KVR Audio

chrisby · Post by **chrisby** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 2:18 am

Posted this in another thread but no replies... since we're already slightly OT just curious if hardware wise the stealthplug is any better than the m-audio product (jamlab). I was surprised that since it's been out (jamlab) it's been virtually ignored. Is the stealthplug fundamentally better in some way (s/w excluded)? Not trying to stir up trouble just genuinely wondering.

Lunch Money · Post by **Lunch Money** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 2:58 am

I haven't used jamlab, but I'm betting on simple failed marketing. I actually saw the jamlab in a store... in CANADA... before hearing about it, and haven't really heard much about it since.

I'm fairly internet- and music- addicted, not to mention being someone who buys and reads guitar and music publications...

That's some bad marketing, if a guy like me never heard about it until one accidental "what the hell is THAT box?" in the music store.

chrisby · Post by **chrisby** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:32 am

Lunch Money wrote:I haven't used jamlab, but I'm betting on simple failed marketing. I actually saw the jamlab in a store... in CANADA... before hearing about it, and haven't really heard much about it since.

I'm fairly internet- and music- addicted, not to mention being someone who buys and reads guitar and music publications...

That's some bad marketing, if a guy like me never heard about it until one accidental "what the hell is THAT box?" in the music store.

Yeah, it's weird... I can remember a lot of hype before it came out (how great it was gonna be to just plug direct via usb) and then when it did finally come out just sort of... nothing. Not really much bad stuff I could find on the internet but not much good either. I'm just curious why it's considered not a good thing. You can pick up th jamlab for less than $50 US and eliminate the need for a DI so it would seem like it would be okay unless the hardware is just not up to snuff...

Squids · Post by **Squids** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 8:59 am

chrisby wrote:Posted this in another thread but no replies... since we're already slightly OT just curious if hardware wise the stealthplug is any better than the m-audio product (jamlab). I was surprised that since it's been out (jamlab) it's been virtually ignored. Is the stealthplug fundamentally better in some way (s/w excluded)? Not trying to stir up trouble just genuinely wondering.

I have both. Audio quality wise even if one was slightly better than the other we're still talking about low cost portable interfaces so... if you are after the highest quality pro interface look forward to spending many times the price. Greg put it well as far as having something for your home project studio or on the go (perfect for hotel rooms, laptops or going to your friend's house and not wanting to take apart your OTHER audio card that has cables hooked up to mixers etc).

The StealthPlug is actually even a little bit smaller (more "stealth"

) than the Jamlab but again they are both SMALL ENOUGH so not a big deal. The biggest difference is what you get in the package software and sound-wise. I can tell you sound-wise you get 500 of what we call "Jam Loops" from Sonic Reality (a mix of drums and full/partial rock and other style band loops to play along with) as opposed to 150 loops from the Prosession series that you get with JamLab. Considering that a library of 500 Waves loops from Sonic Reality goes for about $79. on www.esoundz.com this is not to be overlooked added value here! (I mean considering StealthPlug as a whole package is only $129).

But, then there's the inclusion of Tracktion 2.1 in StealthPlug which is the full version of the program which I believe sells for around $150? (so, the DAW software is normally even more than the entire StealthPlug package). I forget if the JamLab even came with a DAW actually (correct me if I am wrong pls).

Of course the biggest difference is that StealthPlug comes with AmpliTube 2 Live which is an all new cut down version of AmpliTube 2 that is pretty sweet! Looks and sounds amazing... for the money it is worth $129 easily alone (hey consider that AmpliTube 1 Live which had inferior specs to v2 went for $99 alone so...). It runs as a plug-in or standalone and even comes with something called SpeedTrainer which allows you to drag and drop mp3s, waves and other audio files (including any SR loops

) to play along with but you can also slow it down while keeping the pitch the same so you can learn parts (eg. slow down Eddie Van Halen to learn every note... or Allan Holdsworth or Frank Zappa or...

). There's a Tascam hardware product I believe that does JUST this and costs a few hundred bucks. Anyway, all of this software as opposed to mainly stomp box software from D-Sound that is included in the JamLab. I am not even sure what the value of that software is as it isn't actually sold as a software-only package in the main chain stores here... not that I am aware of anyway.

Oh and Stealthplug even comes with SampleTank SE so you have a virtual instrument plug-in to work with and it also comes with T-RackS EQ (which was modeled after an EQ in Abbey Road Studios by the way... a Calrec I believe). Jamlab doesn't come with that either (although M-Audio is owned by Avid/Digi and those two DO come with things like the M-Box so I don't know why M-Audio doesn't just bundle some of this IK software too!)

Even if you think the audio interface cable is something you'd only use in certain situations (or even never) the pacakge is completely worth it JUST for the software and sounds. It is over $300. in easily justifiable value just for that. But, actually if you consider that it also qualifies you for the discounted upgrade to AmpliTube 2 or Ampeg SVX if you were even thinking about getting either of those with the discount it ends up covering the cost of the Stealthplug which makes the whole thing end up being... FREE? In fact, if you do the math when you buy it from a store that gives good discounts (okay allow me, like www.esoundz.com ) you not only end up getting the Stealthplug for free but even save a little bit MORE doing it that way... I shouldn't say this stuff because it is more fun for the smart shopper to figure out. It's all about the maths.

You know you want one come on! haha (good present?). Oh I will warn you of one thing. It is dangerously close to becoming backordered because they are flying out the door. In fact, even at esoundz we have less than 100 left and when they are gone I am not sure when we'll be able to get the next batch but I think it may be as late as January/February so just to be aware of that. We can only get so many because the chain stores like Guitar Center keep ordering them in mass and of course they take priority over little dealers like esoundz... but we had a feeling it would be hot so we reserved them early.

Sascha Franck · Post by **Sascha Franck** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:59 am

The Amplitube Live thing is a very good point to consider indeed.
I will defenitely get either the Stealth or Jamlab before the end of this month - need something *truly* small for on the road.
Man, I wish that Macbook hat at least *one* more USB connection. This really sucks, I'll permanently have to use some hub.

So, can someone *please* tell me about the best overall latency you can get with either of the two?

stag · Post by **stag** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 10:12 am

I like the thing, but i was planning to lay down some tracks at my bedroom on my laptop with it and then take them to the studio, re amp them with AT2 or leave ii as they were, since i found AT Live pretty wicked, more version with more amp models would be nice doe.

Is there any problem to make drivers working at 44.1K? How about releasing WDM drivers so we could use ASIO4All and WMP at least?

Sascha i did bougth the thing, i think is common knowlledge that VSTi work better at 44.1, plus rendering something recorded at 48K to audio CD specs will be a problem.

FYI the Tascam US 122 is retailling at 99 euros and comes bundled with Cubase Le and GigaSampler LE. I wouldn't call the Stealth a bargain as it is, since it is not working as IK told it should, a samplerate is missing.

LM i'm aware when people type 44K they mean 44.1K

Sascha Franck · Post by **Sascha Franck** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 10:18 am

So stag, but they *are* saying that it's working at 44.1 - isn't it?

stag · Post by **stag** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 10:22 am

Hi Sascha:

No it simply locks itself at 48K on top ASIO4All don't sees the device.
I guess it performs par to the average interface. It just is hopeless to try and open previous projects with it. As it is is nothing more than a practice gadget to be used with standalone AmpSims.

I do believe they advertized the 44K samplerate, I read the Squids post but i didn't saw any reference to this. So i migth be doing something wrong besides not trying before buying.

Sascha Franck · Post by **Sascha Franck** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 10:28 am

Hmpf - so why do they state there's 44.1 support?
I mean, you are completely right, most people *are* working with 44.1, so it's making absolutely no sense to lock such a thing at 48.

Can you comment on that, Squids?

stag · Post by **stag** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 10:51 am

Let's not forget we're talking 100 euros here.
GuitarPort is 160 euro but comes with considerable more I\O, more robust chassis, 24 bit drivers and 10 amp models, qgainst 3 amp models on AT Live. It's not either a pro speced product still many pros have used them on studio and live, Todd Rundgreen for instance. I doubt he would found Stealthplug as yummi.

So i thougth as Stealth as so little to it, the little it had should be okay at least... not

Lunch Money · Post by **Lunch Money** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:45 pm

stag, I could be wrong, but it doesn't sound like you know what you're talking about... the "wrong" part would be that I don't actually have the unit to disprove you, so I have to go by the website:

44k/48k samplerate.

There's no such thing as a single setting called 44/48. It's showing that you can use either 44.1 or 48. So either their drivers are flaky or you're overlooking something in your configuration. Don't forget that hosts often have "override" capability for setting a unit's drivers.

The ASIO4ALL thing isn't an actual issue, keep in mind. ASIO4ALL is an independently-developed workaround solution that may or may not behave alongside a WDM device. IK offers the ASIO drivers and the WDM drivers. You simply cannot expect them to offer ASIO4ALL support, that doesn't make any sense whatsoever.

That would be like someone making a 3rd-party (independent) audio editor that happens to work alongside Tracktion, and expecting Mackie to support that audio editor.

I'm not meaning to be confrontational or anything, but both of your points aren't making sense.

Greg

m_e_t_r_o_n_o_m_e · Post by **m_e_t_r_o_n_o_m_e** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:55 pm

stag wrote:Hi Sascha:

No it simply locks itself at 48K on top ASIO4All don't sees the device..

ASIO4ALL isnt the standard on which all of the soundcards in the exist judge themselves. It will not be work with and emu either so

stag · Post by **stag** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:48 pm

LM you got me rigth. IK advertise 44/48k samplerates but on Stealth Control Panel there is only one setting 48000Hz, no 44.100Hz.
How clever do i have to be to tick a box and change a setting?!

Well, i didn't said that ASIO4All is must have, i don't use it on my FF800, Ozonic, Saffire Pro, DSPF etc.. Since Stealth don't offer 44.1K(which LM is having a hard time to digest, imagine the f**k up size) i thougth it would be okay to use it, guess what?! no go from get go.

:harp:

IKM

beergeek · Post by **beergeek** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 10:32 pm

So stag...have you tried using this in Tracktion and setting the sample rate from there? I mean, do you not get 2 choices in Tracktion?

I'm also curious why you wouldn't use the drivers it comes with.

Lunch Money · Post by **Lunch Money** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 10:37 pm

wth... I definitely replied back to this thread. Stupid dodgy internet connection. The gist of it was:

- I don't mind being slagged, as long as correct information is given.

If stag insists that only 48k is possible, that's what I'll believe until someone else comes along to say otherwise.

- The ASIO4ALL bit is still good information for people who were thinking of buying-- if they were counting on ASIO4ALL, and they know it doesn't work, then they can decide to not buy. On the other hand, people who have already purchased can't of course expect support, as I'm sure stag would agree.

Amplitube 2 Jimi Hendrix RELEASED this month!!!