Interesting analog tube amp controlled by IOS device

[MCK]

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/I ... rtAmp.aspx

I had a similar idea but never managed to do anything about it so kudos to this company from Down Under!!!

I am not so surprised about an amp that can be controlled (as in each pot or switch manipulated) by an IOS app. I am surprised about the promise that this amp can actually change topology etc through the use of the IOS app. Must be some interesting circuitry in there thats for sure.

I quote :

It is now possible to create a limitless number of unique amplifier designs that can be saved and stored in your portable device. New circuits can also be downloaded via an “Amp Store” and one-off custom amp designs can be created. Flex SmartAmp users will be able to make and share their ideal schematics.

Read more:

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/I ... z2HYKIjpph

[M Fowler]

One or two knobs is good but a screen I have to navigate around on would irritate the hell out of me. I barely know how to use a CPU and cell phone.

Build me a time machine so I can go back to the 1950's.

[MCK]

It looks ugly as heck no doubt and the efficiency of the digital user interface definitely is a question mark. Being able to adjust a chicken-head knob without looking is priceless.

What I'm wondering about is how they manage the topology and schematics change promise in their press release. That cab does not look large enough to contain all possible cap & resistor values for all possible pre/power configs for all tubes... Sound like a far reaching promise eh?

[M Fowler]

Yes I would agree with you but SMD is so advanced these days but what the heck would I know. I can't even figure out what some parts are on a Black Star 5w head to repair even with using a lighted magnifying glass.

[JazzGuitarGimp]

The press release says: "Flex SmartAmp encompasses an analog, pure vacuum tube amplifier circuit which can be digitally controlled via iOS to build a virtually limitless number of amplifiers."

I have a feeling it contains a single 12AX7 preamp that is controlled by IOS and the rest of the amp is SS. I also suspect there is some amp modeling going on under the hood. Color me paranoid.... But usually, when something seems too good to be true, etc. etc.

[darryl_h]

I have a feeling it contains a single 12AX7 preamp that is controlled by IOS and the rest of the amp is SS. I also suspect there is some amp modeling going on under the hood. Color me paranoid.... But usually, when something seems too good to be true, etc. etc.

Disclosure: I have had some minor involvement in the preliminary design of this amplifier, and I have watched it being developed by Michael Ibrahim and his team at MI Audio. I'll be helping out on the MI Audio stand at NAMM, so if you're visiting NAMM, and want to further investigate this amplifier, call in and say g'day.

I can confidently say the following:

1. The signal path is purely analog thermionic - at no point does it pass through solid state devices.

2. There is absolutely no modeling.

3. Paranoia generally is a healthy color when reading press releases.


There is a thread on the Australian Guitar Gearheads forum with some additional detail: http://www.guitargear.net.au/discussion ... 643.0.html

[JazzGuitarGimp]

Thanks for the clarification, Darryl. And I look forward to reading the reviews as this looks like a very interesting product. I'd say I look forward to playing through one, but I live in the sticks and try not to go to the big city unless I absolutely have to.....

[jubal81]

One or two knobs is good but a screen I have to navigate around on would irritate the hell out of me. I barely know how to use a CPU and cell phone.

Build me a time machine so I can go back to the 1950's.

I think this is why things like this don't take off. The players who shop for a tube amp to begin with are the same ones who don't want a bunch of 'flimsy, confusing and mysterious circuit globs' in their amp.

Not to mention amps face way too much abuse being lugged around for a touch screen. I'm not knocking the technology, but I think it's not been implemented well at all.

[MCK]

What I was able to gather from the Aussie forum link darryl_h kindly shared, this amp has various circuits and power tubes built into it with a bazillion relays controlling where the electrons flow and which parts of the circuitry gets activated etc. Sound very clever. I don't know if it will be an immediate commercial success but I am sure we would all love to see a gut shot on a purely educational spirit!

I'm also curious to see how they got around the issue of driving analog pots with the IOS software. In other preset based amps I have seen a pot being simulated through the use of 24 or 32 incremental resistor values and the amp switching through them as the user increases or decreases the simulated pot value. Not enough granularity as a regular pot would offer. Lets see now MI worked that out.

[dorrisant]

Sounds like a good test-bed type idea. Would be great for tweaking stages... maybe.

[roberto]

I had a similar idea but never managed to do anything about it so kudos to this company from Down Under!!!

Yes, the idea is flying around since 90's. Even I searched some digitally controlled variable resistors, but no one was ok due to the variation (too few bits on the lower part) and due to the voltage rating.

My idea was to connect an USB pen and discharge tons of sounds.
But my feel was they are always tons of variations of the same dull sound.

[MCK]

I wanted to use actual motorized pots so the amp would look and feel no different than a regular amp. Similar idea to the X-99 Soldano preamp which was made for a while in the past. Might still give it a shot one day. Here is an internal shot of X-99 showing the motorized pots :

[img1014]http://spinoo.free.fr/projetG5/Images%2 ... _x99_2.jpg[/img]

[MCK]

Interesting turn of events...

http://www.sonicstate.com/amped/2013/01 ... s-customs/

Seems like this amp was too dangerous to admit into ole USA... Wonder what they thought it might be.

[VacuumVoodoo]

Rule #1 is to not forget to declare the amp right at the customs gate, don't wait for them to stop you and search through your luggage. Especially when you land at LAX at NAMM time. Have the amp clearly marked as "Evaluation prototype". And have a "Proforma invoice for Customs for less than 900$" with you. That's all. Ignorance is not an excuse at the customs check.
Play it nice, there's a chance customs officer plays guitar and will be thrilled to actually meet a real live amp builder. Been there, done that.
The other way is to obtain an ATA Carnet from your local Chamber of Commerce http://www.iccwbo.org/chamber-services/ ... a-carnets/