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Amplitube \ T-Racks and General IK Multimedia Discussion Thread

socialleper

socialleper

Bringer of doom and top shelf beer
May 31, 2009
10,158
13,690
Canyon Country, CA
#1
I wanted to start a general discussion thread about Amplitube, T-Racks, and the other products that IK Multimedia offers. I've only been tinkering with their software for a few weeks, but man, the potential in this stuff is hard to grasp.
The difference between just using the DI out of my amps into a DAW, and putting it through a simulated amp combined with an Impulse Response (IR), is night and day. Then there was an offer to try out some T-Racks simulated processors. It is a deep rabbit hole that seems to have limitless potential. Talk about a little tweak changing amateur to professional.
I haven't even cracked into the SampleTank demo they gave me yet.

There is so much here; to know, to try, to tweak. Share your experiences, observations, and pick some brains.
 
#2
My experience so far:
When I started getting into DYI\Home recording I was just using the DI on my amps because that's what they do in the studio or at the venues, right? Boy was I wrong. Someone suggested Amplitude to me so I tried out their demo version and the "custom shop" which will let you test simulations for a few days. The generic "solid state" bass amp and wannabe Ampeg B15 cab sound pretty nice. Then I popped on the SVT-CL sim with a 810 IR. Suddenly it sounded like a "real" bass. Their library of bass gear is a little Ampeg-centric and nowhere near as diverse as their guitar offerings. I would like more in that regard, but now I'm wondering what the heck the engineers that DI'ed me when I was recording were thinking. This is a cheap tool that makes bass sound like we are used to hearing it.
The guitar sims and IRs are, not surprisingly, far reaching and thorough. The brands available are fairly common, but there is depth on the bench, even if some of the sims or IRs are redundant. Exactly how many versions of a Marshall amp and cab do you need? The Orange sims are cool, but there isn't any logic to why some of them are there. Guitarists buy smaller Tiny Terror heads for cost and portability. The same goes for 212 or 112 cabs. In a virtual world, these serve no purpose. A Rockerverb 50 and 412 cab pretty covers all of your Orange bases. And it sounds great!
Then two weeks ago I got a promo for sale they were doing on their T-Racks 5 processors. I didn't know anything about these, but I enjoyed twiddling with the Focusrite EQ and compressor that came with my interface, so I sampled some of their stuff. Now that's a real bottomless pit! There are dozens of pieces of simulated gear that they have. This one sweetens this up, this one adds that kind of warmth, that one glues it all together, or that other one does a little of everything. The deal was to get 10 plugins for the price of one, which made them about $13 a piece. I couldn't resist. Now my OCD and hoarding habits are fully activated as I try to find ways to use as many of them as I can.
 
#3
IK is great.
They have many original equipment manufacturers that Certify their models in Amplitube. The manufacturers actually put their brand names on the models.

Now there are other modelers that do sound and work excellent, but to have the Original Manufacturer endorse the models goes a long ways to proving the model fits the sound and intent of the original design. It's not a copy - it the real brand name amp.

IK could do more for Bass models, but the uptake for bass is much smaller and slow. Most of the sound for bass is actually in the mids and highs, so the guitar models work very good for bass anyhow. You may need to feed some bass frequencies around guitar amp model so the bass isn't attenuated. The models are accurate enough that if the original attenuated bass, then the model will. Amplitube lets you put two amps in parallel so feeding lows to one as a bass bypass isn't a big deal.
 
#4
seamonkey said:
IK is great.
They have many original equipment manufacturers that Certify their models in Amplitube. The manufacturers actually put their brand names on the models.

Now there are other modelers that do sound and work excellent, but to have the Original Manufacturer endorse the models goes a long ways to proving the model fits the sound and intent of the original design. It's not a copy - it the real brand name amp.

IK could do more for Bass models, but the uptake for bass is much smaller and slow. Most of the sound for bass is actually in the mids and highs, so the guitar models work very good for bass anyhow. You may need to feed some bass frequencies around guitar amp model so the bass isn't attenuated. The models are accurate enough that if the original attenuated bass, then the model will. Amplitube lets you put two amps in parallel so feeding lows to one as a bass bypass isn't a big deal.
Click to expand...
I haven't messed with bi-amping in it, but I get what you are saying.
The SVT-CL sim and 810 IR really opened my eyes to why everyone is so gaga for them.
I wish the GK offerings were more thorough, or that they had some Mesa bass stuff. Those are particular sounds that someone might like if they were recording.
I started with the custom shop and have just bought gear piece meal. I don't have a lot of pedals or processors yet.
Now T-Racks is a different story. I'm having fun with all the EQs and Compression units. It makes me want to learn more about that stuff.
 
#6
socialleper said:
It would seem I'm talking to myself here, so be it.
IK has some pretty wild sales. I picked up thr processing units 10-for-1. Now they have their SVT2 pack on sale for half off. It is super hard to resist deals like that.
Click to expand...

It was so hard to resist that I didn't!

I just bought SVX2 and so far I'm pretty impressed.
I have just been reamping existing bass tracks (it's hard to record with a newborn in the house) but will get a chance to properly demo it soon.

I have a couple of gripes. The first, the lack of "clean" or "flat" presets, was an easy fix and I set up my own flat presets as a starting point.
The second is that the interface is a little clunky. Having all of the amps as options when I only have the Ampeg bundle makes the menu a little cluttered but it's definitely usable.
 
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#7
amphlett7 said:
It was so hard to resist that I didn't!

I just bought SVX2 and so far I'm pretty impressed.
I have just been reamping existing bass tracks (it's hard to record with a newborn in the house) but will get a chance to properly demo it soon.

I have a couple of gripes. The first, the lack of "clean" or "flat" presets, was an easy fix and I set up my own flat presets as a starting point.
The second is that the interface is a little clunky. Having all of the amps as options when I only have the Ampeg bundle makes the menu a little cluttered but it's definitely usable.
Click to expand...
I couldn't resist either. I picked it up right before going on vacation so I haven't spent much time with it yet. It is interesting how different the tones can be. Maybe I will do a listening test to see if people can pick out the models.
I wish they would do a Mesa pack.
 
#8
socialleper said:
It would seem I'm talking to myself here, so be it.
IK has some pretty wild sales. I picked up thr processing units 10-for-1. Now they have their SVT2 pack on sale for half off. It is super hard to resist deals like that.
Click to expand...

I'm following....just don't have anything to add yet. I like the sound of a half-off deal!

Edit: looking at IKMM products - what's in the SVX package that makes it 2x the price of the SVX2?

Edit 2: Disregard. I see that SVX comes with a range of stomp effects and a selection of mics.
 
#9
DirtDog said:
Edit 2: Disregard. I see that SVX comes with a range of stomp effects and a selection of mics.
Click to expand...
All I wanted out of that one was the SVT-CL and the 810E so I bought them through the Custom Shop. The mics would be nice, but I'm sure I can pick those up a different way. I'm not impressed with Ampeg pedals.
That classic rig is pretty hard to ignore, though. It is my go to right now.
 
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#10
socialleper said:
All I wanted out of that one was the SVT-CL and the 810E so I bought them through the Custom Shop. The mics would be nice, but I'm sure I can pick those up a different way. I'm not impressed with Ampeg pedals.
That classic rig is pretty hard to ignore, though. It is my go to right now.
Click to expand...

Downloading the SVX package right now. And when I logged on to IK's site, I was reminded that I have the Custom Shop upgrade waiting for me from a purchase from 2015! Yippee!
 
#13
My DAW rig started in 2004. My first VST was Amplitube. I quickly purchased Sample tank after that. Over time, I have arrived at the Studio Max package.

I really enjoy using all of the IK plugins. I find most of the stomp box and rack features in amplitude over kill, and usually don't use them
I really Like the Reverbs as you can dial them in really well.

I'm a bit unimpressed with their marketing. Saying that I'm getting this compressor, this guitar amp, or this bass amp is just a misnomer. If I select a tweed Deluxe for a guitar amp, it doesn't react any where close to a real tweed Deluxe. Same is true for the SVT but to a lesser extent.

What I do get is a wide range of tools to work with that sound really good
 
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#14
Scoops said:
My DAW rig started in 2004. My first VST was Amplitube. I quickly purchased Sample tank after that. Over time, I have arrived at the Studio Max package.

I really enjoy using all of the IK plugins. I find most of the stomp box and rack features in amplitude over kill, and usually don't use them
I really Like the Reverbs as you can dial them in really well.

I'm a bit unimpressed with their marketing. Saying that I'm getting this compressor, this guitar amp, or this bass amp is just a misnomer. If I select a tweed Deluxe for a guitar amp, it doesn't react any where close to a real tweed Deluxe. Same is true for the SVT but to a lesser extent.

What I do get is a wide range of tools to work with that sound really good
Click to expand...
Sounding loke the real thing is their claim to fame. I don't have extensive experience with a ton of Ampeg gear, so it is hard for me to judge. I don't know squat about the compressors or EQs that are part of TRacks. I agree that they are good sounding tools. The rack gear is helping me develop my ear for mixing and mastering.
 
#16
I purchased every Bass amp and Cab available, and also various pedals and Mics. For me the Ampeg amps/cabs are my favourite with the B-15N and the B-15 Heritage being my go toos for recording. But I also like the Orange AD 200, the GK MB 150 and the Trace E BA250.
 
#17
i used to use a few IK software pieces for mastering (years ago). they were real handy for me, then. i haven't kept up with their stuff --- although they try to 'woo' me from time to time --- it was good then and i'm sure it's a lot better, with more choices, now.

but 'good on you' for recording! it's fun stuff! :thumbsup:
 
#18
Briton said:
I purchased every Bass amp and Cab available, and also various pedals and Mics. For me the Ampeg amps/cabs are my favourite with the B-15N and the B-15 Heritage being my go toos for recording. But I also like the Orange AD 200, the GK MB 150 and the Trace E BA250.
Click to expand...
I want to check out the TE to see if I can get that Steve Harris tone.
It would be nice if they had a GK 1001RB or 700RB and GK 412 cabs. A Mesa bass amp or two would be sweet as well.
I'm really digging the Ampeg gear as well. I haven't used the B15+fliptop yet.
 
#19
JRA said:
i used to use a few IK software pieces for mastering (years ago). they were real handy for me, then. i haven't kept up with their stuff --- although they try to 'woo' me from time to time --- it was good then and i'm sure it's a lot better, with more choices, now.

but 'good on you' for recording! it's fun stuff! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
At first I didn't really understand all the "rack" stuff. I thought a basic eq and the default compressor that comes with my interface was enough. The T-RackS modules let me get a more "finished" sound. I'm definitely still learning.
I hope they do another sale for the Holidays.
 
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#20
Hey guys, I have a quick question about Amplitube. I am probably going to purchase the Ampeg bundle but I wanted to know if there is a to tune down or up with one of the effects?
I know with the helix native software or hx stomp I can use the digitech whammy and do it that way. I bought a hx stomp and plan on returning it and I will not pay $400 for the helix native
I am not sure if there is something comparable in Amplitube.

thanks in advance
 

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