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Old 04-28-2010, 07:26 AM   #1
Peter Sadul
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Default Vox Amplug AC30. Cheap & great recording "amp"

Hi fellow Reaperties!

I would like to share a little "secret" of mine. I used to record my electric guitars with amps mostly (miked with 57 plus condenser). Line6 POD was used a lot also. I never got it right. Something was always missing. Recording guitar was a drag and hours were wasted.

Then I bought this little headphone "amp" from Vox. I bought it for jamming at backstage, in sauna(Iīm from Finland), cabins etc. It sounded bloody sweet with my headphones. Then I decided to try to record it thru di-box to Reaper...I couldnīt believe it. Just the sound I was looking for all these years...(Iīm not kidding here). Now I even play my gigs with this little thingI sold all my "real" amps. Amplug sweeped floors with them.

Check it out! Amplugs cost about 45 euros here in Finland. Vox has different models also, but I havenīt tried them. Hereīs a little video of me playing amplug & some other instruments also. Only reverb (reverberate plugin) added in Reaper. Video is low quality, but guitar sound still works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tK7NDvdEqg

BTW I donīt work for Vox. I just love this little thing & had to share this



Peter

Last edited by Peter Sadul; 04-28-2010 at 08:02 AM.
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Old 04-28-2010, 07:44 AM   #2
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NIce
I really enjoyed the tune, love the style and i think this is exactly what i have been looking for as well, i want to try the acoustic guitar amplug.
thanks
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Old 04-28-2010, 08:05 AM   #3
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Peter, I'd like to take a listen, but youtube is throttled here and frankly, I would prefer to hear a better quaility mp3 anyway. Any chance you can post an mp3 to stashbox/box.net/wherever (not stupid myspace though ).

Thanks.
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Old 04-28-2010, 08:07 AM   #4
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I bought the AC-30 amplug a few weeks ago and I must say I'm quite impressed. The price is...wow as well. Really great value.
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Old 04-28-2010, 08:15 AM   #5
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Demos: http://www.voxamps.com/support/demos/ - scroll down to AmPlug Demos.

Sounds pretty cool. It certainly beats sitting on the couch with a dry guitar.

Bass plug in sounds pretty killer.
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Old 04-28-2010, 09:42 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Sadul View Post
......Check it out! Amplugs cost about 45 euros here in Finland. Vox has different models also, but I havenīt tried them. Hereīs a little video of me playing amplug & some other instruments also. Only reverb (reverberate plugin) added in Reaper. Video is low quality, but guitar sound still works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tK7NDvdEqg

BTW I donīt work for Vox. I just love this little thing & had to share this



Peter
Dayum!!!! Are you kidding me?!!!! Is that ALL Amplug?!! Seriously, I am blown away!
Vox amps are my favourite and if I can get that sound from a teeny battery operated "plug" and at such a low price then WOW!!

VERY cool tune too. Extremely creative and expressive.... and cool video editing.

Which Amplug model do you have? I'm gonna chase one up. That's just too cool

Edit - upon further research, it is quite clear you're using the AC30 model.
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Old 04-28-2010, 10:11 AM   #7
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Default Yeah!!!

Great stuff and good Music

very very good!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 04-28-2010, 10:44 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by Dannii View Post
Dayum!!!! Are you kidding me?!!!! Is that ALL Amplug?!! Seriously, I am blown away!
Vox amps are my favourite and if I can get that sound from a teeny battery operated "plug" and at such a low price then WOW!!

VERY cool tune too. Extremely creative and expressive.... and cool video editing.

Which Amplug model do you have? I'm gonna chase one up. That's just too cool
Thanks!

Iīm not kidding Guitar on that video was played live thru Vox amplug AC30.

Itīs a funny thing that I found my "dreamsound" with 45€ headphone gadget. I used to own very expensive tubeamps...well not anymore...Good thing about amplug is also that itīs easy to carry around. No more "weightlifting". Bad thing is that itīs so small that itīs really easy to lose

Dannii: Check out Amplugs. They are great. I have recorded bass and keyboards thru it also. Sounded awesome! Even lame Casio "rhodes" sounded perfect thru it


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Old 04-28-2010, 10:51 AM   #9
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two mini tubes ??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoooWRZhCgY
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Old 04-28-2010, 10:59 AM   #10
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That must be the secret!
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Old 04-28-2010, 12:52 PM   #11
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This is the best tune I've heard on the Reaper forums. ever. period.

Great stuff...but now I got to buy the AC30 thingy. Shame I can't buy talent. Ah well.
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Old 04-28-2010, 01:09 PM   #12
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This is the best tune I've heard on the Reaper forums. ever. period.

Great stuff...but now I got to buy the AC30 thingy. Shame I can't buy talent. Ah well.
Sir. I ainīt that special, but thank you! Buy that Vox Amplug AC30. It is a slice of heaven and itīs cheap. Just like Reaper!

Peter
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Old 04-28-2010, 08:01 PM   #13
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Sir. I ainīt that special, but thank you! Buy that Vox Amplug AC30. It is a slice of heaven and itīs cheap. Just like Reaper!

Peter
Very cool tune Peter.

The amplugs are very cool... I keep loaning them and they don't come back, I'm on my third ac30 amplug now.
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Old 04-28-2010, 10:38 PM   #14
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Peter, thanks to this topic and your song, I'm on my way in to my local music store to pick up an Amplug AC30 which they have on hold for me. In an hour or so, I'm going to try running it through my Leslie speaker just for the fun of it.
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Old 04-28-2010, 10:51 PM   #15
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Amazing!


Hmm.... now the question is "Do I charge another $40 to my line of credit?" A local shop has a few of these in stock.. Decisions, decisions haha.


That's a really great song by the way. Thanks for sharing!
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Old 04-28-2010, 11:58 PM   #16
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Cool, a couple of LED's used as clipping diodes?

Been meaning to build some JFET based amp sim circuits for years. Still haven't got a workshop... darned recession.
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Old 04-29-2010, 12:10 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by Peter Sadul View Post
Sir. I ainīt that special, but thank you! Buy that Vox Amplug AC30. It is a slice of heaven and itīs cheap. Just like Reaper!

Peter
Just checked out your myspace page. Very impressed with the high standard of your songs. Strong melodies and good playing. I like "Lost" especially, and can indeed see the Angelo Badalamenti & Isaac influence. For a moment I thought I was in a Lynch movie!

Think I'll buy your album.
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Old 04-29-2010, 12:12 AM   #18
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ah, just noticed you're on Spotify. But, even though I've got a premium subscription, will still go ahead and buy your album.
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Old 04-29-2010, 12:22 AM   #19
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Peter, thanks for posting this. The guitar sound isgreat. I would never have guessed that's just a wee headphone amp!

Really cool song too!
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Old 04-29-2010, 01:04 AM   #20
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congrats Peter and thanks for pointing me to the vox plugs...
to be honest, as a 1967 real ac30 owner, I'm always on the run to grab a good (silent) emulation and I didn't trust these plugs until now...
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Old 04-29-2010, 02:02 AM   #21
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Scuse the french but that was fn cool.

Great sound and song,...of to check out the myspace now.
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Old 04-29-2010, 02:58 AM   #22
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Yeah, I've also had one of these little guys (got it with a gift voucher I was given when I left my previous job! ) but haven't really recorded it. It does sound pretty cool on headphones which is why I've kept it in my guitar's case for when I travel.

Very nice song and great sound. Well done, mate.
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Old 04-29-2010, 03:12 AM   #23
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congrats Peter and thanks for pointing me to the vox plugs...
to be honest, as a 1967 real ac30 owner, I'm always on the run to grab a good (silent) emulation and I didn't trust these plugs until now...
You are lucky to own that old amp. Great sound. Only bad thing is the volume of that "monster". My ears ring just by looking a picture of it

But anyway Amplug is great for "silent" playing/recording and it works. Only thing I miss is reverb. Amplug works great with stompboxes so itīs not a big deal.
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Old 04-29-2010, 03:19 AM   #24
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ah, just noticed you're on Spotify. But, even though I've got a premium subscription, will still go ahead and buy your album.
Thank you!
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Old 04-29-2010, 03:28 AM   #25
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Originally Posted by kindafishy View Post
Peter, I'd like to take a listen, but youtube is throttled here and frankly, I would prefer to hear a better quaility mp3 anyway. Any chance you can post an mp3 to stashbox/box.net/wherever (not stupid myspace though ).

Thanks.
You can find good quality mp3īs (320 kbps) from www.mikseri.net/petersadul. Amplug is on "fire" in every song there.

Why donīt you all go and take a listen! (shameless ad). Free stuff.
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Old 04-29-2010, 03:41 AM   #26
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Great! I have actually been thinking about the amplug AC30 since watching some demo videos of that thing before. Great tune as well, have to listen in more on Spotify.
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Old 04-29-2010, 04:24 AM   #27
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Thats just UNBELIEVEABLE !! brilliant song !! LOVE IT

I'll be checking these out at my local music store toomorrow.

Cheers
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Old 04-29-2010, 06:18 AM   #28
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the song is great!

are more?
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Old 04-29-2010, 06:36 AM   #29
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Hey, I've had a vox amplug (metal, as they were out of stock on ac30 when I ordered and I just wanted something to practice with quietly)..I never thought to use it for recording. I will give it a try.
Great song btw.
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Old 04-29-2010, 08:29 AM   #30
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Peter, I have listened to this track several times now with the purpose of evaluating the amPlug, and it just struck me... This is a really, really killer song. This is really very good. Excellent mood, great vocals and awesome guitar tone.

I think I am going to play the "it's in your fingers" card here though. Your finger picking is very controlled and you have a great feel for when to keep it soft and when to really pluck the strings. The amp doesn't hurt, I'm sure, but this sounds so good because of the player, not because of the gear.

Excellent.

That being said, thanks mentioning this little amp. I'm not an AC30 guy at all, but I am seriously considering both the Classic Rock model and the Bass model.
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Old 04-29-2010, 08:39 AM   #31
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Originally Posted by kindafishy View Post
Peter, I have listened to this track several times now with the purpose of evaluating the amPlug, and it just struck me... This is a really, really killer song. This is really very good. Excellent mood, great vocals and awesome guitar tone.

I think I am going to play the "it's in your fingers" card here though. Your finger picking is very controlled and you have a great feel for when to keep it soft and when to really pluck the strings. The amp doesn't hurt, I'm sure, but this sounds so good because of the player, not because of the gear.

Excellent.

That being said, thanks mentioning this little amp. I'm not an AC30 guy at all, but I am seriously considering both the Classic Rock model and the Bass model.
You should head on over to his website http://www.mikseri.net/petersadul and have a listen to some of his tunes there. Everything from Tom Waits style to Santana and all extremely well written, recorded and produced.

Peter,
I went ahead and bought an AC30 amplug today and have been playing my guitar for the last couple of hours and.... WOW! These things really do sound amazing! Thanks for the tipoff
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Old 04-29-2010, 09:45 AM   #32
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Amazing tone, even more amazing tune. You've got some serious talent!

Back to the gear though... great find! I really have to try one of those now.

Oh when you play live, what do you plug the Amplug into?
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Old 04-29-2010, 09:47 AM   #33
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Originally Posted by kindafishy View Post
Peter, I have listened to this track several times now with the purpose of evaluating the amPlug, and it just struck me... This is a really, really killer song. This is really very good. Excellent mood, great vocals and awesome guitar tone.

I think I am going to play the "it's in your fingers" card here though. Your finger picking is very controlled and you have a great feel for when to keep it soft and when to really pluck the strings. The amp doesn't hurt, I'm sure, but this sounds so good because of the player, not because of the gear.

Excellent.

That being said, thanks mentioning this little amp. I'm not an AC30 guy at all, but I am seriously considering both the Classic Rock model and the Bass model.
Thanks!

I know what youīre saying. My observation about electric guitar sound/playing is: about 50% comes from player/fingers, 20% from guitar, 30% from amp, cables & speakers.

Still that 30% is very important. With a bad amplifier I couldīt get those sweet dynamic "punches" that are important in my style. I used to record with expensive tubeamps and I never got it 100% right. Now all I have to do is hit record button and it works everytime. Thanks to amplug AC30.
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Old 04-29-2010, 10:01 AM   #34
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Originally Posted by Dannii View Post

I went ahead and bought an AC30 amplug today and have been playing my guitar for the last couple of hours and.... WOW! These things really do sound amazing! Thanks for the tipoff
I know the feeling! Amplugs are great.

BTW thanks for the compliments about my music! Keeps me going.


Peter
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Old 04-29-2010, 10:25 AM   #35
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Originally Posted by BoxOfSnoo View Post
Amazing tone, even more amazing tune. You've got some serious talent!

Back to the gear though... great find! I really have to try one of those now.

Oh when you play live, what do you plug the Amplug into?
Thanks!

At gigs I just plug amplug to a di-box and thatīs it! After that I keep shouting to a mixing engineer untill he gets my monitor-balance right. Simple and easy. Works like old-time train toilet...Of course I use a good cable between amplug and DI. Neutrik in my case. Good cable is very important when working with mini-plugs...
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Old 04-29-2010, 12:08 PM   #36
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Peter,

Such nice work. Do you track the amplug in stereo? How about on stage?

Thanks,
Fran
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Old 04-30-2010, 05:05 AM   #37
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Peter,

Such nice work. Do you track the amplug in stereo? How about on stage?

Thanks,
Fran
Grazias!

I always record amplug in mono, but reverb added later makes it stereo and bigger than life. I use quite a lot of reverb Same thing in live situation. Mono signal to desk and reverb is added there. Hopefully stereo reverb because my liveband is a trio. I need to fill a lot of space between bass and drums.

Sometimes if house engineer is "not so good" I add reverb with a stompbox (digitech digiverb). Then itīs single mono signal to desk and the "engineer" canīt ruin my sound. All he has to do is bring it up. Stereo guitar is not so important in a small club...
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Old 04-30-2010, 05:54 AM   #38
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Hey Peter, thanks for letting us in on your "little secret".
I never thought about using a headphone amp, like the Amplug AC30 to record. You have perked my interest that is for sure. I really enjoyed listening and watching your video. It is very well done! The video & music fit well together sorta like a David Lynch/Chris Isaak collaboration.

Cheers,

Billy Buck
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Old 04-30-2010, 08:32 AM   #39
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Hey Peter, thanks for letting us in on your "little secret".
I never thought about using a headphone amp, like the Amplug AC30 to record. You have perked my interest that is for sure. I really enjoyed listening and watching your video. It is very well done! The video & music fit well together sorta like a David Lynch/Chris Isaak collaboration.

Cheers,

Billy Buck
Well my "secret" is no more a secret. At least here in reaperville. That was the whole point. Sharing a good thing.

Iīm glad you liked my video/song. I love David Lynch movies and Twin Peaks is still the best tv-series ever! We canīt escape our influencesMost of my songs donīt have this "lynch" thing goin on, but I like to add little "Badalamenti" here and there just for fun.


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Old 04-30-2010, 02:21 PM   #40
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....BTW thanks for the compliments about my music! Keeps me going.


Peter
You're most welcome
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