Atomic: Ampli-Fire 6

atomicamps.com
Here's a very roughshod look at the Ampli-Fire 6. It's a great modelling device that has solid sounds, an easy interface and you can load and use your own IR's. All of the bread-and-butter effects are there and the free GUI is spot on. Independent Music have a few on special this week if you're keen.

[@3l84r70]

So I've had one of these for about a month now, and what I've found: Pros: -Sounds good -Compact and lightweight -you can load your own IRs (a must with this unit) -Stereo FX loop -2 Expression pedal inputs -Multiple pedal assignment (very handy) -Really good (and free) software editor Cons: -No shimmer :-( (but if you have one, place it in the FX loop) -Static signal path, with some exceptions. -Tap tempo pedal assignment is a global setting -No tap tempo LFO synchronisation (a shame really) My experience with it has been good. I think it is very versatile and handy for any covers band guitarrist. I personally like it but the stock presets are not really a good showcase of the unit, so spend some time creating your own, the Michael Britt presets are $20 bucks very well spent. The only thing I've found I don't like is that there's no tap tempo synchronisation for LFO and other modulation, which is a pain and a shame really. My signal path is Guitar -> Soul Drive (not really needed but I like it) -> Amplifire -> Eventide H9 in the loop -> out to mixer. I use a dual expression pedal with it. It has really simplified my rig (happy to provide more details if interested) and I can leave my loved and expensive pedals at home.

[@BrettKingman]

That's a great review. Thanks for taking the time to write and share it. Cheers.

[@JimboKennedy]

Thanks for that review! I’d love to hear more about your travel board. Building something similar to what you described.

[@sbrave]

Jut heard Satchel demoing this and sounds awesome!

[@teamhex]

I still have an RP500 from like 12 years ago. I think I'll get the Amplifire 12. It's amazing how far digital effects have become.

[@AnthonyChhan]

How do they compare between the two.

[@wolvesandguitars]

IR load block and a midi switcher are a must with this baby .. get an Ownhammer Pack and GO!

[@markthespark6240]

Thanks for the demo Brett. Looks like a great pedal for a cover band guitarist!!

[@teamhex]

4:08 - Huey Lewis I want a new drug effect. Beautiful man.

[@mikegeeguitarman8991]

I bought this and sent it back afte 2 weeks. Oh thank God they refunded my money...I thought I had left it too long. I gave it a good try believe me It just sounded worse every day. So digital and un natural and brittle, fizzy and harsh on the ears. was so excited to get it and so devastated at how disappointing it was in terms of sounding warm and authentic. I fell for the hype. Even my Blues cube amp wipes the floor with it in every department of clean crunch and over the top. Honestly it really does.. and thats a solid state combo! So wanted to like it and had big plans for how I was going to use it

[@teriakamoto]

Did you load custom CAB IR's to the unit ? I respect your taste but it could be possible that you didn't run it correctly w/IR's ?

[@darrenstevenson3693]

Yes it sounds like your cab ir”s weren’t loaded or set up correctly, I had a similar issue with my AA12 , ask on the AA site & got some great support, I got my cab ir”s set up correctly & Bam there it was , tone to die for, haven’t looked back, love my old school Loney AOR but haven’t touched it since , best tone I have ever had & it doesn’t matter which guitar I use they all sound amazing,

[@Bluesplayer789]

kind of reminds me of a Tri-AC ... on steroids! sounds great Burgs.

[@kaieun8600]

kind of pity that this and its brotehr amplifire box don't have any hiwatt sim. Will buy it if it has one updated later since its way more cheaper than fractal and helix but kind of in the same league or maybe better.

[@ajxerri1]

Great I have a 2 4/12 cabs what should I use for power to run it in stereo

[@MarcCoteMusic]

At last! I've seen this thing in the background of your videos for, what, a few weeks now? Anyway, thanks for the demo, Brett. If this unit came with a built-in expression pedal that had the functionality of things like the GT-1 or the GE200, it would be a serious contender for a small, practical gig rig.

[@klaushouz]

Hi Marc, Neither the GT-1 or the GE200 come close to the Atomic stuff .. sound wise ... I live and work in New York City where being compact is King ...the AA 6 fits in my gig bag and I go. I run 4 presets >2 Marshalls AND AC 30 + Archon ALL on two switches in A/B mode AND eight FX on 4 switches... last gig I used it on everybody asked me to use it ... even acoustic guitar players( for that gig I substituted the Archon for my acoustic preset)... when it came time to pack up and everybody was backing up their SUVs to the stage to pack up ... I just unplugged, threw it in my gig bag, jumped in a cab... both guys that were there on stage packing up their Marshalls and Mesa boogies said to me quote I am so jealous ... Doesn't get better than that!

[@MarcCoteMusic]

@@klaushouz - Well, the demos I've heard don't suggest the Amplifire stuff is better, to me, but of course it's all subjective. *EDIT: I think it's on par with the GT-1 and the GE200.* If you're a fan of the Atomic stuff, I'm glad you've found your rig. I did consider getting one of the Amplifire boxes, but none of them have a built-in expression pedal. I don't feel like bringing an extra piece of gear along that has to be set up and torn down every night if I can avoid it. Had I found the Atomic preamps to be well and truly better I might have gone for one anyway. I do agree about the small size being a great thing... I already have to carry so much gear (PA, lights, instruments and so on) that it's very practical not to have to bring an amp, too.

[@klaushouz]

Hi Marc I hear you ... As you say, I have found my ideal portable rig, and I AM THRILLED that I am done searching......I refuse to get any more gear to play out IF it won't fit in my gig bag.. The AA6 and a Mini expression pedal or the Firebox and a mini expression pedal WILL fit in my gig bag .......I won't bother with the AA 12 OR the Fractal AX 8 for the same reasons.. In terms of sound... (as on now anyway) Everyone seems to be playing catch up to the Fractal stuff... As to the AA6 V.S. the Fractal Ax FX 2 none of my Pro friends and I can tell a difference in realism as to the amp sounds recording in the studio... Just sayin.. Maybe the NAMM show will bring out what you need? Any way, all this could change tomorrow , right?

[@MarcCoteMusic]

@@klaushouz - Yup. It's a never-ending escalation in tech... which is pretty cool. That said, everyone is playing catch-up to Fractal stuff. The good news is that they're getting close even at the lower-cost end of the spectrum.

[@klaushouz]

Did you know that Tom King , The founder of Atomic Amps, was part of the original Fractal company? Fractal didn't agree with his business plan (to go smaller at the time, I assume ) so Tom went out on his own and did it..... I mean the FIREBOX is 300 vs 3000 for a Fractal... Ya gotta love the competition angle for us!

[@landonjackson3064]

How many watts is this and can you run a 4-12 cab with it ?

[@titmusspaultpaul5]

Looks awsome.

[@aldomarquez1552]

Do you have an opinion about what´s better amplifirebox or amplifire 6 or even 12?

[@klaushouz]

HI Brett Great video I really like the 1st preset that your using the country style on.. Can you share the preset OR your compression and amp/cab info?

[@BrettKingman]

Hi Klaus. Thank you for watching and for your kind words. I'm afraid I cannot share the preset because the unit went back to the distributor the following day and no presets were saved by me.

[@klaushouz]

Thanks ... SO the 1st clean preset you used was stock?

[@BrettKingman]

klaushouz I think so, yes.

[@kencohagen4967]

Definately something to look at!

[@Andreorsel]

How does this compare to the AX8?

[@tonykennedy8483]

I've got one as a b rig to my Ax8 Not as good as the Fractal for me, but I prefer it to my HX Stomp as the amps play and feel much better

[@Andreorsel]

Tony Kennedy, thnx!

[@whisperingwind3430]

Every pedal must be tested in the mix! I think

[@BrettKingman]

Yes, that always helps - if you're buying to record with. Otherwise, too subjective and a lot of work at this end to try and please everyone (impossible).

[@klaushouz]

I have a Fractal Ax Fx 2 in my NYC Studio... I use the Atomic AA6 on gigs as it fits in my gig bag and switching out the Fractal Ax Fx 2 from the rack is a pain ...I find the the Fractal Ax Fx 2 and the Atomic AA6 really do complement each other in the studio mix... Both are quality units.. and the AA 6 costs 3x less.. Aside from the price difference, if I was using the Ax FX 2 live and had to use the AA6 over the Fractal for any reason my playing and the audience would not know the difference...Amp/Cab wise

[@oysteinhaugen7055]

Good unit, but terrible customer service here in Europe! Many people having issues with this. Therefore people should rather buy Line6 etc.

[@klaushouz]

What kind of problems? Where were they purchased? Service in the States is Great.. I suggest contacting Jace Nuzback on FACEBOOK.. As far as Line 6 ... My AA6 competes very well with my Fractal Ax Fx 2.. The Line 6 stuff does not ...

[@alansilva417]

Top demais. Drives, modulations, ambience?

[@SLAMSTERDAMN]

Alan Silva; It does it nearly all. Dunno about reverse delay.

[@guitaristwilllane]

I NEED :07

[@handikaperkasa5709]

Good brett.. just wanna ask the price

[@BrettKingman]

I can't answer that, Hanika as it's different in every global territory. I think they're running at around AUD$720 over here (discounted) but that will differ in the US, Europe, Asia...

[@handikaperkasa5709]

@@BrettKingman okay brett thx...

[@titmusspaultpaul5]

@@handikaperkasa5709 if you get it in Australia, even with shipping, it would probably be $100 cheaper or more due ti currency conversion.... unless they make you pay sales tex (12% or whatever it is in America)... then it probably would be about the same (I'm assuming your in America). If your in Great Britain you've got a strong dollar there as well i owned the Amplifire 12 and it was AWSOME.... had to sell due to needing money for a back opperation but i will buy one again soon. I highly recommend them.... cheers.

[@teriakamoto]

500.00 U.S. Dollars + Post to Ozzyland.

[@joshmuz9018]

Sounds kinda thin and 2D

[@CentaurusRelax314]

Upgrade your... phone. : )

[@mikegeeguitarman8991]

After sending mine back a year ago after 2 weeks of trying to like it but failing miserably I now have a NUx cerberus for a mere £150 and it totally wipes the floor with this pile of digital crap. buy this at your peril folks and dont fall for the hype. The Cerberus has analogue OD and dist..far better!

[@ericknapp4352]

Wow, you couldn't be more wrong.

[@muficchannel]

@@ericknapp4352 He's a "professional" whiner...doesn't even have any videos uploaded. Loser trying to stay relevant by trash-mouthing others.

[@georgebarry8640]

I have owned both: They are different tools for different purposes. No comparison is really possible.