Guitar Amp & FX modeling plug-in User Manual
P LE A S E N OT E : AMPLITUBE™ IS A TRADEMARK OF IK MULTIMEDIA. ALL OTHER PRODUCT NAMES AND TRADEMARKS ARE THE PROPERTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS, WHICH ARE IN NO WAY ASSOCIATED OR AFFILIATED WITH IK MULTIMEDIA. PRODUCT NAMES ARE USED SOLEY FOR THE PURPOSE OF IDENTIFYING THE SPECIFIC PRODUCTS THAT WERE STUDIED DURING IK MULTIMEDIA's SOUND MODEL DEVELOPMENT AND FOR DESCRIBING CERTAIN TYPES OF TONES PRODUCED WITH IK MULTIMEDIA's DIGITAL MODELING TECHNOLOGY.
I Contents pag. 6 II Interface pag. 8 III License and copyrights pag. 10 Chapter 1 What is AmpliTube™? 1.1 Description pag. 12 pag. 12 Chapter 2 Using AmpliTube™ 2.1 Connecting your Guitar to your computer 2.2 Input Level – optimal setting 2.3 AmpliTube™ signal path and effects chaining 2.4 Stomp Module 2.5 Amp Module 2.6 Post FX Module 2.7 Presets pag. 14 pag. 14 pag. 14 pag. 15 pag. 16 pag. 16 pag. 17 pag. 18 Chapter 3 Stomp Module 3.1 Wah-Wah 3.2 Delay 3.3 Chorus 3.4 Flanger 3.
I - Contents Chapter 5 Post FX Module 5.1 Parametric EQ 5.2 Stereo Delay 5.3 Stereo Reverb pag. 28 pag. 28 pag. 28 pag. 29 Chapter 6 General AmpliTube™ controls/display 6.1 Input Level 6.2 Gate 6.3 Output Level 6.4 Module Bypass 6.5 Presets pag. 30 pag. 30 pag. 30 pag. 31 pag. 31 pag. 31 Chapter 7 Support 7.1 Support 7.2 User Area pag. 32 pag. 32 pag.
Guitar Amp and FX modeling Plug-In 8 5 STOMP effects models: - Wah-Wah - Chorus - Delay - Flanger - Overdrive Stomp Module 3 STEREO POST effects: - 3 band parametric stereo EQ - Stereo Delay - Stereo Reverb Post FX module II - Interface
7 PRE-AMP models: - solid state clean - vintage clean - tube clean - british crunch - modern hi-gain - solid state lead - fuzz 5 EQ models: - tube american - tube american 2 - british class A - tube british - tube british 2 Amp Module 4 POWER AMP models: - solid state 30W - solid state 100W - tube 100W - tube 50W 9 CABINET models: - small combo - open back 1x12" - open back 1x12"II - vintage open 4x 10" - modern closed 4x10" - vintage closed 4x12" - modern closed 4x12" - british 2x12" - no speaker 2 MIC mo
License Agreement END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR AmpliTube™ plug-in software Please read this document carefully before breaking the seal on the media package. This agreement licenses the enclosed software to you and contains warranty and liability disclaimers. By breaking the seal on the media envelope, you are confirming to have taken notice of terms and conditions of this agreement and you acknowledge your acceptance of the software as well as your acceptance of the terms of this agreement.
5) UPGRADES If the "IK Multimedia Product" is labeled or otherwise identified by IK Multimedia as an "upgrade", you must be properly licensed to use a product identified by IK Multimedia as being eligible for the upgrade in order to use the "IK Multimedia Product". An "IK Multimedia Product" labeled or otherwise identified by IK Multimedia as an upgrade replaces and/or supplements the product that formed the basis for your eligibility for such upgrade.
Chapter 1 What is AmpliTube™ 1.1 Description AmpliTube™ is an amp modelling and effects plug-in. It gives you the ability to model the complete guitar chain - including stomp boxes, amp modelling, mic modelling and post effects. Thanks to its separate pre, eq, amp and cabinet models, 1,260 amp combinations can be generated to craft your favourite guitar sound modelled on top vintage and modern gear. AmpliTube™ is organized into 3 easy to use interfaces: Amp Module, Stomp Module and Post FX Module.
2 Amp effects - Tremolo - Spring Reverb The Stomp Module (fig2) includes: fig. 2 5 Stomp effects models: - Wah-Wah - Chorus - Delay - Flanger - Overdrive The Post FX Module (fig3) includes: fig.
Chapter 2 Using AmpliTube™ 2.1 Connect your guitar to your computer To achieve the best input signal when using AmpliTube™ be sure you have an "instruments input" on your audio card (or a guitar dedicated input - fig. 6). The “instrument input” needs a gain control and commonly is an high impedance input, this means that the pickups of your guitar will find an input that matches that found in guitar amplifiers. fig. 6 NOTE: Normal +4 dB low impedance line input (i.e.
AmpliTube™ does not have an “input level” control, because it’s very important that the level is actually correct at the analog to digital converters of the audio system. During normal playing the green LED should be the one that lights more often. If the yellow one is the one that’s more often lit then increase the gain of your preamplifier or audiocard break box; if the red one is blinking then reduce it slightly. 2.
2.4 Stomp Module The first module that the signal goes into is the Stomp effects (fig. 8). The sound of the effects is very different if they are applied before or after the Amplifier. In AmpliTube™ you have choice of both the options and the units are specially designed for the “pre” or “post” operation. This “pre” section recreates the sound of some of the classic pedal stomp boxes and it is patched, as for a real guitar setup, before the amplifier. fig.
After the preamp the signal feeds into the EQ stage (fig. 12) , a “tone control” circuit that recreates the authentic response of the tone shaping section of the best amplifiers. Actually this is not a conventional digital eq.. it sound exactly like the typical “low”, “mid” and “treble” knobs you would expect to find on the amplifier faceplate, and, best of all, its “sound” and character changes very much depending on the Eq type that’s been selected. fig.
les of AmpliTube™, as these are high precision digital processors used to create exactly the sound the user is searching for, and sometimes this goes beyond the stomps > amp > cabinet system.
Chapter 3 Stomp Module The Stomp boxes module is accessed by clicking on the “STOMP” button on the lower right side of the interface (fig. 18). Once the Stomp section is displayed the “STOMP” buttons turns red and, in this case, the “BYPASS” button disengages the entire Stomp section. If, for instance, the Delay and the Chorus are active both of them will be turned off by selecting “BYPASS”. This is useful for instantaneously check the sound without all the Stomp boxes in the signal path. fig. 18 3.
3.3 Chorus After the Delay the signal goes into the analog chorus / vibrato unit. This recreates the deep and articulated tone that only analog chorus boxes can deliver (fig. 21). Click on the “Chorus” big button to engage the effect. The red led shows that the unit is active. Level: Rate: Depth: fig. 21 3.4 determines the amount of modulated sound over the direct one.
Level: Tone: 22 sets the output level of the overdrive pedal. By turning this up the amplifier that follows will be overdriven. To get a more amp driven sound use low distortion settings with an high output level. Controls the timbre of the overdrive pedal. From extra warm at the full counterclockwise position to extra bright and sharp at the fully clockwise position.
Chapter 4 Amp Module The Amplifier module is accessed by clicking on the “AMP” button on the lower right side of the interface (fig. 24). Once the Amplifier section is displayed the “AMP” buttons turns red and, in this case, the “BYPASS” button disengages the whole Amplifier section, including the speaker and microphone emulation. This is useful for instantaneously checking the sound without the Amplifier emulation inserted into the signal path. fig. 24 The Amplifier module is the heart of AmpliTube™.
Here are some suggestions for making the right choice of preamp type: Solid State Clean: This is the most linear preamplifier of AmpliTube™. Very good for jazz sounds, similar to Fender® combos and the Roland® Jazz Chorus. The frequency response is only slightly shaped. Vintage Clean: This is the Top Boost version of the Vox® AC-30 preamplifier. It has the best presence and definition in the mids and highs.
Fuzz: Typical fuzz box sound. Actually the fuzz sound can be truly heard only with the speaker emulation turned off but even with the speakers on this is a quite rough kind of distortion, typical 60’s fuzz sound. 4.2 EQ Model Like in a real Guitar Amplifier after the gain stage, the preamp, the signal reaches the “tone control” or Eq. In AmpliTube™ you can choose among five different tone control circuits (fig.
Solid State models will, in general, deliver a more clean sound.. becoming a little saturated when pushed to the max, while Tube models will add some frequency dependent compression too. 4.4 Amp Match AmpliTube™ offers the choice of a number of options for the single stages that an amplifier comprises of, so that you can try to experiment on your own with a huge number of combinations. Even so you have the capability of making things much simpler.
4.6 Cabinet Match Like with the Eq and Power amp sections also the Cabinet can be Matched with the preamp model to automatically get the most appropriate cabinet type for the chosen preamplifier (fig. 32). For example selecting the Vintage Clean preamplifier with the Cab Math active the British 2x12 cabinet will automatically be selected, as this is the real Vox Cabinet.
Chapter 5 Post FX Module 5.1 Parametric Eq This parametric Stereo digital equalizer is the first of the Post FX (fig. 36) modules encountered by the signal. This is a precision stereo digital equalizer that it’s used to finely tune the modeled sound after all of the Amplifier simulations. fig. 36 Treat it as a high end digital Eq you may find on a mixing console, a very flexible processor that can perform both subtle adjustments on the sound or completely change it with heavy and drastic equalizations.
These are the controls available for the Stereo Delay (fig. 40): Mode: Determines the working mode / algorithm of the delay, see above. Delay: Sets the delay time of the effect. From 2 milliseconds to 1 second. Feedback: Determines the number of repetitions. Full clockwise gives a sustaining effect. Level: Determines the amount of the delay. Fully counterclockwise is dry, no effect, fully clockwise is only delay. fig. 40 Use the big Red button on the right to engage the unit (fig. 41). fig. 41 5.
Chapter 6 General AmpliTube™ control/display 6.1 Input Level The input signal level (fig. 44) is very important in AmpliTube™ because the preamplifier stages are physically modeled after real circuits, where the signal level is affecting the timbre that’s produced. Always check the three LEDS labeled “Input Level” on the right top corner of the interface.
We suggest leaving the Gate OFF (fully counterclockwise) unless you notice high background noise from the guitar signal. In that case try to slightly increase the gate knob up to a point where the LED lights and the Gate cuts the input. 6.3 Output Level This is the main output level of AmpliTube™ (fig. 46), it has a very wide range and has to be used to set the output level of the various AmpliTube™ presets.
Chapter 7 Support 7.1 Support For any question you may have please refer to the FAQ at: http://www.AmpliTube.com/FAQ.html where you'll find answers to the most common questions. For free support write at: support@AmpliTube.com 7.2 User Area Together with your authorization code you've also have received a user id and password to access your personal user area on AmpliTube™' website. The personal user area is an advanced online service provided to you by IK Multimedia.
In the personal user area you can: 1) Request a new authorization code This is useful for users who need to reinstall their applications with a new authorization code. The codes are supplied immediately with no need to wait before receiving them. 2) Submit a support request Support requests received using this form will follow a preferential line and will be answered first within our standard 24 hours lead time (busi ness hours).
AmpliTube™ is a trademark of IK Multimedia www.ikmultimedia.com www.amplitube.com IK Multimedia Production Via dell’Industria 46 - 41100 Modena Italy tel +39 059 285496 fax +39 059 2861671 info@ikmultimedia.com All specifications are subject to change without further notice. ©2003 IK Multimedia Production All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
