Neil Spencer Bruce

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Atomic Amplifire 12 Review

Neil Bruce

Amplifire 12 Release Thoughts

How very exciting that news of this product has just been released at the LA Amp Show. I guess this is as a result of so many users requesting more footswitches rather than wanting to pair it up with an external midi controller. I have to be honest as say that since the implementation of multiple options per footswitch which came along in version 3 of the firmware, I have ditched the midi controller and found that all I really need are 3....but obviously the potential with 12 is pretty cool if you can do the same kind of assignments as you can with the 3 switch one.

That is yet to be seen, but I can't believe that you wouldn't be able to!

On the surface it looks pretty much exactly the same as the lovely red Amplifire in terms of functionality, amps etc. and I think this makes total sense, I am not sure it would be good to potential alienate buyers of the original Amplifire in creating a 'better' version, so soon after the launch. To be honest, not that there could be much more which would make it better. Well maybe an autowah effect, pitch effect and well maybe a few more amps :)

So what do we get...

  • Two external expression pedal sockets, this is a pretty big one, as you can now use your expression pedal without needing a bodged up cable and loosing your effects loop....so that is a win!

  • An on/off switch, as simple as it seems...that is a big one for me, I am not sure why, but I do actually like to turn something of from a designated switch, rather than letting if loose power randomly when you unplug it. I know you might think me strange, but hey it is another win for me.

  • A bigger display...well I used the editor mostly, so to be honest that is a Meh from me.

  • 1/4 Jack socket for phones, that is pretty cool, but I don't tend to use it with headphones, so not fussed really but 1/4" is more inline with the headphones I own.

Atomic Amplifire 12 Review

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     So on the whole this is basically an extended foot switch version of the original and that is a really good thing for some. I am SO happy with my Amplifire (see review below) that I can't see myself upgrading (although I do like the Expression pedal option!), I think these are very exciting times for Atomic. I guess that given that the firmware is the same for the two units we can hope to see some additions coming along in the future which is pretty awesome too.

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