Amplitube 2 Jimi Hendrix RELEASED this month!!!

[A3ntar]

Latency is as low as it can be, the driver is done at the kernal (? did I spell that right?) level.

It is called "kernel" mode (other called it Ring 0) as opposed to "user" mode. In sum, it is the operating system's protected space, mainly reserved for drivers and low level access devices. Almost all drivers though have to be done in Ring0 anyways. So I am not sure what do that mean when it comes to StompIO. It might that they have a direct propriatary IO protocol when you use it with AT2 live (or AT2) but I don't see it helping much in ASIO, compared to a native PCI or USB implememtation.

It's a class product. Took long enough to get it that way of course! But, that's what it takes if you are into craftsmanship which IK definitely is. It's not some quick slap it together cheap interface (there's enough of those out there). Also, it's handmade in Italy too... a place where there are some nice boutique amps made (not to mention Ferrari, Mazerati etc. that are right down the street from the IK office). You could almost call Stomp IO a boutique interface/controller. It's the only interface/controller for guitar that is made to be like a high end control surface. ProTools has things like ProControl for mixing. Guitarists now have this for thorough (and radical) control of their guitar effects. From accessing a zillion presets (oh, smooth preset switching by the way) to controlling various rates, depths and drives of the pedals with the 6 expression switches it is pretty DELUXE! (reminds me of those custom Bradshaw rigs that people like David Gilmour would have made for him... I bet you those cost a fortune!)

Whoaaaa!! Made in italy?! Now that is refreshing!

Are only the first few batches made in italy, or even the production models?

Any ideas on the MSRP? I hope they won't cost a fortune

As for announcements at the show... you know I can't say anything. But there is going to be a press conference on Thursday about something. Some emulation of gear is involved. But, WHAT, well... you will know soon enough!

LOL...OK, keep us posted!!

[Squids]

Well, with quality comes a price of course. IK always offers great value for money. However, this isn't going to be cheap by any means. It is a serious piece of hardware. Class A inputs! The integration between hardware and software control is deep. I mean, look at the cost of hardware interface/controllers for DAWs. Those aren't cheap either. You get what you pay for.

As for Kernel mode, this sort of thing is a little bit out of my range of knowledge. I can only go by what I've heard which is that it bypasses Windows for stand alone mode or something... you know, I don't know enough about it to even explain it. But, I CAN tell you the result which is that it is as low latency as anything gets. There's always going to be some latency in anything (even from the speaker to your ear too btw). But, comparing to other hardware interfaces this is designed to be top of the line when it comes to that. It's designed specifically FOR guitar and bass so this was something concentrated on heavily as opposed to other interfaces for general recording where they may not be as concerned with the performance in that regard.

Oh the first batch are going to be made in Italy. I don't know if they always will be or not. But, as I said, I finally have one here and it is RUGGED, STURDY and really well built. A solid piece of gear. So, when we have them on pre-order on www.esoundz.com (hey come on a little plug for esoundz once in a while) I would suggest getting these that are made in Italy. That may not even change for future runs but in case it did and you wanted one from Italy then do your best to get the very first ones out! When you see it as a pre-order on esoundz by the way that will give you an idea that it is less than a month from being out. (if you wanted to have some kind of head's up).

[Lunch Money]

'Sokay. I like nice rugged buttons like that over pads.

Just okay? what dont you like about it?

I don't "not" like anything at all about it. It's fine. It's a functional-looking rectangle with some rugged-looking switches, a few knobs, and a nice legible LED readout (or so it seems). It's certainly not going to win "design of the year" but it looks perfectly functional and useful.

[stag]

I would like it to have Stereo inputs instead and permutable betwen line and DI. Some of us already have dedicated tube DIs. Don't take it badly but i guess some DI, at least mine
cost more than Stomp I\O and AT2 put together. So they better deliver.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

How is the wah-wah to be controlled? If I'm not mistaken, standard expression pedals do not have the "toe on/off" switch common in wah pedals. Without this, it would mean you'd have to turn your wah on before you wanted it on, then quickly move your foot over to play with it (not cool). Now if there's an expression controller with the toe controlled on/off switch underneath the sweeper, now that'd be cool (is one already on the market?).

[A3ntar]

How is the wah-wah to be controlled? If I'm not mistaken, standard expression pedals do not have the "toe on/off" switch common in wah pedals. Without this, it would mean you'd have to turn your wah on before you wanted it on, then quickly move your foot over to play with it (not cool). Now if there's an expression controller with the toe controlled on/off switch underneath the sweeper, now that'd be cool (is one already on
the market?).

Maybe you can plug 2 pedals, one for volume and one for wah-wah?

[redshift factor]

Actually, StompIO will come with a new Wah Wah in it that is perhaps the best wah wah I have ever heard in software. I am not kidding. It's amazing! (based on one of my own Wah Wahs that I collected actually). So, if you are an AT2 user then getting Stomp IO will solve all of your controller needs for wah wah and everything else.

However, AT2 Live can do the wah wah with basic midi control and there may even be an update down the line for the AT2 full plug-in/stand alone version as well. But, first the main concentration is on the very special programming that allows it to work full on with Stomp IO integration, which is as you can imagine immense... every parameter of AT2 from editing to performacne and more is controllable from this foot control surface.

I'm a bit confused by this new Wah Wah that comes "in" StompIO. This means StompIO has modules not found in AmpliTube2? So does this mean that StompIO actually runs AmpliTube based software internally, or a special version of the AmpliTube software?

[A3ntar]

Actually, StompIO will come with a new Wah Wah in it that is perhaps the best wah wah I have ever heard in software. I am not kidding. It's amazing! (based on one of my own Wah Wahs that I collected actually). So, if you are an AT2 user then getting Stomp IO will solve all of your controller needs for wah wah and everything else.

However, AT2 Live can do the wah wah with basic midi control and there may even be an update down the line for the AT2 full plug-in/stand alone version as well. But, first the main concentration is on the very special programming that allows it to work full on with Stomp IO integration, which is as you can imagine immense... every parameter of AT2 from editing to performacne and more is controllable from this foot control surface.

I'm a bit confused by this new Wah Wah that comes "in" StompIO. This means StompIO has modules not found in AmpliTube2? So does this mean that StompIO actually runs AmpliTube based software internally, or a special version of the AmpliTube software?

No, StompIO does not run any processing on-board...It can't since it has no processing power per say.

What I think Squids was talking about is that the version of AT2 that comes with the floorboard has a special wahwah pedal, that is not found in the regular version of AT2.

Plus, the floorboard allows you to control the standalone version via tight-coupled standalone (non ASIO I presume) drivers.

[Sascha Franck]

There's still no decent USB cable lock on the Stomp I/O.
A *massive* drawback. I know what this is all about from using Rig Kontrol. The USB cable needs a *serious* lock. Otherwise there's no chance I will ever use these things live.
I'm really asking myself whether those folks are really thinking about live useage. Doesn't look as if they are.
I mean, those knobs can be as rugged as they want. It doesn't help as long as a super cheesy USB connector will simply break a show. Which it will, believe me.

[CapnLockheed]

It doesn't help as long as a super cheesy USB connector will simply break a show. Which it will, believe me.

Two words.....Duct Tape!!

Cheers.....CL

[redshift factor]

What I think Squids was talking about is that the version of AT2 that comes with the floorboard has a special wahwah pedal, that is not found in the regular version of AT2.

Ironic though, isn't it, that it should come with a new, special Wah pedal not even found in AT2, and yet by the looks of it, no hardware pedal to control it with?

[Squids]

There's still no decent USB cable lock on the Stomp I/O.
A *massive* drawback. I know what this is all about from using Rig Kontrol. The USB cable needs a *serious* lock. Otherwise there's no chance I will ever use these things live.
I'm really asking myself whether those folks are really thinking about live useage. Doesn't look as if they are.
I mean, those knobs can be as rugged as they want. It doesn't help as long as a super cheesy USB connector will simply break a show. Which it will, believe me.

Nothing else has any such "usb cable lock" does it? But, Stomp IO does have a bar you can wrap the cable around when you connect it. This method kept horses from bolting out when Cowboys went into Western Saloons. It worked fine back then and as I've personally tested it with Stomp IO, I can assure you that it works fine now too. You can worry about this with other devices but not this one. It really isn't an issue. You can secure the cable with ONE loop (let alone as many as you want) and it AIN'T GOIN' NO WHERE. (said in sophisticated speak )

[Squids]

What I think Squids was talking about is that the version of AT2 that comes with the floorboard has a special wahwah pedal, that is not found in the regular version of AT2.

Ironic though, isn't it, that it should come with a new, special Wah pedal not even found in AT2, and yet by the looks of it, no hardware pedal to control it with?

Everything about the Stomp IO is meant to be no compromise in quality and features while still maintaining great value for the money. Don't let the fact that it doesn't have a hardware pedal included fool you. The kind of hardware pedals that are often included with controllers are not always the ones that guitarists like so this unit let's you choose which one you like (although I think there will be some from IK as optional accessories). Anyway, some controllers have one, maybe 2 control pedals of average quality built in. Stomp IO allows you to connect SIX (seriously, that's a lot) pedals of your choice to it. That's more powerful than any USB hardware foot controller offers that I am aware of.

As for the wah inside the special version of AmpliTube 2 that comes with the Stomp IO (that every AT2 user can upgrade to get the controller and the new features of the customized software) that info is a little risky unauthorized Squids leak. It's in addition to the wah in AT2 which isn't bad but this wah is a model of my personal vintage wah that I collected after hunting for the best one. I sent it over to Italy to be modeled (ironically back to the place where it was originally made ). I am glad to have a model of it as I am of my CE-1, Fuzzface and MXR pedals that IK modeled in AT2. There are even more cool things about Stomp IO than just that though but more will be revealed next week at NAMM. I know there are a few things about it that will be highly appreciated by a lot of people here. I will see if I can squeak out a few more hints beforehand... although only if you guys get what's cool about it. I would assume so if you at least read my posts carefully (like how I've explained many times about the decision to offer 6 expression inputs vs. 1-2 crappy on board expression pedals or that I've explained and even shown the image of the unit that points out that the bar secures the USB cable) but with some posts here I wonder. I wonder if what I've said is missed (could be with a thread this large) or if someone is just coming from a POV that is just against it for whatever their reason. Oh well. Keeps this thread going on forever which is fine with me. I'll keep talking until it hits 500 pages. Then at that point I may want to talk about AT3. (just kidding!)

[Sascha Franck]

Nothing else has any such "usb cable lock" does it?

I know. Does it make things any better?
And btw, believe me, I *do* complain as much about Rig Kontrol having no decent cable lock.

But, Stomp IO does have a bar you can wrap the cable around when you connect it. This method kept horses from bolting out when Cowboys went into Western Saloons. It worked fine back then and as I've personally tested it with Stomp IO, I can assure you that it works fine now too.

Sorry, but we're not living in 1880 anymore. There should be better options.
USB cables are rather stiff and wrapping them around the handle is a miserable workaround at best.

I *did* some sessions with Rig Kontrol, which has some sort of handle/bar as well, and yet, even in a solid grounded rehearsal room, the connection failed at one or two occasions. No way I will ever use anything such as that for a serious live gig! No way! Never! Ever!

You may call me anal or whatever - but this *is* a very serious issue for the live players among us.

Really, if you want us to use computers live, you need to make sure things won't fail. My amps *never* do. Now that software has become rather stable, why would anybody want to add another weak hardware link?

[Squids]

It's not that I don't think a USB cable lock wouldn't be cool. It doesn't exist as a computer part that I am aware of so it would have to be invented. In fact, it's even a very good idea! But, just because a unit doesn't have things that don't exist doesn't mean that it doesn't do what you need it to do. I fully see the need to secure the cable as does the person who designed this unit and the solution is the bar which doubles as a carrying handle. It may not be as "trick" as a cable lock but it does keep the cable secure.

So, it might be a little bit anal to hold out for something that nothing else has and doesn't exist to our knowledge. But that's YOUR problem not ours! Haha. Just kidding. I don't imagine you'll be getting it and if you did it would surprise me.

By the way, don't knock cowboys in the 1800's. They took care of business just fine.