Archetype Gojira X

Archetype Gojira X arranges its rig into Pitch, Pre FX, Amp, Cab, EQ, and Post FX sections. CLN supplies the clean platform, while RUST and HOT add crunch and lead architectures with separate preamp and power-amp gain controls. Each amp has an associated graphic EQ, and cabinet linking can be disabled to explore different pairings.

The distinctive creative tools begin before the amplifier. WOW is an expression-controlled pitch shifter, OCT blends lower octaves, and separate overdrive, distortion, phaser, and chorus pedals can reshape the input. After the cabinet and EQ, delay and reverb add tape-style movement, ping-pong repeats, and optional shimmer. Global Transpose is separate from WOW's performance sweep, while Doubler creates a stereo spread from mono input.

Start by setting input level and choosing an amp with the effects bypassed, then establish the cabinet/microphone blend and final EQ. Add front-end effects for articulation or pitch gestures and post effects for space. The standalone version adds audio-device settings, tap-tempo utilities, and a metronome; these should not be mistaken for features of the DAW plug-in interface.

Manual, Plugin Components, pp. 9–16; Global Features, pp. 17–20.

Global setup

Input sets the level into the rig; Output sets its final level. Gate / Threshold reduce unwanted noise below the threshold, but excessive settings can shorten sustains. Transpose shifts by up to one octave either way and is bypassed at zero. Input Mode selects mono or stereo processing. Doubler works in mono-input mode, with Spread setting a 3–20 ms offset; it is disabled in stereo-input mode.

Pitch and Pre FX

• WOW Expression sweeps pitch. Fatso spans −12 to +12 semitones and enables Fatso Mix for dry/shifted balance. Blade 1 rises from unison to +12 semitones; Blade 2 rises to +24. Their mix is not controlled by Fatso Mix.
• OCT1 / OCT2 / Direct Level blend one octave down, two octaves down, and the unshifted signal independently.
• OD Dist / Level / Tone set overdrive gain, output, and high-frequency character. DRT Dist / Vol / Filter set distortion gain, output, and low-pass filtering; increasing Filter reduces highs.
• PHSR Rate sets sweep speed. CHR Rate / Depth / Feedback / Mix set chorus movement speed, modulation intensity, recirculation, and wet balance. Each pedal has its own bypass/engage switch.

Amplifiers

CLN offers Bright, Gain, Bass / Mid / Treble, and Level. RUST and HOT also provide Master for power-amp gain, Presence for high-frequency shelving, and Depth for power-stage low-frequency response. Their Level controls adjust volume without changing amp tone. The bottom Amp Selector also switches the associated graphic EQ; Amp/Cab Link determines whether cabinet selection follows the amp.

Cabinet and equalizer

IR Combo Box and navigation arrows choose factory microphones or custom IRs in the two slots. Position / Distance move factory microphones across and away from the cone; dragging the mic graphic does the same. Custom IRs disable those position controls because their capture is already fixed. Each slot has Mic Level, Pan, Phase, and Bypass for blending, placement, polarity reversal, and comparison.

The nine-band graphic EQ offers ±12 dB per band. HPF removes low frequencies, LPF removes highs, and Power bypasses the selected amp's EQ. Use these after choosing the cabinet so EQ is not compensating for a microphone position you will immediately change.

Post FX

DLY Mix / Feedback / Tone set echo level, repetitions, and high-frequency balance. Time runs in milliseconds or note divisions, selected by Sync Free / DAW–App / Tap. Tap Tempo captures an interval; Ping Pong alternates the repeats between sides. Tape Sat adds delay drive and Tape Mod adds pitch movement.

REV Mix / Decay determine reverb balance and duration. Its High Pass / Low Pass filters shape the reverberant signal, while Shimmer adds a pitched-up tail. Both pedals can be bypassed independently.

Performance utilities

Tuner offers mute, cents/hertz display, reference pitch, and a Live Tuner readout. MIDI supports external control of parameters and switches. In the standalone app, Metronome adds tempo, meter, subdivision, accent, sound, pan, and level controls; Settings selects audio and MIDI devices.

Manual, Pitch/Pre FX/Amp/Cab/EQ/Post FX Sections, pp. 10–16; Global Audio Controls, p. 17; Utility Bar, Tuner, Metronome, and MIDI Support, pp. 19–21.