ampLion Pro 1.1

Audiffex have released an updated version of its software guitar processor ampLion Pro 1.1

ampLion Pro 1.1 is a  guitar processor providing simulation of guitar amplifiers, effects, and microphone/cabinet combos for Mac and Windows with 64-bit Avid Audio eXtension (AAX), Audio Units (AU), Real-Time AudioSuite (RTAS), and Virtual Studio Technology (VST3) versions to enable full compatibility with 64-bit hosts (such as Ableton Live, Cubase, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and more).

The standalone application now features a metronome, track player and recorder (similar to Audiffex’s GK Amplification 2).

The track player lets users play along with their own demos or favourite artists and learn songs with and includes a handy speed control to slow things down if they can’t keep up or speed things up (try playing Muse’s Knight of Cydonia on fast). You can also loop the playback, or keep a song on repeat in you really like it or recorder yourself attempting (for later ridicule by friends).

ampLion hasn’t replaced all of it’s old features, it still has 9 preamps – Fender Super Reverb, Fender Deluxe Reverb, Fender Bassman ’59, Marshall JCM800, Marshall JCM900, MesaBoogie Dual Rectifier, Engl Ritchie Blackmore Signature, Engl Tube Preamp 530 (Lead mode), and Engl Tube Preamp 530 (Clean mode) — and seven power amps — MesaBoogie Dual Rect (solid state), MesaBoogie Dual Rect (tube), Fender Bassman Fender Super Reverb, Marshall 100W, Marshall 50W, and Fender Deluxe Reverb in Amps & Speakers mode.

The amplifier signal can be split and processed by two independent cab simulations — choose from Marshall MG30FX Combo, Fender Blues Junior Combo, Fender RocPro 700 Combo, Line6 Spider Valve Bogner, Engl E320 Thunder 50 Combo, Marshall JCM900 Combo, Marshall TSLC, MesaBoogie Rectifier 212, MesaBoogie RoadKing (left speaker C90), MesaBoogie RoadKing (right speaker V30), MesaBoogie Rectifier 412 Slant, and Marshall 1960A — and mic’d by seven different microphone simulations — Shure SM57, Audix i5, Rode NT1-A, AKG C1000, AKG C451, Sennheiser MKH40, Audix D6, and AKG D112 * — with simulations of distance, position, and axis.

There software also features a Live mode, a guitar tuner and Effect Pedals mode. Each preset can use up to eight stompboxes (chained in a Serial configuration) or 4+4 (in Parallel) from a selection of 30 examples in several popular pedal categories: drive (Brian May Booster, Dunlop MXR Distortion, ProCo Rat, BOSS OD-1,BOSS SD-1, Ibanez Tube Screamer 9, Ibanez Tube Screamer 808, and BOSS Metal Zone), chorus (BOSS CH-1 and BOSS CE-5), phaser (Electro-Harmonix Small Stone), flanger (Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress and Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress Deluxe *), wah (VOX Clyde, McCoy Wah, Dunlop Cry Baby, VOX V847 Wah Pedal, Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Crying Tone Pedal – high, and Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Crying Tone Pedal – low), tremolo (BOSS TR-2), and delay (BOSS DM-2). Including racked effects such as Noise Gate, Graphic EQ, Limiter, etc.

It’s a lot easier on the wallet (and your arms) to simulate your preamps and effects via your laptop rather than carting multiple loads of gear to a gig and if the marketing of ampLion is to be believed then the software is “indistinguishable from the real thing”, they even go so far as to say “better than the real thing” (great U2 song also) which is hard to take seriously. However, it’s definitely a nice option to have copious effect/preamp selections with the push of a key rather than hours setting up.

ampLion Pro 1.1 is priced at USD$99 is available for purchase at: http://www.audiffex.com/EN/amplion/461/buy-now.html

You can trial the software by downloading a ‘free’ version at: http://www.audiffex.com/EN/amplion/444/amplion-free.htm

Excerpts from Press Release