AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix for iPad Review

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Amplitube Hendrix 2

Type of app: Music app
Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version here); available in the App Store
Developer: IK Multimedia
Specifications: AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix™ features:

– Real-time guitar mobile multiFX + recording app with Jimi Hendrix tone
– Jimi Hendrix™ gear models: 5 Stompboxes (Noise Filter, Fuzz Age, Octa-V, Uni-V, Wah 46)
– 2 Amplifiers (JH Gold, JH Dual) and 2 cabinets (2×15″J, 4×12″J)
– Complete Jimi Hendrix™ Discography Presets
– Jimi Hendrix™ song links directly within the app for play-along
– Single-track recorder expandable to 8-track studio with master effects (via in-app purchase)
– Import and play songs as backing tracks from your iPod library or computer
– Export via E-mail, SoundCloud, FTP or File Sharing
– Audio Copy/Paste
– Slow down/speed up the tempo of imported songs without affecting pitch
– NO VOICE feature removes the lead vocal or guitar solo from imported songs
– Powerful preset system to manage presets and favorites
– Tuner/metronome
– Digital audio in/out – MIDI controllable (available as in-app purchase and free for iRig
MIDI users)
– Low-latency for real time playing

Amplitube Hendrix 1

Major features: I have made it pretty clear that my preferred genre of music is jazz, my main guitar is a Joe Pass model archtop, and yet when the opportunity came along to review AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix I jumped at it! Why? Two simple reasons: anyone who doesn’t appreciate greatness in any genre of music needs to open their mind and ears, and because I knew IK Multimedia would deliver a top-notch recreation of the Hendrix sound.

AmpliTune Hendrix is a full-featured addition to the family, with two amplifier models, five stomp boxes and two amp cabinets. It is easy to gloss over this stuff when you get into ‘feature list mode’, but the bottom line is that if you take the time to learn the Hendrix songs and phrase the lines as Jimi would, the sound from the app will take care of the rest. But it isn’t just a bunch of presets, you can tweak and recombine things to craft your own distinct sound.

But what kept pulling me back in again and again was the library of presets matched to classic Hendrix songs. As I show in the video, you can go from Purple Haze to Machine Gun to All Along the Watchtower and each one has all of the individual guitar sounds mapped. The way this was done is both fun and useful – if you were looking to create sounds similar to a specific Hendrix song this is a great jumping off point. And if you just want to load up the sounds, record a rhythm track and then jam with the solo track on top … AmpliTube Hendrix has you covered.

Ease of use/Overall performance: IK has streamlined the AmpliTube apps to the point that you simply expect everything to sound great, for there to be loads of tools like the Recorder, the song mode that allows you to slow down tracks for practice without altering pitch, voice removal tools, tuner and metronome, MIDI capability, iRig Stomp compatibility, tons of sound sharing options and on and on. It all interacts perfectly and doesn’t feel cobbled together, and as you use each tool it becomes second nature.

Would use again/recommend?: Absolutely! I love the way IK faithfully recreated the Jimi Hendrix sound, and how much power they pack into an app for $14.99.

Suggested changes/wish list for updates: Nothing.

Price: $14.99

Here is my hands-on review:

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About the Author

Michael Anderson
I have loved technology for as long as I can remember - and have been a computer gamer since the PDP-10! Mobile Technology has played a major role in my life - I have used an electronic companion since the HP95LX more than 20 years ago, and have been a 'Laptop First' person since my Compaq LTE Lite 3/20 and Powerbook 170 back in 1991! As an avid gamer and gadget-junkie I was constantly asked for my opinions on new technology, which led to writing small blurbs ... and eventually becoming a reviewer many years ago. My family is my biggest priority in life, and they alternate between loving and tolerating my gaming and gadget hobbies ... but ultimately benefits from the addition of technology to our lives!