AmpliTube Brian May is a guitar amp and effects collection that recreates the legendary Queen guitarist’s distinctive tones, from his custom-built Deacy amp to his triple-VOX AC30 setup, in a digital format.
Purpose and Signature Sound
This collection captures the essential elements behind Brian May’s influential guitar sound, known for its harmonized leads, punchy rhythms, and clean tones. Developed with May and his technical team, it aims to faithfully reproduce his iconic gear for a realistic playing experience. The focus is on delivering the rich, complex tone heard on countless recordings and performances.
The emulation spans from the treble booster to the amplifier and effects chain. It includes a model of his Red Special guitar as an effect, a recreation of the unique home-built Deacy amp, and the renowned triple-amp setup. A harmonizer is also present to help craft those characteristic layered leads, offering a comprehensive toolkit for exploring his musical style.
Key Gear Models and Features
The collection introduces ten new models based on May’s live and studio equipment. You get two amplifiers, three cabinets, and five effects pedals. A notable addition is the Wet-Dry-Wet signal path mode, which mirrors his exact three-amp configuration. This mode allows for a more authentic reproduction of his spatial and tonal characteristics.
The included Deacy amp simulation is particularly distinctive, with adjustable battery power to vary its response. The pedal modeled after the Red Special guitar offers a way to emulate its unique voice directly within the software. These components work together to provide an in-depth recreation of his setup, from his primary tone-shaping tools to the final amplification stage.
Workflow and Integration
AmpliTube Brian May is designed to run within the AmpliTube environment, functioning as a plugin in a digital audio workstation. It supports standard plugin formats, including VST, VST 3, AAX, and Audio Units, depending on the host application. The system requirements are modest, starting with a dual-core processor and 4 GB of RAM, though more memory is suggested for larger projects.
Users can insert this collection on a guitar track to shape their tone directly. The Wet-Dry-Wet mode can be configured to route signals to separate outputs if a multi-amp setup is desired. The harmonizer effect provides a straightforward way to create layered lead lines in real-time. The interface is built around the familiar AmpliTube layout, making it accessible to existing users.
Practical Applications
The primary application is for guitarists seeking to emulate Brian May’s sound for recording or practice. It suits rock genres, especially classic rock and progressive styles, where harmonized leads and textured rhythms are prominent. The clean tones and treble booster combination also works for pop or alternative music that requires a bright, articulate guitar sound.
The Deacy amp’s quirky character and the Red Special pedal allow for experimental tone crafting beyond a standard amp collection. The harmonizer opens up possibilities for soloing with octave or interval-based harmonies, similar to Queen’s approach. For producers, the wet-dry-wet mode can be used to create wide, immersive guitar parts in a mix, though it requires understanding of signal routing.
Key features
- Ten new models: two amps, three cabinets, five effects
- Wet-Dry-Wet signal path mode for triple-amp setup
- Treble booster effect recreated
- Red Special guitar pedal emulation
- Deacy amp simulation with adjustable battery power
- Harmonizer effect for layered leads
- Developed in collaboration with Brian May
Best for
Guitarists and producers aiming to capture Brian May’s distinctive rock tones, particularly for classic rock and progressive music. It is ideal for those wanting an authentic emulation of his triple-amp setup, Deacy amp quirks, and harmonized solo styles, suitable for both studio recording and live practice.