Amplitube 2 Jimi Hendrix RELEASED this month!!!

[Squids]

I'm curious about the responsiveness to playing. Fabrizio illustrated this pretty well. I would sure like to have the abilty to play clean and be able to turn it up some and get the good old Sky Dog Allman sound.

I think you might get some good results. It is fun to experiment with it. You'll be able to do that next month Gordy! So you'll have to let us all know how that goes.

Reponsiveness (if that's a word ) is probably its biggest strength over the previous version. The Dynamic Saturation Modeling makes a difference. It has more "animation" in the harmonics and break up of the tone which behaves more like a real amp.

Overall, the emulations are pleasing in AT2. There are always little things the original does (for better or worse I may say) that no model is probably going to emulate (certain odd noises, interference, overload rattle etc.). But, for me there are a lot things that I spend time in the studio to avoid (like what I mentioned about my Fuzzface which picks up radio stations... cute but kind of annoying actually).

There were good reactions from the guitarists at NAMM about the responsiveness and sound in general. It drew some pretty big crowds too. Quite entertaining!

[metalifuxx]

yes, "good breakup" is what I like to hear, or else I might take the time and patience it takes to mic up a real amp for that clear sound that doesn't muddy a mix. If AT2 can promise that, I could be sold. Will there be any clips to demonstrate how it sits in a mix, like a rock clip, blues, jazz etc.? That would be nice, and a few details of the signal path.

[Squids]

I'm usually a passive observer, most of the time , but I've felt this way about squids posts at times, when it's regarding IK products of course. Too often you hear a squids come in a post right after someone has said they recommend a product over sampletank or amplitube or soniksynth and it like instant megapost saying "there are 20,000 combinations and I't's sooo Grreeaaeat" and "Im a producer etc, etc, I have access to real amps/synths etc..". Squids you have a high amount of emotional intelligence so it's hard to point that out, but I don't blame anyone for "calling you on it". That being said I think Sonic synth and AT2 are great and maybe you should let the products spreak for themselves, and chime in when peole make misrepresentations that are not based on opinion. I think Spectrum is a shining exapmle of this...

But It does have 20,000 amp combinations and that freakin' rocks IMHO. It is sooooo soooo great as well in my opinion! I stand behind it. Let the product speak for itself? If we all did that then there'd be no need for a discussion board. I say what I say for balance. If I see someone trashing what I think is a great product I want to offer my POV. Take it or leave it.

This other business about all of a sudden I should be more like someone else is not even worthy of a comment. Come on. WTF is that? That is a rude thing to say. Should we start talking about you? How about we say you should be more like Meffy or Beardedone? Absurd and inappropriate request IMO.

[magog]

I am sure there was a lot of work done to have it communicate the way it does with the Stomp which is very unique. The Stomp controls up to 4,000 presets in its "PLAY" mode and in "EDIT" mode you have access to every parameter in AT2 without even having to see the screen or use a mouse (guitarists and mice don't mix just kidding). So it really acts like a hardware floor processor but with the power of AT2

I think that StompIO will be the most interesting part of the package if it lives up to its latency and playability claims.

How does it integrate with your DAW? Does it appear as another set of (WDM?) inputs like the Line 6 Toneport does?

Can you record dry and wet at the same time while monitoring the wet signal at near-zero latency? You'd think that any HW/SW guitar combo would let you do this, but surprisingly you can't do this with Toneport. Anybody know if you can you do it with Rig Kontrol?

If AT2/StompIO can do that kind of recording setup at the latency advertised then even if the sound you get with Amplitube isn't perfect, you can always reamp with another VST later and fine tune. AT2 just needs to be playable enough that you can get a good performance out of it. Well, that's my theory anyway. I suck at guitar, so what do I know?

And of course the big question is: how much will it cost? $200? $500? 1000? Will they charge $600 and throw in AT2 for free? If I buy AT1 now for the free upgrade will I be screwed when I try to get StompIO later?

BTW, Squids, I notice that the AT1 crossgrade is still on the esoundz site, even though it says the deadline is Dec 31, 2005. Is the deal still on? Attempting to add it to my cart produced a PHP error


Michael

[metalifuxx]

Or side by side comparisons of the same riff/chord sequence compared to the actual amp with same mic setup. The could be a good selling point. Not enough amp/pedal whatever companys have demos like that. I wonder why? Could be for better or worse...

[daGuru]

Hmmm... "Smashing Pumpkings"... NOW I'm VERY interested .... Plz go into complete detail about the session.... pretty plz

ps. I am a no-one, so my opinions are 100% un-biased hehe.... then again, I could be a liar/advertiser.... shhh. shhh.. GOM...P hehe

[Squids]

I am sure there was a lot of work done to have it communicate the way it does with the Stomp which is very unique. The Stomp controls up to 4,000 presets in its "PLAY" mode and in "EDIT" mode you have access to every parameter in AT2 without even having to see the screen or use a mouse (guitarists and mice don't mix just kidding). So it really acts like a hardware floor processor but with the power of AT2

I think that StompIO will be the most interesting part of the package if it lives up to its latency and playability claims.

How does it integrate with your DAW? Does it appear as another set of (WDM?) inputs like the Line 6 Toneport does?

Can you record dry and wet at the same time while monitoring the wet signal at near-zero latency? You'd think that any HW/SW guitar combo would let you do this, but surprisingly you can't do this with Toneport. Anybody know if you can you do it with Rig Kontrol?

If AT2/StompIO can do that kind of recording setup at the latency advertised then even if the sound you get with Amplitube isn't perfect, you can always reamp with another VST later and fine tune. AT2 just needs to be playable enough that you can get a good performance out of it. Well, that's my theory anyway. I suck at guitar, so what do I know?

And of course the big question is: how much will it cost? $200? $500? 1000? Will they charge $600 and throw in AT2 for free? If I buy AT1 now for the free upgrade will I be screwed when I try to get StompIO later?

BTW, Squids, I notice that the AT1 crossgrade is still on the esoundz site, even though it says the deadline is Dec 31, 2005. Is the deal still on? Attempting to add it to my cart produced a PHP error


Michael

Good questions though. Some I will have to answer those with more detail soon.

Real quick, I think IK will honor the upgrade deal up until the time of release (so even now). I will stand behind that if you buy it on esoundz (even if we have to pay for it). So, you're safe to get the upgrade/crossgrade there are least. I can't speak for anyone else except that I think it probably is okay wherever you get it. Makes sense, should be right?

[spuddle]

Reponsiveness (if that's a word ) is probably its biggest strength over the previous version. The Dynamic Saturation Modeling makes a difference. It has more "animation" in the harmonics and break up of the tone which behaves more like a real amp.

I could definately hear that in action with the latest video feature from SonicState but it seemed like Fabrizio was really having to hammer the guitar strings to get the effect.

The great thing about a good tube amp is that it is a much more subtle effect and just picking that much harder will cause a note to 'bite'.

Part of the fun of playing different amps is finding the sweet spot where the amp does dig in, it becomes very much an interactive experience between you and the amp in this way.

Thus I am interested to know if this dynamics response system that AT2 has is capable of 'subtle', does the aggressiveness of the response change from amp to amp and also is the response a feature that is tweakable on a per amp basis?

Thanks for any information you might have on the matter.

[metalifuxx]

Or if the actual big name artists that really use AT1/AT2 would submit little clips they did, but I guess that would be sponsoring/promoting. That probally takes a whole lot of time, money, clearance etc, but what do I know. I've read through some of the Artists who do use it and saw some of the video interviews, but where is the actual music or pointing out that "listen here, this is amplitube in this part of the song"? Have they used this for serious releases or just demos on the road. Maybe I haven't read through that part of the site in depth enough. Although 311 (Nik Hexum) does reference Amplitube and Sonik Synth/Sample Tank on his bio page on thier site. Not attacking, just wondering.

[Squids]

Hmmm... "Smashing Pumpkings"... NOW I'm VERY interested .... Plz go into complete detail about the session.... pretty plz

ps. I am a no-one, so my opinions are 100% un-biased hehe.... then again, I could be a liar/advertiser.... shhh. shhh.. GOM...P hehe

Hard to tell if you are being sarcastic or not. In my view, there is no such thing as "no one" and just because you work with a famous band or producer doesn't mean you are "someone". But, of course, there is something to learn from that experience.

So, in case you really did want to know (or anyone else for that matter), I got called into the Smashing Pumpkins Adore sessions to help them get their Arp 2600 working. It was at Sunset Sound in Hollywood. I knew Bjorn Thorsrud who does their ProTools editing. I got to talk at length with Billy about Flood and different gear they use. It was interesting. I almost went for the gig on keys for their tour. But, I had some other things going on (yeah, trying to get my own record deal which I didn't get so... not lucky ALL the time).

A good friend of mine for years was one of the guitarists for Matchbox 20. Not my favorite band or anything but of course they did sell quite a lot of albums! He loves AmpliTube 2. Actually, I don't know too many musicians who don't. I mean, I know some musicians who don't use software at all (like Tom Waits, Jon Brion etc.) but of those that DO use software it seems to be unanimous. That's not BS you know. Just look at the artist page on www.amplitube.com Those people don't get paid to say that stuff! IK isn't Nike! (nIKe ? Hmmm! Conspiracy!!!! haha).

[Squids]

Reponsiveness (if that's a word ) is probably its biggest strength over the previous version. The Dynamic Saturation Modeling makes a difference. It has more "animation" in the harmonics and break up of the tone which behaves more like a real amp.

I could definately hear that in action with the latest video feature from SonicState but it seemed like Fabrizio was really having to hammer the guitar strings to get the effect.

The great thing about a good tube amp is that it is a much more subtle effect and just picking that much harder will cause a note to 'bite'.

Part of the fun of playing different amps is finding the sweet spot where the amp does dig in, it becomes very much an interactive experience between you and the amp in this way.

Thus I am interested to know if this dynamics response system that AT2 has is capable of 'subtle', does the aggressiveness of the response change from amp to amp and also is the response a feature that is tweakable on a per amp basis?

Thanks for any information you might have on the matter.

Yes, I know what you mean. Some hardware amps can be really sensitive with their "compression". I think even each amp is differen than the next in this regard (even the same model) so obviously there can be preferences. You know, some people hunt around for the very particular vintage guitar or vintage amp they want! So, software isn't going to be the same as that. However, the way I look at AT2 is like a tool kit and sort of amp/fx shop. With some tweaking you can get it to react closer and closer to what you want. For example, you can change out the components of the amp to see if the different virtual tubes or speakers or power amp, pre-amp, eq etc. get you closer to the sound you are looking for. You can also use some compression to simulate sensitivity if you needed more.

Look, the real thing is the real thing. I have never lost the love of a hardware guitar amp (especially the particular ones that I like such as Vox, Fender Tweeds, Park & Marshalls, Hiwatt etc.). It can be magic! I would buy one any time. But, for the price of a collectible vintage stomp like a CE-1 or Fuzzface you can get AmpliTube 2 in your setup! Chances are you can tweak it to sound as close in software as you can get to some of these great hardware pieces! But, for each person's particular taste? Well, I think it mostly comes down to "Yeah, for this price I just want it and will explore and enjoy whatever I CAN get out of it" OR a full investigation and personal tryout to see if it feels/sounds right to you!

I am actually surprised to see as many people on here in the second category. AmpliTube 2 seems more of an impulse buy (over the top features... ie. it is many times greater than AT1 and that sold incredibly well for the same price!!!). I think it really will be but you get more of the passionate, particular users here on a forum. Good for you though! Nice to see people really care about their gear and what they can do with it. I hope it is a right fit for your set ups and that you get the chance to be convinced however you need to be.

... and with that! Drum roll please? I am going to sleep. I have to wake up in 5 hours, I am getting sick and have to go to a funeral (THAT reality sets in... unfortunately ). But, this was a nice escape (apart from having to defend myself for just being the same ol Squids I've been for years on this forum).

Cheers all! Bye for now.

[spuddle]

Thanks Squids!

It is appreciated.

[Squids]

Thanks Squids!

It is appreciated.

Cool sky pic btw.

[Beardedone]

Damn there is no spellcheck in this editor! I can't type so I really need one! Like Ed Mann I will now practice : Responsiveness ...Ph.D. eh?

[Veron]

By NAMM? No. By February? Yes. It isn't being released Feb 1st. But it will be released IN February. My guess is that will be toward the end of the month. Could be sooner. I doubt later at this point.

End of February is very dissapointing....
I was thinking about early February.
Although I joked about AT2`s release date might being
end of February (which would mean almost March),
I didn`t think it would come true....

Neil Finn/Crowded House, Rolling Stones, Smashing Pumpkins, Black Crowes, Counting Crows, Sheryl Crow (lots of Crows , Lyle Workman (guitarist for Sting, Beck), Jon Anderson (Yes), Peter Gabriel, Ziggy Marley, Lenny Kravitz, Bono/Edge, L. Shankar (Zappa & McGlaughlin), Kevin Gilbert, Keith Emerson (ELP), Jack Joselph Puig (Jellyfish, Goo Goo Dolls...), Bill Botrell, Robbie Shanks (Alanis, Etheridge), T Bone Brunette (Elvis Costello, Sam Phillips, Wallflowers), , Mitchel Froom, Tony Berg, Amie Mann, Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, The Grays), Chicago, EWF, Phil Ramone, Ringo Starr (Beatles), Mark Hudson, Mark Hart (Supertramp, CH) plus all kinds of R&B, Hip Hop, progressive rock and other stuff...

Wow, this is REALLY impressive.
When I get my AT2 free upgrade, I hope you could give me
advices on making guitar sounds.
I bought AT1 upgrade at esoundz.com, btw.


One more thing. tq, wrote this in his past post (p.142),
and I`m concerned about this too. Do you know anything about this Squid?

One more question regarding the free upgrade - I am also entitled to the free upgrade. Will I have to contact IKMM again, will they contact me, or will this be sent automatically to my postal address?
Cheers, TQ