AmpliTube CS for iPad

I bought this app in 2015 & upgraded it to the full version in 2016. I’m writing my review on this CS version since I can’t write it on the full version. After getting the Slash, Hendrix & Orange packs I liked Amplitube, but preferred ToneStack from Yonac. The tones were okay but just too fizzy & digital for my tastes. I saw Greg Koch demo the Fender 2 collection on the desktop version of Amplitube and immediately wanted it for this iOS version. When it arrived I was blown away how far the emulating tech had come, and using the Fender 2 pack is a joy. I’m not saying the older amps aren’t usable; there are several amp/pedal combos from the earlier packs I’ve made good presets with. But the Fender 2 stuff is just in a different league. As I write this in mid April 2018 there’s a bundle sale going on, if you haven’t tried the app or Fender 2 I really recommend it. I’m no cork sniffer when it comes to amps, i.e. they must be tube, 50 years old, wrapped in tweed, etc. but I have a late ‘60’s Deluxe that this app comes very close to the ballpark indeed. Especially just a SM57, close mic’d rhythm tone that cleans up with some volume backed off...they’ve really captured that mic’d guitar amp tone. Highly recommended.

I started out with just the free version but quickly upgraded to the essentials pack (basically paying in full for the app via the other one in the store) once I realized the capabilities of what I could achieve for a fraction of the price and in a mobile form (via my iPad). The ability to bring my instruments and iPad with me for practicing with limited space more than made everything worth it. My only issue is I can get some feedback at times, but with some fine tuning and tinkering you can find the sweet spot. All in all a good product with a few money making ideas (which I feel are justified) for the quick use and portability.

I love it. I use it (the iPad App, with my iRig HD 2) every time I play. Being a huge Queen fan and a big GnR fan I may be biased. I've purchased the two add ons for them. Although the factory "discography" sounds for GnR I don't believe to be even close, maybe the Paradise City intro. Not even close for November Rain or Sweet Child. Def need to tweak the mics and pedals to get a good GnR sound. I use an epiphone Slash AFD Les Paul guitar running with a Morley A/B splitter through two 15 watt epiphone AFD amps. I also own a real BMG Red Special and use the Brian May settings, which are almost spot on!, they are done very well. I have tried using the Les Paul with the Queen settings but don't get the same results as with the Red Special. I use the same two amps using that guitar too and get awesome Queen sounds with it. For an extra few bucks, buying all of the mics and moving them around, tweaking them makes a HUGE difference. So as you can see I am a big fan of this app.

I have read a number of reviews complaining about the cost of the stompboxes and effects and that the company just wants your money. Keep an open mind when trying an app like this. You get all kinds of great functionality for pennies compared to what it would cost in real hardware. There is no comparison. I like Fender amps so I bought a bundle of them. I needed a set of the typical effects (delay, chorus, overdrive) and was set with about $15 out of pocket. I needed an octave pedal, got one for another $4. Also, do yourself a favor and check out the videos of pros using the app. There is a good one for the Stomp IO that gives away a couple tips that are worth your time. For example: dime the volume on a Fender Twin Reverb and get all the tone and gain w/o killing your ears or your audience’s ears. I always complain that I can’t get my amp up loud enough to really get the tone I want. Well, now I can.

I added the 5th star from 4 after getting back into tracking. I need to get used to the varying degrees of gain staging again. It's been awhile since I've used amplitube and it seems like the signal is either really hot or not hot enough, especially if I'm trying to record any clean tones. Seems like that's because there's some discrepancy between levels at all stages of the signal path that don't necessarily end up at the same levels that they initially sounded like. With an initial line in, then an amp level, then your effects that can drastically effect your levels, the track volume level, and the post effects effects level (without compression I lose lots of volume here) there's a lot of staging. But that's just something to get used to and I haven't even checked the forums to see what might be protocol. Bottom line is I prefer the UI over any other ios multitracking app and the effects sound much more like effects .. they can get noisy, but that's not a big deal either. (I'm a big fan of using the looping feature for accidental tracks also) Thanks again for getting the cloud iap thing worked out. That's what I was trying to do last time I used the app, but it sounds like any and all bugs have been squished. ITS ALL GRAVY. THANK YOU AMPLITUBE! As promised the 5th star.