I used a free open source software called Neural Amp Modeler by Steve Atkinson (not to be confused with the company Neural DSP) to create "snapshots" or "profiles" or captures" of the Schecter Hellwin Amplifier using neural training to recreate the amplifier's sound. Not just any Hellwin amp, but Papa Gates' very own Hellwin. That's right, the artist behind hit's like "Fistfight at the Waffle House", "Ginger Bitch", and "Grandma Was A Racist". His mojo is now downloadable to YOUR computer!
What this software does is similar to the Kemper Profiling Amp, Neural DSP Quad Cortex, ToneX etc. by taking snapshots of amplifier settings and allowing you to take that with you and share it and add on to it. Only now you don't need an expensive piece of hardware, just your computer and an audio interface. However, making neural amp models isn't exactly user friendly.
This software currently only allows you to capture the amp heads and not cabinets. So you will have to pair this with a cabinet Impulse Response (IR) file to use it. I will be providing one, but feel free to go find others and explore. Different IR's can drastically change your sound. The only IR's of a Hellwin cab available are from the Synner store but they only work with Fractal Axe FX and not with this. He has used Bogner UberKab 4x12's and Mesa Boogie 4x12's in the past, so IR's of those could get you a similar sound.
Neural Amp Modeler is a newer software and is still technically in it's Beta phase. There are known issues and the software is consistently updated. It can run as a stand alone software or as an AU/VST3 plugin in your DAW. There are certain computer requirements such as operating systems and certain hardware. Here's the GitHub Page where you can find the latest version, known issues, the code, hardware requirements, etc. At the current moment, this plugin can be very CPU intensive. There are ways for me to make snapshots that are lighter on CPU, but it will make them less accurate and I'm not interested in that.
I made 3 captures. One of each channel according to Syn's settings from the Hellwin manual.
Things needed - Computer that meets minimum requirements & Audio Interface
Installation steps:
Step 1 - Download Neural Amp Modeler
Mac Download
Windows Download
Step 2 - Install
Step 3 - Download my Hellwin amp models
Step 4 - Download this Impulse Response (IR) of a Mesa Boogie 2x12 cabinet with V30 speakers
Step 5 - Open Neural Amp Modeler
If using the standalone app, it may default to your computers built in speakers and microphone. I would mute your speakers before opening and then change the audio device to your audio interface. Otherwise there will be a loud feedback loop.
If using as a plugin in your DAW, I would recommend the same thing depending on what your DAW defaults your audio devices as.
Step 6 - Open one of the amp models using "Select model..." at the bottom
Step 7 - Open your Impulse Response using "Select IR..." at the bottom
Step 8 - Shred
There are EQ Controls and a noise gate included in this plugin that you can disable. These do not reflect the knobs of an actual Hellwin amp and are for tonal shaping and balancing.
If you are experiencing latency, try lowering your buffer settings in your DAW if using as a plugin, or in your preferences if using the standalone application. This is dependent on your computer and audio interface.
You can also download all kinds of other amp models that users have made at ToneHunt.org
What this software does is similar to the Kemper Profiling Amp, Neural DSP Quad Cortex, ToneX etc. by taking snapshots of amplifier settings and allowing you to take that with you and share it and add on to it. Only now you don't need an expensive piece of hardware, just your computer and an audio interface. However, making neural amp models isn't exactly user friendly.
This software currently only allows you to capture the amp heads and not cabinets. So you will have to pair this with a cabinet Impulse Response (IR) file to use it. I will be providing one, but feel free to go find others and explore. Different IR's can drastically change your sound. The only IR's of a Hellwin cab available are from the Synner store but they only work with Fractal Axe FX and not with this. He has used Bogner UberKab 4x12's and Mesa Boogie 4x12's in the past, so IR's of those could get you a similar sound.
Neural Amp Modeler is a newer software and is still technically in it's Beta phase. There are known issues and the software is consistently updated. It can run as a stand alone software or as an AU/VST3 plugin in your DAW. There are certain computer requirements such as operating systems and certain hardware. Here's the GitHub Page where you can find the latest version, known issues, the code, hardware requirements, etc. At the current moment, this plugin can be very CPU intensive. There are ways for me to make snapshots that are lighter on CPU, but it will make them less accurate and I'm not interested in that.
I made 3 captures. One of each channel according to Syn's settings from the Hellwin manual.
Things needed - Computer that meets minimum requirements & Audio Interface
Installation steps:
Step 1 - Download Neural Amp Modeler
Mac Download
Windows Download
Step 2 - Install
Step 3 - Download my Hellwin amp models
Step 4 - Download this Impulse Response (IR) of a Mesa Boogie 2x12 cabinet with V30 speakers
Step 5 - Open Neural Amp Modeler
If using the standalone app, it may default to your computers built in speakers and microphone. I would mute your speakers before opening and then change the audio device to your audio interface. Otherwise there will be a loud feedback loop.
If using as a plugin in your DAW, I would recommend the same thing depending on what your DAW defaults your audio devices as.
Step 6 - Open one of the amp models using "Select model..." at the bottom
Step 7 - Open your Impulse Response using "Select IR..." at the bottom
Step 8 - Shred
There are EQ Controls and a noise gate included in this plugin that you can disable. These do not reflect the knobs of an actual Hellwin amp and are for tonal shaping and balancing.
If you are experiencing latency, try lowering your buffer settings in your DAW if using as a plugin, or in your preferences if using the standalone application. This is dependent on your computer and audio interface.
You can also download all kinds of other amp models that users have made at ToneHunt.org
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