Scuffham Amps S-Gear v.2

[gingataff]

No email here...

edit: managed to download it anyway.

[bishop666]

And if you demoed V1, you cannot demo V2 on the same machine: "demo expired" :(

[markham]

Originally Posted by bishop666

And if you demoed V1, you cannot demo V2 on the same machine: "demo expired" :(

Just send Mike an email. I'm sure he'd let you demo it again.

[blacklion]

I'm happy

[skiltrip]

Just started demoing this. My god this is good. I'm going to hold off buying until the demo is up, but as it stands. I can't imagine that I won't end up buying. It just does everything well, something I can't say about any of my other amp sims.

Is $75 a special price or is that the regular price? I don't want to miss a sale price if I can help it.

[Dirk Reinking]

its regular price.. yeah its a great amp sim !

[tele27]

Originally Posted by Dirk Reinking

its regular price.. yeah its a great amp sim !

One of the most natural sounding....love it!!

[blacklion]

Originally Posted by skiltrip

Just started demoing this. My god this is good. I'm going to hold off buying until the demo is up, but as it stands. I can't imagine that I won't end up buying. It just does everything well, something I can't say about any of my other amp sims.

Is $75 a special price or is that the regular price? I don't want to miss a sale price if I can help it.

Skilltrip, it's the regular price. Also, promised free updates until May 2013. The #1 thing about this software compared to other sims is the way it reacts to the pressure you apply to the guitar...as it should be. Try playing muted strings at different velocities with the delay on and you'll see what I mean.

If you have an old clean-ish tube DI lying around, even better. I have a presonus tube pre with a mullard in it...shouldn't really do much, but in combination with S-Gear, it sounds really good.

[skiltrip]

Originally Posted by blacklion

Skilltrip, it's the regular price. Also, promised free updates until May 2013. The #1 thing about this software compared to other sims is the way it reacts to the pressure you apply to the guitar...as it should be. Try playing muted strings at different velocities with the delay on and you'll see what I mean.

If you have an old clean-ish tube DI lying around, even better. I have a presonus tube pre with a mullard in it...shouldn't really do much, but in combination with S-Gear, it sounds really good.

I used to have a TubePre (v1). Sold it. Darn! All my pres are clean neutral stuff, like the ones on my ProFire 610 and Mackie VLZ3's on my 802. Maybe I should pick up a TubePre v2. I've been looking for a better instrument DI.

[Tommy D]

Thanks for the heads up Markham! I had been demoing the other version for the past couple days, so after reading your post I went ahead and downloaded 2.0.

I have tried most everything, with TH2 being my favorite most of the time, but there are things going on with S-Gear that are unique to my ears (and fingers!). One the most impressive things to me is the high end. It sounds sweet and juicy, with a lack of brittleness. As a single-coil guy this is something I fight a lot, even with real amps. This could be the speaker impulses coming into play here too.

With S-Gear, just like with a really good real amp, I don't find myself instantly reaching for delay or reverb. It is very satisfying to play totally dry. Can't say that about some of the others.

[skiltrip]

Originally Posted by Tommy D

With S-Gear, just like with a really good real amp, I don't find myself instantly reaching for delay or reverb. It is very satisfying to play totally dry. Can't say that about some of the others.

I began demoing last night for the first time, and I found myself doing the same thing. I'd usually turn off any of the effect rack units in the presets so I could hear the dry tone. And also had Sknote's Necklace spring reverb plug-in after it at first, but I ended up getting rid of that too (not that I don't love Necklace, but I wanted to enjoy the dry S-Gear tone!).

This thing really is amazing. I'm shocked this is the first I've really heard of it. There should have been more hype back when I bought Studio Devil VGAII instead. VGAII is good for what it is, but some of the amp models are very thin and weird sounding. Scuffham on the other hand is pure goodness from end to end.

One thing I noticed is the bass resonance I got while playing. The kind you get from a 4x12. Especially palm muting, that little bassy afterglow. I don't know how they packed all this magic into this plugin, but they did.

I'm going to attempt to start a new project tonight using S-Gear for all the electrics.

[blacklion]

Originally Posted by skiltrip

I used to have a TubePre (v1). Sold it. Darn! All my pres are clean neutral stuff, like the ones on my ProFire 610 and Mackie VLZ3's on my 802. Maybe I should pick up a TubePre v2. I've been looking for a better instrument DI.

I had one years ago that I got rid of before I started recording digitally and using amp sims. Found someone locally selling for $60 so I jumped on it. I have a solo 610 here as well and the 610 is definitely more transparent and refined. With S-Gear's upfront sound though, the tubepre gives it a little more rounded bite and transient response...something close to a blues driver. With an actual blues driver in the chain, even better.

So for sparkly cleans, I go with the 610. For more of a UK bite thing, I go with the tubepre. I tried this with other sims, but S-Gear is the proper base for getting to the good stuff for my needs. Minimal digital hash, yet still upfront, sparkly and dense.

[skiltrip]

Originally Posted by blacklion

I had one years ago that I got rid of before I started recording digitally and using amp sims. Found someone locally selling for $60 so I jumped on it. I have a solo 610 here as well and the 610 is definitely more transparent and refined. With S-Gear's upfront sound though, the tubepre gives it a little more rounded bite and transient response...something close to a blues driver. With an actual blues driver in the chain, even better.

So for sparkly cleans, I go with the 610. For more of a UK bite thing, I go with the tubepre. I tried this with other sims, but S-Gear is the proper base for getting to the good stuff for my needs. Minimal digital hash, yet still upfront, sparkly and dense.

I do have a Blues Driver. Do you usually run Guitar -> Blues Driver -> Tube Pre -> interface? Or do you find the Blues Driver can do the same job as the TubePre and actually replace it in the chain?

[blacklion]

They both do something different but with the tubepre + The Duke I've gotten close to the cut/bite I'm used to with a blues driver and Fender Amp. I haven't tried the blues driver alone with S-Gear and I'm without an interface at the moment which is driving me nuts.

I use the blues driver in the chain for leads, usually the driven long delayed line type or short blues riffs. With strums, it's a little too compressed sounding. The tubepre adds more pick response if set right and sounds good strummed. I set the drive between 9 and 1 o'clock which seems to be the edge area before it gets too cloudy for my tastes. Hit it soft and there's a rounder sound. Hit it hard and you get a little dirt at the top edge - again, works this way with S-Gear and not as much with others, which start off cloudy to me by comparison.

It's not a Reddi, but it cost me 1/10th the price. Then again, the 610 is a great DI but I'm using the $60 starved plate box . Kinda like how S-Gear is not an Eleven Rack, but it's 1/10th the cost and fits my needs, which aren't that diverse when it comes to high gain or distortion.

[markham]

Originally Posted by skiltrip

This thing really is amazing. I'm shocked this is the first I've really heard of it. There should have been more hype back when I bought Studio Devil VGAII instead. VGAII is good for what it is, but some of the amp models are very thin and weird sounding. Scuffham on the other hand is pure goodness from end to end.

Awesome! I'm glad you're digging it, man. You've been on quite a plugin tear lately, haven't you.
Like I'm one to talk.

Seriously, it's incredible that this is a $75 plugin. I think I got it for $58 or something back when they had a Winter Freeze special blowout. But this really is the closest I've gotten ITB to a real amp. I love how Mike didn't set out to exactly "emulate" other amps. He just built what he thought sounded good. It just so happens that I agree with him about what sounds good.

[skiltrip]

Originally Posted by markham

Awesome! I'm glad you're digging it, man. You've been on quite a plugin tear lately, haven't you.

That I have!

But my new policy is limit it to smaller devs with down-to-earth prices. Considering what I've spent on other guitar sims, the price on S-Gear is pretty incredible. Don't tell Mike that though! Sshhhh!

[Tommy D]

I'm having a big time with this thing! On Monday I tracked seven songs and the guitar player was using my Mesa Transatlantic TA-15. I cut a direct signal too as I normally do, so now I'm having fun "reamping" those tracks with S-Gear and A-B-ing them to the live amp tracks. I'm starting to wonder why I bothered with the real amp LOL!

[elambo]

This amp sim is the biggest evolution in the genre. It represents an enormous step towards truthfully replicating an amplifier. I'm glad that it's finally starting to take off.

Or is it? It does still seem to be rather obscure and incognito relative to those from companies with larger marketing budgets. I hope Scuffham sticks with this and continues to make improvements. They clearly have a unique understanding of this type of product.

[VitaEtMusica]

Once I got this amp sim, I never used anything else for serious work. It's just better than any other amp plug. Doesn't try to be as versatile as others, and I think that was a smart move. It really just sounds like a nice tube amp- best bang for the buck purchase one could make as far as upgrade for ITB guitar sounds.

Don't know why it doesn't get waaaay more love.

[Night Stalker]

I never got to demo the plug as it expired when relocating over xmas. Anyway, I decided to bight the bullet and buy it last week on the notion that
1. it's cheap enough to buy
2. I have been eagerly waiting for this for a while now that it's AU 64bit etc.
3. I respect some of the posters here.

As soon as I played it I went wow. what is this?

small gain and still getting that sustain that we get with real amps, not thin at all and the feel is amazing. I love the simplicity and the sound of the delay although I treat it as a bonus to me.

When the budget is restricted to just demos, I have been using Kuassa for higher gain settings as I have not tried this on higher gain settings as yet. I thought they got to be a good combo for simple amp sims hence my purchase.

[mtalavera]

Anyone happen to demo 2.0 in Pro Tools using the wrapper? I already demoed version 1, so can't demo version 2 to verify it works with no problems before making the purchase. I may have to just take a leap of faith.

[Kyle Ashley]

Wow...this thing is really good!

[tele27]

Originally Posted by mtalavera

Anyone happen to demo 2.0 in Pro Tools using the wrapper? I already demoed version 1, so can't demo version 2 to verify it works with no problems before making the purchase. I may have to just take a leap of faith.

I have asked Mike several times for an AAF version. I believe he is going to
make that happen soon. For now I just use it in another DAW and fly it into PT.
If you look at Mikes work experience you'll understand why it sounds so good.

[Aux13]

Real nice, good sounding sim, bought it yesterday.

[guavadude]

The S-gear is VERY responsive to dynamics and
the high end is sweet. Here's an improv I
recorded with the Stealer amp on one setting,
only changes are pickup selector, vol knob,
fingers and then a pick near the end.

I'm using some additional processing but
all the gain and 95% of the sound is the s-gear.


http://ka-music.com/gear/S-Gear_Stealer_Solo_5-4-12.wav

[Simon Morrison]

Originally Posted by guavadude

The S-gear is VERY responsive to dynamics and
the high end is sweet. Here's an improv I
recorded with the Stealer amp on one setting,
only changes are pickup selector, vol knob,
fingers and then a pick near the end.

I'm using some additional processing but
all the gain and 95% of the sound is the s-gear.


http://ka-music.com/gear/S-Gear_Stealer_Solo_5-4-12.wav

Very nice!

[elambo]

Originally Posted by guavadude

The S-gear is VERY responsive to dynamics and
the high end is sweet.

I agree. It would be extremely difficult for anyone to know that you're using software. In your recording, for instance.

[Tommy D]

Originally Posted by Simon Morrison

Very nice!

Indeed!

Care to share your S-Gear preset?

[guavadude]

On this I'm using the Stealer amp and delay of S-gear and my vol knob of my Hamer strat, going between position 4 (strat sound) and a Duncan JB humbucker in the rear, which unfortunately makes everything you play sound like Jeff Beck. ;-)

I'm using the following in order:
S-gear Stealer Amp with delay on, no cab sims
MixIR2 with 4x12 Basketweave G12M25's, mostly Royer mic, little sm57 and a U67 3" off, so not really for a room sound. (I used the MixIR2 because I like the Royer but I could have easily loaded it into S-gear and just used that, or for that matter used the IR's that come with it)

Echoboy Memory Man delay
IK TR3 LA2A compressing 1db at max (a little LA2A is always good thing)
THD Springage just a little
Lexicon Random Hall about 30% wet

I also use the Klanghelm VU meter, which I highly recommend, between each gain stage so I can keep an eye on what's happening where.

I find that by adjusting the guitar gain and switching guitars and amp cabs or mics, I don't need a lot of different amp heads. You can get a lot done with one good sim which the Stealer certainly is!

I'm DI'd into a Great River ME-1NV into an RME UFX