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  • Amplifire: The most promising new item at NAMM?

This is an interesting one: Atomic Amps and Studio Devil have teamed up to produce a new amp modelling and multi-effect pedal, the Amplifire. Atomic are best known for their top quality stage monitors/amps designed for modelling users, while Studio Devil make some very highly regarded software amp modellers. Yeah... I know... [i]another [/i]amp modeller. :D But where this gets interesting is that, like the Axe-FX, this pedal has two DSPs (one for modelling, one for FX) and also uses impulse responses for speaker/cab modelling. What's more, it allows you to load in third party impulses, so you have access to all the same stuff that the big boys use (like the Ownhammer IRs). Think of it as a scaled down Axe-FX quality stomp box... Best news? It's priced right: $599 ...which puts it in the same price range as the POD HD500X ($699 retail). It'll be marketed directly by Atomic, so we'll have to figure in shipping and VAT, but still far more affordable than an AFX or KPR. I think that and the pedal form factor will find them a place on many pedalboards. Bad news? Only slated for release in April... Here's the Press release: [quote]Atomic Amplifiers & Studio Devil proudly announce Amplifire! Amplifire is an amp tone and multi-effects pedal years in the making. A powerful and portable device, it is small enough to fit in a gig bag pocket yet potent enough to fill up an arena with tonal bliss previously only achievable with bulky and much more expensive rigs. We designed Amplifire as an instrument that we, as guitar players, wanted for ourselves. This meant it had to sound/feel authentic and amazing while being easy to use, transport and be road rugged. Amplifire is equally capable of being a complete rig replacement or part of a larger pedal board and/or outboard processing rig. Here are some highlights: [list] [li]All new, state-of-the-art amp modeling based on Studio Devil's highly acclaimed and patented technology[/li] [li]Blazing dual-DSP powered hardware allowing for complex and detailed algorithms[/li] [li]Stereo 1024 point cabinet impulses with ability to upload 3rd party IRs[/li] [li]Robust effects selection including drive, modulation, delay, reverb, eq, gate, etc.[/li] [li]Dedicated, physical amp control knobs for intuitive tone adjustments[/li] [li]Versatile i/o options including ¼" Hi Z input with proprietary processing, separate stereo ¼" and XLR outputs and user programmable effects loop[/li] [li]3 configurable and rugged footswitches[/li] [li]Easy to use as a pedal or desktop device[/li] [li]PC/Mac editor[/li] [li]128 MIDI controllable presets[/li] [li]Field upgradeable firmware[/li] [li]And much more![/li] [/list] Amplifire will be available direct from Atomic Amps' website in April, 2014. Click here to get on the Reserve List: http://tinyurl.com/Amplifire-Reserve-List[/quote]
    That is oh so saucy. Now that I'm starting gigging regularly again I'm keen to build an ampless rig. Looking very hard at the KPA...
      The final step for me using something like this as a backup (hipster guitar player never leaves home without vacuum tubes) would be when it comes in the form of a single stomp-box. But this is definitely a step in the right direction.
        singemonkey wrote: The final step for me using something like this as a backup (hipster guitar player never leaves home without vacuum tubes) would be when it comes in the form of a single stomp-box.
        With a single amp model, kind of thing? Like a Roland/Boss FBM-1 or a Tech 21 Blonde? Only a matter of time now...

        Still, something like this can already take the place of your gigging amp and gives you access to a whole host of different, high quality amp tones.
          I wouldn't really mind if it had more than one amp model. I'd just use one (or at least only one per band/project). But the key thing would be for it to be so small it could go in the guitar case and I could either go to a jam/practise (where there's a PA) with only my guitar case, or just have it in there and forget about it until that moment my amp explodes.

          Especially cute if, like the Kemper, I could actually model my own amp for that situation. Then again, a Sansamp Blonde is basically good enough for those rare situations that it doesn't really matter if it isn't perfect, I guess.
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