KVR Audio

sprnva · Post by **sprnva** » Sun Jan 28, 2018 8:44 pm

I grabbed the demo to have a quick look to see if they've started using a proper native GUI yet. Alas, no, it's still all HTML.

funky lime · Post by **funky lime** » Sun Jan 28, 2018 8:59 pm

Yes, the fact that they basically wrap Google Chrome inside a VST plugin, just for the interface, is pretty off-putting. I prefer resource-light stuff, and Chrome is definitely not that. I don't know if this is the case for all their stuff (I'm assuming it is), but it was for their EQ pack that they gave away for free (twice). This made the UI sluggish and unresponsive, at least compared to nearly all the other plugins I run. It turned me off enough that I never even gave them a thorough test.

wagtunes · Post by **wagtunes** » Sun Jan 28, 2018 10:24 pm

Well, based on what I'm hearing, especially the GUI (Seriously? HTML?) I think I'll pass on this one. Shame, because I like the idea of being able to basically create your own amp from the ground floor up. I don't know of any other amp sim that allows you to do that at this deep a level, swapping tubes and circuitry. But if there is one that's really solid and well liked, let me know and I'll look into it.

cprompt · Post by **cprompt** » Sun Jan 28, 2018 10:43 pm

I've not demod Bias Amp 2 but I did demo the original Bias Amp and it was distinctly meh. I got the delay pedal, distortion pedal and the three EQs free over time and they are just awful. Sound-wise I think they are fine, but the terrible UI where they use HTML and Javascript to display it makes for a very poor experience - it takes about 10 seconds to load the UI and even then, half the time it comes out black. I imagine they do this for portability between PC, Mac and iPad, but really, they should bite the bullet and code them properly. Frankly, it's just awful.

Let's not get in to the bugs with the EQs that they never really fixed.

Ultimately, it's a real shame because I think there are some decent plugins in there somewhere, but they are obscured by a veil of shitness that puts me right off making the effort. I mean, I can't even be arsed to use the free plugins, let along actually pay for them. With money. My money!!!

Burillo · Post by **Burillo** » Sun Jan 28, 2018 10:54 pm

yes, the GUI is basically why i passed on Bias stuff, all the way back to when they released the first beta. i'll be the first to admit that my ears aren't discerning enough to hear any difference between current generation ampsims, so for me, the difference between them becomes ease of use and particular tones that they have available. while Bias may have the latter in spades, the user experience in DAW is atrocious - the plugin loads for ages, the UI is sluggish and unresponsive, and this finger-friendly UI with huge-ass buttons simply doesn't work with a mouse-and-keyboard and becomes extremely annoying. i've voiced these exact words as beta feedback, but nobody seems to listen.

wagtunes · Post by **wagtunes** » Sun Jan 28, 2018 11:02 pm

Burillo wrote:yes, the GUI is basically why i passed on Bias stuff, all the way back to when they released the first beta. i'll be the first to admit that my ears aren't discerning enough to hear any difference between current generation ampsims, so for me, the difference between them becomes ease of use and particular tones that they have available. while Bias may have the latter in spades, the user experience in DAW is atrocious - the plugin loads for ages, the UI is sluggish and unresponsive, and this finger-friendly UI with huge-ass buttons simply doesn't work with a mouse-and-keyboard and becomes extremely annoying. i've voiced these exact words as beta feedback, but nobody seems to listen.

Wow! Okay, guess that's a rap.

generaldiomedes · Post by **generaldiomedes** » Sun Jan 28, 2018 11:35 pm

wagtunes wrote:I don't know of any other amp sim that allows you to do that at this deep a level, swapping tubes and circuitry. But if there is one that's really solid and well liked, let me know and I'll look into it.

Better to ask these type of questions in site that is more guitar oriented site like gearslutz.

generaldiomedes · Post by **generaldiomedes** » Sun Jan 28, 2018 11:42 pm

Scotty wrote:There is no generally agreed upon standard in regard to amp sims

Personally, I think the standard is how close they sound to the actual physical amp.

Scotty wrote: Tons of pros use Line 6 modelling amps, tons of skilled guitarist use BIAS technology, Eleven or Amplitude, Guitar Rig or others or combinations of others. To pretend that their is some kind of consensus that points to some kind of truth is highly imaginative.

Sorry, there are not tons of pros using Guitar Rig .. I think to pretend that it can hang with the current generation of amp sims is 'highly imaginative'.

Look, I agree that the current generation of soft amps are largely play in the same ballpark, however Guitar Rig is not part of that generation.

What we are basically talking about is the difference between Repro-5 and Arturia Prophet V.

funky lime · Post by **funky lime** » Mon Jan 29, 2018 12:02 am

generaldiomedes wrote:
Scotty wrote:There is no generally agreed upon standard in regard to amp sims
Personally, I think the standard is how close they sound to the actual physical amp.

Scotty wrote: Tons of pros use Line 6 modelling amps, tons of skilled guitarist use BIAS technology, Eleven or Amplitude, Guitar Rig or others or combinations of others. To pretend that their is some kind of consensus that points to some kind of truth is highly imaginative.
Sorry, there are not tons of pros using Guitar Rig .. I think to pretend that it can hang with the current generation of amp sims is 'highly imaginative'.

Look, I agree that the current generation of soft amps are largely play in the same ballpark, however Guitar Rig is not part of that generation.

What we are basically talking about is the difference between Repro-5 and Arturia Prophet V.

If you're striving to painstakingly emulate a certain piece of gear's sound, then yeah, Guitar Rig is not for you. But that doesn't mean it doesn't get used in a professional context. It's just another color in the palette. It also happens to be a great multi-fx unit for keyboards, vocals, and other non-guitar sounds, and works well on stage with MIDI control.

Its "emulations" will get you in the ballpark anyway, which can be great during the songwriting phase where you don't want to get bogged down with tone but still want to track with a quick, mocked-up, ballpark tone. It's not going to sound like a specific Fender amp, but still conveys the basic concept of the general "Fender" sound.

generaldiomedes · Post by **generaldiomedes** » Mon Jan 29, 2018 12:07 am

GR5 has low CPU usage, that's a plus

Scotty · Post by **Scotty** » Mon Jan 29, 2018 12:18 am

You could easily find professionals who use Guitar Rig in the studio and on stage. I am one of them (I don't use it exclusively) and there is at least one other poster in this thread who uses it as well. Regardless, you have agreed with the main point that the soft amp sims are largely in the same ball park.

That's as far as I think we'll agree which is pretty remarkable considering how passionate most guitarists are in regards to all things tone and gear related. To me, the sheer range of contradictory opinion and selection of products in current use (including Guitar Rig 5) tells me that personal preference and passion is inextricably and hopelessly bound to any question regarding quality of emulation.

Thanks for the chat. - Scotty.

funky lime wrote:
generaldiomedes wrote:
Scotty wrote:There is no generally agreed upon standard in regard to amp sims
Personally, I think the standard is how close they sound to the actual physical amp.

Scotty wrote: Tons of pros use Line 6 modelling amps, tons of skilled guitarist use BIAS technology, Eleven or Amplitude, Guitar Rig or others or combinations of others. To pretend that their is some kind of consensus that points to some kind of truth is highly imaginative.
Sorry, there are not tons of pros using Guitar Rig .. I think to pretend that it can hang with the current generation of amp sims is 'highly imaginative'.

Look, I agree that the current generation of soft amps are largely play in the same ballpark, however Guitar Rig is not part of that generation.

What we are basically talking about is the difference between Repro-5 and Arturia Prophet V.
If you're striving to painstakingly emulate a certain piece of gear's sound, then yeah, Guitar Rig is not for you. But that doesn't mean it doesn't get used in a professional context. It's just another color in the palette. It also happens to be a great multi-fx unit for keyboards, vocals, and other non-guitar sounds, and works well on stage with MIDI control.

Aliens · Post by **Aliens** » Mon Jan 29, 2018 12:59 am

I'm looking forward to trying out the new Bluecat Axiom amp sim. Looks well good. I like Bluecat, so hoping it sound matches my enthusiasm.

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 6&t=498750

dandezebra · Post by **dandezebra** » Mon Jan 29, 2018 3:02 am

I still think that Kazrog and Tse X50 are the best I have ever tried. In combination with some good IRs (many provided), I can't imagine wanting much more... Again, just my ears!

V0RT3X · Post by **V0RT3X** » Mon Jan 29, 2018 3:22 am

Helix Native is way better sounding

acousticglue · Post by **acousticglue** » Mon Jan 29, 2018 11:49 am

Every amp sim paired with the right corresponding reverb, FX and cab can sound great within framework of a song. The problem with Bias is the pricing model and the FX just haven't been that great. Some of their FX sound great, some user created FX not so much, some better. Some buggy but there is almost (like mentioned) no interaction between public because this got out of hand. I own amp, FX and distortion/delay by them. I wont buy anything else. Do I use what I have? Barely but let it be said that the stuff in there can be paired with other FX and be good. GR5 is not piece of crap, there is some dated components and some very useful components. Same with any amp sim software. You learn to mix and match.

Bias Amp 2 Reviews...Holy Crap