges. Moreover, the Pitch LFO and the Filter LFO can be customized for shared or separate control sources, with optional tempo-sync, speed, and modulation-amount controls for both options. For expanded expressive possibilities, PowerChord was designed with a ribbon-style controller that features a flexible slew of configurations, including tempo-based and quantized spring-back behavior, as well as unipolar and bipolar operation.
Awash with analog-modeled textures and more, from clean to crunch
Few things are as synonymous with playing the guitar — apart from the actual instrument — as effects, and Rob Papen didn’t pull his punches when he and his team designed PowerChord’s dazzling texturizing tools. Across three Master FX slots, you’re given access to 34 different types of effects, spanning delays, choruses, phasers, flangers, ring modulators, stereo-sculpting tools, wah-wahs, talk boxes, lo-fi, waveshaping, and filters. PowerChord also provides a pentacle of pliable amp and cab simulations, with five options for both categories that have been methodically modeled from iconic models and repurposed to meet the distinct sonic palette of the plug-in. Eleven pre-filter distortions are also available, spanning a broad variety of aural characteristics to suit the flexibility of PowerChord’s numerous tuning, chord-based, and single-note guitar options. Plus, the analog-modeled filters comprise 25 unique styles, as well as Ring and Amp Modulation capabilities, with a multimode 5-band parametric EQ — equipped with a dedicated Lowcut filter mode — completing the highly versatile suite of sonic contouring.
Rob Papen PowerChord Features:
- Virtual guitar synthesizer and groove sequencer plug-in brings the timbral contouring and playing of the guitar to the malleable versatility of virtual synthesis
- 53 guitar options include 12 single-note and 41 stacked-model options to support a variety of playing preferences, tuning, chords, and more
- Robust Groove Sequencer includes 4 x 32-step sequencers that can be layered and split across your controller
- 11 sequencing parameters — Tie, Semi-offset, Stroke, Long Stroke, Ghost Stroke, Velocity, Ratchet, Decay and Release values of the Amp and Filter, and 2 free spaces — mean unrivaled per-step detail
- Highly customizable expression tools include Pitch Bend, Filter LFO, and a ribbon-style controller, with flexible source options for malleable studio and stage performances
- 8-slot modulation matrix supports ambitious sonic exploration to further hone your tones
- Analog-modeled filters feature 25 character types, as well as Ring and Amp Modulation, to enhance the distinct sonic attributes of the onboard guitar configurations
- 3 simultaneous FX blocks provide access to 34 distinct types of effects, with detailed per-block controls to refine and personalize your sound
- 11 pre-filter distortions are available for near-endless tweaking that’s carefully calibrated to suit the tonal profiles of each stacked or single-note style of guitar
- Back panel can be accessed for further adjustments of Global settings