Official Virtual AMPEG Portaflex Club

[Brian at IK]

How are they false claims? We haven't said anything that isn't true.

Maybe you did make new models instead of reskinning the present models.

That doesn't say anything about your relationship to your customers. Why do we as bassists continue to be ignored by AT iOS?

'We' who?
You say you haven't said anything that isn't true, then immediately admit that what you've claimed is in fact untrue. Lol. Well at least we're making progress.

IK has a long standing relationship with bassists. We were the first software company to model a bass amp, period. Our oldest branding partner is Ampeg. We released Ampeg SVX at the same time as AmpliTube 2 on Windows/Mac, back in 2006 (they had both been in development since before 2004.)

We offer quite a lot of bass gear, and not just any bass gear, but the most sought-after gear by bassists, and we plan to continue that pursuit. We have good relationships with many professional bassists and the bassist community at large. We take suggestions and feedback from bassists all the time. But the one thing we do ask is that your feedback be factually based.

 

[fivestringgecko]

You guys have one great amp, the B15R...

Duke, only our tone has been officially certified by Ampeg.

1) Certified by Ampeg? Interesting. I'll admit the B15R model is miles better than the one stock bass amp in the app I paid $20 for, but it still has bugs in it, despite you guys being made aware of the problem and putting out a recent update.

2) That gear collection sitting in Italy sure is nice and boy do I definitely wish it was sitting in my basement, even if it is mostly guitar gear... but it doesn't mean much to me on my iPad.

3) If the modeling process is so meticulous, how come the only octaver and envelope filter you guys offer are so bad? The filter doesn't move and the octaver has horrid tracking. There's a Mutron III in your gear pictures, the filter in the app isn't even worth mentioning in the same sentence.

4) A comparison of gear like you want me to do requires me purchasing said gear, which I'm not willing to do based on reports from other bass players who have already tried them and reported that it's not so great on bass. "Here, this tastes like S**T, you try it!" Um, no thanks. Do I buy real-world effect pedals if I know they're not good on bass? Nope.

5) I've always been curious as to why there are vocal effects pedals in a guitar app...?

5sg.

 

[fivestringgecko]

We were the first software company to model a bass amp, period. Our oldest branding partner is Ampeg. We released Ampeg SVX at the same time as AmpliTube 2 on Windows/Mac, back in 2006 (they had both been in development since before 2004.)

We offer quite a lot of bass gear, and not just any bass gear, but the most sought-after gear by bassists, and we plan to continue that pursuit. We have good relationships with many professional bassists and the bassist community at large. We take suggestions and feedback from bassists all the time. But the one thing we do ask is that your feedback be factually based.

Just FYI: we're not talking about Windows/Mac, we're talking about iOS.

5sg.

 

[Brian at IK]

And only the Blueline in Jamup SOUNDS like an Ampeg.

I personally don't care for lip service. Who cares if its officially licensed, it's the tone that matters. If a free app arrived (hey wait, Jamup was free!!) that has the tone I want, that's what I'm using.

Putting Slash's or Jimi's name on it means squat on stage.

So you are more expert on Ampeg's tone than Ampeg?

All of our brand partners are very stringent in their certification. They only put their names on our gear because we meet their standards for tone authenticity.

Speaking of Slash, we made AmpliTube Slash for him because he uses AmpliTube for writing on the road and warming up before shows. He wanted to have his precise rig modeled, and we were happy to oblige!

So when can we expect more iOS bass gear from IK?

I thought you've already moved on!

 

[Rip Topaz]

This thread is for discussion of iOS bass gear.

As usual, IK talks in circles without really answering anything.

Who cares if your products are the "best in the world". We aren't talking about anything other than iOS.

So as an iOS app, Amplitube is NOT on top. Sorry, but it's true. Maybe for 13-year-olds that have never heard their guitar with distortion or delay, but for real world bassists that use iOS devices when a silent stage is required, we need better.

It's a shame you'd rather argue with us and boast IK's other accomplishments. This thread is full of some really good info and some REAL suggestions for improving your app.

Unfortunately, you'd rather blow smoke and argue with us. That's a shame because we've tried many times to start a dialog with IK, and every time it ends like this.

Your app has a place, for sure. Just not with me.

And to answer your question, I installed the update because I've already handed IK a crapton of money, and feel like it would be a waste to not at least check it out. Again, unfortunately I ended up disappointed again.

 

[Rip Topaz]

But you still didn't answer the question?

What new bass gear is in the works for IK's Amplitube for iOS, and when?

 

[Brian at IK]

1) Certified by Ampeg? Interesting. I'll admit the B15R model is miles better than the one stock bass amp in the app I paid $20 for, but it still has bugs in it, despite you guys being made aware of the problem and putting out a recent update.

How can one be both miles better than the other and the same amp "re-skinned" at the same time?

3) If the modeling process is so meticulous, how come the only octaver and envelope filter you guys offer are so bad? The filter doesn't move and the octaver has horrid tracking. There's a Mutron III in your gear pictures, the filter in the app isn't even worth mentioning in the same sentence.

My experience is the tracking on hardware octave divider pedals is typically just as bad. There are actually 2 other octave pedals available in AmpliTube iOS - the Octo-Blue from AmpliTube Slash, and the Octa-V from AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix. The Octa-V doubles the octave, instead of dividing it.

4) A comparison of gear like you want me to do requires me purchasing said gear, which I'm not willing to do based on reports from other bass players who have already tried them and reported that it's not so great on bass. "Here, this tastes like S**T, you try it!" Um, no thanks. Do I buy real-world effect pedals if I know they're not good on bass? Nope.

YOU said it was "re-skinned gear." I made the point that such a notion is easy to dispel by simply comparing it. Clearly you hadn't actually compared it, or you wouldn't have been making this false claim (or did you, which is why you admit they don't sound the same now?) So why make such a claim with no basis in fact or personal experience?

5) I've always been curious as to why there are vocal effects pedals in a guitar app...?

Because you could use them on guitar if you want. Doubling and harmonization are standard guitar effects as well. And also, because AmpliTube includes a multi-track recorder and mixer, so you can record vocals and other instruments to create a complete song arrangement within AmpliTube.

 

[Rip Topaz]

Sure, if we spend another $50 for the IK mic interface!!

He referred to the B15R being miles better than the bass amp that came with AT originally. And it is. But that's ONE piece of gear for bassist while guitarists get AT Slash and Jimi.

Do Slash and Jimi not have bass players?

So I repeat, WHEN can we expect new iOS bass gear from IK?

 

[Rip Topaz]

And you've basically just told us that it's ok with you that your Octaver and envelope filter suck, because "others do".

 

[Rip Topaz]

And Amplitube iOS doesn't INCLUDE the recorder. You gotta buy that, too.

 

[Brian at IK]

But you still didn't answer the question?

What new bass gear is in the works for IK's Amplitube for iOS, and when?

We don't give that information out too early, because as you know, the competition is keenly interested in what we're doing next...

We take quite a long time modeling our gear on real hardware. It is a timely and expensive process. Others may try to scoop us with another off-the-shelf quickie model while we're modeling the real gear.

 

[Brian at IK]

And you've basically just told us that it's ok with you that your Octaver and envelope filter suck, because "others do".

We model the gear accurately, "as is". End of story.
Personally, I don't think it 'sucks' - I think of it more as 'colorful' with a character that experienced bassists will instantly recognize.

The Envelope Filter is not modeled on the Mu-Tron III, BTW. We have a different model of that in the AmpliTube Custom Shop. It is always a possibility that we may bring it to iOS, too.

 

[Rip Topaz]

I've got over 30 years of experience, both on stage and in the studio, and if anyone handed me a pedal that sounded like that, it would INSTANTLY be removed from my pedalboard. Try again.

 

[Rip Topaz]

We don't give that information out too early, because as you know, the competition is keenly interested in what we're doing next...

We take quite a long time modeling our gear on real hardware. It is a timely and expensive process. Others may try to scoop us with another off-the-shelf quickie model while we're modeling the real gear.

Lol. Ok. Whatever you gotta tell yourself.

 

[Duke21]

Duke, only our tone has been officially certified by Ampeg.

I can't argue for how good the B15R sounds compare to a real one. I know your B15R is licensed, but a license is no guaranty for better tone.
The B15 on Jamup is based on an older version, I think. There are some veterans here which knows how a B15 sound and how it works.
But by the end of the day it doesn't matter if the B15R on Amplitube is licensed or not. We are after tone, several tone possibilities. When IK multimedia have no wish to deliver more gear I've to look other places. As it is now I do not miss Amplitube iOS as Jamup XT is packed with bass amp sims.

 

[PrietoBass]

Guys, let's move on.

Vote with your dollars.

The end.

 

[Brian at IK]

I've got over 30 years of experience, both on stage and in the studio, and if anyone handed me a pedal that sounded like that, it would INSTANTLY be removed from my pedalboard. Try again.

OK, so a classic octave divider pedal isn't your thing. That's why we also do a few different pitch shifting pedals, too. The CHOIR pedal in-app purchase in AmpliTube iOS will do what you're looking for.

 

[Duke21]

So you are more expert on Ampeg's tone than Ampeg?

All of our brand partners are very stringent in their certification. They only put their names on our gear because we meet their standards for tone authenticity.

Speaking of Slash, we made AmpliTube Slash for him because he uses AmpliTube for writing on the road and warming up before shows. He wanted to have his precise rig modeled, and we were happy to oblige!



I thought you've already moved on!

We do not care for Slash, I mean I like his Sweet Cild O mine, but I play a Geddy Jazz or a Ric not a Gibson LP.
The Hendrix pack is a cool idea, you should have come with it before Slash if you ask me. But again, where is the Geddy pack, or the Squire pack?
Also, the license things, does Ampeg gets paid for the license?

 

[Rip Topaz]

No it won't. I've tried it. It's tracks for crap on bass.
That's what we've been trying to tell you, but you'd rather argue.

We're asking IK to step up in relation to bass players. Nothing more.

We've asked in multiple threads, some of which contained some great suggestions but were deleted because your feelings were hurt by comparisons to other apps. Oh well.

We've asked in multiple threads here on TB, and it's always the same non-answer.

It's very obvious to me that Amplitube doesn't care about bassists that use iOS devices. No big deal. There are other apps that do.

This thread wasn't started to argue with IK.

Try reading it. You might learn a thing or two about your app.

 

[Duke21]

OK, so a classic octave divider pedal isn't your thing. That's why we also do a few different pitch shifting pedals, too. The CHOIR pedal in-app purchase in AmpliTube iOS will do what you're looking for.

No! Not exactly.
It will do it from fret nr. 12 on the D and G string and higher. Look for my clip with it on Soundcloud. So while it sounds VERY cool on a bass, the interval on the bass guitar neck is very limited. Very limited.