[Harp-L] Interesting PC-based Amp Simulation freeware found
JohnnieHarp
In Richard Hunter's recent post he mentioned VST plug-ins. In
searching for freeware that might do the job I did come across a VST
plug-in that I quite like called FreeAmp 2.5. This is my first
experience with VST plug-ins and didn't know about them until this
“project”. This freeware utility is the sort of thing I was looking
for but with many more features than I would have expected.
FreeAmp 2.5 has a graphical user interface that is really user
friendly due to its appearance and layout. The amp controls are shown
as knobs and switches, as on an actual amp. It gives a few preset
options in terms of amp characteristics in addition to the adjustable
controls.
To the right of these controls, an amp cabinet is shown. Various amp
appearances and speaker configurations can be selected for the amp
cabinet. It even allows one to select whether the back of the amp is
open or closed. Below are two rows of 5 effects peddles each that can
be selected from and adjusted. Also, there are 125+ presets that can
be chosen from, giving differing combinations of effects and settings.
One's own preferred settings can be saved as well.
There is also a recording feature that allows the capture of output in
WAV file format.
The VST host that I'm using is MiniHost. It is freely available as are
the drivers that need to be installed before MiniHost can be. The
installation of the drivers was straightforward. MiniHost just has to
be unzipped into it's own folder and works immediately. FreeAmp 2.5
unzips as a single .dll and is opened up via MiniHost. Instruction
manuals are included for both MiniHost and FreeAmp.
Here's a link to a pic of the interface:
http://picasaweb.google.com/johnnieharp/AmpSoftware#5378220493474912802
Here are the links to download the software:
Download then install this file. It contains the necessary drivers for MiniHost:
http://tippach.business.t-online.de/asio4all/ASIO4ALL_2_9_English.exe
it came from this page:
Then download and install MiniHost. It is required to open the
FreeAmp 2.5:
http://tobybear.phreque.com/files/minihost_164.zip
it came from this page:
http://www.tobybear.de/p_minihost.html
And finally download the FreeAmp 2.5 and unzip it:
http://frettedval.home.att.net/FreeAmp25.zip
It came from this page:
http://frettedsynth.home.att.net/
To open the FreeAmp 2.5, click on the MiniHost application icon, then
load FreeAmp by going to the VST menu heading and using the first
option under it which is “Load VST Plugin”. Find and select
“freeamp25.dll” and FreeAmp 2.5 will then load.
Let me know what you think. I'm interested to hear how those that
have/use the “real thing” or have experience with other software
products, find this software.
Thanks in advance,
Johnnie
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Richard Hunter
<Thanks to all that posted or emailed suggestions re: PC Amp simulation software.
<
<In Richard Hunter's recent post he mentioned VST plug-ins. In
<searching for freeware that might do the job I did come across a VST
<plug-in that I quite like called FreeAmp 2.5. This is my first
<experience with VST plug-ins and didn't know about them until this
<“project”. This freeware utility is the sort of thing I was looking
<for but with many more features than I would have expected.
<Let me know what you think. I'm interested to hear how those that
<have/use the “real thing” or have experience with other software
<products, find this software.
Good pick Johnnie. I have FreeAmp2.5 in my VST plugins folder as well, and it's one of the best freeware VST plugins for this purpose--competitive in many respects with commercial offerings. You're going to have a lot of fun.
The fact is that amp modeling software--whether in this form or as offered in hardware packages like the Line6 POD or my fave, the Digitech RP series--is mature technology that was plenty good enough for pro use almost a decade ago, and is now gettting stronger and more functional on the same schedule as any software--meaning a big bump in power every 6-12 months. I very much doubt that anyone can tell at this point whether the sound they're hearing on record was produced by an amp modeler or a "real" amp.
The value for money offered by tools like this is incredible. Like I said, have fun.
And by the way, don't sell your great tube amp in a sudden fit of excitement resulting from your discovery of the new stuff. A great sound is a great sound, period, and a great tube amp makes a great sound. The second-best thing about this new technology is that it's cheap enough to make it unnecessary to sell your great tube amp to buy it. (The best thing is that it sounds great--if it didn't, it wouldn't matter whether it costs a fortune or a pittance.) That's why this technology is potentially part of everyone's aresenal.
Within the next few years, devices that load VST plugins like FreeAmp 2.5 will sell for a couple of hundred dollars, and you'll be able to have an arsenal of great-sounding amp models and effects at your feet for a fraction of what one great amp would cost you. It's the golden age of gear, right now.
Regards, Richard Hunter
author, "Jazz Harp"
latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
more mp3s at http://taxi.com/rhunter
Vids at http://www.youtube.com/user/lightninrick
JohnnieHarp
> .... don't sell your great tube amp in a sudden fit of excitement resulting from your
> discovery of the new stuff....
Thanks for your advice. Actually, I don't have an amp, which is partly
what motivated me to look into what might be PC based. I'm not in the
Little Walter holy grail camp so am not trying to recreate a
particular sound; more interested in what might be possible.
I like to augment music I find I catchy whether it be by Benny Goodman
or Miley Cyrus. When I'm learning something I usually play unamplified
and one-handed to try and work on what I'm doing without the
interference of amplification or even hand effects. I find these make
it harder to hear what I'm playing in terms of tone, tonal changes,
etc.
This approach is partly happenstance as I find playing along
subconsciously to music in the background, while online reading or
surfing, seems to work really well. Creativity with successive repeats
seems to happen naturally and its easy to put in practice time without
really noticing it.
I started thinking about PC amplification as I use Audacity to import
a tune, then add my track along side it. If practising as above, I
sometimes record my efforts then listen to my successive iterations to
review what I've played and see what worked and what didn't.
When done recording, I often add a bit of delay to my track with
Audacity effects. This has worked quite well so I realized how much
simulated amps/effects might add to the playing experience.
I notice that you've recommended an inexpensive PC mic in the past.
Last week I picked up a small lapel sized PC mic on sale for $5. It's
about the size of a CDN Loonie ($1 coin) and designed to clip on to
the wire of headphones to give them speech capabilities for skype,
gaming, etc.
When playing, cupping or not, it fits easily in my hand and works well
one or two handed. Only the relatively thin wire exits so when two
handed cupping, mic positioning and tight cupping is easy. Plus, I
really like the sound I get out of it. Could easily see using it in a
performance situation.
Amazing, the inexpensive technology available. It most certainly is
the “... the golden age of gear ...”
Johnnie