ADVANCED QUANTUM MECHANICS.
AN UPDATE THAT IS EASIER TO HEAR AND FEEL THAN TO DESCRIBE.
THIS TIME IT’S ALL ABOUT FINE TUNING.
AMP TUNING
There are no new amp models in Quantum 6. How could there be? Pretty much every decent amp ever created is already in there. However, the amp modelling has undergone a bit of fine tuning; interaction between the output transformer and the power tubes has been improved, which results in more defined overtones. The Amp block plate clipping modelling has also received some love and attention, with the result being a more dynamic and open tone. Numerous further incremental improvements serve to enhance the authenticity and playing feel.
Once again the sound of your existing presets will not automatically be affected by the update. To make use of the new algorithms the Modeling Version parameter on the ADV page of the Amp block must first be set to ‘Latest’. In Axe-Edit this parameter can be found on the Preamp page at the bottom right.
TONE MATCH TUNING
One very useful improvement that you might not notice at first glance is in the Tone Match block. A new menu page, Monitor, allows the real-time monitoring of differences in frequency response. This can be used to identify differences in tone stack response when matching real amps.
WAH TUNING
The Wah block has received much love this time around and the result is a great improvement. Two new parameters have been added, allowing the idiosyncrasies of pretty much every wah available on the market today to be accurately reproduced. To make use of all the advantages of the new algorithms it is recommended that you reset the block. This can be done by simply selecting a different wah type and then reselecting the desired model.
PRESET TUNING
The factory presets have also been tuned to take full advantage of all the changes in Quantum 6.
FIVE FIXES
A handful of small bug fixes completes the update.
The new firmware and presets are, as always, completely free of charge and can be downloaded for the AX8, Axe-Fx II and Axe-Fx II XL+ from our support site.