good comparison. the Neural slo-100 is a very good plugin. If 10 years ago they told us that for 120€ you can have that sound in your home ... you would not believe it
What I’ve always liked in these sorts of comparison videos is to dial in your favorite tone on the actual amp and then see if you can match it on the plug-in. Too many reviews get hung up on the knobs being dialed in the same and I think that’s unreasonable. Real pots are rarely going to be as linear plus those tolerances as in software and in the end, we really just care if it can get the sound we want out of the software version. I appreciate seeing this here.
I REALLY appreciate the effort that went into this comparisson. Impedance curves and their effect on everything are such an interesting topic - the reality is that the impedance curves of the speaker makes the amp work harder at the resonant bass peak and the higher frequencies. As a result of the amp having to work harder against the speakers resonance, the feel of the amp is slightly altered as well as the harmonic content. Because the amp will "catch up" a bit, this has some effect on the transient (attack) of the note, which is a big part of how we percieve audio in general. So it's a really good thing that they sent you that box. I think it shows that modelling still has some way to go (the plugin is still quite good though), but I think that in 5 years we won't be able to tell a difference.
1:1 comparisons like these are hard. A real tube head, aswell as a real cabinet will change in sound with temperature, humidity and over time. If you would have a real cabinet the room is also important.
Good test. I think I'd like to see you dial in a sound you love on the real amp and try to match it with just software. Then we know what we can actually achieve if we buy either one. It's helpful to watch someone like you with really good ears go through the process. Thanks!
I’m so happy Neural did this one. I played an SLO100 a long time ago and I’ve been chasing that tone dragon ever since. Haven’t ever played a model of one that sounded close. Now I can finally “play one” in my apartment. This plugin is so damn good.
That was the best comparisons of tone between the real Amp and the Plugin I've heard. Very useful, thorough, and instructive video. What a great sound! Thanks To get close to that sound on my HX Stomp Soldano Preset, I turned up the Drive, Bass, and Prescence to 8, and turned the Low Cut on the speaker cab (4x12 SoloLead EM) to Off.
You have guitars, probably a car, a phone and other shit. Yet you can't afford a damn amp? How about you save a little and eat less for a couple months or don't use the car and instead a bike or whatever you can do to save up some cash? Deliver food on the side, offer guitar setups or whatever.
I never thought I would rather have a modeling or profiling pedal over an amp. But the quad cortex is on the top of my list of gear I want. Over all the amps that have been added to that list over the years. The way it is now I can have a uad solo tb3, a quad cortex, an electric drum set, electric guitar, bass, and acoustic guitar, a midi keyboard, and a l22 modeling mic and with any Mac you literally have everything you need to make professional sounding music recordings. An entire recording studio in the space of a small desk. Throw in the softtube fader and console for a control surface and bam. The perfect setup. And to think they spent millions of dollars on hardware at the recording studio I grew up going to.
Great stuff, Bea! 🤘🏻🎸🤙🏼 I’m an older heavy-metal guy, and haven’t really played any official gigs since the mid 90s. So, I recently had more time during this pandemic to do a deep dive, and update my tone. And get a little more modern with my Metal, ha ha. I just discovered GarageBand, and plug-ins, about six months ago. So I’ve been writing some cool stuff again. Well, hopefully it’s cool. I just came across your channel. I had just seen you on one of Ola‘s videos, from when you all were in Sweden performing with Steve Vai. So looks like I’m about three years behind, but better late than never. Thanks for the demo, that might be the first plug-in I’m gonna pay for. I knew I would have to end up paying to get something that sounds awesome. Still, totally inexpensive compared to buying new... and these free ones just don’t cut it, hard to get them tight, and sounding heavy, and more “real.” Thanks, man! Catch you later. 👍🏻🎸🇺🇸
Have tried a bunch of Neural Plugs. Must admit that Soldano is by far their most versatile thing. Can pretty much play any Genre with the right tweaking. And the presets are really amazing.
Did you also try the Gojira one? I'm thinking about getting this one as my first paid VST since I love Gojira and read in some reviews that it can also play most(if not any) kinds of metal with its versatility
@agoniavr The Gojira plugin is based on a 5150. The 5150 is probably the most used amp in modern metal, so yeah. Also it's basically a cheaper copy of a Soldano, but it's got it's own sound nonetheless. It's pretty versatile, especially with the effects, 3 channels, and three cabs. However it's also that sound everyone uses. I want something tasty that isn't what everyone else is using. The note separation of the SLO is something I want, because I love big extended chords with tones of gain, and I can make anything chug.
The difference(s) in sound will be driven by more than just the tolerancing on the control pots. You will have tolerancing differences in ALL component values in the signal path, and these will not always combine linearly. You could have differences in bias point between the (real) amp and the one Neural used for their plugin. There could be differences in the preamp/power amp valves' parametrics used in the real amp and the one Neural used for their sim. Then there is the load components differences ... There are so many subtle differences to control for ... Obviously, these variances are easy to control for with settings differences, but in many videos I watch comparison "shootouts" between plugins and hardware, and the idea that the same settings ought to yield the same audio profile strikes me as comparing apples to carburetors. I'm actually amazed that the same panel settings on hardware and software are as close as they are. Hat tip to Neural for that. The most "statistical" way to model any amp like the SLO would be to characterize many, many SLO amps and then pick an amp to use that most nearly represents a median (50%-tile) value to use for the SLO model ... But that's pretty cost-prohibitive. When I used to create simulation models for SPICE-type circuit simulators this is the approach we took, but we were modeling a single device type which cost pennies or a few dollars each, not a US$5k amp.
I had an amp designed and modelled after moded SLO and I did similar comparison myself, running through the same IR, started with knobs set abou the same, after bit of tweaking I was able to get both sounding really close. So close I decided to move completely into the box for my home jamming thing
Just tracked some heavy guitars for one of our new songs with this plug in x lundgren pkups, excited to see how it turns out! Still on a waiting list for the ithiryl , and itchin', please tell Rob to quit playing around on the beach and make some more guitars lol!
Great vid my dude. For all the variables that go into it, this was one of the most comprehensive and consistent comparisons I’ve seen. I gotta say those sounded pretty damn identical after you tweaked them a bit. Well done!💯💯🤘😬
My words of choice on all settings are, Amp = Round sounds Sim = Flat sounds. No eq or gain will fix that, but they have come real close these days, In certain mixes most likely not noticeable. Great comparo vid thx
First off, great hair. Very 1999 Omar and Cedric/At the Drive In Listening through a set of Bowers and Wilkins PX7's. Your assessment at 6:49 and 14:26 and spot on. The amp sounds more "alive" even tweaking the 20%. I agree it's super close though. That "alive" won't be decernable (sure I spelled that wrong) to the average listener. I'm sure even to seasoned guitar players who burn fuel on this sort of thing the "alive" will blend out in the mix of a song. I'll be buying this thanks to this video. Great demo. Guess I'm going to be on the Neural train now. Mind doing the Fortin Cali next in this style of review? Asking for a friend ......
There is no way you'll ever hear the difference within a mix of a tune. Whoever says they'll be able to hear the difference, well...they're not honest with themselves. We are experiencing the best days for guitar playing and recording. Great job Rabea!
Thanks for the great Content as always Rabea! these vids bring me back to the days when I hung out at the guitar store locally and helped test out gear the guys at the store would get in. from new amps to digital interfaces. and this would have been about 25 years ago. Never apologize for sweating my friend! its ok to "Glisten"!! The human body is a sweat machine! Embrace the sweat... lol
Nice demo, Bea. I just recently bought the Plini plugin since I moved and had to sell all my gear except one guitar (PRS Mikael Akerfeldt sig). For the price, it’s amazing what Neural does with their plugins.
I'll certainly admit they are closer than I thought they would be but there is still an openness with the amp that maybe just can't yet be modeled (although it certainly won't be long if that's the case). I have an SLO I acquired in '89 and I own everything Neural so I reckon I have little bias in the situation. I appreciate your time doing this, the tech is getting quite amazing. Regards.
It was already a bargain, but I just picked it up on Black Friday price. I have a feeling Soldano won't be my last Neural plugin. . . But thanks for the demo on this. I thought this was a really great test and I appreciate the work put into it by both you and Neural DSP.
Rebea, I absolutely love these kind of videos. Now is it possible to change the speakers on the plugin to get that brighter sound as with the greenbacks . Can we change the ir in the plugin? Any case I love this plugin. It definitely sounds great to me. Nural is doing a great job. And your videos are awesome. Thanks again. Did you watch Pete thorn video on the comparison. He used the Suhr load box . It seemed to get pretty close as well. 😎🎸👍
As SLO is the best amp, this plugin is the best sounding plugin I've tried. Also, structure of the gain is 98% the same. Very good test. Good job, Neural DSP.
You are right about the load boxes..I have a Suhr Reactive Load,a Fractal X-Load,and a Fryette PS2…Each one sounds very different……Couldn’t you match the impedance curve of the V30 on the TAE since it has adjustable curves?…that plug-in sounds killer though…really close to the real amp all things considered…
The plug definitely captures the spirit of the amp, even if the knobs need to be twiddled a bit. I thought on the gain sound the plug still had quite a bit more mid-range than the real amp did. 20 years ago we would have killed to get this sound in the comfort of our own home for only 100 bucks.
Similar experience here as when Fluff did the same comparison. The real amp to me has more sizzle. Sounds more open and not as choked off when settings are the same. But when you adjust them they can sound pretty much identical. The real amp overall sounds brighter as well to my ears.
My view is that I’ll always choose the amp over the plugin. That’s just a no-brainer if you have your choice. In a vacuum I could tell just enough to say I like the amp a little better. But wow, not readily apparent unless you listen. But now, once you sit it in a mix, it’s almost impossible to really tell. And since I mainly record, the plugin basically does everything the amp would do for me. It sounds awesome. Kind of reminds me how close my Bogner mini red/blue pedals sound to the real Bogner ecstasy. Good enough!
Hi Rabea, this is a great review and I like how you tried to really tried to match the SLO and plugin by changing the amp to get close. I listened with headphones and for me they are close and it is phenomenal to get a SLO for so cheap compared to thousands £ for the real amp. However I did feel the plugin felt slightly choked, or a better way to put it the real amp had this extra airiness zing on top, marginal but can be heard.
A lot of the stuff you were talking about is WAY over my head (loads, resistance, etc), but I really enjoyed this video since I'm considering investing in a Soldano (albeit, the 30w version). I dont perform, but I may try recording one day when my playing is good enough.
Any particular reason you chose to adjust the amp first instead of the plug-in? I would think I’d do it the other way around to get the plug-in to sound more like the amp in lieu of meeting in the middle. But I get the 20% too. Awesome stuff as always, brother.
Plugin felt like it had the pick attack transients quite a bit more compressed. Compressor set to a slow-ish Attack (say, 30-40ms), fast Release, low Ratio (2:1, maybe even 1.5:1 if available) and some 3 dB of Gain Reduction would probably do the trick.
The plugin sounds smoother which could probably be attributed to dynamic ability or lack there of. The amp sounds richer: greater clarity / presence & punch. Like you said, for the price difference and how close the plugin gets...it's not a bad deal.
NGL in most of the side-by-side stuff I've listened to, including most of this one, the DSP sounds a bit muffled in comparison. I tabbed away for a bit though, and the thing that made me make stank face and flip back to see which it was, was the DSP. Pretty impressive.
The presence boost on the plug-in made a very audilbe difference. It suddenly sounded much more like the real SLO after you raised it a bit. The real SLO had a definite upper midrange bite.
Hi Rabea, it's very weird -> for me the amp have more air on crunch channel but in overdrive the plug-in is clearer and more organic... It's my hear but it's very close and two monster amps ! Thank you for the test
That difference you hear is the exact difference which makes me hate Amp SIms in a mix. Real Amps + Real Cabs have some kind of more focused mids which brings the guitars to life in a mix and let them standout. Every time i try to do a mix with digital amps they are so much more muddy and reserved in comparison.
This is very useful. As a matter of fact, it seems to me that the impedance curve (of V30) that the loadbox is providing back to the "real" amp is missing in the NDSP SLO. I notice this with definetly all modelers. What you think about trying to use IRs which provide Impedance curve blend, such as Redwirez? Use the same IR with Z on the plugin track, and without Z on the amp track. I suspect they'll become closer
Awesome video, nice work! I love how far these plugins have come - it's nuts! I have so many NEW questions about load boxes now (yikes!) Are you saying that passive load boxes can actually color the sound, and that they don't simply spit out the direct sound of the amp? Or are you saying that these particular load boxes have a speaker simulator that can't be bypassed?
it would be interesting to compare two exactly identical SLO heads to see how much difference there is between them! that 20% rule should be valid as well, there are many factors that second that, the first one being the preamp tubes...none of them sound exactly the same even if they are all 12ax7. What is really important is that you can get a great sound that is really similar to the real head with just the plugin and some tweaking...and that is fantastic!
Suhr`s loadbox simpy different type of load - reactive-resonance, while Torpedo is just reactive load (and it seems that UAD OX also falls into this category). Not because just diffence between emulated cabinet. For example st.Rock REACT:IR is also reactive-resonance loadbox tuned to V30, but it sounds closer to Suhr`s solution, just because of similar approach.
very close but..the real amp has more layers to the great sound...where as the plugin is more of a one layer of great sound..id buy both too haha...thx for a great video. peace.
Great demo! I think if you played it in the context of a recording, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference! With the real amp, the main difference is the mids! It's impossible, i think, to emulate that sound, but i am considering getting this!
Hey Rabea, thanks for that vid ! Im an unrelenting follower of yours ;) I also got a copy of the slo plugin directly after seeing your first demo and im still be taken away from it. but i got a general question to you : i like to use my old pedals infront of such a plugin. so i just plug everything between the guitar and the interface. its comming out something but its just like im feeling not that well with this. So do you think it is a good way to drive a big fuzz p.e. into an audio interface ? can it handle this or am i missing something in between ? how would you use your pedals with a softwareplugin ?
Have watched the video some time ago, back again here after buying the plug-in… :) Wonder one thing: Going from Guitar to Amp to loadbox to… Interface into daw. Going from Guitar to Interface into DAW with plug-in. So your Guitar Signal runs through your Interface with a preamp engaged? In what setting? How much Output is going to your DAW from your Guitar to drive the virtual Preamp of the Plug-in? That’s what I somehow wonder on my focusrite: what setting would match the „real thing“ , playing straight into the real Amp, as it would influence Gain and maybe treble on the amp when driving it with lower signal. But: does it matter as long as it sounds good?
I‘m using this plugin and I really enjoy the tone of if. But one thing I‘m struggling with is feedback & noise. In your videos, the sound is always controlled and „quiet“, whereas I need to twiddle that noise gate control like crazy. I‘m using a Focusrite Scarlet 212 and Adam A7X monitors with a Macbook Pro. Do you have any idea what could be the problem?
I'd love you to try Audio Assault plugins and compare to amps not sure if you have an EVH 5150 III or VHT Pitbull (their plugin on the pitbull is coming soon). They are so cheap and I love the sound of their plugins especially with external IRs and fx.
rabea the type of guy to prioritize buying guitar gear instead of an air conditioner
Hahah yeah, I turn it off when i shoot. Just a little air flow unit for that room but you can hear it when it’s on hahah
Z
@@RabeaMassaad get AC, even a cheap one. IT is great.
good comparison. the Neural slo-100 is a very good plugin. If 10 years ago they told us that for 120€ you can have that sound in your home ... you would not believe it
I know right?! So good that we all have access to those tones! Hahah
I totally agree. It's crazy... Even amp sims for phones these days are becoming so good!
I've got the SLO plug-in, and it's amazing. Best thing is getting that harmonic feedback.
When I tested Gojira plug in, I thought this cannot be bested. But soldano did it.
What I’ve always liked in these sorts of comparison videos is to dial in your favorite tone on the actual amp and then see if you can match it on the plug-in. Too many reviews get hung up on the knobs being dialed in the same and I think that’s unreasonable. Real pots are rarely going to be as linear plus those tolerances as in software and in the end, we really just care if it can get the sound we want out of the software version. I appreciate seeing this here.
I'm pretty sure two real amps would not sound the same with the exact same knob positions either.
I REALLY appreciate the effort that went into this comparisson. Impedance curves and their effect on everything are such an interesting topic - the reality is that the impedance curves of the speaker makes the amp work harder at the resonant bass peak and the higher frequencies. As a result of the amp having to work harder against the speakers resonance, the feel of the amp is slightly altered as well as the harmonic content. Because the amp will "catch up" a bit, this has some effect on the transient (attack) of the note, which is a big part of how we percieve audio in general.
So it's a really good thing that they sent you that box.
I think it shows that modelling still has some way to go (the plugin is still quite good though), but I think that in 5 years we won't be able to tell a difference.
1:1 comparisons like these are hard. A real tube head, aswell as a real cabinet will change in sound with temperature, humidity and over time.
If you would have a real cabinet the room is also important.
Good test. I think I'd like to see you dial in a sound you love on the real amp and try to match it with just software. Then we know what we can actually achieve if we buy either one. It's helpful to watch someone like you with really good ears go through the process. Thanks!
Never tried the SLO100 but everything I tried from the Neural DSP sounded great!
I’m so happy Neural did this one. I played an SLO100 a long time ago and I’ve been chasing that tone dragon ever since. Haven’t ever played a model of one that sounded close. Now I can finally “play one” in my apartment.
This plugin is so damn good.
13:45 @tinyhugs with the "too-loud" broom handle to the ceiling!
That was the best comparisons of tone between the real Amp and the Plugin I've heard. Very useful, thorough, and instructive video. What a great sound! Thanks
To get close to that sound on my HX Stomp Soldano Preset, I turned up the Drive, Bass, and Prescence to 8, and turned the Low Cut on the speaker cab (4x12 SoloLead EM) to Off.
The plug-in is a decent emulation, but man that SLO amp is just incredible! I wish I could afford to get the 30W version.
I too would love the 30. It would probably still be too loud, but it would sound sick.
You have guitars, probably a car, a phone and other shit. Yet you can't afford a damn amp? How about you save a little and eat less for a couple months or don't use the car and instead a bike or whatever you can do to save up some cash? Deliver food on the side, offer guitar setups or whatever.
@@chrisking6695 Stop talking
I never thought I would rather have a modeling or profiling pedal over an amp. But the quad cortex is on the top of my list of gear I want. Over all the amps that have been added to that list over the years. The way it is now I can have a uad solo tb3, a quad cortex, an electric drum set, electric guitar, bass, and acoustic guitar, a midi keyboard, and a l22 modeling mic and with any Mac you literally have everything you need to make professional sounding music recordings. An entire recording studio in the space of a small desk. Throw in the softtube fader and console for a control surface and bam. The perfect setup. And to think they spent millions of dollars on hardware at the recording studio I grew up going to.
Great stuff, Bea! 🤘🏻🎸🤙🏼
I’m an older heavy-metal guy, and haven’t really played any official gigs since the mid 90s.
So, I recently had more time during this pandemic to do a deep dive, and update my tone. And get a little more modern with my Metal, ha ha.
I just discovered GarageBand, and plug-ins, about six months ago. So I’ve been writing some cool stuff again. Well, hopefully it’s cool.
I just came across your channel. I had just seen you on one of Ola‘s videos, from when you all were in Sweden performing with Steve Vai. So looks like I’m about three years behind, but better late than never.
Thanks for the demo, that might be the first plug-in I’m gonna pay for. I knew I would have to end up paying to get something that sounds awesome. Still, totally inexpensive compared to buying new... and these free ones just don’t cut it, hard to get them tight, and sounding heavy, and more “real.”
Thanks, man! Catch you later. 👍🏻🎸🇺🇸
Have tried a bunch of Neural Plugs. Must admit that Soldano is by far their most versatile thing. Can pretty much play any Genre with the right tweaking. And the presets are really amazing.
It can really do it all. The cleans on it are amazing and warm.
Did you also try the Gojira one? I'm thinking about getting this one as my first paid VST since I love Gojira and read in some reviews that it can also play most(if not any) kinds of metal with its versatility
@agoniavr The Gojira plugin is based on a 5150. The 5150 is probably the most used amp in modern metal, so yeah. Also it's basically a cheaper copy of a Soldano, but it's got it's own sound nonetheless. It's pretty versatile, especially with the effects, 3 channels, and three cabs. However it's also that sound everyone uses. I want something tasty that isn't what everyone else is using. The note separation of the SLO is something I want, because I love big extended chords with tones of gain, and I can make anything chug.
There will never be better comparison reviews compared to Rabea's
That's the perfect strat bridge tone
The difference(s) in sound will be driven by more than just the tolerancing on the control pots.
You will have tolerancing differences in ALL component values in the signal path, and these will not always combine linearly. You could have differences in bias point between the (real) amp and the one Neural used for their plugin. There could be differences in the preamp/power amp valves' parametrics used in the real amp and the one Neural used for their sim. Then there is the load components differences ... There are so many subtle differences to control for ...
Obviously, these variances are easy to control for with settings differences, but in many videos I watch comparison "shootouts" between plugins and hardware, and the idea that the same settings ought to yield the same audio profile strikes me as comparing apples to carburetors. I'm actually amazed that the same panel settings on hardware and software are as close as they are. Hat tip to Neural for that.
The most "statistical" way to model any amp like the SLO would be to characterize many, many SLO amps and then pick an amp to use that most nearly represents a median (50%-tile) value to use for the SLO model ... But that's pretty cost-prohibitive. When I used to create simulation models for SPICE-type circuit simulators this is the approach we took, but we were modeling a single device type which cost pennies or a few dollars each, not a US$5k amp.
Just bought the Neural Soldano plug in 2 days ago. It's amazing the tone this has! Glad you did a side by side of this.
I had an amp designed and modelled after moded SLO and I did similar comparison myself, running through the same IR, started with knobs set abou the same, after bit of tweaking I was able to get both sounding really close. So close I decided to move completely into the box for my home jamming thing
Probably the best thought out and equal comparison. I mean, he even got the reactive load box from Neural. First comparison I’ve seen that. 👍🏻
Just tracked some heavy guitars for one of our new songs with this plug in x lundgren pkups, excited to see how it turns out! Still on a waiting list for the ithiryl , and itchin', please tell Rob to quit playing around on the beach and make some more guitars lol!
Soldano mmmm 😋 best sounding amp I ever played, now I can afford to bring it home , in a plug in anyway. 🤘🏽
Amplitube user here, which is fun for home use but I just heard of Neural DSP, this vid really opened my eyes.
Test seemed super fair and wow, they did sound very close. Thanks Bea, I see a new plug-in coming my way. Cheers from Nashville, TN
Great vid my dude. For all the variables that go into it, this was one of the most comprehensive and consistent comparisons I’ve seen. I gotta say those sounded pretty damn identical after you tweaked them a bit. Well done!💯💯🤘😬
I'm getting this plugin holy crap its sounds incredible
Great comparison test Rabea!! Your attention for tone is simply MAJESTIC.
Cool vid, damn that SLO is just a dream amp, just glad this plug in exists so I get to own one virtually at least!
My words of choice on all settings are, Amp = Round sounds Sim = Flat sounds. No eq or gain will fix that, but they have come real close these days, In certain mixes most likely not noticeable. Great comparo vid thx
The quality of your channel is unparalleled. Great video!
First off, great hair. Very 1999 Omar and Cedric/At the Drive In
Listening through a set of Bowers and Wilkins PX7's. Your assessment at 6:49 and 14:26 and spot on. The amp sounds more "alive" even tweaking the 20%. I agree it's super close though. That "alive" won't be decernable (sure I spelled that wrong) to the average listener. I'm sure even to seasoned guitar players who burn fuel on this sort of thing the "alive" will blend out in the mix of a song.
I'll be buying this thanks to this video. Great demo. Guess I'm going to be on the Neural train now.
Mind doing the Fortin Cali next in this style of review? Asking for a friend ......
that mayones guitar, I'm drooling
I love mayonnaise
Best guitars in the world
Wish that someone in my country sold them
There is no way you'll ever hear the difference within a mix of a tune. Whoever says they'll be able to hear the difference, well...they're not honest with themselves. We are experiencing the best days for guitar playing and recording. Great job Rabea!
Thanks for the great Content as always Rabea! these vids bring me back to the days when I hung out at the guitar store locally and helped test out gear the guys at the store would get in. from new amps to digital interfaces. and this would have been about 25 years ago. Never apologize for sweating my friend! its ok to "Glisten"!! The human body is a sweat machine! Embrace the sweat... lol
for only 120 dollars ! that has to be the best plugin for amps !!
Nice demo, Bea. I just recently bought the Plini plugin since I moved and had to sell all my gear except one guitar (PRS Mikael Akerfeldt sig). For the price, it’s amazing what Neural does with their plugins.
Soldano SLO100 is the best plugin they've made so far!
I'll certainly admit they are closer than I thought they would be but there is still an openness with the amp that maybe just can't yet be modeled (although it certainly won't be long if that's the case). I have an SLO I acquired in '89 and I own everything Neural so I reckon I have little bias in the situation. I appreciate your time doing this, the tech is getting quite amazing. Regards.
great playing and sounds in this video !!!
Hope your recovery with your knee is going well !! 👍
I love the Darkglass case repurposed into a load box.
ah man that Amp sounds lushhhh. And I'm ngl the plug-in recorded shocked me tbh. These digital sounds have come a looooong way in recent years
It was already a bargain, but I just picked it up on Black Friday price. I have a feeling Soldano won't be my last Neural plugin. . . But thanks for the demo on this. I thought this was a really great test and I appreciate the work put into it by both you and Neural DSP.
Rebea, I absolutely love these kind of videos. Now is it possible to change the speakers on the plugin to get that brighter sound as with the greenbacks . Can we change the ir in the plugin?
Any case I love this plugin. It definitely sounds great to me.
Nural is doing a great job. And your videos are awesome. Thanks again. Did you watch Pete thorn video on the comparison. He used the Suhr load box . It seemed to get pretty close as well. 😎🎸👍
As SLO is the best amp, this plugin is the best sounding plugin I've tried. Also, structure of the gain is 98% the same. Very good test. Good job, Neural DSP.
I gotta say, the plugin sounds more like it would with a cab in a room while the real amp sounds beautifully mic'd.
You are right about the load boxes..I have a Suhr Reactive Load,a Fractal X-Load,and a Fryette PS2…Each one sounds very different……Couldn’t you match the impedance curve of the V30 on the TAE since it has adjustable curves?…that plug-in sounds killer though…really close to the real amp all things considered…
Its really close, but damn how great the real amps sound is just sick!
The plug definitely captures the spirit of the amp, even if the knobs need to be twiddled a bit. I thought on the gain sound the plug still had quite a bit more mid-range than the real amp did. 20 years ago we would have killed to get this sound in the comfort of our own home for only 100 bucks.
Similar experience here as when Fluff did the same comparison. The real amp to me has more sizzle. Sounds more open and not as choked off when settings are the same. But when you adjust them they can sound pretty much identical. The real amp overall sounds brighter as well to my ears.
By far the best guitar plugin ive ever bought. I definitely will use it live!
Thanks for the vid. awesome as always! Really cool test, the best ive seen so far. Love the SLO plugin. My AMP 1 is on vacation right now :)
And the soldano..eargasm! Both the real thing and plugin! With some tweaking they are twins 👌
Thanks for the review/comparison helped me decide to buy it
My view is that I’ll always choose the amp over the plugin. That’s just a no-brainer if you have your choice. In a vacuum I could tell just enough to say I like the amp a little better. But wow, not readily apparent unless you listen. But now, once you sit it in a mix, it’s almost impossible to really tell. And since I mainly record, the plugin basically does everything the amp would do for me. It sounds awesome. Kind of reminds me how close my Bogner mini red/blue pedals sound to the real Bogner ecstasy. Good enough!
Hi Rabea, this is a great review and I like how you tried to really tried to match the SLO and plugin by changing the amp to get close.
I listened with headphones and for me they are close and it is phenomenal to get a SLO for so cheap compared to thousands £ for the real amp.
However I did feel the plugin felt slightly choked, or a better way to put it the real amp had this extra airiness zing on top, marginal but can be heard.
It’s crazy how well they did with this plugin even still today
Nice attention to detail! It was really interesting to see this vid!
This video is legit af. Your attention to detail for making this a far comparison is on point. Keep making cool fucking videos man🤘🏼
Where's that Neural DSP 'Rabea' coupon code for the plugin then? 😅
I'm not a tube snob but in this case the SLO wipes the floor with the sim. Maybe a capture would be closer?
that is really, really close. I do think it was a fair test. You'd have to tweak two of any amp to make them match.
Got mine. I love it!
I think this was the best comparison video.
I would've loved to hear you also compare it with the SLO100 in the QC...
A lot of the stuff you were talking about is WAY over my head (loads, resistance, etc), but I really enjoyed this video since I'm considering investing in a Soldano (albeit, the 30w version). I dont perform, but I may try recording one day when my playing is good enough.
Any particular reason you chose to adjust the amp first instead of the plug-in? I would think I’d do it the other way around to get the plug-in to sound more like the amp in lieu of meeting in the middle. But I get the 20% too. Awesome stuff as always, brother.
Plugin felt like it had the pick attack transients quite a bit more compressed. Compressor set to a slow-ish Attack (say, 30-40ms), fast Release, low Ratio (2:1, maybe even 1.5:1 if available) and some 3 dB of Gain Reduction would probably do the trick.
The plugin sounds smoother which could probably be attributed to dynamic ability or lack there of. The amp sounds richer: greater clarity / presence & punch.
Like you said, for the price difference and how close the plugin gets...it's not a bad deal.
NGL in most of the side-by-side stuff I've listened to, including most of this one, the DSP sounds a bit muffled in comparison. I tabbed away for a bit though, and the thing that made me make stank face and flip back to see which it was, was the DSP. Pretty impressive.
Nice, gauging interest on a potential Neural DSP loadbox, I see you Neural DSP.
This plugin kicks-ass - especially if you compare price of plugin with price of real amp
Thank you for the inspiring and detail tests.
The presence boost on the plug-in made a very audilbe difference. It suddenly sounded much more like the real SLO after you raised it a bit. The real SLO had a definite upper midrange bite.
You know what video we need next..... Load Box Vs Load Box! V30 vs Green Back load Box
Hi Rabea, it's very weird -> for me the amp have more air on crunch channel but in overdrive the plug-in is clearer and more organic...
It's my hear but it's very close and two monster amps !
Thank you for the test
That difference you hear is the exact difference which makes me hate Amp SIms in a mix. Real Amps + Real Cabs have some kind of more focused mids which brings the guitars to life in a mix and let them standout. Every time i try to do a mix with digital amps they are so much more muddy and reserved in comparison.
It's the harmonics. Everything thing sounds almost rubbery compared to the real thing.
This is very useful. As a matter of fact, it seems to me that the impedance curve (of V30) that the loadbox is providing back to the "real" amp is missing in the NDSP SLO. I notice this with definetly all modelers. What you think about trying to use IRs which provide Impedance curve blend, such as Redwirez? Use the same IR with Z on the plugin track, and without Z on the amp track. I suspect they'll become closer
The real amp is so much aggressive than the plug in. Great comparison dude for those like me who can’t afford the real SLO 🤌🏻🤙🏼
Hey Bea, also please consider a comparation between the neural DSP and the Amplitube which also have official Soldano SLO.
No real need, amplitube is far inferior both amp sim and cab IR's
Amplitube is galaxies behind the Neural DSP stuff...
Yeah I’d like to hear his opinions on that comparison too. Good thinking.
Awesome video, nice work! I love how far these plugins have come - it's nuts!
I have so many NEW questions about load boxes now (yikes!) Are you saying that passive load boxes can actually color the sound, and that they don't simply spit out the direct sound of the amp? Or are you saying that these particular load boxes have a speaker simulator that can't be bypassed?
Great Fantastic \m/ The plugin really comes very close to real sound.
you've got it nailed by the time you decided to add reverb.
it would be interesting to compare two exactly identical SLO heads to see how much difference there is between them! that 20% rule should be valid as well, there are many factors that second that, the first one being the preamp tubes...none of them sound exactly the same even if they are all 12ax7. What is really important is that you can get a great sound that is really similar to the real head with just the plugin and some tweaking...and that is fantastic!
wow.. that's still being close enough for me, if we consider the price of both.. thanks for the comparison!
I noticed your clipping the output of your Apollo, hope that's not affecting the sound comparison. Great sounding plugin BTW
Suhr`s loadbox simpy different type of load - reactive-resonance, while Torpedo is just reactive load (and it seems that UAD OX also falls into this category).
Not because just diffence between emulated cabinet. For example st.Rock REACT:IR is also reactive-resonance loadbox tuned to V30, but it sounds closer to Suhr`s solution, just because of similar approach.
very close but..the real amp has more layers to the great sound...where as the plugin is more of a one layer of great sound..id buy both too haha...thx for a great video. peace.
Nice demo, what is the song playing @18:55?
Great demo! I think if you played it in the context of a recording, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference! With the real amp, the main difference is the mids! It's impossible, i think, to emulate that sound, but i am considering getting this!
Hey Rabea, thanks for that vid ! Im an unrelenting follower of yours ;)
I also got a copy of the slo plugin directly after seeing your first demo and im still be taken away from it.
but i got a general question to you : i like to use my old pedals infront of such a plugin. so i just plug everything between the guitar and the interface. its comming out something but its just like im feeling not that well with this. So do you think it is a good way to drive a big fuzz p.e. into an audio interface ? can it handle this or am i missing something in between ? how would you use your pedals with a softwareplugin ?
Have watched the video some time ago, back again here after buying the plug-in… :)
Wonder one thing:
Going from Guitar to Amp to loadbox to… Interface into daw.
Going from Guitar to Interface into DAW with plug-in. So your Guitar Signal runs through your Interface with a preamp engaged? In what setting? How much Output is going to your DAW from your Guitar to drive the virtual Preamp of the Plug-in?
That’s what I somehow wonder on my focusrite: what setting would match the „real thing“ , playing straight into the real Amp, as it would influence Gain and maybe treble on the amp when driving it with lower signal.
But: does it matter as long as it sounds good?
I‘m using this plugin and I really enjoy the tone of if. But one thing I‘m struggling with is feedback & noise. In your videos, the sound is always controlled and „quiet“, whereas I need to twiddle that noise gate control like crazy. I‘m using a Focusrite Scarlet 212 and Adam A7X monitors with a Macbook Pro. Do you have any idea what could be the problem?
Great plugin! definitely my go to when I give my revv the night off! 😆
loved the video!
May sound similar but does it “feel” the same when playing the cortex?
Great video,keep it up!🟡⬛🟡⬛🟡⬛
The plugin sounds like if the input gain was lower than the one of the amp. Did you try to boost it a little bit ? Maybe it would sound even closer
I was just going to say the same thing. It makes a huge difference on these Neural plugins.
Nope may as well have been said in mandarin but I’m stupid and your accent is great so I enjoyed it!!
Damn, Bea ... now I need an SLO! :)
... and you need an ABY box, dude!
I'd love you to try Audio Assault plugins and compare to amps not sure if you have an EVH 5150 III or VHT Pitbull (their plugin on the pitbull is coming soon). They are so cheap and I love the sound of their plugins especially with external IRs and fx.