Korg Ampworks

Not tough to get started or to get a decent sound but the subtleties of programming this are kinda tricky (figuring out original and default values)

ok, let's be up front. this is a DIGITAL model. The top end of the reverbs and overdrives is a lil pixellated. If you're listening, you can hear the crispiness. And you can only use one effect at a time. This unit is totally worth it, though. The models are much better than some i've heard (the old pods, and original v-amp) and the speaker sims are very flexible. The tap function is nice too. Makes it easy to tweak the reverbs and delays.
None of this stuff is prevertable, and you only get to alter the effects level (not the individual parameters). Still, the effects are very useful in a tasteful way.

uhhh, plastic plus plastic. you do the math.

haven't dealt with them yet.

at the price they go for right now, they're a STEAL. If you need amp sounds with minimal disturbance, this is IT. I use mine to record and travel with. As long as you can handle this like eggshells, you should be golden. Is it perfect? no. Is it excellent? yes!

This is extremely easy to use if you have any experience with pedals or effects units. The manual is well written and informative.

It is important to read the manual. The settings (tone, gain, etc) are set to mimic the original amp it is modeling. This digital unit is the very same brains that are used in the Vox ADVT series amps (Vox/Marshall owns Korg). Look and listen to the amp, they are identical.
This unit is meant to be direct recording unit. It is NOT a stomp box (thus the plastic cover). It sounds simply unbelievable through headphones or recording.
Also there is a switch to change the voicing for direct recording or to an amp. This is no joke. I engage this switch (to let my amp do the cabnet voicing) and use this as a preamp by going into the "power amp in" on my peavey. It sounds even better than the direct record sounds.
The real gem about this item though is that you can really put effects infrom of the amp models and they sound better than ever! I really didn't expect that. I use good effects (tonebone and Keeley modded blues driver). It takes the sound (direct record and amp) to a whole new level.

As I mentioned this unit is meant to be a direct recording unit. If you treat it as such, you will have no problems. This is not to say it cant be used live. I place it right on top of my amp as a preamp, and it works fine. No technical problems to date and I've had it over a year.

I haven't had to use them.

I play and record everything from blues to metal. This is an extremely versatile box especially if you are looking to record. For the money there is absolutely no comparison. I have seen them going fo $50 new on close outs. Its a great deal.

Very Guitar Friendly...

I'm using this as a practice rig... A PORTABLE PRACTICE RIG (10...)

OK... so... it's cheap and it's plastic... BUT It's got some amazing sounding tones (vintage type and growly overdrive tones) in it!

I'VE VELCROED THE LITTLE MONSTER TO MY GUITARS (one piece on the processor and one piece on the guitar)... I use G&L's only... Legacy Strat, ASAT Classic, and Commanche. Small patch cord from guitar to processor, headphone out of processor for stereo processed practice.

I've used it live (velcroed in place) and then into a Peterson strobo stomp (in DI mode). It doesn't sound as smooth live as my Fargen Blackbird Tube amp, but c'mon... it was $50-.

Anyway... TWO REMARKABLE THINGS ABOUT THE EFFECTS
1. the TREMOLO SETTINGS "seem" to FIT the amp settings when you change them... ie. Fender trem sounds round and full (like a Fender trem) and the Vox Trem sound stuttery smooth when used with the Vox amp. I may be hearing things wrongly, but I've double and triple checked it... Is that possible for $50?
2. The ROTARY SPEAKER "sim" actually RAMPS UP AND DOWN in speed when you use the tap tempo feature (velcroed to the guitar).

THIS KIND OF STUFF IS CRAZY FOR A CHEAP PLASTIC PROCESSOR!

I bought 3 of them...

Scares me a bit here....

No idea... hope I don't need it...

Been playing for about 10 years...

Lead worship in a small church...

Still convinced the sweetest tone is found with a single coil guitar into a small watt tube amp with a couple of great pedals for about 4-5 fat tones... BUT...

I can't always practice with a tube amp and pedals (that's my "live rig")...

So... This beats everything else I've tried for this purpose (Line 6, Digitech, Yamaha DG stomp, Marshall Mini-stack, etc.)

I've told every guitarist in my church to grab one before they're gone!

Almost way too easy to use out of the box. This little monster has an ease of use that I was not prepared for at all. The manual is a nifty fold-out job that is easy to read in an unfolded manner. I just received it on my doorstep and played with it for about an hour before writing this review. I am kinda blown away.

I am using a 1992 Mexican Telecaster with Lace Sensors and AMERICAN MADE pots and switch (essentially an Amercican made Tele, no thank you NAFTA!). The noise reduction is great with the single coils. I ran it through my Vox Pathfinder 10 with the all knobs at 12 o'clock (gain, treble, bass, and volume). All the presets are very good, with a noticeable difference as I switched the amp and cabinet models around. I am no amp snob, but I could tell the differences in sound and timbre. The effects are right on, and I had no problems with shaping the effects to my liking. The "tap" function is way cool and easy to use.

I was a little amazed that the housing is made of regular plastic. This box could easily be broken apart and probably would not be receptive to a good beating onstage. Those who paid more than fifty dollars US may feel gypped by the flimsy housing. The list price is around $180.00 US. I would have expected more for the money, but I only paid $50.00, and expectations are satisfactory for the money paid. I feel I can depend on it, but probably not in a live situation, unless it was modified and fitted into a sturdier housing.

I haven't had to deal with KORG, as I just recieved it.

Hands down, a ten indeed.

Ok, where do I start? I was looing for an amp modeller so checked out various models all arounf the #100 price range. BUT, for a cheap price, and if you know what to expect these can work wonders. I chose the KORG cos it was 1. cheap and 2 small enoguh to fit in my guitar case along with the rest of my stuff. Easy enough to use. Had to read the manual just to check how to save my own settings.

Soundwise it's not bad. The POD II and Behringer are up there too, a little different but offer more heads and cabs. NONE are mind blowing. NONE are brilliant, so don't get any misconceptions that you're gonna get a balls out Boogie triple rectified distortion, or a great fender twin blues tone cos you ain't - plain and simple!

Very plastic, so don't drop it. Mine is still intact, but can't see it surviving any serious drops. Same goes for the POD II and Beringer though. All are plastic so really wouldn't recommend drop testing!!!

Dunno - not needed it yet.

I play rap metal kinda thing. Love full on distortion and hi gain amp sounds. My situation is unique, but the KORG works well in my setup. I play live with a hip hop/drum n bass crew, and I have a live setup consisting of a CD DJ deck, scratch mixer, Korg ES1 electribe drum machine, a Korg KAOSS Pad, and now a KORG Ampworks, a H+K Warp Factor distortion pedal and a Westone Thunder 1A (laugh if you like but this cheap Japanese thing has lasted, and still plays better than ANY #350 Epiphone/Ibanez/Squier guitar - been trying to convince myself it needs replacing and have failed every time! Gonna fit an EMG 81 in it instead of replacing it. Just check out the reviews here and see for yourself!) ANyway, with my setup I run the guitar through the H+K, into the Amworks into my ES1 sampler which goes into the DJ mixer into the KAOSS pad and out to the PA system/mixer. I use a clen setting on the Ampworks with the H+K distortion (which is FAT) and I get a sound that is pretty damn good considering I'm not using an amp at all. Our live shows are slamming. I can mix the guitar level with the beats out my sampler so it's balanced and I have complete control. I love this setup and I wouldn't change it. So, bottom line is - if you know what to expect and can work with it, this Ampworks can really work for you. If you want to get the 'guitar tone to die for' from this alone you will be dissappointed whether you but this or a POD. For size and sound quality by comparison, and the fact it's battery powered (one less power supply to find) it wins cos of the price.

limited

Great TONE BUT becare full this IS a toy for practice, NOT for recording and NOT for LIVE work....Why? noise, I love this little box its cheap and really does sound like a AC30 but its got a clicking digital buzz and hiss junky sounds i used the Gate and set it up many ways and anf got a good sound i even posted praise below but have come back now i have sold it on ebay, Its good, but its not pro. I think the tone is better than the POD but its just not clear enough to use in a pro way. Its a cool toy payed #100 sold for #45 not to bad had some fun, but really i would get a pod if its digital u want or Behringer. Infact just save up and get what you really want. I have and im in real valve tone heaven now. its less work than u think. one step at a time. 10 for tone---1 for totaly cheap crappy clicks coming very loud out my speakers. they are all like this too, so dont think i got a bad one

plastic that will brake, i droped it and it dented and still worked so not bad..

DONT Do it Dude. Please for your sake. by the way I love KORG and will buy other gear form them, this is just a toy though

nice with knobs to turn! very very good and ... i dare to say... heaven sent! i use it with headphones ok and as a recording/rehearsing tool. it is much more like teh real thing as the pod of my buddy and the digitech rp 50 ampsimulations that i had before. it has knobs, turn them and make your choice.

i play strats and teles, roots-pop-country-stuff, americana-kraut. the sonds are very useable. for recording, practicing and playing. my favourites are are the clean, tweed and black ampsim. i can copy the sound of my real amps pretty god and get that an my harddisk-recorder in no time. the sounds feel very much like a real amp. the unit is really very good, because i am pretty picky about stuff. the "fenders" in overdrive give a very nice sound for slideguitar and the cleans can get very nice twangy rhythms. the effects are very useable, specially the delay and tremolo. the thing is made to make my recordings sound really earthy and rootsy. this was not possible with anything before, pod or digitech.

i wish it would be made out fo metal!!! this is the only complain i have. it fell down from the table today on a rock.floor. still works, nothing broken. but it would be nice if the ting would be heavier like somebody said before. i would not use it for a gig. but that is not what it is made for.....

no idea.

best piece of equipment i bought for a long time. makes my fenders sound great, did not cost the world and feels like it was dedined by someone who has guitarplayers in mind, not computerpeople. it makes recording very easy and intuitive. i would buy it again if lost or stolen. it makes my guitarlife much richer, because i have the sounds i love in a small package. if they make a real heavy duty version of the thing with fendersims only i will buy it also.

Very easy: chose your faourite amp, cabinet and effects, set the eq, and off you go. I didn't need the manual to understand this device.

Guitar: Jackson DR-3 Japan. Straight into headphones (Sennheiser HiFi). Sound quality is great (considering the price). Prior to using this unit I owned an Engl Savage 120. Of course the Korg doesn't even come close in terms of sound quality, BUT at this price it delivers some seriously brutal and great-sounding distortion. I checked out all the other digital amp modelling effect units out there (line6, digitech, yamaha etc.), but to me the Korg comes closest to sounding tube-like at high gain settings.

It's got an integrated noise gate, so noise normally is no problem. I only play at maximum gain. Rectifier, modern Marshall /JCM800 amps and the corresponding cabinets sound great. Effects are a nice add-on, a little reverb helps to get a roomier sound when playing over headphones.

Reliability? Just one word: AWFUL!!! I dropped the thing on the first day, falling from my desk onto the carpet. The guitar plug was connected. Result: broken guitar jack.
This piece is made of thin plastic and prone to break. After that the guitar plug didn't have contact anymore, but I managed to glue the jack back together. Two days ago the same thing happened again. The unit is very light and since most guitar cables tend to be heavier it's going to be dragged off the table if you're not careful enough. And then most likely the guitar jack will break. VERY BAD RELIABILITY INDEED! I am most disappointed with this quality.

No idea. Since the breakdown mentione dabove was undoubtedly my own fault I didn't bother to contact the dealer or their cusomer support.

I only play death, grind and some black metal. Brutal distortion is essential. I used to own an Engl Savage 120 all-tube amp which I had to sell. People knowning this beast will agree it has some great sound quality, great versatility and extremely brutal distortion sounds as well. I bought the Korg without checking it out, just after reading reviews. I have not been disappointed. Distortion is brutal, versatility is good, noise is no issue, price is relatively low. So considering the value for money it gets a thumbsup from me. Only con is it's non-existent reliability. So if you like good distortion sounds and aer careful about your gear, go and get one.

Very easy to use the way I use it (by simply
plugging in, picking an amp model, and twiddling
knobs -- like a real amp.) Since I don't save any
edits I have no opinion of what's involved in the
unit's limited "higher" functions. I'd rather a
simple unit with knobs than a "kitchen sink" unit
requiring a menu-surf to initiate basic operation.
This one is laid out the way I like.

The one thing that threw me for 15 seconds
was that changing models or cabinets always seems
to reset the effects to chorus. Just remember to
reset the desired effect (and gain/tone controls)
every time you switch models. As I said, 15 seconds
to figure that out, so hardly a big deal.

(** Under "sound quality" I drift off-message into
some practical-applications stuff that probably
belongs under Ease Of Use, so check that out too.)

I have many guitars, with nearly every type and brand
of pickups -- humbuckers, P90's, lipstick tubes, and
Fender-style single coils. I have never used the Ampworks
as a pre-amp. I just plug in the guitar and a set of
good headphones. I use it mostly for practicing. As
such, my demands aren't extreme.

I'm not in love with any of the effects, but I do
find that the tap delay works fine and sounds good.
Mainly, I dial in some reverb, which is about the only
effect I use on a real amp anyway, and it's fine. If
you use some of the older Fender models at the bottom
of the dial, and turn the reverb up a ways, you can
get an uncannily accurate approximation of the
sound of an old blues record, with the mics placed
out in the room, away from the amps.

I find myself gravitating towards Ampworks' cleaner
models -- most frequently to the AC30, Boutique
Clean, or Blk212. (The Blk212, thru the 112Blk speaker
setting, gives the "old blues" sound I mentioned.)

The Vox AC30 with a lot of gain is my favorite "all-
purpose" sound, with a good deal of clarity despite
the distortion. Does it sound like an AC30TB? Who knows?
It sounds good here though, and I usually hate EL84-powered
amps...

Since I like a well-defined attack with a good deal
of treble, a lot of the UK/Modern models are not to
my liking. 4 of the top 5 models (from UK70's on up)
sound either too "veiled" in the treble, or too
buzzy/mushy with distortion. The UK80's through the
412 Modern cab makes me smile, though. It features a
very decent approximation of the low-mid rumble of a
Marshall from the hairspray decade, and is tons of
fun to fool around with. I'm a Fender guy, and hardly
an expert on the Brit tone, but I suspect that even
Marshall fans would be pleasantly surprised.

So: I owned a POD for a time, but never really liked
it. With a simulator, you're always going to miss the
"feel" of the speaker moving the air, and causing
those great sympathetic vibrations as the strings
and wood come to life. That having been said,
I can't plug any of my 4 sweet Fenders into a
pair of AA batteries; the Ampworks goes wherever
I can go, as long as it's dry...

Recently I took a CD of my bud's band up to the
local park to practice along (with the CD on the
car stereo, with it and the Ampworks coming to me
through open-backed 'phones)and learned the last 4
or 5 of his newer songs on the day of the show. The
unit saved my ass that time.

Ampworks (and other sims) make late-night recording
sessions a practical reality. I'm not sure I'd use one
for the main, featured guitar parts (real amps still do
have that organic x-factor) but I wouldn't hesitate to
use Ampworks for scratch tracks, or for "sweetening"
tracks when building an arrangement. Finally, I find
myself practicing more now, which can only be a good
thing.

Anybody who owned one of those Scholz Rockman
units back in the mid '80's will attest that
the amp simulator has improved several thousand
percent in 20 years. Does the Ampworks sound
exactly like a real amp? Perhaps not. Its
practicality and very decent sound have,
however, made it well worth my $99.

Well, it looks flimsy, and I remember picking it
up for the first time and thinking "hmmm... I guess
it's not brushed aluminium after all..." I'm pretty
sure that dropping it upside down (pots-first)
would be at least a minor catastrophe, but I have
dropped mine several times "bottom first" onto a carpeted
floor with no obvious symptoms of decline. Tougher than
it looks, or maybe I've been lucky.

BTW: If you hear it crap out after a while, or if
it won't hold settings for more than a few minutes,
then don't panic -- just change the batteries.

On a related subject: I have bitched in several HC
reviews about poorly-designed battery access hatches
on equipment, so it's only fair for me to mention that
this one is probably the best I've seen -- slide, lift,
old out, new in, slide, click. 15 seconds, tops.
Nice job, Korg.

No experience. I also own a d1600, and it's my feeling
that the best customer support is to build the thing
right in the first place. I don't want a Hyundai with
a 10 year warranty -- I want a Mazda or a Toyota that
doesn't leave me by the side of the road...

I'd say I've covered most points above.

My target sound? I play straightforward rock, in
what I usually refer to as a "pre-Van Halen" style --
no locking whammy or tapping, and few if any pedals.
(Rory Gallagher or John Fogerty might be good points
of reference.)

For my purposes, the Ampworks makes up in practicality
anything it might lose in "feel" (that intangibly
inspiring "speaker on wood and wire" thing I mentioned
above.) Different players hear different
sounds in their heads, so the models I don't care for
may be another player's nirvana (I'll bet someone even
likes the "Fuzz" model.) The Ampworks has been a solid,
frequently-used addition to my pile of gear. If you're
in the market, then it's definitely worthy of a listen.

Very easy to get good sounds. The manual is brief but this modeler is easy to use with no scrolling through banks. Very simple controls: amp model, speaker cab, effects. 3 band eq gain, and volume. Effects are difficult to manipulate, of course this unit is advertised as an amp modeler so I can't complain there, I consider them a bonus just to have any at all.

Ive tried this unit with a strat, tele, les paul. No complaints with guitars, sounded very good especially with my tele. I really have no complaints with the amp models. They sounded great. Obvioulsly some combinations of amps and cabs didn't sound great. there are many factors that go into the tone of this modeler, the same way a real amp would. The guitar, the pickup selection, THE GAIN LEVEL, and eq settings, amp and cabinet. You can't expect every combination to sound excellent, just like the real amps wouldn't sound excellent in every setting. Nevertheless, the modeler is a great recording tool and with experimentation, you will all the sounds you need. I particularly love the UK modern-

Does it sound good through an amp? depends on the amp, and the eq and gain settings on the amp. Chances are your amp is going to color the sound some. Will a marshall model make your fender amp sound like a marshall? Not neccesarilly because your taking your "marshall model" and then sending it through a fender amp! Why should it sound the same. Because of the tredemendous flexibility of this modeler, it is capable of amazing and awful sounds depending on the settings and where its destination is (recording direct, or through an amp"
I'm not too impressed with the effects, but thats not what this unit is intended for. They are nice to have for recording situations if you need a particular effect on a track.
Can it totally replace a real amp for recording? I would say maybe. If you love the sounds then it will. If you need to get feedback while recoring then obviously you will need a real amp. If you have an amp that you love record with that and use this unit to double your guitar parts and give you more variety for layering tracks then your one real amp will.

It seems reliable to me. I always prefer metal controls over plastic, but this unit isn't a pedal so I don't consider it a problem since I wouldn't purposefully step on it. PLus metal construction raise the price tremendously, and this unit is all about bang for the buck.
For concert use you could purchase an inexpensive footswitch to change between sounds. You could mount the modeler on the back of your pedal board or sit it on your amp. Wouldn't break unless you step hard on it-which there is no reason TO step on it. (of course accidents do happen.) Remember it costs 100 bucks, so it wouldn't be a greek tragedy if something broke like some much more expensive modelers.
But this unit really shines on your desktop for recording purposes, nice for practicing too.

Never had to deal with them. But this is a simple product, 99 bucks, don't expect to have any problems, if this thing dies 5 or 6 years down the road i would have gotten my money's worth

This pedal is a tremendous value. at 99 dollars (us) its simple, takes up little space, capable of a wide variety of great sounds. Don't waste your money on a pod. With the way technology goes, after you spend your 300+ dollars there will be something newer and better. This unit is cheap, and sounds great and is all you need for recording purposes. Its wonderful to be able to track even late at night without setting up my amp and a mic and not disturb anyones sleep (except my own) I wouldn't gig with this. I tend to need only a couple good "compromise" sounds for concert and do fine with my amp and a couple pedals. But in the studio my compromise concert tone that works well all around, might not be the ideal sound for a particlar part or song. This is where this unit really shines.
I wish it came with an ac adaptor. But this unit really is about value and not including the adaptor one of the things that helps keep it so affordable. For the price of a decent boss stomp box, you get all kinds of amp, cab sounds, and some decent effects.