UADs Paradise Guitar Studio

[zerocrossing]

The problem with AmpliTube is that IK does IR on top of IR for mics / cabs. That is largely what is causing the harsh, gauzy tone. It's why I switched to TONEX.

I used to feel this way too, and I almost always just used an IR instead of their "VIR™ Tech" module, but I've done a 180 on my thinking. However, the cabinets are not all created equal, and if you're using legacy models, they often have that tone that you're talking about. In fact, I'd say that in the case of this shoot-out, I'd disqualify the Amplitube entry because he's using one of those, and I think they're just part of the free version now. If he'd used something like the Brit L.A. Gold amp model and it's cab (or other premium Marshall), he could have made Amplitube a contender. Better than the UAD Lion? I won't say, because they're very good, but the Amplitube is WAY more flexible in a lot of ways. I just made a patch using the Brit L.A. Gold (1987 Marshall® Jubilee 2555) and then went to the UAD "All Along the Watchtower" preset, and and my sound was far better. I'm not saying anything, just that I made a better preset and the IK model sounded really good, but I probably could spend time trying to match them and it would be a wash, or maybe the UAD might win. Hard to say, but not a slaughter like that demo.

It's one of my main complaints with Amplitube, but I've just learned to live with it and ignore its warts. It's sort of like a garden where you can find some beautiful plants, but groundskeeper Willie hasn't been keeping up with the weeding. The thing about the Paradise Guitar Studio plugin is it's all up to modern standards and you can't really fail with it.

[zerocrossing]

I think you could have gotten it for at least $99 had you gone to checkout...

WTF... How stupid are they.

It literally said 'your special price' in my account. $149. All the way through.
Then on checkout, with no other reason, it becomes $79 ($94 after tax)...

A great example of how 'not' to sell your products.

I'm not sure I have even that much left now, after the mass overspend on everything else. I would likely have taken it though if I knew earlier. Maybe I need to scrape together some scraps...

I wonder why I don't see $79, as I practically own everything they make, including all the UADX guitar amps.

[zerocrossing]

...

I just still think AI has now gone miles ahead of any algorithmic amp/cab setup at least in tone but not flexibility.

rsp

I think this video makes my point..
Note the TH-U he is using the Fluid IR Super Cabinets (I think that is what they are called) and the NI is ICM which is their Capture stuff...
rsp

That guy looks like he could be my brother.

[zvenx]

...

I wonder why I don't see $79, as I practically own everything they make, including all the UADX guitar amps.

did you go as far as the checkout page after making sure you are signed in?
rsp

[jamcat]

I used to feel this way too, and I almost always just used an IR instead of their "VIR™ Tech" module, but I've done a 180 on my thinking. However, the cabinets are not all created equal, and if you're using legacy models, they often have that tone that you're talking about.

That isn’t the case when it comes to the cabs. They all were redone at the same time for AmpliTube 4, using their robotic mic arm they built specifically for their VIR capturing process.

If he'd used something like the Brit L.A. Gold amp model and its cab (or other premium Marshall), he could have made Amplitube a contender.

I just made a patch using the Brit L.A. Gold (1987 Marshall® Jubilee 2555)

The L.A. Gold is the rebranded JCM Slash. This is a 2012 model and hasn’t been updated. I think the gain is still broken, as it has been since version 3.7.

You should use the Brit Silver instead if you want a Jubilee 2555. It’s also a newer generation of modeling, done for AmpliTube 4 around 2016.

I agree though, the British Lead S100 is trash. He should have used the JH Gold, which was redone for Jimi Hendrix Edition 2.0, also in 2012. That would have been the direct analogue to UAD Lion ‘68.

It's one of my main complaints with Amplitube, but I've just learned to live with it and ignore its warts. It's sort of like a garden where you can find some beautiful plants, but groundskeeper Willie hasn't been keeping up with the weeding.

It’s one of my main complaints, too, along with their use of multiple layers of deconvolution and convolution. I think at this point they really need to throw everything out and redo each amp and cab in their collection using machine learning, if they want to keep up.

[zvenx]

..... I think at this point they really need to throw everything out and redo each amp and cab in their collection using machine learning, if they want to keep up.

Yep.
rsp

[jamcat]

zerocrossing is right though, AmpliTube is capable of sounding much better, but you have to REALLY know it to be able to choose the RIGHT models and setup. And Michael Nielsen obviously doesn’t know it well enough to be able to do that, so AmpliTube was shown in a particularly bad light.

…but, f’em, IK deserve it for leaving so much trash in AmpliTube. You shouldn’t have to be an expert to get a decent sound out of it, but that’s how it is. The tone Michael got in fact IS representative of what most people are going to get from AmpliTube.

[Cuauhtli]

My UAD offer is also $99. Guess they're miffed I didn't upgrade the signature edition.

[zerocrossing]

...

I wonder why I don't see $79, as I practically own everything they make, including all the UADX guitar amps.

did you go as far as the checkout page after making sure you are signed in?
rsp

My secret, Cap, is I'm always signed in.

[zerocrossing]

zerocrossing is right though, AmpliTube is capable of sounding much better, but you have to REALLY know it to be able to choose the RIGHT models and setup. And Michael Nielsen obviously doesn’t know it well enough to be able to do that, so AmpliTube was shown in a particularly bad light.

…but, f’em, IK deserve it for leaving so much trash in AmpliTube. You shouldn’t have to be an expert to get a decent sound out of it, but that’s how it is. The tone Michael got in fact IS representative of what most people are going to get from AmpliTube.

I threw this together to show how much more clear and present Amplitube can sound when doing a Marshall sound. Nothing fancy. There's a stomp from Tonex that you can turn on and off if you want some more gain. I called it "Lionizer."

https://tone.net/users/Marksalot

[zerocrossing]

I used to feel this way too, and I almost always just used an IR instead of their "VIR™ Tech" module, but I've done a 180 on my thinking. However, the cabinets are not all created equal, and if you're using legacy models, they often have that tone that you're talking about.

That isn’t the case when it comes to the cabs. They all were redone at the same time for AmpliTube 4, using their robotic mic arm they built specifically for their VIR capturing process.

Well... then that cab just blows anyway.

If he'd used something like the Brit L.A. Gold amp model and its cab (or other premium Marshall), he could have made Amplitube a contender.

I just made a patch using the Brit L.A. Gold (1987 Marshall® Jubilee 2555)

The L.A. Gold is the rebranded JCM Slash. This is a 2012 model and hasn’t been updated. I think the gain is still broken, as it has been since version 3.7.

In what way? I've never owned a Marshall head, just a late 80s combo, but I have messed about with them in shops. The controls seem to operate like I'd expect, though I noticed on the Lion the tone-stack seems before the gain stages and makes a lot more of a difference when trying to get the gain right.

You should use the Brit Silver instead if you want a Jubilee 2555. It’s also a newer generation of modeling, done for AmpliTube 4 around 2016.

I'll check it.

I agree though, the British Lead S100 is trash. He should have used the JH Gold, which was redone for Jimi Hendrix Edition 2.0, also in 2012. That would have been the direct analogue to UAD Lion ‘68.

It's one of my main complaints with Amplitube, but I've just learned to live with it and ignore its warts. It's sort of like a garden where you can find some beautiful plants, but groundskeeper Willie hasn't been keeping up with the weeding.

It’s one of my main complaints, too, along with their use of multiple layers of deconvolution and convolution. I think at this point they really need to throw everything out and redo each amp and cab in their collection using machine learning, if they want to keep up.

Agreed. Still, when I want to do some dual-amp path stuff, it's the best. I've learned how to avoid it's pitfalls, but you have to wonder why they haven't given it the care it deserves. I guess they've gone all in on Tonex, which is also great, but I mostly use it inside Amplitube.

[jamcat]

The L.A. Gold is the rebranded JCM Slash. This is a 2012 model and hasn’t been updated. I think the gain is still broken, as it has been since version 3.7.

In what way?

Allow me to quote myself from 2022:

STILL NOT FIXED IN v5.4:

The JCM Slash lead channel still kills your gain. The problem, specifically, is anything less than 10 on the LEAD MASTER actually makes the JCM Slash quieter when LEAD CHANNEL is flipped on. This has been broken since AmpliTube 3.71 or so. The volume should be about equal between the channels when LEAD MASTER is set to 5.

Compare this behavior to Brit Silver, which behaves correctly. Maybe they fixed it when they stripped the Slash and official Marshall branding, but I doubt it.

[jens]

I just still think AI has now gone miles ahead of any algorithmic amp/cab setup at least in tone but not flexibility.

Nah - in your comment over @Youtube you (inplicitly) state that the ICMs were similar to Tonex (etc.), while in reality they are actually something else entirely - and I think it shows, as they are spot on, while Tonex is poo if you ask me....

i.e.: "In tone" perhaps, but imo certainly not in dynamic behaviour.

https://blog.native-instruments.com/the-making-of-icm/

[zvenx]

They are doing a bit of modeling, capturing and Machine Learning... I beta tested Guitar Rig 6 and 7, when Julian Parker was at NI.. and from my memory it involved modeling, some capture and definitely a lot of machine learning too..


IF Mario (ED) is on this thread he can correct me... I don't think the whole process was in that blog from memory...


rsp

[zerocrossing]

The L.A. Gold is the rebranded JCM Slash. This is a 2012 model and hasn’t been updated. I think the gain is still broken, as it has been since version 3.7.

In what way?

Allow me to quote myself from 2022:

STILL NOT FIXED IN v5.4:

The JCM Slash lead channel still kills your gain. The problem, specifically, is anything less than 10 on the LEAD MASTER actually makes the JCM Slash quieter when LEAD CHANNEL is flipped on. This has been broken since AmpliTube 3.71 or so. The volume should be about equal between the channels when LEAD MASTER is set to 5.

Compare this behavior to Brit Silver, which behaves correctly. Maybe they fixed it when they stripped the Slash and official Marshall branding, but I doubt it.

I didn't catch that one. My outstanding bugs they're ignoring are the Mesa Boogie mkIIc that has a lot of aliasing, and the Mesa Trans Atlantic, that has a weird under-fuzz on the lead channel when you're doing crunchy type sounds. Sounds like someone's mixing a Fuzz Factory in quietly under everything.