IK Multimedia just updated their Amplitude software to version 3.5. Amplitude is computer software that emulates real world amps, effects, speaker cabinets, microphones and some rack effects. It’s very useful for recording your guitar giving you a wide selection of high quality sounding gear that most us couldn’t afford to have all of, or the room to put it. The complete version comes with emulation of all the following gear:
• Amp, Stomp, Cabinet + Mic, Rack FX modeling
• 160 included gear models
• 51 Stompbox effects
• 31 Amp models
• 46 Cabinet emulations incl. rotary speaker
• 15 Microphone models
• 17 Rack effects
• 8 series/parallel rigs with mono/true stereo in
All you need is a method to get your guitar signal into your computer such as IK Multimedia’s own stealthPlug. Amplitude works as a standalone program or as a VST effect within most DAWs.
The big news with this update is that there is now a completely free version of Amplitude. It only has a small subset of the gear in the full version:
• 24 included gear models
• 9 Stompbox effects
• 4 Amp models
• 5 Cabinet emulations
• 3 Microphone models
• 2 Rack effects
• High-precision Tuner
And they have added something really interesting to go with this free version. The Amplitude Custom Shop. It’s basically a virtual gear app shop. You can try any piece of gear from the full version for a full 2 days with no restrictions. And if you like it, you can just buy that one element. Prices are in the $5-$20 range and the integration with Amplitude is very smooth. Just click the “try” button next to a piece of gear in the custom shop, and it’s instantly available in your copy of Amplitude to use.
I have to say, I had a blast today trying out lots of amps and effects. Amplitude 3 has been on my wishlist for a while but I could never justify the $350 pricetag. Buying just the pieces I want as I have some spare cash is much more manageable, and I’m sure this will be very appealing to many others as well. I expect the new Amplitude Custom Shop to be a huge hit.
I looking at software that gives a great sounding amp simulation. I know its impossible to replace the amp sound and touch but for late night recording. this seems to be the way to go. im new at pro tools and the digital world. i have used amps and tape most of my life. i have the tube factor from hughes and kettner and love the tone. Is it possible to use the unit with an amp software and get that warm tone……i use fender amps and a carvin tube amp. telecaster with lindy fralins. any suggestions. thanks gill
I’ve been really impressed with Amplitube. The new ability to try each piece of gear before you buy allows you to see for yourself if it will do what you need. The basic version is free and most additional amps are only about $15.
I often plug my guitar into my computer, dial up the Amplitube Princeton Reverb I bought in the custom shop, and jam with headphones on.