Amplitube 2

[atomota]

you people...i am always shaking my head in disbelief when i hear the raving about guitar amp plugins on kvr.

Especially without any specifics about what they like, other than the graphics.

honestly i think amplitube sounds like shit.

When I re-amped the guitar sounds for my band's CD a few years ago, I wanted to stay in the digital domain so I tried every plug I could find at the time, including Amplitube (I still have my notes about what components I liked best, not that I'll ever use them). They all sounded awful. I was looking for cleanish sounds, but not too clean. After a few wasted days (yes, days, I really wanted to make this work), I ran through a POD2 and got the sounds I was looking for in a few minutes with the AC30 and Mesa Boogie Mark IIc clean channels.

Reviews are no substitute for spending time with a demo.

[AndrewSimon]

After upgrading my pickups and electronics, shielding the guitar, investing in a tube pre-amp with SPDIF output and spending a few months tweaking Amplitube, creating my own presets, I concluded that Amplitube is really great. (except for the stupid gate and the noisy final reverb)

With hardware setups, players spend a lot of time developing their own sound, yet with software they just plug in the guitar (usually into and inadequate interface) scroll through the presets and expect miracles. If they would just give it some time they would see things differently.

Since I only use software, I am so used to it that I am always amazed how bad real tube amps sound when I demo them at retail shops.

If Amplitube2 will have the slightest improvement over Amplitube1 I will be very happy. (just hope it won't be worst, I hope they fixed the annoying preset scrolling)

[sirbellog]

Thanx Squids for this confirmation.
Looking forward to the release !
(but I keep wondering how you were able, months ago if I remember well, to praise so much a software which, obviouslmy, was so far away from actual completion that it must have been nothing more than a bare skeleton.... sales speech ?)

[Squids]

are there going to be any bass presets on AT2 or is the new ampeg plug going to take the leading role? i use AT1 for my bass and love it so i was just wondering.

lates

t-willy

No bass amps modeled but good presets for bass, sure.

[Squids]

the only way to get that "Les Paul plugged into an Orange" sound is by plugging in a Les Paul into an Orange.

After trying many many many amp sims, I am convinced of this.

I think they have nailed the analog synth sim pretty well but I think they are still pretty far from simulating an actual tube amp.

I will say, though, ...at this point, amplitube does overdriven sounds the best.

When I hear people say that an amp sim is just as good as the real thing I have to thing either A-that person has not played through too many actual tube amps or B-that person just doesn't want to mess with mic'n stuff up and has given in.


this is all just my opinion.

The BEST way to get that Les Paul through an Orange is to plug a Les Paul into an Orange... that is if you have about $5,000 or more (depending on the LP and/or the Organge). The next closest thing is if someone did an accurate job of modeling the amp (uh, unfortunately you still need the Les Paul though!).

The key with any of this stuff whether we're talking about synth sims, amp sims or even sampled sounds is how much knowledge, ears, science and above all TLC is put into it. If the right combination of those elements comes together you can get something really great out of it and that is what I think AmpliTube 2 has that is special. IK developers have built on the things they've learned and have expanded the methods for modeling to get more accurate results. But, a lot of time spent listening and tweaking by people who have good ears is key.

Same thing with samples. I was working on a sound today that started off being aweful. I almost threw it out. But, I remembered the real instrument from the session and knew that there's no way it can only sound bad. It needed some major TLC. Picking the right notes, adjusting levels, programming velocities and tweaking various things resulted in not only a fixed up sound but a REALLY good impressive sound in the end! But, it's only because I knew how it was SUPPOSED to sound and had a sense of what were the good aspects and what should be on the cutting room floor.

[Squids]

you people...i am always shaking my head in disbelief when i hear the raving about guitar amp plugins on kvr.

Especially without any specifics about what they like, other than the graphics.

honestly i think amplitube sounds like shit.

When I re-amped the guitar sounds for my band's CD a few years ago, I wanted to stay in the digital domain so I tried every plug I could find at the time, including Amplitube (I still have my notes about what components I liked best, not that I'll ever use them). They all sounded awful. I was looking for cleanish sounds, but not too clean. After a few wasted days (yes, days, I really wanted to make this work), I ran through a POD2 and got the sounds I was looking for in a few minutes with the AC30 and Mesa Boogie Mark IIc clean channels.

Reviews are no substitute for spending time with a demo.

Sure, it is all subjective. Each of us has our opinions of what we like and don't like. One could get the "sound they are looking for" from one of those plastic little battery amps too.

I am a BIG fan of the REAL thing. I used to have a fairly large amp collection. My amps of choice on a recording session would be an AC30 with Top Boost, Fender Tweed Deluxe (or Vibrolux, Trem etc or a Bassman), Hiwatt, Orange, Park or Marshall (I like Vintage amps mostly). But, I don't have all of those amps to choose from all of the time. So, I really appreciate it when effort has been gone to in software to emulate it AND give it new functionality. That's what we're talking about with AmpliTube 2. (the topic of this thread). Of course, unless you've seen it in action at NAMM or Messe then you don't know yet how cool it really is. You will soon!

In my opinion, AT1 sounds better than the POD. I think it is cool. But, apart from convenience I would choose a real amp over it. With AT2, it isn't that I wouldn't still choose a real amp over it but I might not in more cases. In fact, I could potentially feel MUCH less inclined because of both the sound and convenience as well as the flexibility of making oh TWENTY THOUSAND possible amp combinations out of AT2!!!!!!!

But, anyway, this is one of those subjects that is highly opinionated. I suppose it isn't for everyone even though I think any producer, songwriter, guitarist or any other electric instrumentalist should totally have it in their set up. It's production power in the right hands.

[t-willy]

are there going to be any bass presets on AT2 or is the new ampeg plug going to take the leading role? i use AT1 for my bass and love it so i was just wondering.

lates

t-willy

No bass amps modeled but good presets for bass, sure.

cool, thx!

lates

t-willy

[beltrom]

I like amplitube - it's my main go to for ampsims. I suspect that some people who don't like it don't feed it properly. It is VERY fuzzy about the signal. I was totally at a loss before picking up on this - couldn't understand why one day I absolutely loved the sound and the next it was weak and distant, like a blanket over it. The problem is if you drive it to hard it sometimes "goes digital". Something snaps and there's a harsch digital noise mixed into the main sound. This might be a local bug on my system...

I really don't feel the need for amplitube 2 - amplitube and Variax combined is all the tones I need, but I got a sneaking suspicion Squids will talk me into upgrading...

[telebunke]

Now that I got it, it might make me play me eguitar again - I was plaing with my acoustic only in the past 12 months.

tele

[Squids]

I like amplitube - it's my main go to for ampsims. I suspect that some people who don't like it don't feed it properly. It is VERY fuzzy about the signal. I was totally at a loss before picking up on this - couldn't understand why one day I absolutely loved the sound and the next it was weak and distant, like a blanket over it. The problem is if you drive it to hard it sometimes "goes digital". Something snaps and there's a harsch digital noise mixed into the main sound. This might be a local bug on my system...

I really don't feel the need for amplitube 2 - amplitube and Variax combined is all the tones I need, but I got a sneaking suspicion Squids will talk me into upgrading...

I will. You will. I hear what you're saying though. But, once you get a taste of AT2 and temptation of the rather inexpensive upgrade path (for what you get anyway) then it will all be over. Perhaps. The new stomp pedal board is worth it alone. AmpliTube 1 is very nice but I am not crazy about the fact that you can't configure your stomp boxes. They are in a preset chain. That's limiting. Of course, AT1 was really the first plug to put the whole guitar chain in there at all. But, now that AT2 has completely configurable stomps (up to 12 in a chain) AND there are all new stomps modeled after vintage collectible items that each can cost more than AT2 itself in hardware... well... that is what I am talking about!

[Tritonman1]

I personally use Amplitude and I dont even play guitar! Im a keyboard player and a Basement Producer I use it to add more realism to my guitar samples (which I personally beleive that it does very well)..plus sometimes I will use it as an FX thru a synth sound to generate a unique sound that noone else has..it makes my music have a more personal style to it.

[harmony gardens]

I just got Amplitube this week, so I'm very new to it. I'm loving it!! If Amplitube 2 is better,,, wow!!