In a galaxy far far away the following conversation occurs…“O.K., Mr. Guitar Shop Guy…I’d like to have 14 pre-amps models, 14 rack mounted effects, oh and a powered rack to go with it, 7 different power amps, 16 cabinets and 6 mic models. Oh, and by the way don’t give me any of that crappy stuff. I need a great mix of modern and true vintage sounds. Hey…pay attention here…while you are back there, please throw in these 21 shiny new stomp boxes. It’d be great if these stomp boxes came with a magic pedal board so it doesn’t take me forever to unstuck ‘em and switch ‘em around. One last request…this all has to cost less than four bills and fit in THIS backpack because I’m broke and I don’t have room at my house.”

Just a few years ago this kind of conversation would have been science fiction. Two companies really changed the game relative to computer modeling of amps and effects, Line6 with their POD and IK Multimedia with Amplitube. Luckily for all of us, both of these companies have continued to innovate.

Last year, I reviewed AmpliTube Lite as part of my Mackie Tracktion 2 review, and I stated then that AmpliTube delivers, by far, the best emulation I’ve ever heard from a computer based amp and effects modeler. I am happy to report that IK Multimedia has released an updated version on AmpliTube (to version 2) and crammed a bunch of new features into an already amazing product. IK Multimedia has also expanded into variations on the AmpliTube theme with a slew of variations, such as Ampeg SVX, AmpliTube Live, and AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix.

In this review, we take a look at both the AmpliTube 2 for electric guitar and AmpegSVX for bass guitar.

Amplitube 2

Building on the success of the original Amplitube software, AmpliTube 2 was designed from the ground up to focus on authentic guitar tones for computer-based audio production systems. AmpliTube 2 simulates the entire signal chain including pre-amp, amplifier, stomp-boxes and post effects modeling. All told, you can produce 20,000 amp combinations that complete the spectrum mint vintage to ultra modern.



Features at a glance:

• Improved DSP Emulation with DSM Technology
• Separate Amp Head and Cabinet modeling
• For MacOS and Windows
• Separate Pre, EQ, Amp, Cabinet and Mic modeling
• 20,000 different amp configurations can be emulated
• 32 Stomp and Rack Effects included (some are repeated between the pedal and racks)
• 14 Preamp and 14 EQ models
• 7 Power-amp models
• 16 Cabinet models
• 6 Microphone models
• High-precision tuner
• 2 Guitar rig chains

The amp models are based on the most popular sounds from Fender, Vox, Marshall, Mesa Boogie, THD, Ampeg, and some additional AmpliTube only sounds. Even more awesome than that, is that you can tweak the settings of each amp setting down to the tubes! The stompbox effects include digitial replications of famous, "must have" sounds such as the Ibanez Tube Screamer, Arbiter Fuzzface, MXR Dynacomp, and Electro Harmonix Memory Man. You'll also find other typical effects included such as Wah, Phase, Volume, LFO, Pitch Shifter, and Octave. AmpliTube 2 even goes as far as providing 6 microphone models including the industry standards SM57 and KM84.


Screenshots: (Click to see larger version)










Test Driving AmpliTube 2

I had the opportunity to use this software in two ways, as a stand alone modeler and as a plug-in to Mackie Tracktion 2 and Ableton Live. Now before I go into the actual product test, I need to mention that the installation process for both AmpliTube 2 and AmpegSVX takes some time to navigate since it involves 3 steps. Both products require your to register at IK Multimedia's website and submit a challenge and response to activate. It was not difficult but did take some time. However, once the product was finally on my computer, it was time to crank it up!

First, in researching this product I found a review that indicated that AmpliTube 2 could only be used as a plug-in to recording software. Either I or they were doing something wrong, because I had no problems using AmpliTube as stand alone software. I had my Tapco Link.USB interface hooked up to my laptop. I created a sweet and silent monitoring platform using a set of studio grade AKG headphones. From there, I plugged in my G&L Commanche and cranked up AmpliTube. I was getting a few digital pops at first and had to tweak my ASIO settings a bit to balance latency and audio quality, but found a good middle ground fairly quickly. From there, it was clear that the software was built for guitar players and not for computer musicians. Every knob and button was intuitive and worked just like they do in the "real world". You can either create your own combination of effects or you can dial in one of the many pre-generated patches included by IK Multimedia. I should be fair and let you know that this software can be very processor intensive. My laptop is a dual-processor with 2MB of RAM and if I had too many effects going at once, the software started to chug a bit. If you are an effects junky you better bring a beefy setup.

Second, I spent some time using this unit with both Tracktion 2 and Ableton Live as a VST plug-in. What I absolutely love about AmpliTube 2 in the recording environment was being able to record a dry guitar signal and filter that signal through AmpliTube 2 to create the exact tone I want. Didn't like the old-school British Tube amp? No problem, switch to a Fender SuperReverb. Not quite? Change out the tubes to something sweeter or with more growl. Need a bit more overdrive? Add a classic overdrive pedal and some compression. Kick in that Octave pedal for that 80's metal vibe. It is pretty much that simple.

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Gear Guy Tip: I was able to copy the dry signal to a seperate track and then offset the tracks by a small bit (say 5 milliseconds). By attaching another instance of AmpliTube to the second track, I could change that dry signal to a shimmery clean tone to mirror my snarly, overdriven track. By doing that I had an awesome, clearly defined "wall-of-sound" in seconds.

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What about the sound? One word, incredible. The tube tones were very convincing and the ease of use and number of options allowed me to dial in the tone I wanted in short order. I won't lie to you and say AmpliTube 2 is going to replace your prized vintage Fender in a live situation, but I will tell you that AmpliTube 2 is very likely to replace your vintage Fender in a recording situation. Not that this was a direct comparison by any means, but just as a test, I mic'd up my Atomic Tube Amp driven by a VOX Tonelab set at relatively common and basic AC30 setting. I recorded this track and then recorded a similar track with similar settings in Mackie Tracktion 2 using AmpliTube 2. AmpliTube 2 was the clear winner. I realize this wasn't exactly scientific, but the AmpliTube 2 track was cleaner with more definition. To my ears, it tonally sat in the track a little better. When you add the extreme benefit of being able to tweak the wet signal, I would rather use AmpliTube since whatever you record "live" you are stuck with or have to go back and re-record. I'm sure there are purists who will disagree but to even to have this as a debatable issue is a testament to how good this software has become.


Pro’s: 20,000 vintage amp and effects sounds on my laptop! Ease of use.
Con’s: Number of steps to active software
Grade: A+
Price: $320.00


AmpegSVX

In the bass guitar amp world there is Ampeg...and pretty much everybody else. At GearHeads, we are an Ampeg amp shop and proud of it. So, I was a little skeptical, but hopeful, that a plug-in could capture the "Ampeg Tone". When IK Multimedia threw in the AmpegSVX plug-in to review I loaded it up along with AmpliTube 2 and was glad I did! If you are a bass player, you will love this software.




Features at a glance:

• Improved DSP Emulation with DSM Technology
• A complete recording plug-in solution for bass
• 4 Modules: Tuner, Stomp, Amp, Cabinet+Mic selection and placement
• 4 signature Ampeg bass amps modeled (SVT Classic, the SVT 5 PRO, the BA500 and the B15R "PortaFlex")
• 5 signature Ampeg cabinets modeled (1x15", 2x10", 2x12", 4x10", 8x10")
• 10 analog-modeled stomps on 6 slots with flexible routing (Chorus, Delay, Flanger, Phaser, Octaver, Wah, Auto Filter, Distortion, Graphic EQ and Compressor).
• Hi-Precision Tuner
• Ultra accurate analog modeling
• All effects BPM syncable


Screenshots: (Click to see larger version)





Test Driving AmpegSVX

As with AmpliTube 2, the AmpegSVX software installed easily enough with no hardware complications. The software uses the activation process as AmpliTube 2.

Relative to AmpliTube 2, there is a few less features in AmpegSVX than in AmpliTube 2, but look and feel and general operation was quite similar. That is to say, that like the AmpliTube, this product is build with musicians in mind. In this package are 4 Ampeg amps, 6 cabinets, 6 mics, 8 stomp boxes, and a tuner.

I tested AmpegSVX in similar fashion to AmpliTube 2 since it is also easy to integrate into most DAW packages using VST. What I came away with was that all you really need for perfect bass tone is a AmpegSVX, a good bass, and a good USB or Firewire interface. In fact, since bass players typically don't go as effects crazy as guitar players, you could probably use this in reverse by hooking up your laptop and interface and running directly into the board for live performance!


Pro’s: GREAT bass tone, Lots of options
Con’s: Activation process
Grade: A
Price: $320.00 - but can get it at $220.00 if you buy AmpliTube 2 as well on crossgrade



Conclusion

AmpliTube 2 may be the best emulation technology I've heard to date. If you close your eyes and forget you are playing through a computer, you might be convinced that you are hearing the real deal. The effects are great, the software responds well to playing dynamics, and the number of truly usable options is phenomenal.

To me, the choice between AmpliTube 2 and AmpegSVX sort of boils down to this. If you are purely a guitar player then it's AmpliTube 2. If you are purely a bass player than AmpegSVX should be your choice. If you dabble in both - then you have a problem. If I were you I'd get both using the cross-grade option, but if you have to pick one I'd pick AmpliTube 2 since it contains a small smattering of good bass tones.

Based on my review, I'm happy to report that AmpliTube 2 wins our GuitarGearHeads 2007 "Rig Ready" award! We hope to have the chance to bring you more reviews from IK Multimedia. I've already received a copy of their Riffworks guitar friendly recording software that I'll report on in an upcoming edition.



Dan Halberg

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