I really like it as well, at least it sounds way better with my Telecaster than GR5 does (although I still turn to GR5 for more "exotic" sounds). The only EQing I do on TH2 guitars is the obligatory high pass filter and a little reduction here and there to make room for other things in the mix. But standalone, the sounds are awesome. 

I agree - it IS a decent amp sim (I bought the upgrade).
The stock amps are good, but I'm finding I use the non-Producer amps more often.
 
Going through the hundreds of presets is the typical nope, nope, nope, ahhh there that one!
Maybe not the patch per se, but the amp character is a keeper.
Even if the amp patch isn't my cup of tea, it often has decent effects on it, so I save those fx as presets.
 
The upgrade has tons more mic, cab & fx choices (more stomps and rack stuff) plus dist, comp, eq and pitchshift stompers.
The plate/room/hall/inverse rack verbs are Breverb, so you can replicate fave PC Breverb patches to the rack ones in TH2.
 
Good stuff! Most of the amps don't have that fizzy/cloudy PODiness to them.
I'm in the camp that likes the layout - to me it makes sense having it set up that way.
 
Haven't spent any time messing with the cab IRs yet - that'll come later.

 

I only played with the IRs briefly but I liked the sound I got messing with the mics, mic distances and general cabinet settings much better. However those are the installed IRs (and I think they are SOnar IRs... not Overloud's but I might be wrong). Actually for those asking about how to get it to sound good take some time and play with the cab settings. A LOT of cool stuff happens there. Cheers.

Beepster


Well I'll say first off to get off the first couple of models (the 65 and the next one that has 60 whatever in it's title is no good). The Overloud custom head is doing it as far as rock/metal but there are some nice tones elsewhere in there. I think what these companies need to get away from is trying to replicate existing amps and create their own thing. Once they start trying to dig into the nuances of stuff that cannot be duplicated digitally they start cutting out all their hard work and the results are lackluster. Just a thought.

There is a really excellent point buried in this. If you're using a computer amp sim, then embrace the horror. Use that software to make the next great amp, the one that's better sounding than hardware. 

When I design and build amps I'm limited by parts availability and mechanical design constraints. It becomes difficult to truly innovate. Software designers have a giant canvas to work with. Being able to modify the amp interface and look are huge. I can't afford to experiment with layout and design. 

My only option is to embrace continuous improvement. After every litter of amps I review the results and see how I could do it better and/or cheaper. 

Computer amp sim developers need to sack-up and make the things that I can't. Something like an amp with a Uni-vibe hard wired into the phase inverter output. MMmmmmmm.

Ya, man. So much could be done but they don't want to stray from the formulas lest they offend the purists. I say have at 'er and crank up the awesome. There are very few REAL guitar amps I truly like anyway and the ones I do are so ridiculously expensive it is doubtful I'll own one any time soon... nor do I think they are worth that kind of money. I spent most of my time cranking through stomp boxes and bass amps. Suited me juuuust fine.

Beepster


@gswitz... that method is invaluable and most of it still would apply but I don't think the notching part needs to be so extreme anymore. I'd like to hear what Mr. Anderton has to say actually. Dude's like all smart and stuff. ;-)

My laff for the day...thanks!


So, I checked out TH2 because of this thread. Here's the thing: All amp sims suck...at first. But with sufficient tweakage, they can sound wonderful.


TH2 definitely seems to have potential. I haven't spent much time with it, but I think that once I become familiar with it, I could get some really useful sounds. I like the way they handle the "miking," too. I'll still need the EQ trick, though, and don't forget about the "de-esser before amp" trick.

Seems like it would make good fodder for my Sound on Sound column..."optimizing the living daylights out of the TH2."

As an aside, I gotta say X2 has been very well-behaved here. No Rapture of Dim Pro installation issues, either.

Beepster


@ProjectM... Yeah, man. Check it out. I'm shut down for the night but my chain was the yellow overdrive pedal, the Overloud Custom head set to Modern (and set crunchy distorted... I forget the settings) and I think the matched cab. Be sure to turn up the VariFire thingy or whatever it's called. That yanks out the awsomesauce sauce somehow. Cheers! :-)

I only tried a few presets very quickly when I installed X2 and wasn't overwhelmed right away so I have though of it as a bit of a novelty. But if you make it sound like Slayer - that caught my attention I will check out the VariFire thingy  - Everything "Vari" is good roight?
 
Cheers!

Anderton


So, I checked out TH2 because of this thread. Here's the thing: All amp sims suck...at first. But with sufficient tweakage, they can sound wonderful.


TH2 definitely seems to have potential. I haven't spent much time with it, but I think that once I become familiar with it, I could get some really useful sounds. I like the way they handle the "miking," too. I'll still need the EQ trick, though, and don't forget about the "de-esser before amp" trick.

Seems like it would make good fodder for my Sound on Sound column..."optimizing the living daylights out of the TH2."

As an aside, I gotta say X2 has been very well-behaved here. No Rapture of Dim Pro installation issues, either.

Hey Mr. Anderton. De-Esser before amp, that made me curious. Care to elaborate a little? Or point me to a place where I can learn some more? I'm curious of how and why that would affect my sound and why I should do it. Even more important - when I play a guitar tuned to B or A wouldn't that kill the attack?
 
Other than that, the "Optimizing (...) TH2" in SOS - I'd read it.
 
And I agree with you on X2 - very well behaved here as well.

ProjectM


Hmmm... I should spend Some time with it.

hmmm... yeah, reading Beep's posts here I thinking the same. I suppose I could get used to the interface after all.


What's the upgrade? $99 if I remember correctly......

The included THD amp model does "crunch with clarity" better than most REAL tube amps I've tried!