Atomic Amplifire

**jzucker** · 02-20-2016, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

I might get one soon..

with it's dual processors it has the potential to be the best of both worlds. Sampling based modeling on CPU1 and algorithmic effects modeling on the other CPU.

**cmajor9** · 02-20-2016, 09:34 AM

Jorgemg1984 (or anyone who knows) -- do you know a source of the Amplifire in Europe?

**jorgemg1984** · 02-20-2016, 09:58 AM

Atomic Amplifire Amp Sim & Multi-effects Pedal | Andertons

**jorgemg1984** · 02-20-2016, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by jzucker

with it's dual processors it has the potential to be the best of both worlds. Sampling based modeling on CPU1 and algorithmic effects modeling on the other CPU.

Yeah, hope they keep updating it!

**Robertkoa** · 02-20-2016, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

I use modelling, CAB IRs, hence the Amplifire interest.

My current rig has no noise - and lots of other rigs I had had no noise. The POD was noisy mainly because it couldn't generate line level signals without hiss.

Understood( maybe the minus 10db versus +4 Output Level thing) - there are some really great Modeling and Hybrid (Tubes with Modeling Options) that have come up just in the last few years- we are finally able to get great Tones even at 0 Volume....and the Cab IRs allow so much fine tuning then feed the Signal anywhere.

I was/am interested in Amplifire for IRs as well but may just jump up to AX 8 ..cause of the FX .

Although if they start offering EFX Packs for Amplifire ( even paid ones to cover the cost of Programmers ) it could be a great solution too.I've always liked the sound of rack stuff with Guitar .

I'm surprised at how quiet a whole bunch of Pedals can be..I know a lot of Pros and Top Pros & Stars have great sounding and quiet pedalboards.

**Eric Rowland** · 02-20-2016, 02:13 PM

If Mr Britt releases a pack of presets for the AA, they'll fly off the shelves.

**jzucker** · 02-20-2016, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by Eric Rowland

If Mr Britt releases a pack of presets for the AA, they'll fly off the shelves.

Ampfactory's presets are as good if not better and they're already shipping with his presets

**MaxTwang** · 02-20-2016, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by davidBb

Now the Atomic Amplifire has the same DSP power as the Axe FX but in a much more accessible package for users that don't need zillions of options but do need convincing sounds.

The AxeII has dual 600 Mhz TigerSHARC processors while the Amplifier has dual 400 Mhz SHARC processors - that's a huge difference in processing power. A 600 Mhz TigerSHARC costs around $300 per processor, while a SHARC is approx. $25 - $50 (depending and RAM, pricing from Mouser) - the AxeII's processors cost as much as an entire Amplifire.

The Fractal AX8 uses dual 450 Mhz SHARCs, as does the Line6 Helix. At 1/2 the price of an AX8 or Helix the Amplifire is very well priced for slightly less processing power.

Kemper uses a single 400 Mhz Freescale processor ($15 - $20): Christophe has some serious coding mojo going on (and is really high priced considering the hardware cost)!!!

**jzucker** · 02-20-2016, 08:31 PM

thanks for clarifying this Max. I was taking DavidBb at his word but I'm glad you know the real details.

Originally Posted by MaxTwang

The AxeII has dual 600 Mhz TigerSHARC processors while the Amplifier has dual 400 Mhz SHARC processors - that's a huge difference in processing power. A 600 Mhz TigerSHARC costs around $300 per processor, while a SHARC is approx. $25 - $50 (depending and RAM, pricing from Mouser) - the AxeII's processors cost as much as an entire Amplifire.

The Fractal AX8 uses dual 450 Mhz SHARCs, as does the Line6 Helix. At 1/2 the price of an AX8 or Helix the Amplifire is very well priced for slightly less processing power.

Kemper uses a single 400 Mhz Freescale processor ($15 - $20): Christophe has some serious coding mojo going on (and is really high priced considering the hardware cost)!!!

**Eric Rowland** · 02-20-2016, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by jzucker

Ampfactory's presets are as good if not better and they're already shipping with his presets

Yes indeed!...I'm mostly using the TAF Jazz Twin. I like it a lot.

**jorgemg1984** · 02-24-2016, 06:43 AM

Guys - I have some doubts about the Amplifire.

1) on the pdf manual the parametric eq settings are the sames as the pre eq - I assume this was a mistake. Can someone elucidate me what settings can you manipulate on the parametric eq? Gain, q, frequency? Is there any "scale" on the q or the frequency?

2) on the low cut filter (pre-eq) is there a "scale" for the frequency?

3) tuner 440hz can be adjusted right?

Tried contacting Atomic, no luck.

Thanks!

**MaxTwang** · 02-26-2016, 01:18 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Guys - I have some doubts about the Amplifire. 1) on the pdf manual the parametric eq settings are the as the pre eq - I assume this was a mistake. Can someone elucidate me what settings can you manipulate on the parametric eq? Gain, q, frequency? Is there any "scale" on the q or the frequency? 2) on the low cut filter (pre-eq) is there a "scale" for the frequency? 3) tuner 440hz can be adjusted right? Tried contacting Atomic, no luck. Thanks!

Tom @ Atomic doest'l always answer in a timely manner for pre-sales inquiries. They are a small shop and he is swamped. The Digital and Modeling forum on The Gear Page is the best place for questions, Tom monitors it and Jay Mitchell often responds also (Jay designed the CLR and is THE expert on speakers, IRs, etc). There are quite a few very knowledgable Amplifire folks over there.

**jorgemg1984** · 02-26-2016, 04:52 AM

Thanks, some people helped me in there.. Sure hope lack of reply is due to being busy.

**jorgemg1984** · 06-01-2016, 11:30 AM

So firmware 3 is out and a used one pops up.. got it. FX sounds great, very happy!

**Ken Olmstead** · 06-01-2016, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by steves3972

thanks guys, I'm using the stock IRs in the amplifire.
Been playing all week with my friedman active speaker. The clean sound through that is amazing, a huge sound that's clear and detailed with lots of warmth. All of my guitars sounds great through it.
I've dialed in some great ac dc, eric johnson and stevie ray vaughn tones too. Has an awesome noise gate that works really well with single coils.
I can't believe how good this is, amazing tone with flexibility that I'd never achieve even with a massive pedal board and a few amps with a state of the art switching system. It does all that and was only $1,200 with the active speaker. I've done the A/B test with my princeton a few times now and I have to say the princeton loses big time.

I Hate you!

**h1pst3r88** · 06-01-2016, 02:23 PM

Great thread and wonderful to hear the Amplifire sounding so good. I am extremely intrigued as I live in a half and half world currently between analog and digital, and the Amplifire seems to be a missing link in tonal flexibility for live and studio work.

On the analog side, I have Fender's newish '68 Custom Vibrolux Re-issue (one side is also a Bassman tonestack, so I like the versatility). I play that through a 2x12 Pinetone cab with vintage JBL D123 speakers. I will often use my Ethos Clean pedal in front of the Vibrolux. It is a lovely tone. However the Vibrolux is noisey/hissy, so I will end up trying to get that fixed $omehow.

On the digital side, I use an UA Apollo Twin that I play through my JBL LSR4328 8" powered monitors. The sound there is also, honestly, amazing. I play through a model of a UA610 or Neve Pre with a touch of LA2A compression through an AKG BX20 spring reverb and, wow!

However both signal chains are pretty expensive. The analog rig is about $2500 and the Studio kit is just over $2000 (and could still use more DSP horsepower to the tune of $1k).

That's partly why I think the Amplifire is so cool (or the AX8 for that matter at twice the price). It does the "analog-ish" guitar thing really well (amp models, FX, IRs) and is wrapped into a cool stomp format. It's digital but the tones earlier on this thread sound like the stuff I am getting from my amp rig... and it's doing it with a very nice powered speaker for the cost of my hissy Vibrolux alone!!!

Honestly, this is such a cool time for gear and tones. If not for a couple of recent guitar acquisitions, I would already have an Amplifire!!

Thanks for the review and demo clips -- great playing, btw!

-Chris

**Eric Rowland** · 06-01-2016, 05:57 PM

I received my AX8 last week and I am very happy with it. It sounds amazing and I can get great sounds for straight ahead bop and chord melody from the Fender models and the JC 120. There are several great amp models (dumble etc...) for fusion, blues, prog rock etc. and the effects are superb. The AX8 factory presets sound fine to me and with the AX Edit app, various optimizations are easy. I used to own a Kemper (twice) and a Amplifire and they are excellent, but the AX8 works best for me. I am looking forward to learning the unit and building some custom presets.

**h1pst3r88** · 06-01-2016, 06:25 PM

I got my invite about 2 weeks ago... chunk of dough but I know it's nice!

Meanwhile I am browsing the UAD mid-year plugin sale... there goes another $300 <sigh>

-C

**jorgemg1984** · 06-02-2016, 01:55 PM

I tried the amps today and as I suspected I didn't liked them. But just using eq, effects and IRs I got a very good sound, so I'm happy I can use it as a standalone unit too... with my Barb EQ sounds brlliant!

**MaxTwang** · 06-04-2016, 01:23 AM

I got my AX8 invite today. I was over digital until that email showed up ... Now it is tempting me, again.

**jorgemg1984** · 06-04-2016, 02:28 AM

Go for it, Max

**h1pst3r88** · 06-04-2016, 07:23 AM

Part of the appeal of the AX8 is the fantastically customizable footpedal board. I love the ability to have an A/B of each effect in every scene. I think that's the coolest.

I am at the same time torn because the Universal Audio mid-year sale just started and I could easily spend an Atomic Amplifire's worth of dough on Neve, API, and EMT plugins!