Cobber Media · Malmö, Sweden · www.cobbermedia.com
Copyright © 2026 Cobber Media
Contents
[Introduction]
[System Requirements & Installation]
[Trial Period & Activation]
[Quick Start]
[The Interface]
[Topbar — Input, Stereo Input, Meters, Presets, Gate, Doubler & Output]
[Preset System]
[Noise Gate]
[Doubler]
[Stereo Input]
[Pedal Section — Drive, Bass, Tone, Level]
[Power Amp Stage]
[Amp Section]
[Cabinet & Room Reverb]
[Bypass & Enable Buttons]
[Factory Presets]
[Signal Flow]
[Tips & Tricks]
[Technical Specifications]
Introduction
The Piercer is in its core an overdrive pedal plugin but designed as a complete guitar production chain in a single plugin.
The plugin includes:
– An amp-style overdrive with Drive, Bass, Tone, and Level controls
– A power amp stage for additional saturation and feel
– Two amp characters — Head and Combo
– Three cabinets — 1×12, 2×12, and 4×12
– A room reverb for natural space
– A noise gate and a stereo doubler
Everything is optional and independently switchable. You can use just the pedal on its own in front of your amp of choice, or build a complete amp-in-a-box signal chain entirely inside the plugin.
System Requirements & Installation
macOS: 10.13 or higher
Formats: VST3 and AU (Audio Units)
Sample rates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz
Input: Mono or Stereo
Output: Stereo (mono when Doubler is off)
DAW: Any DAW that supports VST3 or AU on macOS
Installing
Run the installer package ThePiercer.pkg. It will install:
| What | Where |
| ThePiercer.component (AU) | `/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/` |
| ThePiercer.vst3 (VST3) | `/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/` |
| Factory Presets | `/Library/Application Support/Cobber Media/The Piercer/Presets/Factory/` |
| User Presets folder | `/Library/Application Support/Cobber Media/The Piercer/Presets/User/` |
The installer requires administrator privileges. Once installed, restart your DAW and scan for new plugins if necessary.
Uninstalling
Delete the following files manually:
– `/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/ThePiercer.component`
– `/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/ThePiercer.vst3`
– `/Library/Application Support/Cobber Media/The Piercer` (this also removes presets)
Trial Period & Activation
Free Trial
The Piercer runs as a fully functional free trial for 14 days from the first time you open it. No account or sign-up is required — just install and play.
When the Trial Ends
After 14 days the plugin shows a full-screen activation panel. Audio processing continues — any sound you were making keeps running — but the panel stays on screen until you enter a valid license key. Save your session and purchase a license at your convenience.
Purchasing a License
Buy a license at [www.cobbermedia.com](https://www.cobbermedia.com). After your purchase is completed you will receive an email from Cobber Media with your license key. Keep that email — the key is permanent and is not stored anywhere else.
Activating
1. Open The Piercer in your DAW
2. If the activation panel is showing, paste your key into the field and click Activate
3. If the plugin is still in its trial period and you want to activate early, click Enter License Key at the bottom of the plugin
A correct key activates instantly — no internet connection required. The key is tied to your purchase and your name and works on any Mac you own.
One Key, Any Mac
Your license key is not locked to a specific machine. You can install The Piercer on as many Macs as you own and activate each one with the same key.
Quick Start
1. Insert The Piercer on a track in your DAW
2. The plugin opens with the Default factory preset loaded
3. The pedal sections are active by default — start playing and adjust the controls to taste
4. To add the amp, click the Amp on/off button and select Head or Combo
5. To add a cabinet, click the Cab on/off button and select 1×12, 2×12, or 4×12
6. Explore the factory presets using the ← and → buttons in the topbar
Good starting signal level: Set your DI guitar signal so the input meter is hitting roughly the middle range. Use the Input trim knob in the topbar if needed.
The Interface
The plugin window is resizable. Click the menu button (top right of the interface) to open the main menu, where you can choose between 75%, 100%, 125%, 150%, 175% and 200% UI scale, as well as access the About screen and the manual.
The layout is divided into two areas:
– Topbar — runs across the top. Contains Input trim, level meters, Gate, Doubler, the preset controls, and Output trim.
– Main area — the main pedal and the amp/cabinet section below it.
Hover help: Hover over any knob or button and a brief description appears in a text bar at the bottom of the interface.
Topbar
The topbar runs across the top of the plugin and contains, from left to right: Input trim, stereo meters, the Gate button and threshold, the Stereo Input switch, the preset controls, the Doubler button and time, and Output trim.
Input Level
Range: −24 dB to +24 dB · Default: 0 dB
A clean gain trim applied at the very beginning of the signal chain, before everything else. Use it to match the plugin’s expected input level to your DI guitar signal.
A value display appears below the knob. Double-click it to type in a specific dB value.
Output Level
Range: −24 dB to +24 dB · Default: 0 dB
A clean gain trim applied at the very end of the signal chain, after all processing. Use it for gain-staging between plugins or to match levels when A/B-ing the plugin against bypass.
Stereo Meters
A stereo input meter and a stereo output meter show peak levels with a fast ballistic decay. The input meter reflects the signal after the Input trim; the output meter reflects the signal after the Output trim.
Preset System
The preset controls sit in the centre of the topbar.
Navigation
– ← (Previous) — loads the previous preset in the list
– → (Next) — loads the next preset in the list
– Preset name button — click to open the full preset browser, where you can jump to any preset directly. Factory and user presets are listed separately.
Saving
– Save — overwrites the currently loaded user preset with the current state. Not available for factory presets.
– Save As — saves the current state as a new user preset with a name you choose.
– Delete — permanently deletes the currently loaded user preset. Factory presets cannot be deleted.
Edited State
If you load a preset and change any knob or button, an asterisk (∗) appears next to the preset name. This is a reminder that the current state differs from the saved version. It clears when you save.
Preset Storage
– Factory presets are read-only: `/Library/Application Support/Cobber Media/The Piercer/Presets/Factory/`
– User presets are stored in: `/Library/Application Support/Cobber Media/The Piercer/Presets/User/`
– Preset files use the `.piercerpreset` extension and can be backed up, shared, or moved between machines
Startup Behaviour
The plugin loads the Default factory preset on every new instance.
Noise Gate
Location: Topbar · Controls: Gate button, Gate Threshold knob
The noise gate sits at the very beginning of the signal chain, right after the Input trim and before the Doubler and pedal.
Gate Button
Click the Gate button to enable or disable the gate. The button appears filled when active.
Gate Threshold
Range: Fully open (−80 dB, effectively off) to fully closed (0 dB)
Sets the signal level at which the gate opens and closes. The gate uses a hysteresis design — it opens when the signal rises above the threshold, then closes only when the signal has fallen a good bit below it. This prevents the gate from flickering on quiet sustained notes.
The gate has a fast attack (opens immediately on a pick transient), a brief hold time (stays open for a moment after the signal drops), and a smooth release that closes quietly without any chopping.
Practical use: Start with the threshold around one-third of the way up. Lower it to let more noise through; raise it for a tighter gate that closes cleanly between notes.
Doubler
Location: Topbar · Controls: Doubler button, Doubler Time knob
The Doubler creates a natural double-tracked guitar effect before any distortion. It works by splitting the signal into two slightly offset versions routed to left and right.
Doubler Button
Click the Doubler button to enable or disable. The button appears filled when active.
Doubler Time
Range: 0 to 15 ms · Default: ~10 ms
Sets the delay offset between the two sides. Smaller values give a tight, roomy feel; larger values sound more like a genuine second take.
When the Doubler is active, the pedal and power amp stages each process the left and right channels independently, which gives the most natural result. This roughly doubles the CPU load of those stages.
Note: Because the Doubler splits left and right before the drive stage, the output is always stereo when it is active. With the Doubler off, the output is mono. If the room reverb is used it is stereo (if plugin is inserted on a stereo track in your DAW).
Stereo Input
Location: Topbar · Controls: Stereo Input button
The Stereo Input switch lets the plugin process a stereo input signal with independent left and right channels through the drive stages, rather than summing to mono.
Stereo Input Button
Click the button to enable or disable. When active, the Drive, Bass, Tone, Level, and Power Amp stages each process the left and right channels independently — the signal stays in stereo all the way through. When disabled, the input is summed to mono before processing (the default behaviour).
Only available on stereo tracks. On a mono track the button is greyed out and inactive. The plugin automatically switches back to mono processing if the track is mono.
Mutually exclusive with the Doubler. When Stereo Input is active, the Doubler is greyed out and has no effect. The Doubler creates its own stereo field from a mono signal; Stereo Input passes through the actual stereo content of the track. Use one or the other, not both.
CPU note: Like the Doubler, Stereo Input causes the drive stages to run twice per block (once per channel), which roughly doubles the CPU load of those stages.
Pedal Section
The pedal section is the heart of The Piercer. It contains the Drive, Bass, Tone, and Level controls. The Power Amp knob is the centre-most control of the interface; the Drive, Bass, Tone, and Level knobs surround it on either side.
Drive
Controls the overdrive character and intensity. At lower settings the sound is clean to mildly broken up; in the middle range you get classic overdrive grit; at higher settings you get heavy saturation and compression.
You can automate the Drive knob smoothly — the change between positions is crossfaded so there are no clicks or steps when turning or automating it.
Tone
A high-shelf EQ measured and calibrated directly from the tone circuit of the real hardware. At noon the tone control is flat. Turning it counter-clockwise rolls off the high frequencies; turning it clockwise adds a progressively stronger high-frequency lift.
The tone control becomes quite aggressive past about three-quarters — use your ears and be mindful of listening levels at the very top of the range.
Bass
A low-shelf EQ. At noon the bass control is flat. Turn it down to thin out the sound and tighten the low end; turn it up to add warmth and body.
Level
The output volume of the pedal stage. This is the main volume control for the overdrive section. At noon the level is at unity gain. It affects the signal level going into the Power Amp and Amp stages that follow.
Range: −18 dB to +12 dB
Power Amp Stage
Controls: Power Amp knob, Power Amp on/off button
The Power Amp stage adds power-amp-style saturation and compression after the pedal’s Drive/Bass/Tone/Level section. It has its own independent on/off button and can be used with or without the Drive engaged.
Turn the knob up to add compression, bloom, and saturation character that comes from a real power amp being pushed. At lower settings it remains clean and transparent.
Tip: Try running the Drive at a moderate setting and using the Power Amp to add the final push of saturation — this often gives a more natural and dynamic result than maxing Drive alone.
Amp Section
Controls: Amp on/off button, Head/Combo selector, Amp Gain knob
The Amp section adds an amp character to the signal after the pedal section. Both amp types are captured from real amplifiers.
Amp On/Off
Click the Amp button to enable or disable. When disabled, the signal passes through without any amp colouration.
Head / Combo
Two amp characters are available. Both are calibrated to the same perceived loudness — switching between them is a tonal choice, not a level jump.
Click Head or Combo to select.
Amp Gain
Range: −24 dB to +24 dB · Default: 0 dB
A clean gain trim applied before the amp. Use it to drive the amp character harder (+) or reduce the input level (−) for a cleaner response. This is separate from the pedal Level knob.
Cabinet & Room Reverb
Controls: Cab on/off button, 1×12 / 2×12 / 4×12 selector, Room Send knob
Cabinet On/Off
Click the Cab button to insert or bypass the cabinet impulse response. When disabled, the signal comes straight from the amp with no cabinet colouration — useful if you are routing into hardware speakers or a separate IR loader.
Cabinet Type
Three cabinet choices are available — 1×12, 2×12, and 4×12. Only one can be active at a time. Click the button to select; the change takes effect immediately.
Room Send
Range: Fully off (turned fully left) to fully on (turned fully right) · Default: off
Blends a room impulse response into the signal, creating a natural sense of the amp sitting in a real room. At zero the room send is completely silent; as you turn it up the room character gradually becomes audible.
Important: The Room Send only works when the Cabinet is enabled. If the Cab button is off, the Room Send has no effect.
Tip: Keep the Room Send subtle for a “recorded in a room” feel. Push it higher for a more ambient, live-room character.
Bypass & Enable Buttons
Drive On/Off
Toggles the Drive controls of the pedal on and off. When bypassed, the Drive, Bass, Tone and Level stages are all skipped.
Power Amp On/Off
Toggles only the Power Amp stage on and off, leaving the Drive/Bass/Tone/Level section running (if engaged). This lets you compare the pedal alone against the pedal into the power amp without touching any knob positions.
Amp On/Off
Toggles the amp section.
Cab On/Off
Toggles the cabinet. Also enables the Room Send (the room reverb has no effect when the cab is off).
Factory Presets
Factory presets are organised into two folders.
Pedal only
These presets use the pedal section without the amp or cabinet. Use them in front of a hardware amp or a separate amp/cab plugin.
Pedal with amp
These presets include the amp, cabinet, and in some cases room reverb. They are self-contained sounds ready for direct recording or headphone monitoring.
Signal Flow
The complete signal chain runs in this order:
Input (mono or stereo)
↓
[Input Trim]
↓
[Noise Gate] optional
↓
[Doubler] optional — creates stereo L/R split from mono
— or —
[Stereo Input] optional — passes stereo L/R independently (stereo tracks only)
↓
[Drive] optional (own on/off controlling Tone, Bass and Level as well)
[Tone]
[Bass]
[Level]
[Power Amp] optional (own on/off)
↓
[Amp] optional — Head or Combo
↓
[Cabinet] optional — 1×12, 2×12, or 4×12
↓
[Room Reverb] optional — only when Cabinet is engaged
↓
[Output Trim]
↓
DAW Output (stereo (if on a stereo track in your DAW))
Tips & Tricks
Start with your levels. The drive stages were designed around a typical DI guitar level. If your signal is very hot or very quiet, use the Input trim knob before reaching for the Drive knob. The input meter is a good guide.
Drive and Power Amp work together. Try the Drive at a moderate setting and bring up the Power Amp rather than pushing Drive all the way up. This often gives a more natural, dynamic saturation.
The Doubler goes before the drive for a reason. Because the Doubler splits L and R before the drive stage, any slight difference between the two sides is carried through the non-linear processing — just like a real double-tracked recording.
Cabinet on, Room Send at zero = just the cabinet. The Room Send only adds signal — turning it to zero removes it completely without affecting the cabinet sound.
The Amp Gain knob affects character, not just volume. Boosting it pushes the amp model harder; cutting it keeps the amp cleaner at higher input levels.
The Tone knob gets bright at high settings. This is accurate to the original circuit. Start around two-thirds and move up from there by ear.
Set the Gate to just above your noise floor. Raise the Gate Threshold until you hear the hiss cut cleanly when you stop playing. The hold time is long enough that the gate will not close unnaturally between notes.
Technical Specifications
Format: VST3, AU (Audio Units)
Platform: macOS 10.13+
Input: Mono or Stereo (summed to mono, or processed as independent L/R with Stereo Input active)
Output: Stereo (or mono on a mono track in your DAW)
Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz
Latency: Zero latency
UI base size | 724 × 610 pixels (75%, 100%, 125% scale)
Preset format: .piercerpreset — can be shared between machines
The Piercer is developed by Henrik Hansson, Cobber Media, Malmö, Sweden.
www.cobbermedia.com
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