TH2 - Reviews - Music Tech Magazine

TH2 uses Overloud’s fourth-generation modelling technology, but can it stand out in a crowded market? Mike Hillier plugs in...

Price: £203.00
Manufacturer: Overloud
Website: http://www.overloud.com

TH2
Manufacturer Overloud
Price £203
Contact Time+Space 01837 55200
Web www.overloud.com
Minimum system requirements
PC 2GHz processor, Windows XP,
2GB RAM
Mac G5 processor, Mac OSX 10.5,
2GB RAM

With so many software amp and effects simulators now available, standing out from the crowd can be a tough task. Some of the big names already provide a huge selection of amps and effects and incredible levels of realism in their modelling technology. To help give TH2 the edge Overloud has created dedicated models of amps by three boutique manufacturers – Randall, Brunetti and THD. Alongside these authorised models are the usual selection of thinly veiled emulations of classic amps, such as the Bassface ’59, Darkface ’65 and Top30. Only the authorised Randall, Brunetti and THD amps come with actual graphical representations of the amps (the others have a generic amp UI) but if the names of the others aren’t enough of a hint as to the amps they model Overloud provides an additional clue by giving the amp’s country of manufacture (US or UK) next to the name.

Chain gang
The signal chain is laid out across the centre of the TH2 window, with a translucent guitar on the left indicating the input and a similarly translucent mixer on the right for the interface or DAW outputs. Modules in the chain are cabled together and you can add new modules by clicking on a cable and selecting a new module from the menu. You can also move modules by clicking and dragging them around the chain.
This system bears a passing resemblance to POD Farm’s UI, but is a little more flexible as you can move the splitter and mixer modules to allow you to split and join the signal at any stage in the signal chain (although you can’t insert additional splitters and mixers to create truly bizarre routings).The selection of amps and effects is impressive, with a good collection of models of each type, enabling you to select the effect with the voice you want instead of a generic effect for each type.

Amp appeal
The boutique amps in TH2’s arsenal will certainly appeal to some, but what really makes TH2 stand out for us is the SLR (Seamless Live Remodelling) technology, which enables you to create hybrids based on the characteristics of two different amps using a single crossfader in real time. This technology morphs the characteristics of one amp into the next as you move the slider from one side to the other, enabling you to create your own custom amp models by combining two different ones.
Interestingly, because it does this in real time you can actually morph between two amps while playing. You can even assign the knob to a MIDI expression controller to morph the sound from your feet as you play. The only problem with the SLR technology is that you can’t use it with all of the amps (in fact, you can’t use it with any of the Randall, Brunetti or THD amps at all). There are still 12 amps to select from, but having the option to blend the others as well would have made TH2 even more appealing.
In addition to being able to morph between the 12 amp models in the generic Amplifier module, this module also includes a hidden VariFire parameter that appears when you hover the mouse over the amp UI. This parameter changes the character of any of the amps from the natural sound of the amp at 0 to a bigger, more in-your-face version of the amp when dialled all the way up to 12.

Getting smart
With such much amp and effects modelling software offering a wide variety of sounds and tweakable parameters, it’s hard to imagine a guitarist not being able to find a good sound using any of them. But with so many to choose from, using the software can often become a test of your patience. To alleviate this issue TH2 has ‘Smart Connections’ – single controls that can be used to control a number of parameters simultaneously. Smart Connections can be used to switch between completely different sounds or to dial up a number of parameters together. The uses for this are obvious: for example, enabling you to quickly switch between a lead and rhythm guitar sound at the touch of a single button without having to switch presets. Instead you have all your pedals in the patch and turn some off or others on at the touch of a button.
There’s a lot in TH2 to love. The amp sounds are great and the options to tweak away to get the perfect tone are all there, plus it has one of the most advanced mic positioning emulations we’ve seen. But it’s the Smart controls that impress us most, separating the user from the minor details and letting them focus on the bigger picture. MTM

WHY BUY
Wide selection of modules
Easy to use
Great for live use

WALK ON BY
Morphing only on some amps
Not always easy to guess the inspiration for the effects

VERDICT
TH2 is a great amp sim with some unique features that should make it a popular choice.
★★★★★★★★ (8/10)

Score: 8

This review first appeared in Music Tech Magazine issue 98
Filed under Reviews, Software, Software Effects

/mtm/reviews/th2

New users, please register here

Please enter your details below to set up your new account. Fields marked with a red asterisk * are required.

Your name
*First name:
*Last name:
Job title:
Company:

Account settings
*Email address:
	Please make sure your email address is correct, as we will send you an email with a link to activate your account.
*Username:
	Choose a username between 7 and 100 characters in length, without spaces or unusual characters. You may use your email address as your username, but note that it may appear in community areas of the site where others can see it.
*Password:
*Confirm password:
	Choose a password between 7 and 100 characters in length, without spaces.
	Remember me on this computer

Your address and contact info
Address 1:

Town or city:
County or state:
Postcode or ZIP:
Country:
Telephone:
Fax:
Website:

	By registering to use the Music Tech website you agree to allow us to contact you with our Music Tech email newsletters featuring news, competitions, exclusive content and special offers, as well as with communications from our carefully selected music technology retail and manufacturer partners. If you provide phone and post details we may contact you by those means as well with special offers relating specifically to Music Tech Magazine and our other publications. WE WILL NOT PASS YOUR DETAILS TO ANY THIRD PARTY. If at any time you wish to stop receiving our email newsletter, simply follow the Unsubscribe instruction on our newsletter. Contact us by email of post if you wish your post or phone details to be removed from our database.

MTM 111	FXpansion BFD Eco Review For those who don’t want to go the whole hog and dish out for the full version of BFD 2, BFD Eco brings you many similar features...	MTM 108	Brainworx Vertigo VSC-2 Review Brainworx’s latest plug-in is modelled on a £3,600 German-built VCA compressor. Mark Cousins finds a head for heights.
MTM 108	Yamaha 01V96i Review The latest incarnation of Yamaha’s new digital console continues the evolution of the 01V. Mike Hillier takes to the stage.	MTM 107	Unity Audio The Boulder Review Can Unity Audio’s second monitor offering better the success of its first? John Pickford is bowled over...
MTM 107	Celemony Melodyne Editor 2.0 Review After breaking the mold with DNA technology, what will the latest version of Melodyne bring us? Mark Cousins tunes in.	MTM 106	MeldaProduction MAutoDynamicEq Review Part equalizer, part compressor, MAutoDynamicEq offers a unique take on frequency control. Mark Cousins takes over.
MTM 106	Event Event 20/20BAS V3 They went largely unnoticed in the UK, but Event’s original 20/20s won a huge following in the US. Huw Price meets the successor.	MTM 106	sE Munro Egg 150 Review sE has partnered with Andy Munro to hatch a new brand of monitor. Are they all they’re cracked up to be? Mike Hillier finds out.

Overloud TH2

Sign in to download this article

New users, please register here

See also...

Menu