OK - first of all, I love everything Voxengo is doing.  And, BTW, I'd even consider paying a fair price for tutorials on how to use some of this stuff effectively - a tutorial in which a bit of background theory would be given, followed by explanations of different approaches to using the plug-ins, real-world examples, etc...

Anyway - I'm likely going to purchase the "Soniformer, Elephant and Lampthruster" package with my next paycheck (I currently own Warmifier), and I'd like to get a better understanding of Lampthruster...

I've read the help file and would like to know if I've got the following straight:

1) The three functions of Lampthruster (EQ, FR, and Thruster) operate completely independently of one another (though, the Thrs stage would be affected by EQ applied in the EQ stage).  Yes/No?
2) The Thruster stage is sort of like an individual band control on a parametric EQ (i.e.  it allows setting a center frequency, "Q" and gain), but it works in tandem with the big DRIVE button - right?  So, in theory, the Thrs stage wouldn't do anything if the Drive were at zero(0)?  But...  is the EQ action at all affected by the Drive setting - or is the Drive just added after the fact?

I could go on, but let me close with one last question:

What is it, basically, that makes the EQ different and "analog" sounding??  I mean - I know I can't get/understand the technical details - but, generally, what is the theory/idea behind this?

I just want to get a better grasp of how this plugin works so I can use it effectively.  I'm really interested in plugins like this or Steinberg's Magneto.

THANKS!

1.  These functions are independent to a degree.  For example, EQ will influence Thrs setting a little.  FR is mostly independent since it is processed even before non-linear processing takes place.

2.  As far as I know Drive affects the plug-in always, and it is merely a 'color' button.  Of course, it also affects both EQ and Thrs settings.  Thrs is actually an EQ band applied before non-linear processing, and applied after, with the inverse gain.  This allows to do 'oversaturation' (or minimize saturation) of certain parts of the spectrum.

I think EQ may sound analog because of various non-linearities in the signal path which create some amount of harmonics.  Possibly, one may call some equalizer analog because of its transient response.  Something which sounds warm, deep, clear and so on.

Can lamthruster be used instead an EQ?

Yes, it can be used as an EQ.

Cool!

I am loving this plug the more I use it
Especially on acoustic guitars
Thanks Aleksey !