review
AmpliTube Metal
Following the success of AmpliTube 2 guitar amp and effects modeling software, IK Multimedia released AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix, a package that focused on one (extremely popular) player’s rig. Now they are back with another modeling collection, this time focusing on a single genre: metal. As you would expect, this package contains mainly high-gain amp and “metal” distortion effect models. If you are looking for twang or chime, look elsewhere. If you are looking to “melt some faces” with crushing, heavy tone, this may be just the ticket. Let’s take a look.
In The Box
AmpliTube Metal comes with both a stand-alone application and plug-in versions in common Mac (AU, VST, RTAS) and Windows (VST, RTAS) formats. It includes 5 high-gain amp models and 14 stomp box effects models. You also get 13 speaker cabinet models, 6 microphone models, a tuner, and 9 rack effects. In addition you get a “SpeedTrainer” that allows you to play and loop audio files. The SpeedTrainer allows you to change the tempo or pitch of the audio files, making it a great practice and learning tool. There is also a metronome.
Signal Routing
Like other AmpliTube software, AmpliTube Metal’s audio signal is routed in the traditional order (stomp box, amp, cab, rack) and uses a two-rig setup with eight possible routing configurations giving you plenty of options for sonic mayhem. You could run two complete rigs simultaneously, have two effects setups run into the same amp, one amp with two cabinets into two rack setups, etc…
The Interface
AmpliTube Metal’s interface is modular (or screen) based. There are five different screens that can be called up using buttons. There is the Tuner module, which is self-explanatory. The Stomp module allows you to select and control up to six effects (in each signal chain). The Amp module lets you select the preamp model, the EQ model, and the amp model. This gives you a good amount of flexibility to create your own “custom” amps. And of course, the usual amp controls are here also. The Cab module allows you to choose your cab and microphone model. Finally, the Rack module lets you choose among common studio rack effects.
At the top left of the interface is a Preset Manager where you can select from the included presets (from a pop-up menu) or create your own, and the SpeedTrainer where you can load audio files to play along with. Overall, the interface works well, but is mouse dependent. You have to turn knobs using the mouse and cannot type in any values (such as tempo.) Plus you can’t see your whole rig at once, only one module at a time.
The Amp Models
The five included amp models are based on amps popular with metal players and each has a unique character.
Metal Clean T
The Metal Clean T is based on the Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier clean channel. None of the included amps are really known for their “clean” tones. The Metal Clean T tone is a sterile clean tone that works for arpeggio intros when paired with effects, but it won’t excite anyone with its warmth. To be fair, no one is buying this package for the clean tones anyway.
Metal Lead T
The Metal Lead T is based on the Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier lead channel. This is the money channel on this amp. Bone crushing tones are easy to find here. From scooped, to bass heavy, to nasal, a wide variety of metal tones is available. The Metal Lead T model is aggressive and “in your face.”
Metal Lead V
The Metal Lead V is based on the Peavey 5150 100W head. This could have been called the “Van Halen In A Box” model as it captures Eddie’s tone with ease. It can also get a cool “hollow” tone, although it gets a bit fizzy at higher gain settings.
Metal Lead W
The Metal Lead W is based on the Randall Warhead head. Like many solid state amps, the Metal Lead W lacks a little in the presence department compared to tube amps. Although its somewhat flat tone can be shaped considerably with its built-in graphic EQ. A nice bonus.
Vintage Metal Lead
The Vintage Metal Lead is based on the Marshall JMP100 head. This is where you will find the classic metal and hard rock tones from the 70’s.
The Stomp Box Models
Of the 14 stomp box models, half are distortion/fuzz units. There are also two flangers, a delay, a phaser, an EQ, a wah, and a pitch bender unit. There are no big surprises here, just more flavors of grind and common modulation effects used in metal, giving you more sonic options.
The Wah and Warmonator (whammy pedal) effects really need the Stomp I/O or a MIDI controller with an expression pedal to be used up to their full potential. So depending on your setup, you may find them useful or basically useless.
In Use
I tested AmpliTube Metal using an Apple MacBook Pro with a 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 2 GB of RAM. I used a MOTU 828 Firewire audio interface to get my guitar signal into the computer. I tested it in stand-alone mode and as a AU plug-in using Digital Performer 6 as the host application. It performed without a hitch in both cases and I had no problems with audio dropouts or glitches. Of course, older computers may not fare as well. The modeling technology AmpliTube Metal uses is computational heavy so the faster your computer processor and the more RAM you have the better. Most models ran in the 20% CPU range. If I turned on oversampling for improved audio quality, CPU usage often reached 50%. Be sure to check the system requirements (or download the demo) before purchasing.
Extras
AmpliTube Metal comes with “X-Gear” shell-host software that allows you to use all of your IK Multimedia guitar and bass software together under one interface. This makes AmpliTube Metal a great high gain compliment to AmpliTube 2 or AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix.
Final Thoughts
AmpliTube Metal is designed for guitar players who love high-gain metal tones and its models reflect this. Metal heads and shredders should definitely take a look, players of other styles need not apply. The five included amp models cover a wide range of metal tones and the effects give you even more options. The amp models can be noisy at higher gain settings (just like real amps) but apparently this is the trade off for authentic, heavy tones. The SpeedTrainer is especially great for learning and practicing those speed metal licks. If metal is your game, AmpliTube Metal is a great choice for jamming, practice, and recording.
Reader Comments
Better Guitar encourages your input. Agree with this review? Think I’m crazy? If you have used AmpliTube Metal, email me your comments and I’ll post them below. The more opinions we have available, the better our buying decisions will be.
stats
- • 5 separate modules: tuner, configurable stomp pedal board, amp head, cabinet + mic, rack effects
- • 14 rare stomp effects with highly acclaimed distortion models
- • 5 classic high-gain amps
- • 13 cabinet and 6 microphone models
- • 9 post-amp FX racks
- • 2 fully configurable rigs
- • Digital tuner
- • Stand-alone and VST/AU/RTAS plug-in for all popular DAWs
- • Includes SpeedTrainer for playing along with your favorite recordings
- • Includes AmpliTube X-GEAR for seamless integration with all the other “Powered by AmpliTube” products, MIDI control and StompIO integration
Positives
- Plenty of great high-gain tones; lots of distortion stomp boxes; flexible audio signal routing; excellent phrase trainer; includes X-Gear.
Negatives
- Higher gain settings can be noisy; clean amp model is uninspiring; somewhat expensive for a niche market; amp models have limited appeal.
Rating
- Features: 8
- Performance: 10
- Sound Quality: 9
- User Interface: 9
- Overall: 9.0
Ratings Key
- 0 = Worthless
- 10 = Excellent
Approximate Street Price
- $229
Available At Guitar Center
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IK Multimedia AmpliTube Metal
Company
- IK Multimedia
Audio Examples
- At IK Multimedia
Demo Download
- At IK Multimedia
System Requirements
- Intel Based Macintosh
- Minimal: 1.5 GHz Intel Core Solo processor, 512 MB of RAM, Mac OS X 10.4.4 or later.
- Suggested: 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, 1 GB of RAM, Mac OS X 10.4.4 or later.
- Supported Plug-in formats: AU, VST, RTAS.
- PowerPC Based Macintosh
- Minimal: 866 MHz G4 processor, 512 MB of RAM, Mac OS X 10.4 or later.
- Suggested: Dual 1.25 GHz G4 or G5 processor, 1 GB of RAM, Mac OS X 10.4 or later.
- Supported Plug-in formats: AU, VST, RTAS.
- Windows Based PC
- Minimal: Pentium 1GHz / Athlon XP 1.33 GHz, 512 MB of RAM, Windows XP.
- Suggested: Pentium 2.4 GHz / Athlon XP 1.33 GHz, 1 GB of RAM, Windows XP.
- Supported Plug-in formats: VST, RTAS.