IK Multimedia Amplitube Fender

I have been playing guitar since '97, played in a couple different band situations. While I still play guitar I also play bass, drums and a bit of banjo. I bought the 1.1.3 version of AF for Pro Tools LE. I am using a Dell 1525 inspiron, core duo 1.66, 3 gig ram, with Vista Home Premium that my Digidesign MBox 2 plugs into. I'm pretty across the board when it comes to the music; blues, jazz, funk, country, rock, whatever feels good for the lyrical content.

It didn't take long to figure out what was going on. Intuitive, yes. The problems that I had with the plug were due to my lack of knowledge of zip files, computer admin privileges and such. Ik gave good, swift, helpful repsonses. Getting a good sound was not a problem. However, I have many a soul complain about it and the sales engineers at Sweetwater told me that one needed to correct the impedence to get the correct sound. I bought the Radial Dragster which makes a HUGE difference in how my guitar sounds and how the software repsonds. Waves has a box for their GTR prduct with PRS, and Digidesign has corrected the issue from the start in their Eleven Rack. If the sound is lacking and you don't have something to correct the impedence, start there.

The sounds are really really good. I think that they are just a bit shy of how good Eleven sounds. The presets are useful but if I have something specific Its not hard to dial in. Also, I plug un my Ibenez TS-9 on the front end, with the Dragster, It responds and sounds GREAT. Any SRV lover will love this and the Vibroverb model. Its pretty sensitive to touch which is cool. The only things that it missing where Eleven excels is when I dial down the volume controls. I play a mexian Standard strat with a warmoth neck so my electtonics may be an issue, but Eleven makes it work. This is not a huge deal for me. It would be nice for them to improve on that.

It was certianly worth the price tag. Especially, since IK has a 3x1 deal goin on (now its 4x1). Right now I have $600 dollars of plugins for $200. I also have the Amo Hendrix and SVX. Not quite as good as Fender but pertty darn good. X-gear makes this whole thing worth while. I can call up my vibroverb from fender and use a compressor from SVX and a fuzz face from hendrix. Such integreation is fertile soil for the musical mind. Just make sure that you authorize this on your computer, (run the setup "as administrator", if you don't it may only recognize the software as the demo. Even if you ahve Authorized in on the website!! I has not crashed on my yet, but its rather new, it better not!

Amplitube Fender Studio Edition
HP Laptop with Vista 64 Bit operating system

The software is not compatable with the 64 Bit version of Vista

Loud hissing in the background. No assistance yet from the overworked tech support person

Be aware that only E-mail support is available . No phone or chat support. Not even for new user installation problems.

The Stealtghplug driver would not load. The Eventually tech support sent me an interim 64 bit driver that was not fully functional and contained bugs. For example, it does not include the Stealthplug control panel. I could not get the Amplitube software to configure with the Stealthplug. The settings would not keep my Stealthplug settings.

I tried all day to get tech support to assist me with a loud hissing noise in the background. So far, no response.

I called IK's Florida office for live tech support. That's when I learned that phone support is no longer available. Nor is chat support available.

I called IK several times, hoping to contact a live person. I tried multiple extensions. Each time, a voice mail told me I have reached the accounting department "Please leave a message". It seems the company consists of several accountants and perhaps only one overworked tech.

Amplitube Fender Ver. 1.1
Operates standalone or plug in.
Currently using it with Cubase 5 on quad core PC with Vista 64 bit OS.

The interface is clever and easy to use. Amps have all the same controls as the originals and they did a great job of making sure that each tone, volume, and reverb knob reacts like the real amp. The manual is reasonably clear though the section on installing Amp Fender as a plug in could be expanded a bit to note the importance of making sure that files are loaded to the correct directory or it won't show up as a plug-in in Cubase.

10+ for this category. I own a 70's vintage Fender Quad and played for years on a old Twin and a Bassman. The tone is right on the money, but more importantly, the playing dynamics are correct. I am generally disappointed with amp sims because they miss this key ingredient. A real Fender amp's tone, tube saturation, and natural compression changes depending on how aggressively you are playing. Its an essential part of the Fender sound. Amplitube Fender scores big in this area for me. I played on a Fender Twin sim the other night and after about 30 minutes I literally forgot I was playing through software and began to feel like I was playing through my old amp. Yes..its that good...and Yes...I'm that old. :-)

Value is in the eye of the beholder. For some, 200 bucks seems expensive...for me, to get authentic tone and effects combined with absolute ease of set up for recording...its a steal. I can get some of the same tones with my Quad and my SM 57 mic but I still have to work around less than ideal recording conditions and sleeping neighbors. The plug in lets me lay down a great guitar track in no time and keeps peace in the house and beyond. Well worth what it costs! Do be aware that running the amps and several effects at once can be pretty CPU intensive so it may not be a good choice for an older PC.

Studio owner , guitar and bass tech , teacher , blues musicians
play Guitar/Bass/Drums/b3 organ/Vocals .

As easy as it gets , just about all the settings sound good .the older vs needed to be tweaks like crazy to get something decent not this one , Fender did there job. Thanks

Here it is folks ! theses amps sound freaking amazings.
I've been micing my amp for a few years now .
but i'm never really satisfied with the results. I don't own 10 000 $ worth of tube amps and effects plus i hate having to drive my tube amp loud at home when i'm writing music. Don't get me wrong i love playing loud at gigs or pratices .But when writing is involved and your looking for the perfect take i just can't stand the high volume associated with tube amp anymore .

I tryed them all ,
i love it , just wish it was cheaper .
guitar rig 3 session is 200 $ the same price and come with audio hardware interface x2 ins .
but still Amplitube fender just nailed the tones this time.
And No i don't work for them.
Michael
Quebec Canada try it you might be surprised
would'of given a 9.5 if is was cheaper. Nothing is perfect .

I've been playing guitar for a looong time. I use a telecaster normally. This is for the Amplitube Fender, a plugin that can be used as standalone or VST.

Very Easy

It has nailed the Fender amps to a tee. I've owned a couple of Super Reverbs and though that model is not included, the 59 bassman, 65 Twin, 64 deluxe, etc. will make you think that you are playing thru them, the sound is absolutely awseome, any one who plays blues, country, will positively want this.

For the price you get most of Fenders classic amps which would cost thousands of dollars to buy, reissues at that, plus the fact that they are on your laptop vice taking all of your space at home, is great