IK Multimedia StealthBoard
By Rob Sandall
| Posted in Music Technology
StealthBoard is being released at NAMM 2010 today by IK Multimedia, presenting a solution for guitarists who are looking to amalgamate MIDI and modelling hardware and software into a practical, controllable rig.
The use of software at home contrasted with the sounds available to guitarists while on stage has long been something of a deal breaker for the techno-savvy muso’s live aspirations. While it’s all very well to possess a bank of perfectly-tweaked tones that have been created in the comfort of the studio, there’s nothing more terrifying than the technological woes that could befall a hapless player while bouncing around on stage should he attempt to bring those tones with him. In Stealthboard, IK Multimedia is attempting to banish those fears forever with a board designed to accommodate them.
Happily timed to coincide with the release of AmpliTube 3, the company’s much-loved modelling software, IK Multimedia has made the two immediately compatible – the second you plug in the StealthBoard via a USB connection, you’ll have access to numerous preset and customisable options. Considering that the software is packing 160 different amp and effect models, this is no small benefit.
That’s not to say, though, that this product has been designed only for those packing IK’s own software. Any modelling program based on USB MIDI connection can be manipulated, finally allowing those of you with your perfect tones sat at home to bring them out into the open air.
Any hardware – amps or effects – that has MIDI functionality can be brought under the wing of the sturdy metal StealthBoard too, effectively allowing you to channel switch between the channels on your physical amp, and then hotfoot it across to your virtual creations, culminating in the ultimate guitar or bass rig without having to move away from just the one board.
There’s a total of 10 assignable switches – including the capacity for tuners and tempo-tapping – along with an expression pedal, and users can also opt to add in four extra switches (purchased separately) for further convenience, depending on how much space they have on stage. Settings can also be backed up to your computer of course, so you could in theory have multiple rig setups stored on the PC or Mac, to load up as necessary.
Note also that convenience is amplified by the three-way power options – USB, mains or battery – making a truly complete live setup an all-the-more viable, customisable option.
Shipped with Amplitube 3 Custom Shop, a slimmed-down edition that still holds numerous tweakable modelling capabilities, this board holds a phenomenal amount of potential for the gigging guitarist who likes to find the perfect sound. Which is, realistically, all of us. Expect to walk into a venue soon and find the guitarist stamping on an IK Multimedia StealthBoard.
Tags: Amplitube 3, guitar tone, IK Multimedia