NMD: Two Notes Opus

[Alex Kenivel]

I ordered this some time last week and it came in this morning while I was on my way out so I had to wait until this afternoon to check it out. It shipped used from GC, OG box in a shipping box. No feet, no manual, just a French startup slip and velcro on the bottom with hair stuck to it (calling @la szum ).

#1 reason to buy this was for amp DI + IR loading.
#2 reason was for the Pre/power models, which was easier to do so I did that first.

I plugged in the laptop-style adapter (boo) and the Opus booted up, and was in a preset with the Vox-inspired model, single ended somethings and a Marshall cab with V30s.. Sounded okay, and after a few tweaks to the power section and tonestack I was getting something close to what I like out of my coveted HX Essex A30, but no squish.

Loaded in the IR of my 2x12 Greenback cab and a smattering of York mixes, played with the Flatback V and Albion. Seemed like caricatures of the amps more than amp models. Still useful coupled with the poweramp options. I want to go back and give it more time, play through the Foundry, maybe save some actual presets.

After some light dicking around with the Preamps I got my shit in order and hooked it all up to my amp, but decided to put my speaker cab in the bathroom since I don't have an attenuator or load box, but what I do have is an absurdly long speaker cable.

This is where the fun time was hiding! My amp + my IR = there it was! I just sat and played for as long as the bathroom had nobody in it. Didn't last too long.

I'll get more time later.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Hope you keep digging it. It's a fun box, and I need to fire it up again, it's been a while. It does take a lot more tweaking compared to something like a Stomp or Pod express but with some effort you can get some nice tones. I've yet to load other IRs though, should probably do that.
Lot of features for price and size.

 

[GTR37]

Master Bathroom Guitarist

 

[Alex Kenivel]

It's nice that there's a computer editor and I don't have to rely on a tablet editor. This was an unexpected surprise.

These models really seem to clean up well with the volume knob, even the Flatback V after being gained out. Would have loved some kind of pre-preamp FX options like EQ, boost or drive. That would have been icing on the cake. I've gotten some good approximations of some of my favorite amp-like sounds already saved to some presets.

The proprietary cabs were throwing me off. You get Distance and Axis as parameters for moving the mic and the first cab I had worked with had the SM57 selected. When you change the Axis control, that microphone graphic literally changes its angle on the graphic of the mic stand so at first I thought it was really strange there was no Cap/Cone control. York mixes sound better anyway but I'll use my own IR most of the time.

I bought this to do gigs with a band I'm no longer a part of so in a way it feels silly having this thing. We'll see if it stays.

 

[GuitarBilly74]

You know someone is getting heavy tones when the cab is right next to the scale!!

 

[Alex Kenivel]

Opus comes with a free Genome license so I downloaded and gave it a test spin. Opus seems like a sampler platter compared to Genome, which can load NAM models with one of the coolest looking NAM loaders I've seen. Plenty of stuff locked behind paywalls. Genome at least has a selection of drives and pre FX - need some of that for Opus. The high gain amps just aren't aggressive enough without outside assistance.

 

[Shredder777]

After some light dicking around with the Preamps I got my shit in order and hooked it all up to my amp, but decided to put my speaker cab in the bathroom since I don't have an attenuator or load box, but what I do have is an absurdly long speaker cable.

 

[Shredder777]

Opus comes with a free Genome license so I downloaded and gave it a test spin. Opus seems like a sampler platter compared to Genome, which can load NAM models with one of the coolest looking NAM loaders I've seen. Plenty of stuff locked behind paywalls. Genome at least has a selection of drives and pre FX - need some of that for Opus. The high gain amps just aren't aggressive enough without outside assistance.

Does Genome load onto the Opus like ToneX software and pedal?

I am intrigued by the Opus.

 

[Shredder777]

York mixes sound better anyway but I'll use my own IR most of the time.

Is there a York pack you recommend?

 

[Sascha Franck]

Does Genome load onto the Opus like ToneX software and pedal?

No.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

Does Genome load onto the Opus like ToneX software and pedal?

I am intrigued by the Opus.

No, Opus is a drop in the bucket compared to Genome and wouldn't be able to handle all what it has to offer. Shame as I really do like some of the sounds, just needs more help getting there. Not exactly an all-in-one, throw in a backpack headphone practice thing if you're into boosted tones. Everything else is just fine although I still haven't tried with bass.

I think it will remain in my house for the amp DI/IR capabilities.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

I also had some fun with Opus into a the Power Amp In on my Katana, just wished you could change the signal flow to incorporate the effects like EQ and enhancer to before the speaker to get some of that magic on the line output, left my Voxxy preset kind of dull. It powers up fine with my Boxking BK-05 battery.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

Is there a York pack you recommend?

Ugh, not really, I have most of them and use mine most of the time

Start with what speaker you gravitate toward and go from there.

 

[Shredder777]

No, Opus is a drop in the bucket compared to Genome and wouldn't be able to handle all what it has to offer.

So, is Genome like Amplitube 5? With a full amp simulation (paid models) full feature cab/power simulation?

If I already own ToneX Max/A5, what would Genome do for me?

 

[Alex Kenivel]

So, is Genome like Amplitube 5? With a full amp simulation (paid models) full feature cab/power simulation?

I think so, I don't remember what AT had to offer, but Genome has all the Opus amp models, 6 more paywall amps, a few more free amps Opus doesn't have, a power amp model. Not an extensive suite of effects, but a handful of drives and modulations, a few delays and reverbs. The studio EQ reminds me of Fab Filter Pro Q. It all seems tied to my account I made, and the Opus came with some DynIRs already so those are what I assume I have on Genome as well.

I haven't spent a heck of a lot of time with Genome, so I'm not the best resource unfortunately.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

If I already own ToneX Max/A5, what would Genome do for me?

Probably same soda, different cola recipe

 

[Shredder777]

I think so, I don't remember what AT had to offer, but Genome has all the Opus amp models, 6 more paywall amps, a few more free amps Opus doesn't have, a power amp model. Not an extensive suite of effects, but a handful of drives and modulations, a few delays and reverbs. The studio EQ reminds me of Fab Filter Pro Q. It all seems tied to my account I made, and the Opus came with some DynIRs already so those are what I assume I have on Genome as well.

I haven't spent a heck of a lot of time with Genome, so I'm not the best resource unfortunately.

So basically software to help sweeten the purchase of a hardware. Got it.

Thanks

 

[Enchilada Jones]

So basically software to help sweeten the purchase of a hardware. Got it.

Thanks

It is a plugin that is much more versatile and complete than what I’d get if I plugged Opus in to the DAW.

So more significant than a ‘sweetener’. More like an entree.
Opus is like a to go box of what is left of the meal that is well portable so you can have a nice lunch on the trail the next day.

The more Genome has grown the less value I see in Opus since I have Kemper Player and even Nano Cortex as a better portable headphone/ DI solution. The inline DI functionality is unique in comparison to those two. However, I don’t play on stage so it doesn’t help me personally. Opus will likely get sold off, Genome is a keeper.

 

[Shredder777]

Opus will likely get sold off, Genome is a keeper.

Will you have to give up the Genome license? That is the kicker...

 

[Sascha Franck]

Fwiw, if Two Notes ever decides to release a hardware Genome, I'd likely buy it instantly. Their capture block IMO is the best, the integrated WOS cab engine has some very nice cabs and some of their component modeled things are quite decent, too.
The Opus would likely be my personal nightmare as onboard editing is hardly possible (at least not even remotely quickly), so they really needed to come up with different hardware IMO.