Mercuriall Audio has announced the release of Ampbox, described as "a next-gen VST/AU/AAX/Standalone platform to host their current* and future products".
Ampbox is also a major release for ReAxis and U530, which, along with other improvements, got a new poweramp that breathes new life into the trusty preamps.
First in Mercuriall Audio's product line, Ampbox receives native support for Apple M1 chips.
Additionally, U530 modeling technology was updated with the latest Mercuriall Neural Hybrid Engine v1.5 version.
The best part? All existing owners of Euphoria/Reaxis/U530 will get the corresponding Ampbox update for free. Using Mercuriall Audio's new, simplified product activation system, updating will be easy.
Powered by Mercuriall Neural Hybrid Engine v1.5
Mercuriall Audio explains:
Ampbox is powered by one the most advanced amp modeling engines on Earth. Unlike many other solutions, which rely on wave-shaping, EQ-matching or black box signal capturing to simplify and speed up development, Mercuriall Audio does not cut corners.
Neural Hybrid Engine is built on White Box modeling, where each amp and preamp is recreated in its entirety, component by component, keeping the tone, feel and response of the hardware. Combined with Neural Networks, the result is a living and breathing software that reacts to the amp controls' changes in the most natural way.
Ampbox is a self-sufficient platform for creating realistic guitar tones with just one plugin. Everything you need is 1-2 clicks away. It has a beautiful, clean and simple user interface, which can be immediately understood by a person at any level of plugin usage experience.
You will get Ampbox for free with the first purchase of supported* amps or preamps. The platform includes such free modules as gate, overdrive and distortion pedals, EQs, 2D cab section, IR loader, spatial effects, tuner, just to name a few.
The first release of Ampbox will offer three amps/preamps for purchase:
- Euphoria (amp based on Bogner Ecstasy 101B).
- Reaxis (preamp based on MESA/Boogie Triaxis).
- U530 (preamp based on Engl E530).
Of course, this is just a beginning, as more amps and preamps will be offered in future, all within one platform. Returning customers will be able to take advantage of permanent discounts.
Ampbox was built with an idea of continuous improvement. With time, the platform will grow to become even more powerful, advanced and feature-rich. Various quality-of-life releases will continuously keep Ampbox fresh and updated.
Prices:
- Ampbox platform: free with the first purchase of supported* amps or preamps.
- Any Ampbox amp (full head): 89.99 USD (69.99 USD for returning customers).
- Any Ampbox preamp: 59.99 USD (49.99 USD for returning customers).
- For three days after Ampbox release everyone can buy Euphoria/Reaxis/U530 for the same price as returning customers.
Note to all existing owners of Euphoria/Reaxis/U530
At the moment of Ampbox release all existing owners of Euphoria/Reaxis/U530 will get corresponding products for free in Ampbox. To get access to free upgrades, existing customers need to download Ampbox, login with their Mercuriall Audio email/password and activate corresponding products.
Old versions of Euphoria/Reaxis/U530 will keep working as is, but won't be sold as separate plugins anymore.
* Supported Ampbox amps and preamps as of November 2021:
Detailed Ampbox Information
Modeling technology:
- Neural Hybrid Engine v1.5 developed by Mercuriall Audio.
Supported operating systems and program formats:
- Mac: VST2 x64, VST3 x64, AU x64, AAX x64 (Pro Tools 2019.12 and newer).
- Intel and M1 processors are supported.
- PC: VST2 x64, VST3 x64, AAX x64 (Pro Tools 2019.12 and newer).
Minimum system requirements:
- CPU: Intel or AMD with SSE2 support, 2 cores and 4 threads, 2.8 GHz.
- OS: Windows 7/OS X 10.13.
- RAM: 4GB.
- Free drive space: 500MB.
- If using Pro Tools DAW: 2019.12 and newer.
- Screen resolution: WXGA+ (1440*900 px).
Amp/preamp section (purchased separately):
- Amp model based on Bogner Ecstasy 101B.
- Preamp model based on MESA/Boogie Triaxis, revision TX5A.
- Preamp model based on Engl E530.
Poweramp section:
- Poweramp model based on Bogner Ecstasy 101B (free with Reaxis/U530 purchase).
- Can be turned off independently from preamp.
Cabinet section:
- 2D cab based on Redwirez IRs (internal cab).
- Cab based on Bogner Uberkab 412 - 4x12 Celestion G12T-75.
- Cab based on MESA/BOOGIE 412 - 4x12 Celestion V30s.
- Cab based on Marshall 1960B - 4x12 Greenback.
- Cab based on Marshall 1960B - 4x12 JBL K120 (vintage).
- Microphones: Shure SM57, Sennheiser MD441, Royer R121.
- Option to load your own Cab IRs (external cab).
- Option to load your own room IRs and mix with a built-in or external cab.
Effects/stomps section:
- Noise Gate.
- Graphic EQ.
- Parametric EQ.
- Wah-Wah based on Dunlop CryBaby 535Q.
- Overdrive based on Ibanez TS-808 with Low Drive Mod.
- Overdrive based MESA/BOOGIE Grid Slammer.
- Overdrive based on Boss Super Overdrive.
- Distortion based on Boss Metal Zone MT-2.
- Distortion based on Boss DS-1.
- Stereo Chorus.
- Stereo Delay.
- Stereo Reverb.
Tuner:
- Output signal controls: normal, dim, mute.
- Reference pitch: default A = 440Hz or user preference.
Additional settings & controls:
- Preamp tube selection (U530).
- Freely movable module windows inside the plugin.
- "Hide/show all windows" button.
- Preset system.
- Plugin size selection.
- Undo/Redo buttons.
- Input channel selection (left/right).
- Amp grill selection.
- Option to run the plugin interface on OpenGL (on/off).
- Oversampling: no, x2, x4, x8.
- Samplerate: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96.
- Stereo/Mono processing.
