That's the best Rockman recreation I've heard yet. I was your age when the Rockman came out, it was revolutionary. We just didn't have access to those tones. High gain amps were a long way off. I have a collection of SR&D gear from the '80s, I still use it a lot.
That isn't the fault of Amplitube. It's something he is doing with his setup. THIS is an accurate representation of the Amplitube JS plugin ruclips.net/video/I_JpWQ3KdyE/видео.html
@@BigBKenobi-sd4jf I agree, I have a feeling that people now a days just aren't into that sound anymore. Today's guitar players seem to gravitate towards the Peavey 6505 sounds for rock and metal. I hope I'm wrong though.
@@BigBKenobi-sd4jf No, they could not. The profits would probably be in the 50 to 75 dollar range and they'd have to sell it for 300 plus dollars. At that price few would sell. Just get a good quality compressor, over-drive, chorus, echo, and reverb if your amp doesn't have one. Play and fiddle with the settings. Et Voila. So those effects add up to more than three hundred dollars, but you will have more versatility. Besides, what is this obsession everyone has with trying to sound like some other player. Create your own sound. Take it somewhere else; Somewhere it's never been. Even Hendrix took All Along The Watch Tower to a completely different place. So much so that Dylan said it was no longer his song and really belonged to Hendrix.
Hi Taylor, thanks for your help, I bought this X100 amplitube three weeks ago and I was impressed with your quality, I believe they added improvements and tricks, sometimes it seems to sound better than my original.
Great job with the video and review Taylor! I think it sounds pretty good for what it is. I would still prefer the original unit over software, but for someone on a budget, or like you mentioned, for someone that can't use their original or wants less wear and tear, it's a good option.
I like the Amplitude B100 recreation. In this video, I heard a lot of noise which could easily be dialed out with Amplitude's built-in noise gate. For my purpose, I also added an Amplitude digital chorus and an Amplitude digital reverb to Rack A to give it a wider, fuller sound as heard on "Don't Look Back" or "Feelin' Satisfied'.
If I were a software geek, I would consider getting this software, especially knowing how much more control you get over the overall sound. Thank you Taylor.
The only reason I bought the Satch package was due to the "boston" amp.. but so many other great additions came w/ it. I love his green cab. Sounds incredible. But yes, the Boston 100 for me is the selling point. I can't stop playing it. Try playing some Def Leppard licks from they hysteria album on it as well. Sounds killer.
@@jimsteigerwalt2625 Yeah I know, which is why I said play some Def Leppard licks.. and it sounds killer...I had a Rockman 100 back in the day. I wish I still had the original.
That was closer than anything else I've heard. Would work fine in a club, would still prefer the original to record. . . Guess it's time to get my capacitors fixed, lol. Nice song choices, too. (Boston, Journey, Toto)
I have tried the Amplitube sim, and it feels dead on in capturing the sound and play feel. This demonstration makes me wonder what audio interface and input settings are being used for the Amplitube portions. There is a definitive loss of top end in the Amplitube sim examples here, and I don't think that is the sim's fault. Could be sub-optimal impedence at the input stage of the audio interface, or not enough input gain going into Amplitube. I don't have a Rockman so I can't do my own comparison, but now I don't need one, because IK has really nailed the sound. I get much better top-end clarity with the "Boston 100" using my Cloudlifter-ZI into an RMX Fireface UFX.
I agree, I've heard my guitar in Amplitube and it sounds pretty damn incredible. I have heard other people's recordings as well and they all sound good. He's doing something incorrectly here. Maybe the interface he is using or some setting somewhere is destroying the tone
If you're going to just sit around and compare the X100 to IK's Boston 100, you're always going to find ways the latter comes up short. But as an audio engineer, I'm hearing some very useful sounds out of the plugin. Not to mention, it's more flexible than the X100. I could do a lot to the plugin to make up for its shortcomings. And the plugin is a lot cheaper than an X100. Of course, I'm a heretic. I have an old Rockman Distortion Generator in my studio, and it's honestly the only part of the Rockman Rockmodule series I'm interested in using. Everything else is too limiting. So, basically, I'm the guy I think the plugin was aimed at. Someone who like Rockman sounds, but isn't about to fork out the money to sound like Tom Scholz. And yes, I had a full Rockman set-up back in the day; Sustainor, EQ, Echo, Chorus. It was awesome, but not very flexible. This plugin is a good option for someone like to me have that sound when I want it without breaking the bank to reacquire all the vintage equipment I sold so very long ago. I appreciate the comparison video!
@@davidmerlin3344 - Amplitube is a plug-in which works in a DAW running on a computer. It emulates guitar and bass amplifiers and effects. IK's Boston 100 is an emulation of the old Rockman X100 hardware. Oddly enough, I recently started using a plugin by Overloud that emulates the Rockman Sustainer and Rockman Choruse / Delay, two of the old Rockmodule rack mount units, and it's even more convincing than IK Multimedia's emulation of the Rockman X100.
I tried it out. It was OK - but, not better than my presets, in my opinion (and of course, I'm a bit biased! Haha!). Saving the wear and tear on your Rockman is a smart move because, even if it sounds NEAR a Rockman, you'll be saving yourself a trip to an electronics tech or buying another one for the highway robbery people want for those online. Even having this option, I will still stick to the presets because I can swap out amplifier plugins/VSTs to alter the sound rather than having it done for me. It's always going to sound the same way - even if you EQ it. With the amp models, pedals, and other ways I get Tom's sound, I prefer the variety.
I like it! I’m thinking I could possibly clean up and boost the sound with additional pre/post effects. Thoughts? I’ve been following your Rockman tone journey for a while, I have tried recreating the sound using a combination of digital effects via ToneBridge and my Line 6 Spider V 60 MK II with FBV3 foot pedal board using your advice, your notes, and I have learned a lot. Now this! I purchased it today! Sounds awesome! It would be so cool if you could/would creat a ToneBridge version for everyone. I think most of us who follow you, feel you’re the resident expert at this point.
It sounds almost identical if you ask me, and I have a pretty good ear. I've been playing guitar since 1977, and I remember those Boston albums being played and how much I loved the tunes. Have you ever thought of trying to recreate the boston tone with just modern effects pedals like EQs, chorus, and ways and such? There's some vids on YT about the same, but I feel you would be more qualified to come up with a modern solution to getting the rockman tone using modern pedals. You could also do it with one of the modern modelers such as Atomic, or Lune 6, or Fractel, etc. Good stuff. Keep rocking and I hope your college is going well. Be safe. Regards. Tim. Southern Indiana. USA
I've been trying to recreate the Rockman sound with cheap pedals for decades, and I think I nailed it. Here's my take on the 80s tone. I run a Mooer Yellow Comp into a MXR 6 band EQ, then into 3 dirt boxes, a TS mini, a Nux Horseman, and an Ibanez Super Metal mini, then a second compressor and EQ, a Digitech Digidelay, then a TC Electronics Corona stereo chorus, followed by a Boss SE50 for reverb. I start by setting my clean sound with the 1st EQ, then tweaking the distorted sound with the 2nd EQ, then going back to clean and retweaking the 1st EQ for the clean sound again. The guitar gets heavily compressed pre distortion as much as possible before it gets noisy. For distortion, I keep the drive on the TS all the way down, the NUX about 1ockock, and the Super Metal at noon, so each one on its own is fairly mild, but combinations get pretty hot and juicy sounding. For tone, and lack of noise, it beats the x100 or the sim. Its just a pain to pack it all up and move.
When you are playing Boston riffs that im familiar with, the Rockman is by far the best sounding of the two. It sounds 'real' and full, not sterile. But when you play riffs that im not familiar with, the the difference (lack in Amplitude) isnt as obvious to me.
Please, can you do a simple short pod cast on how to use IK Media’s Amplitude 5 Max interface....I use an iRig H2 midi interface.Thank you for your help if possible!
Rockman is Avery easy goto for a certain sound but with a little time spent getting to know your equipments person can get pretty darn close just by adjusting the amplifier there using. Especially if you have a MESA RECTIFIER, TUBE AMPS ARE REALLY GREAT TOOLS, FIND THE TONE YOU WANT TO EMULATE with the front of amp controls then shut the amp down on The back of the amp choose which rectifier this is where the AMPSTRUE CHARACTERISTICS will get you the RESPONSE YOUR AFTER, IF IN TUBE RECTIFIER, SWITCH OVER TO SOLID STATE AND-THERE IT IS A FASTER RESPONSE, THE RECTIFIER TUBE IS A VERY MUSICAL TOOL FOR CERTAI TYPES OF MUSIC . BUT IN THIS CASE THE TUBE FRONT END AND POWER-SECTION ARE GREAT BUT THE SOLIDSTATE AT THE RECTIFIER STAGE IS WHAT ALOT OF THOSE TONES FROM THE LATE 1960’S 70’S was the TRICK ._ ANYWAYS ALL THE ELECTRONICS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED OVER THE LAST 50+ years has made so much possible there is NO LIMIT TO WHAT ANYONE CAN DO , EVEN IF ALL IT TAKES IS A TURN OF A KNOB. HAVE FUNN AND NEVER STOP THE GROWTH OF YOUR MUSIC, ROCK ON !!!
Bobby Boykin, you make a great point. I collect and play through the Rockman gear and ALL of mine has had new capacitors installed. It is a must. There are lots of people who provide this service for around 100$
Looking back, I believe the hiss in Amplitube is from my audio interface or my ancient computer itself.
That's the best Rockman recreation I've heard yet. I was your age when the Rockman came out, it was revolutionary. We just didn't have access to those tones. High gain amps were a long way off. I have a collection of SR&D gear from the '80s, I still use it a lot.
I wish I could go back to the 80's and buy a truck load of Rockman X100's.
I wished I would have kept mine
I wish I had taken better care of mine.
I wish the damn company would make them again. They make other variants of the Rockman's, why not this one?
Played a session through one once, back then. Couldn’t afford to own one myself.
They were 300 and some bucks when I got mine in the 80s
Pretty close, but the Amplitube doesn't sound quite as clean and clear to me - the tone is a little muddy/grainy.
That isn't the fault of Amplitube. It's something he is doing with his setup. THIS is an accurate representation of the Amplitube JS plugin ruclips.net/video/I_JpWQ3KdyE/видео.html
I wish Dunlop would put more effort into the Rockman products.
Dunlop coukd relaunch that line and rake in millions just remaking thr x100's
@@BigBKenobi-sd4jf I agree, I have a feeling that people now a days just aren't into that sound anymore. Today's guitar players seem to gravitate towards the Peavey 6505 sounds for rock and metal. I hope I'm wrong though.
@@BigBKenobi-sd4jf No, they could not. The profits would probably be in the 50 to 75 dollar range and they'd have to sell it for 300 plus dollars. At that price few would sell. Just get a good quality compressor, over-drive, chorus, echo, and reverb if your amp doesn't have one. Play and fiddle with the settings. Et Voila. So those effects add up to more than three hundred dollars, but you will have more versatility. Besides, what is this obsession everyone has with trying to sound like some other player. Create your own sound. Take it somewhere else; Somewhere it's never been. Even Hendrix took All Along The Watch Tower to a completely different place. So much so that Dylan said it was no longer his song and really belonged to Hendrix.
@@shanedavis3414 I would buy one.
If they did, it would probably work wonders toward getting more modeler manufacturers to tackle these circuits in their future models.
now this comparison makes the Amplitube version sound very close to the real thing. Very cool
Nah not even close
My X-100 runs two DSL 100 watt amps . Game changer !
Dang, that's pretty dang close. Nice review!
Hi Taylor, thanks for your help, I bought this X100 amplitube three weeks ago and I was impressed with your quality, I believe they added improvements and tricks, sometimes it seems to sound better than my original.
Great job with the video and review Taylor! I think it sounds pretty good for what it is. I would still prefer the original unit over software, but for someone on a budget, or like you mentioned, for someone that can't use their original or wants less wear and tear, it's a good option.
This is a better representation of the software ruclips.net/video/I_JpWQ3KdyE/видео.html
Nicely conducted comparisons!
Thanks mate!
I like the Amplitude B100 recreation. In this video, I heard a lot of noise which could easily be dialed out with Amplitude's built-in noise gate. For my purpose, I also added an Amplitude digital chorus and an Amplitude digital reverb to Rack A to give it a wider, fuller sound as heard on "Don't Look Back" or "Feelin' Satisfied'.
Thanks for the tip.
If I were a software geek, I would consider getting this software, especially knowing how much more control you get over the overall sound. Thank you Taylor.
The only reason I bought the Satch package was due to the "boston" amp.. but so many other great additions came w/ it. I love his green cab. Sounds incredible. But yes, the Boston 100 for me is the selling point. I can't stop playing it. Try playing some Def Leppard licks from they hysteria album on it as well. Sounds killer.
@Ryan T def leopard used Rockman units on whole album.
@@jimsteigerwalt2625 Yeah I know, which is why I said play some Def Leppard licks.. and it sounds killer...I had a Rockman 100 back in the day. I wish I still had the original.
That was closer than anything else I've heard. Would work fine in a club, would still prefer the original to record. . . Guess it's time to get my capacitors fixed, lol. Nice song choices, too. (Boston, Journey, Toto)
I have tried the Amplitube sim, and it feels dead on in capturing the sound and play feel. This demonstration makes me wonder what audio interface and input settings are being used for the Amplitube portions. There is a definitive loss of top end in the Amplitube sim examples here, and I don't think that is the sim's fault. Could be sub-optimal impedence at the input stage of the audio interface, or not enough input gain going into Amplitube. I don't have a Rockman so I can't do my own comparison, but now I don't need one, because IK has really nailed the sound. I get much better top-end clarity with the "Boston 100" using my Cloudlifter-ZI into an RMX Fireface UFX.
I agree, I've heard my guitar in Amplitube and it sounds pretty damn incredible. I have heard other people's recordings as well and they all sound good. He's doing something incorrectly here. Maybe the interface he is using or some setting somewhere is destroying the tone
If you're going to just sit around and compare the X100 to IK's Boston 100, you're always going to find ways the latter comes up short. But as an audio engineer, I'm hearing some very useful sounds out of the plugin. Not to mention, it's more flexible than the X100. I could do a lot to the plugin to make up for its shortcomings. And the plugin is a lot cheaper than an X100. Of course, I'm a heretic. I have an old Rockman Distortion Generator in my studio, and it's honestly the only part of the Rockman Rockmodule series I'm interested in using. Everything else is too limiting. So, basically, I'm the guy I think the plugin was aimed at. Someone who like Rockman sounds, but isn't about to fork out the money to sound like Tom Scholz. And yes, I had a full Rockman set-up back in the day; Sustainor, EQ, Echo, Chorus. It was awesome, but not very flexible. This plugin is a good option for someone like to me have that sound when I want it without breaking the bank to reacquire all the vintage equipment I sold so very long ago. I appreciate the comparison video!
Is the Amplitude a download or something or is it a device like the Rockman? I’m totally confused.
How does it work?
@@davidmerlin3344 - Amplitube is a plug-in which works in a DAW running on a computer. It emulates guitar and bass amplifiers and effects. IK's Boston 100 is an emulation of the old Rockman X100 hardware. Oddly enough, I recently started using a plugin by Overloud that emulates the Rockman Sustainer and Rockman Choruse / Delay, two of the old Rockmodule rack mount units, and it's even more convincing than IK Multimedia's emulation of the Rockman X100.
X100 for the win
I tried it out. It was OK - but, not better than my presets, in my opinion (and of course, I'm a bit biased! Haha!). Saving the wear and tear on your Rockman is a smart move because, even if it sounds NEAR a Rockman, you'll be saving yourself a trip to an electronics tech or buying another one for the highway robbery people want for those online. Even having this option, I will still stick to the presets because I can swap out amplifier plugins/VSTs to alter the sound rather than having it done for me. It's always going to sound the same way - even if you EQ it. With the amp models, pedals, and other ways I get Tom's sound, I prefer the variety.
And ... a month later, I bought it. I'm a weak willed Boston fan! LOL!
I like it! I’m thinking I could possibly clean up and boost the sound with additional pre/post effects. Thoughts?
I’ve been following your Rockman tone journey for a while, I have tried recreating the sound using a combination of digital effects via ToneBridge and my Line 6 Spider V 60 MK II with FBV3 foot pedal board using your advice, your notes, and I have learned a lot. Now this! I purchased it today! Sounds awesome! It would be so cool if you could/would creat a ToneBridge version for everyone. I think most of us who follow you, feel you’re the resident expert at this point.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Dunlop comes out with a reissue soon. There is a huge resurgence in this tone...
Thank you for an excellent demo.
The original sounds like...the original Boston tone to a Tee!
Pretty cool demo and comparison!
It sounds almost identical if you ask me, and I have a pretty good ear. I've been playing guitar since 1977, and I remember those Boston albums being played and how much I loved the tunes.
Have you ever thought of trying to recreate the boston tone with just modern effects pedals like EQs, chorus, and ways and such? There's some vids on YT about the same, but I feel you would be more qualified to come up with a modern solution to getting the rockman tone using modern pedals. You could also do it with one of the modern modelers such as Atomic, or Lune 6, or Fractel, etc.
Good stuff. Keep rocking and I hope your college is going well. Be safe.
Regards.
Tim.
Southern Indiana. USA
I've been trying to recreate the Rockman sound with cheap pedals for decades, and I think I nailed it. Here's my take on the 80s tone. I run a Mooer Yellow Comp into a MXR 6 band EQ, then into 3 dirt boxes, a TS mini, a Nux Horseman, and an Ibanez Super Metal mini, then a second compressor and EQ, a Digitech Digidelay, then a TC Electronics Corona stereo chorus, followed by a Boss SE50 for reverb. I start by setting my clean sound with the 1st EQ, then tweaking the distorted sound with the 2nd EQ, then going back to clean and retweaking the 1st EQ for the clean sound again. The guitar gets heavily compressed pre distortion as much as possible before it gets noisy. For distortion, I keep the drive on the TS all the way down, the NUX about 1ockock, and the Super Metal at noon, so each one on its own is fairly mild, but combinations get pretty hot and juicy sounding. For tone, and lack of noise, it beats the x100 or the sim. Its just a pain to pack it all up and move.
@@christianfoster3806 That does sound like a pain. I think I would look for an easier solution, but that's just me. Good luck man .
When you are playing Boston riffs that im familiar with, the Rockman is by far the best sounding of the two. It sounds 'real' and full, not sterile. But when you play riffs that im not familiar with, the the difference (lack in Amplitude) isnt as obvious to me.
Taylor...Im glad to see Amplitube 4 released an Boston effect tone but If you had the chance to purchase the Rockman X100a stereo amp, would you?
Nicky done. And it’s worth a subscription.
Sounds pretty damn exact!
Please, can you do a simple short pod cast on how to use IK Media’s Amplitude 5 Max interface....I use an iRig H2 midi interface.Thank you for your help if possible!
Well done Taylor Rhodes, thanks.
Rockman is Avery easy goto for a certain sound but with a little time spent getting to know your equipments person can get pretty darn close just by adjusting the amplifier there using.
Especially if you have a MESA RECTIFIER, TUBE AMPS ARE REALLY GREAT TOOLS, FIND THE TONE YOU WANT TO EMULATE with the front of amp controls then shut the amp down on
The back of the amp choose which rectifier this is where the AMPSTRUE CHARACTERISTICS will get you the RESPONSE YOUR AFTER, IF IN TUBE RECTIFIER, SWITCH OVER TO SOLID STATE AND-THERE IT IS A FASTER RESPONSE, THE RECTIFIER TUBE IS A VERY MUSICAL TOOL FOR CERTAI TYPES OF MUSIC . BUT IN THIS CASE THE TUBE FRONT END AND POWER-SECTION ARE GREAT BUT THE SOLIDSTATE AT THE RECTIFIER STAGE IS WHAT ALOT OF THOSE TONES FROM THE LATE 1960’S 70’S was the TRICK ._ ANYWAYS ALL THE ELECTRONICS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED OVER THE LAST 50+ years has made so much possible there is NO LIMIT TO WHAT ANYONE CAN DO , EVEN IF ALL IT TAKES IS A TURN OF A KNOB. HAVE FUNN AND NEVER STOP THE GROWTH OF YOUR MUSIC, ROCK ON !!!
Where do you buy the new Amplitude Boston 100? I don’t see it on line.
I think IK made great job. But what Dunlop is doing?
Did you run the AmpliTube Rockman sim through the paired "Boston Cab" cabinet simulator?
Why does the amplitube have that hiss?
Probably coming from his computer itself.
I have a couple but who's buying
Taylor, I have a broken Sustainor module. Clean modes work but not any distortion modes. Do you know anyone who repairs these?
Hope this helps. ;) www (dot) rockman-repair (dot) com 👍
good review. a good show (make us listen) than tell :-)
i think i like rockman sound a tiny bit better
Me too
Unless you recapped that Rockman, its not gonna sound like it did when it was made.
Bobby Boykin, you make a great point. I collect and play through the Rockman gear and ALL of mine has had new capacitors installed. It is a must. There are lots of people who provide this service for around 100$
You can buy a Goat Distortion Generator on Reverb.com and it sounds exactly like Scholz Gear
People want the same price for those as the real Rockman X100. No reason to buy it.
sounds really close to me, but still impractical to a gigging musician. What we want is a foot pedal, not a belt-clip do-hickey thingamabob.
Original Rockman wins !!
Rockman was better by far. And much quieter.
1:15 vs 1:56
It's simple eq to fix the two
x100
The question is $400+ or $50 ? The Rockman is cool but not $400 cool .
Funny that the digital is so much more noisy and hissy
Close but no...
Yes it is. This is a better representation of the software used properly ruclips.net/video/I_JpWQ3KdyE/видео.html
Your endorsement isn't worth JACK SQUAT !
cool
Sounds weak and thin. They should all it the Joe.
Kemper user profiles are way better!
So, it's software? No wonder it sounded awful.
I have a real x100b from 1983. Amplitude sounds like shit.\
Horrible sloppy guitar playing