BluGuitar Amp X

but this seems like it's gonna be a hard sell and have weak market impact.

Defenitely.
The thing is, this is lacking of pretty much any truly modern features. I already mentioned the standard knobs instead of encoders. Sure, they're great on Amp1, as it's a 100% WYSIWYG affair. With programmable parameters, it instantly turns into a YNSWYH ("you never see what you have") affair. Could be adressed easily, but Blug decided to miss out on it.
It also looks as if the thing is falling extremely short when it comes to FX of all kinds, routing options and what not. Looks as if there's not gonna be anything apart from some pretty basic bread'n'butter stuff.

The only "special" thing left would be "all amp sounds are analog" (and it doesn't even operate as an analog device). Which could've been a big thing like around 5 years ago. But these days, digital modeling is so advanced that I absolutely doubt many people would go for a device just for that when it's severely lacking in any other disciplines.
IMO, you can either go for a rather puristic approach (which the Amp X defenitely isn't) or go "all in" (which the Amp X is neither).
And in case you had the choice to go for, say, an Amp X or a Helix Stadium paired with whatever small power amp (if running things through a guitar cab is your schtick), what would pretty much anyone go for? I don't have a hard time to come up with a very plausible prediction...
 
And in case you had the choice to go for, say, an Amp X or a Helix Stadium paired with whatever small power amp (if running things through a guitar cab is your schtick), what would pretty much anyone go for? I don't have a hard time to come up with a very plausible prediction...
I could pick amp X if my priority was an amazing/the best power amp response plus a lot of tonal flexibility in a small size. At least from what I've tried, small solid state power amps don't come close, and helix doesn't change that.

But I do agree that the general landscape seems harder for the amp X now than it did a few years ago. It's just taken so painstakingly long, and others have progressed considerably.
 
I could pick amp X if my priority was an amazing/the best power amp response plus a lot of tonal flexibility in a small size. At least from what I've tried, small solid state power amps don't come close, and helix doesn't change that.

But I do agree that the general landscape seems harder for the amp X now than it did a few years ago. It's just taken so painstakingly long, and others have progressed considerably.
The fact that he's keeping a lot of amps behind a paywall is really the major drawback for me. If they decide not to throw in a few amps with a new purchase then, I'm gonna pass.
 
Also would you be surprised if there's an extra hiccup and the amp X gets pushed back another year? Then half more; and by the time you have one in your hands, manufacturing and such, I'll be two.

I have a friend who's waited for ever for the amp X. I keep forgetting of its existence, but the guy's been holding out, not buying gear that he would actually made great use of, for the Amp X, considering he didn't expect it to be exactly cheap.

But I think the current units they have out there are great. They are highly tonally flexible (even if they can't nail the feel and tone of some specific amps), and I don't know of other units that offer a package like this.
 
Guess things might look at least somewhat different with the Stadiums.
Anyhow, I'm saying this as someone pretty much completely satisfied with modeling sound quality, so what do I know...
I imagine they have improved the power amp modelling with the stadium units, which may be evident when using solid state power amps too.
 
Also would you be surprised if there's an extra hiccup and the amp X gets pushed back another year? Then half more; and by the time you have one in your hands, manufacturing and such, I'll be two.
I doubt it. They know they have to release something. But they only have one chance to get the Amp X right soundwise hence the long development.
But I think the current units they have out there are great. They are highly tonally flexible (even if they can't nail the feel and tone of some specific amps), and I don't know of other units that offer a package like this.
That's where I am.I can fit both Amp1 units in a backpack easily, or just travel with one. Either unit will realistically do the tones I want.

On Amp1 you have to compromise a bit with EQ across the channels, but they generally work well together and it is so effortless to adjust.

I'm leaning more towards Amp1 + HX Stadium atm. I could use the Amp1 sounds or use them as poweramps.
 
Fwiw, maybe a small thing but perfectly proving my point about the uselessness of standard pots: In the video, Blug is showing how to seemlessly blend between a Vox top boost and non top boost model, using the otherwise non-functional mid control. Fine so far, at least on paper.
But:
- People trying the thing out unattended will wonder WTF the mid control is actually doing. I certainly would. Wouldn't happen with endless encoders, readouts and a description of what the thing does above (think Helix or many other modelers).
- When you select another patch coming from a Vox patch dialed in with no blend (hence the mids are fully up/down) and touch it. you'll be in parameter jumping heaven.

This reads like a minor thing, but you'll have to deal with this kinda thing *each and every time* you edit some stuff. Heck, for me it's annoying enough already that on the Tonex One, gain and volume share one encoder, would drive me completely bonkers if that was the case for each parameter whenever I switch to another patch.
 
This reads like a minor thing, but you'll have to deal with this kinda thing *each and every time* you edit some stuff. Heck, for me it's annoying enough already that on the Tonex One, gain and volume share one encoder, would drive me completely bonkers if that was the case for each parameter whenever I switch to another patch.
I can live with it when it comes to simple, little tonex one -- even if I get the annoyance there too -- but I imagine stuff like that being more of a pain in the hoofer with amp x.
 
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I can live with it when it comes to simple, little tonex one -- even if I get the annoyance there too -- but I imagine stuff like that being more of a pain in the hoofer with amp x.

Exactly. With the Tonex One, it's a bearable annoyance and you likely don't tweak too much anyway. Anything more complexed and it becomes a major PITA.
 
Ultimately Blug is really just trying to create his own highly personalized rig, hence his obsession with his specific amps and effects. Everything that falls outside of his use-case or preferred tones is an afterthought. I kind of admire his approach and focus, but I also think that explains some of his design choices and why this will ultimately land on the market a few years too late to be impactful.

I remain passively interested in the project because you want to see genuine and passionate guys like him succeed, but I think he probably missed the boat on this.
 
Ultimately Blug is really just trying to create his own highly personalized rig, hence his obsession with his specific amps and effects. Everything that falls outside of his use-case or preferred tones is an afterthought. I kind of admire his approach and focus, but I also think that explains some of his design choices and why this will ultimately land on the market a few years too late to be impactful.

I remain passively interested in the project because you want to see genuine and passionate guys like him succeed, but I think he probably missed the boat on this.
I agree with this. Seems he’s creating a unit for his rig but unfortunately down the road. It’s too specialized to just sell like say that helix Stadium or even the fractal stuff but I don’t think that’s his goal anyway anyways if he sells 100 or 200. He’ll be happy.
 
There's something about all things blu which is weird. Reminds me of early fractal days where they were just in their own lane compared to what everyone else was doing. I can only imagine the price for AmpX will be up there with an Axe3.

I commend him for pushing through and getting his crazy vision (close to) done, but its still in this weird realm to me. The tones sound pretty good but just hearing playback through youtube its not really any different to what you can dial in on a fractal or helix these days but I can only assume it feels great to play (they seem to have a strong/loyal fanbase).

Happy to see it's finally getting done though, actually getting to the finish line on something like this is no small feat... plenty have failed before so that's a huge win in itself.
I think it’s main strong point that sets apart is that it’s a analog tube band and it’s gonna have certain effects that launch on the unit which is very cool very unique in a way I mean HNK did the black spirit, but I don’t know if that was true analog so in reality it’s an all in one thing with power amp, preamp, and effects all in one of course the effects won’t be as numerous nor the amps as a fracture or line 6, but those units won’t have power amps in them either
So it is a weird realm, but it’s definitely gonna have its base that will buy it even if it’s close to or above the fractal unit price
 
I like that he's doing his own thing, but this seems like it's gonna be a hard sell and have weak market impact.

Tunnel Vision Tommy 😁
I think Thomas is the kind of guy that shooting for exactly what you just said. He doesn’t really want it to be massmarketed and everybody to have it. I mean it is basically trying to be his own personal rig so I think he knows that a very few select people will actually buy itwhich he’s probably OK with even if he doesn’t break even financially
 
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