Award-winning jazz musician, producer, and author Adrian Valia has crafted a collection of eight distinctive presets for the H90 that showcase the pedal’s depth and nuance. Known for his innovative approach to jazz and his ability to distill complex musical concepts down to their simplest forms, Valia brings his unique perspective to the H90’s signature algorithms.
This powerful pack demonstrates an incredible range, from subtle vocal enhancements that add shimmer and width, to otherworldly transformations that push the boundaries of imagination. The collection features five presets designed for vocals, and three with more traditional instruments in mind, though of course experimentation is encouraged. Whether you’re looking to add professional polish or venture into uncharted sonic territory, Valia’s presets offer something for every creative situation.
@adrianvalia Vocal FX explained with the H90 by @Eventide ! #musicproducertips #vocalfx #mixing #vocalmixing #mixingengineer #audioengineer #musicproduction ♬ original sound – adrianvalia
Breaking Down the Vocal Effects
Zipper Fuzz delivers exactly what it promises: a sustained, modulated LFO fuzz that creates sci-fi textures unlike anything you’ve heard before. With nearly every parameter pushed to its limits, this preset transforms your audio into something truly extraterrestrial.
Subtle Weight focuses on refinement rather than transformation. Using VocalTune’s chromatic processing with formant shifting, the preset adds artificial sheen and snappiness while maintaining the natural character of the source material. “It’s a great one to create more separation in your vocal stacks if you’re doing them on your own,” Valia suggests.
7th Dwarfs features extreme formant shifting built around 7th chord harmonies. Great for adding dramatic weight to lower-register vocals, or beautifully sophisticated, soaring harmonies to upper-register vocals that add an airy texture.
Cosmic Glitter takes digital delay processing to stellar heights. “One of my favorite examples,” says Valia, “[it] takes a beautiful delay and turns it into an outer-space reverb tail.” The high-end sizzle and flutter create a slightly sustained effect that adds cosmic dimension to any performance.
Sus it Out taps the C Ionian scale to create fattening harmonies that feel tense and menacing. The discordant suspended chord voicing adds an angular quality that works beautifully for modern compositions seeking some harmonic edge.
Nightmares lives up to its ominous name with creepy detuned formant shifting that pulls vocals into darker territories. Tuned to C Harmonic Minor, this preset is perfect for creating haunting harmonies.
Monsters uses the Polyphony algorithm with detuning and lower octave shifting to create truly menacing textures. The preset transforms your audio into something primal and haunting. Not for the faint of heart!
Thick & Fifth uses VocalShift’s powerful processing to create rich, layered vocals. The preset combines pitch shifting with low formant settings, adding a perfectly timed 1/8 delay that creates a sense of space and rhythm. “I found this works best for bass vocals,” notes Valia, making it perfect for adding depth and dimension to lower-register harmonies or performances.
Creating with the H90
“The H90 is unlike any other pedal I’ve tried before. Its powerful interface and algorithms have become a never-ending source of inspiration in my studio,” Valia reflects. His enthusiasm for the pedal’s creative possibilities shines through in every preset, from the subtlest enhancements to the wildest transformations.
Valia particularly appreciates the H90’s ability to create spatial depth: “A big asset of the new algorithms is the ability to create depth by setting different elements in the foreground and the background.” This dimensional approach to processing opens up new possibilities both in the studio and live.
The Collection Awaits
Adrian Valia’s H90 preset collection represents months of creative experimentation distilled into eight powerful tools. From the professional polish of “Subtle Weight” to the otherworldly textures of “Cosmic Glitter,” these presets demonstrate why the H90 has become an essential tool for forward-thinking artists; from producers, to vocalists, to mix engineers, and beyond.
“I hope you enjoy playing with them as much as I enjoyed making them,” Valia concludes. With this pack of presets, that enjoyment is practically guaranteed.
