The Overview

Distortion With a Backwards Tone Control

Raw Distortion models an early Rat-style pedal's op-amp distortion circuit and passive filter. Its three central controls determine how hard it distorts, how much top end remains, and the level leaving the modeled pedal.

The Filter is easy to misread: turning it clockwise removes more treble rather than adding brightness. This lets you tame the upper harmonics produced by heavier distortion without reducing the drive itself.

In a Signal Chain

For a typical guitar setup, place Raw before an amp simulation. It can also add texture to bass, drums, vocals, and synthesizers. Its modeled instrument-level behavior means a hot DAW signal may require attenuation before the plug-in to avoid unintended input clipping.

Volume belongs to the modeled pedal; the additional Output control is a clean final trim. Use that distinction when comparing drive settings. With an appropriate Apollo Hi-Z input and Unison insertion, the DSP plug-in also interacts with the interface's instrument input. Ordinary DAW inserts do not provide that hardware interaction.

Source: Manual - Using Raw; Raw Controls.

The Controls

Distortion

Sets the amount of overdrive. Clockwise increases distortion and sustain. Establish the incoming signal level first: a line-level track can already hit the modeled pedal harder than a guitar would.

Filter

Controls the amount of high-frequency reduction. Clockwise means darker, not brighter. Use it after setting Distortion to manage harshness or retain enough edge for the source to remain audible in a mix.

Volume

Sets the modeled pedal output level. This is part of the emulated device, distinct from the additional clean Output trim.

Output

Provides unmodeled final gain from -24 to +12 dB. Use it to compensate for the chosen distortion and Volume settings. Clicking the zero label restores unity gain.

Power

The stomp switch provides true bypass: with processing off, the modeled circuit does not color the signal. The UA logo also toggles this state.

Unison Use

For the documented instrument-input workflow, place Raw in the dedicated Unison input slot of a compatible Apollo Hi-Z channel. Gain Stage Mode can expose Distortion, Volume, and Output to the hardware preamp knob. This is platform-specific control integration, not an extra effect available in every DAW insert.