Next, I selected StealthPedal from the menu on the upper right of the GUI and turned it on. Selecting StealthPedal as the Input audio interface and Channel 1 as the Input channel, I set the audio out to Line and left the buffer at 256 (options are 64, 126, 256, 512, 1024, 2048, 4096). I launched X-GEAR and then the Audio MIDI setup from the Settings tab. Hooking the USB cable up to the Stealth, the LED first flashed red and then settled on green, letting me know we were ready. In Action Keeping it as simple as possible, my first test was just to fire the unit up and plug in my guitar. Note that StealthPedal will work with any MIDI controllable software, not just AmpliTube products. X-GEAR will work with a basic set of amps, cabs or stomps when no other “Powered by AmpliTube” products are installed, however installing the included software expands your palette.
Authorization is made simple, with only a few clicks online.
Note that PC users will need to install the system drivers. On both Mac and PC platforms (ASIO and Core Audio) you first install the AmpliTube X-GEAR and then the StealthPedal MIDI Control application.
They also include hardcopy of both the user and installation manuals (and on behalf of users everywhere, thank you). Setup Included in the package are the StealthPedal, a three-meter-long USB cable, AmpliTube 2 Live, Ampeg SVX UNO, AmpliTube X-GEAR (which, according to IK Multimedia’s website, stands for eXpandable Guitar Effects and Amps Rig) Version 1.5, RiffWorks T4, a selection of AmpliGrooves loops and AmpliTube Metal. Besides the basic wah style integrated expression control and associated stomp switch, it also has 24-bit A/D and D/A converters. The right side has 1/4” Hi-Z Left and Right balanced/unbalanced inputs, a Volume/Midi control knob and 1/4” Expression pedal input. The left side of the unit features a USB input jack, three status LEDs, a 1/8” mini headphone out, a 1/4” external dual footswitch jack and a pair of balanced/unbalanced 1/4” audio outputs- Mono/Left and Right. What’chya Got There? Designed specifically for recording and playing through AmpliTube amp modeling software, this USB interface/controller packs a lot into a compact but sturdy wah style pedal. IK Multimedia’s new Stealth Pedal might just be the right tool for the job.
Sure, I can run through my DIs or preamps (or both) and then into the signal path, but sometimes a simpler, cleaner solution is needed without firing up the racks. If you’re a guitarist like me, you may find plugging directly into a computer to be a source of frustration.