Vandal perfection through simplicity

[shogger]

An audio sample ain't gonna prove anything. But if you must hear what I have done with it than here is a link. http://www.myspace.com/rauchenretroactive

Thanx for that.

Shogger

I'm liking your sig

Thanx.

[shogger]

Yeah that is correct Hink mate - it seems to work better in standalone mode doing this than inside a host acting as VST itself for some reason i find (with ReValver Mk II anyway)

A VST Inside A VST Host Inside A VST Inside A VST Sub-Host > confusing for sure/head spinner

Simplicitiy for me is My Marshall DSL 50, Blackstar HT-5 And Ampeg BR-1E (amongst others)

Dean/Nekro

Yes Dean. Revalver2 vst is quite unstable here when hosting other vsts.

BTW, how is your Blackstar?

Shogger

[Dean Aka Nekro]

Yeah that is correct Hink mate - it seems to work better in standalone mode doing this than inside a host acting as VST itself for some reason i find (with ReValver Mk II anyway)

A VST Inside A VST Host Inside A VST Inside A VST Sub-Host > confusing for sure/head spinner

Simplicitiy for me is My Marshall DSL 50, Blackstar HT-5 And Ampeg BR-1E (amongst others)

Dean/Nekro

Yes Dean. Revalver2 vst is quite unstable here when hosting other vsts.

BTW, how is your Blackstar?

Shogger

Its good/PM Mate

[shogger]

Yeah,

now isn't it time for a fan audio thread for Vandal? Like they did for this other totally overrated amp sim that was released recently?
And don't forget to make some good rock to metal sounds.
Not only sissy indie stuff.

OK, this should be enough to get it going again for a few pages.

Shogger

P.S. Dean, got the PM! Thanx, will answer soon.

[redshift factor]

I've been using AmpliTube powered plugins for many years, and I get a kick out of this every time. I've seen it happen over and over again. Every time a new ampsim comes out, it happens. When Revalver MKII came out, there were roving bands of true believers saying it was the best ampsim ever. Then it happened again with TH1. Even Waves GTR had its moment. Now it's Vandal's turn... (at least for 4 people.)

But the one constant through all of this is always AmpliTube. It's the one ampsim that always has a loyal following, regardless of the latest craze. It's the only one that has withstood the test of time. When the excitment over the latest ampsim subsides, AmpliTube is always still left standing.

[eduardo_b]

I've been using AmpliTube powered plugins for many years, and I get a kick out of this every time. I've seen it happen over and over again. Every time a new ampsim comes out, it happens. When Revalver MKII came out, there were roving bands of true believers saying it was the best ampsim ever. Then it happened again with TH1. Even Waves GTR had its moment. Now it's Vandal's turn... (at least for 4 people.)

I think some of this is simply the thrill of the new. It wears off for some after a while or is replaced by something newer, but some will retain their enthusiasm because they really love the product.

[Steviebone]

The other day after reading all these AT3 sermons lately I pulled out the plug and set up multiple sends to my board so I could easily A/B or blend sounds from multiple amp sims. To my ears, AT3 is sterile, static and flat sounding compared to Vandal. Whats more, it's nowhere near as CPU efficient, especially with multiple instances.

The Vandal FX and stomps are largely so-so, but the amp sim itself is the best sounding of all by far if you take the time to tweak it. Personally I don't care about stomps and fx. There are plenty of good plugs out there to serve these purposes anyway. Just stick a good Mokafix in front.

Speaking of fronts, here's an interesting try... put one or more Antares Tubes in front of Vandal...

Anyway, flame on... I don't work for Vandal, in fact have not ponied up yet awaiting the MIDI fix... but I see no comparison between AT3 and Vandal except for a fancier GUI and better FX. I frankly can't understand all the AT3 hype.

As for AT3 has a "loyal following", so does "desperate housewives". And so do sheep and cows follow each other off a cliff. So what? I often find that the best products are almost never the most popular. Marketing, packaging, visibility and other factors play into this phenomenon.

And that's not a slam on AT. I like alot of their products. There was a time when AT ruled. But in my humble opinion, both Studio Devil Pro and Vandal outshine AT3 in terms of sound and playability.

Something Sascha is doing with Vandal is different to my ears and I like it. Nevertheless, no two people like the same real world amp heads. Many folks swear by Marshall or Boogie for example. Frankly, I never played one I liked. Why should we expect amp sims to be any different.

Bottom line: Pick one you like and get crackin. Like Franky said: Just "Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar!"

[shogger]

But the one constant through all of this is always AmpliTube. It's the one ampsim that always has a loyal following, regardless of the latest craze. It's the only one that has withstood the test of time. When the excitment over the latest ampsim subsides, AmpliTube is always still left standing.

OK for me if it's true for you. For me A1 sucked, don't remember that I demoed A2 (probably didn't as the negative impression of A1 was still so strong), and A3 is OK but far from great for all things I'm doing. So not really "still left standing" here. More like: It got a lot better, yeah. But being the uber-tool? No, not really.

Shogger

P.S. Speaking of über-tools: Does anybody have info about the AxeFX VST thingy? Will it ever happen?

[Hink]

But the one constant through all of this is always AmpliTube. It's the one ampsim that always has a loyal following, regardless of the latest craze. It's the only one that has withstood the test of time. When the excitment over the latest ampsim subsides, AmpliTube is always still left standing.

OK for me if it's true for you. For me A1 sucked, don't remember that I demoed A2 (probably didn't as the negative impression of A1 was still so strong), and A3 is OK but far from great for all things I'm doing. So not really "still left standing" here. More like: It got a lot better, yeah. But being the uber-tool? No, not really.

Shogger

P.S. Speaking of über-tools: Does anybody have info about the AxeFX VST thingy? Will it ever happen?

I can echo some of this, I didn't like AT1 in any way shape or form. It was harsch too digital, more fuzz than od and I have never been a fan of fuzz. I find fuzz decreases sustain when it comes to the heart of a guitar tone and covers it up with an artificial sustain imo decreases the actual sustain. OD hitiing a tube section electrifies the tubes and brings them to life. Fuzz and digital distortion have an awful lot in common within the caverns of my ear canal and hollow head. (good example, Joe Walsh Rocky Mountain Way...I cannot stand it on cd because the fuzz converts to a digital distortion sound which has no redeeming qualities in my mind)

AT1 was just too digital and like you I didn't give AT2 a second glance, AT3 is great but like I said in that other thread over there...it does not act as a good trigger for creativity because I'm use to a different approach. It does however (like GR4, GTR 3.5 and POD farm) do a good job for re-amping and getting the best tone after my sketchpad preliminary tracks are laid down.

[Cordelia]

I thought it was just me. Yeah, AT1 left such a nasty taste in my mouth I never even considered AT again until Fender Edition. Which I might end up buying someday if it goes on sale. Maybe but probably not.

The truth for me is that none of the digital sims are thrilling me, my PodXT is breaking but will do while it lasts. I wasn't thrilled with GR4, I have GR3 but didn't think (sonically) the upgrade to 4 was worth it. So I have GR3 for re-amping, which is great for FX, only fair for amp sounds. Flying Haggis is good, I like it OK, but my Sansamp pedals still sound/feel much better to me, so I'm sticking with analog emulations in the near future. (Even my 12 year old Trademark 60 sounds and feels better to me than GR3.)

So my favorite amp sim is the Tech21 Blonde Character pedal.

(BTW, a bit off topic, but has anybody had a chance to play the Digitech SC-2 Valve Distortion pedal? I hate Digitech gear, I have for years, but this pedal sounds great. Big surprise.)

[Hink]

I thought it was just me. Yeah, AT1 left such a nasty taste in my mouth I never even considered AT again until Fender Edition. Which I might end up buying someday if it goes on sale. Maybe but probably not.

The truth for me is that none of the digital sims are thrilling me, my PodXT is breaking but will do while it lasts. I wasn't thrilled with GR4, I have GR3 but didn't think (sonically) the upgrade to 4 was worth it. So I have GR3 for re-amping, which is great for FX, only fair for amp sounds. Flying Haggis is good, I like it OK, but my Sansamp pedals still sound/feel much better to me, so I'm sticking with analog emulations in the near future. (Even my 12 year old Trademark 60 sounds and feels better to me than GR3.)

So my favorite amp sim is the Tech21 Blonde Character pedal.

(BTW, a bit off topic, but has anybody had a chance to play the Digitech SC-2 Valve Distortion pedal? I hate Digitech gear, I have for years, but this pedal sounds great. Big surprise.)

If there is one company I hate as much as Gibson it's digitech, but both stem from the same illogical starting point. Speaking of Gibson, in case anyone missed it in OT, I call this "So many Leps Pauls...too little time"

[chj]

I wasn't thrilled with GR4, I have GR3 but didn't think (sonically) the upgrade to 4 was worth it.

It's worth it. I was never quite happy with GR3, I'm much happier with GR4. Main difference for me is that it was hard to tame GR3's harshness without killing the tone with a heavy handed EQ'ing of the high end. GR4 has a smoother sound. The updated matched cabs alone are worth it.

[Cordelia]

@ Hink,

Fantastic. Although I do enjoy a Gibson SG occasionally.
For, you know, when I'm up a creek...

Oh, BTW way I hate Digitech, too. I have never enjoyed a single thing I've used of theirs until this SC-2 pedal which is why it's a big surprise to me.

Maybe I need to give the GR4 demo another shot. Maybe my expectations were too high. I had big hopes that NI would tweak the sims and leave the great GUI alone. My initial impression was they fussed too much with the GUI and not enough with the sound.

[Dean Aka Nekro]

(Even my 12 year old Trademark 60 sounds and feels better to me than GR3.) So my favorite amp sim is the Tech21 Blonde Character pedal.
(BTW, a bit off topic, but has anybody had a chance to play the Digitech SC-2 Valve Distortion pedal? I hate Digitech gear, I have for years, but this pedal sounds great. Big surprise.)

Tech21 Trademark Amps sound good period and if it still sounds good then it is good

Haven't Tried the Character series yet myself - lotta them to choose from

I have tried the Digitech Hardwire Series SC-2 Valve-Distortion and its good for hitting the front of a pre-amp or amp, less mid-rangey than a TS-808 for example and goes from a relatively clean boost at level full, gain/drive 0-1 to a full-on cascaded 'rock' type amp sound. I didn't buy one as i didn't need it over the other dirt/boost boxes i got - but it was quiet in operation and did a good job, if you were using it on the tweed-like style setting on your trademark 60 then it would do a good job in nailing the amp into saturation. All just my my opinion of course FWIW Cordelia, For the outlay though i would suggest the 'Blackstar Amplification HT-Series HT-Dual' Pedal - if you get chance try one out mate or checkout thier website

Dean/Nekro

[Cordelia]

(Even my 12 year old Trademark 60 sounds and feels better to me than GR3.) So my favorite amp sim is the Tech21 Blonde Character pedal.
(BTW, a bit off topic, but has anybody had a chance to play the Digitech SC-2 Valve Distortion pedal? I hate Digitech gear, I have for years, but this pedal sounds great. Big surprise.)

Tech21 Trademark Amps sound good period and if it still sounds good then it is good

Haven't Tried the Character series yet myself - lotta them to choose from

I have tried the Digitech Hardwire Series SC-2 Valve-Distortion and its good for hitting the front of a pre-amp or amp, less mid-rangey than a TS-808 for example and goes from a relatively clean boost at level full, gain/drive 0-1 to a full-on cascaded 'rock' type amp sound. I didn't buy one as i didn't need it over the other dirt/boost boxes i got - but it was quiet in operation and did a good job, if you were using it on the tweed-like style setting on your trademark 60 then it would do a good job in nailing the amp into saturation. All just my my opinion of course FWIW Cordelia, For the outlay though i would suggest the 'Blackstar Amplification HT-Series HT-Dual' Pedal - if you get chance try one out mate or checkout thier website

Dean/Nekro

Hey Dean, thank you for the information. That Blackstar pedal is another on my list. Channel 2 on the Trademark is just a bit too saturated for me. Does the Blackstar do "slightly overdriven Fender" pretty well?
Thanks!