SoftAmp FM25 is a virtual-analog model of the Fender Frontman 25R combo amp. The Frontman is a versatile solid-state practice amplifier for electric guitar. It's equipped with 10" speaker, has 2 channels that share a 3-band equalizer, and a spring reverb. The current issue sports a classic "Blackface" look.
"Huh, a solid state Fender practice amp model. Now that is an interesting choice" - was the initial response from one of the beta testers. The reason for that choice is simple: Frontman 25R was the first guitar amp I've ever owned. To my best knowledge its digital model did not exist, so I decided to fill the gap. And after all, who needs yet another incarnation of say, JCM800?:)
This VST model is a tribute to the original design and faithfully models all its essential features. It is mainly intended for quick and simple recording of draft tracks as well as for some live jamming whenever you don't feel like setting up a more sophisticated amp simulator.
This one runs straight out of the box, looks exactly like a guitar amp and has everything you need to start playing - clean and distorted channels with speaker simulation and a reverb.
As usual, it's got all the conveniences associated with AXP plug-ins, like a stereo processing capability, high quality anti-aliasing oversampling and switchable speaker simulation.
All controls are carefully mapped to produce linear sound pressure level changes, i.e. they are linearized in dB scale.
In addition, there's a special switch added late in the beta test cycle – the "AXP Mod". It does two things:
Yes, you've read it right, with a flip of a switch a solid-state amp becomes a tube one and the real fun begins.
VST is a registered trademark of Steinberg, GmbH.
"Fender", "Frontman", and "Blackface" are registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.
AXP is not affiliated with or endorsed by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.
AXP SoftAmp FM25 (c) 2014 Alexander Petrov-Savchenko.
Reviewed By Gwugluud77 [all]
January 8th, 2019
Version reviewed: unknown on Windows
I gave away my Fender 15-watt ss amp to some kid who was learning guitar, and later, I started to miss it. How crazy, that someone would model THAT amp, that's funny. This is a great-sounding plugin, and I sometimes use it even though I own the full suite of Amplitube. And this has a mode which turns the transistors into tubes! SoftAmp are some radical, forward-looking geniuses, no sarc.
Since VST amp speakers aren't real, you can feel free to "abuse" guitar rigs by running bass thru them. This sounds great with bass. And the tube version, I guess turns it into something in between a Champ and a Princeton. Sounds great on guitar, both modes. If this were my only amp sim, I'd actually be fine. But I like the idea of having access (via Amplitube) to amps I've never even seen in person before, such as Hiwatts and Oranges. ..I'm from a small remote west Texas town, lmao. Kudos to SoftAmp for this unique plugin, and for their generosity in offering it for free.
Read Review
AmpliTube 5
It's a simple amp sim, except for one thing: it actually sounds good! You can get a lightly overdriven, Princeton-y sound here, with no effort.
I've even used it to dirty up a Wurlitzer electric piano sound.
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