Amplitube Metal
Featured review by:
UG Team, on september 19, 2008
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Features: Ik Multimedia’s Amplitube is a software-based amplifier and effects modeler. With a simple setup using a USB analog/digital converter and a set of headphones, you can convert your personal computer into a virtual guitar amp rig capable of producing a variety of guitar tones. Amplitube Metal is the newest release from Ik Multimedia boasting the following features:
- 5 separate modules: Tuner, configurable Stomp pedal board, Amp head, Cabinet + Mic, and Rack Effects.
- 14 Rare Stomp Effects
Stomp Models - Based on*
BigPig - Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi
Delay - AmpliTube Delay
Distortion - Boss DS-1 Distortion
Distortion Feed - Boss DF-2 Super feedbacker & Distortion
Flanger - Boss BF-2 Flanger
GR-EQ - AmpliTube Graphic EQ
Wharmonator - Digitech Wahmmy„¢ WH-1
Metal Distortion - Boss MT-2 Metal-Zone
Metal Distortion 2 - Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal
Metal Flanger - MXR Flanger 117
Overdrive - Boss SD-1 Overdrive
Phase Nine - MXR Phase 90
PROdrive - Pro Co RAT„¢ Distortion
WahWah - VoxWah847
- 5 Classic Amps:
Preamp Models - Based on*
Metal Clean T - Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier (clean channel)
Metal Lead T - Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier (lead channel)
Metal Lead V - Peavey 5150 100W head
Metal Lead W - Randall Warhead
Vintage Metal Lead - Marshall JMP100„¢ head
- 13 Cabinet Models:
Speaker Cabinet Models - Based on*
4x12” Metal F 1 - Fender 4x12 MH 1
4x12” Metal F 2 - Fender 4x12 MH 2
4x12” Metal T 1 - Mesa/Boogie 4x12” Rectifier 1
4x12” Metal T 2 - Mesa/Boogie 4x12” Rectifier 2
4x12” Metal T 3 - Mesa/Boogie 4x12” Rectifier 3
4x12” Metal V 1 - Peavey 5150 4x12” 1
4x12” Metal V 2 - Peavey 5150 4x12” 2
4x12” Metal V 3 - Peavey 5150 4x12” 3
4x12” Modern M 1 - Marshall 4x12” JCM800 1
4x12” Modern M 2 - Marshall 4x12” JCM800 2
4x12” Modern M 3 - Marshall 4x12” JCM800 3
4x12” Vintage M 1 - Marshall 1960 4x12” 1
4x12” Vintage M 2 - Marshall 1960 4x12”
- 6 Microphone Models:
Microphone Models - Based on*>
Condenser 87 - Neumann U-87 (Cardioid mode)
Condenser 414 - AKG C-414 ULS (Cardioid mode)
Dynamic 20 - Electro-Voice RE-20
Dynamic 57 - Shure SM-57
Dynamic 421 - Sennheiser MD-421
Dynamic 441 - Sennheiser MD-441 (“M” position)
- 2 fully configurable rigs with up to 32 simultaneous effects*Digital tuner
- Stand-alone and VST/AU/RTAS plug-in for all popular DAWs
- Includes SpeedTrainer„¢ for playing along with your favorite recordings
*source of above charts and information www.ikmultimedia.com/metal
The above charts are very helpful in the analysis of this program’s features. The one minor disappointment was the absence of a chorus stomp box. Perhaps a Small Clone model would have benefited this section. However, the digital chorus in the rack section is adequate. The amount of features may not be as impressive as some other similar programs. However, this is more of a niche program and most of its features are great.
// 9
Sound: The above charts taken from the Amplitube Metal instruction manual are more than enough to peak the interest of any rock guitarist or engineer. My expectations for Amplitube Metal were high as I am a big fan of Ik Multimedia’s Sampletank. This program did not disappoint. In fact, my expectations were exceeded with the versatility of the program. The name led me to believe all of the presets were going to be saturated with exorbitant amounts of gain and “modern”. This program can easily achieve a killer Pantera tone (the Metal Lead W amp is modeled after the Randall Warhead popularized by the late great Dimebag Darrell). The modern gain tones are massive, but I was even more impressed by the vintage Van Halen and Black Sabbath sounds. Check out the audio clips!
I am more of a vintage tone player, and I found the “Vintage Metal Lead” (Marshall JMP100) to be highly usable, especially when I ran the “Metal Lead V” (Peavey 5150) in stereo with it. The sample clip 4 (Old School Riffage) is a good example of the vintage metal tones this program can dish out. The variety of tones I was able to achieve was impressive especially since there are really only 4 amps to choose from. // 9
Usability: The creators of Amplitube Metal did a fantastic job in this department. I was able to install and set up the program on my old iMac in under 15 minutes. Once the program was installed I was only a few more minutes away from tweaking presets and dialing in crushing high gain rhythm tones. Without reading a single word of the instruction manual I was able to figure out all of the major features. The included speed trainer was intuitive and affective, just load in the song and go. Awesome! It also includes a pitch adjuster, which is great for learning songs tuned down a half step without having to downtune your guitar.
Another surprisingly intuitive feature is the signal routing menu. There are eight different routing options that allow you to sculpt your tone using two different signal chains with separate amps and cabinets. With just the click of a few buttons and a quick look at the signal routing, you can assemble a monstrous pedal board with two 4x12 cabinets into a refrigerator-sized rack of effects. This function makes it fun and easy to get carried away with overusing features.
All of the presets are easily modified and saved for later use. A user with any amp and pedal knowledge at all will have no problems creating their own patches. This program is highly recommended to anyone who may be intimidated by complicated guitar amp modelers. The interface is more intuitive than (for example) a Line 6 Pod or Guitar Rig 3. // 10
Impression: Overall Amplitube Metal is a very useful program. Guitarists will find it quite easy to achieve a vast array of high gain tones along with some great clean sounds. Engineers will find this program useful for their arsenal of effects as well. The added Speedtrainer and pitch adjuster are nice extras that give this program some bonus points. Many programs and multi-effects units lack desirable stock presets. However, Amplitube Metal’s presets were cleverly dialed in and usable. I can’t wait to hear Amplitube Hendrix! // 9
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