MINIREVIEW: NOMAD FACTORY ROCK AMP LEGENDS

Apr 6, 2005 1:35 PM, By Jason Scott Alexander

Known for its amazing sounding Blue Tubes bundle, Nomad Factory has collaborated with world-famous guitarist Jimmy Crespo for its latest plug-in effort. Contracted to custom-build the “definitive guitar amp simulator plug-in,” Crespo worked in the studio with the engineers to capture impulse responses of legendary tube gear, including the 100W JCM800 and Super Lead Plexi head from Marshall, the Vox AC-30, the Matchless Chieftain, the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier and the Fender Twin and Tweed. Although the 18 amp and cabinet simulations aren’t specifically laid out by brand, the 82 factory presets do a profound job of sonically identifying their unmistakable characters. The front panel provides typical master, presence, treble, mid, bass and drive controls along with a knob for dialing in reverb. Flipping the FX switch takes you around back to an assortment of rather generic-sounding effects, including tremolo, auto-pan, delay, chorus/phaser, EQ, compressor, gate and stereo imager. I would rather have seen effects modeled on classic stompboxes for a more authentic vintage vibe, but you can always insert your favorite plug-ins to the chain for this.

Whether it’s a crisp solid-state amp you’re after or that distinctive roar and larger-than-life tube edge of the Marshall models, the tones here are rich and velvety. The lead sounds, especially, exhibit a beautifully full character with gobs of overdrive and liquid sustain that transforms naturally into interweaving bands of feedback. If you’re looking to effortlessly implement coveted British and American amp tones, Rock Amp Legends reproduces the responsiveness and feel of these amps to a tee.

For more information about Nomad Factory, visit www.nomadfactory.com.

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