DSM Humboldt Simplifier Preamp and Stereo Cab Simulator

Want to play through a legendary amp? The DSM Humboldt Simplifier recreates versions of legendary amplifier preamps all in one pedalboard-friendly box.

Overview

The Simplifier features a 100% true analog preamp that recreates with obsessive detail the most useful and popular clean channel preamps in the market. The genuine passive preamp tone stack is a key part of a tube amp sound and response is the tone stack behavior. The tone stack on the Simplifier is a genuine configurable three band classic amplifier topology, keeping the same feel, response and interaction of the original amp. The Power Amp Sim is an accurate approximation of the interaction between the power tubes, output transformer and global feedback, which produces a particular frequency response for different tubes and speakers.

The Tweakable Cabinet simulator takes the heritage and experience of DSM Humboldt developing the most useful and innovative cabsims of the market.You can easily dial two independent cabinet simulators panned Left - Right with Mic Position controls that responds as a real center/off axis microphone position adjusting the precise amount of high-end roll off you look for. A three way toggle switch allows you to choose independent cabinet style for each side. Pick from a 1x12 Combo,2x12 or 4x12 cabinet simulations that you can combine with any of the 3 preamps, adding an extra dimension to your sound development.

The Spread Control feature allows you to create a pseudo stereo imaging, by shifting the phase of one channel on selected key frequencies. It will make your sound bigger and 3 dimensional, even if you are using a mono configuration. This… read more spread is useful to get that "dual Cab" sound with realistic physical separation, very useful for recording on a stereo track, or playing with headphones.

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Specs

Preamps

- AC BRIT:Classic AC30 sparkly and tridimensional sound. A true British heritage since the 60's.
- AMERICAN:Classic blackface deluxe sound. Sweet and dynamic with a balanced response. By far the most used amp on studio recordings.
- MS BRIT:Classic clean-to-crunch vintage plexi style amp. The sound that defined rock music.

Power Tubes Section:

3 way toggle switch that mimic the different response of classic tube types:
- EL34: Complex mid response with a compressed feel.
- 6L6:A more open and dynamic response with deeper bass and sparkling highs.
- KT88: Similar to 6L6 but with improved low-end range, perfect for bass or 7+ strings guitars.

Power Amp Sim

This stage is an accurate approximation of the interaction between the power tubes, output transformer and global feedback, which produces a particular frequency response for different tubes and speakers.
- PRESENCE: Controls the hi-mids response just like the feedback based presence control on tube amps. Turn it up to cut through the mix or turn it down to sweeten aggressive distortions.
- RESONANCE: Controls the low-end and resonance peak caused by transformer-speaker interaction in tube amps. Now you can control the dampening factor and get super tight low-end clarity and authority.

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Base Item: Shipping Weight: 1.5 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 3 in; Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): DSM-SIM

Documents and Manuals

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: +56-9-7766-6513
Email: support@dsmhumboldt.com
Web: https://www.simplifieramp.com/

Reviews

(2 ratings)

Submitted January 3, 2021 by a customer from gmail.com

"Simply Great"

Overall:

(see rating details)

Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.

When I first got this I struggled because I had it going straight into Lynx converters from the XLR outs and there just wasn’t enough level. That was probably dumb, but I didn’t know it needed to go through preamps. So then I ran out the right 1/4” out (sum/mono) into an outboard pre and from there on out the only problem I had was keeping my jaw off the floor. (Next I will try it stereo through XLR outs into matched pres and I’m guessing it will sound even better.)I’d seen my favorite product guys demo this next to the Strymon Iridium and a couple others and this box sounded a little thin to me in comparison, but let me tell you it does not sound thin at all in person. It sounds really, really great. I’m still trying to get my head around how they did this.Lately I play mostly clean to slightly dirty electric, and before this I was getting a recorded sound I was very happy with using a combination of an Audient Sono with its tube just kissing the input and Two Notes Wall of Sound IRs, plus Helix Native. I’d use Helix for the preamp modeling and Two Notes for the power amp and cab modeling, usually settling on a Vox type pre and a 4x12 IR (which I know sounds weird with a Vox instead of a 2x12 but it just worked for a big clean sound).Honestly all three amps in the Simplifier sound even better than that. To my ears they don’t sound exactly like a Vox, Fender or Marshall, but they each have the flavor of the amp they’re aiming at. Like, if you listened blind… read more you would know which was which right away. And anyway I don’t need spot on emulations, I just need high quality, believable sound- and all of these sound great. And they are quieter than my Fender and don’t have some of its quirks, which I like! The three band eq is very effective for dialing things in or out and the presence and resonance controls are like ‘air’ and ‘beef’ knobs. The ability to switch cabinet types, tube emulations and the axis of the cab simulations makes it really easy to experiment. Having knobs and switches for everything feels really intuitive and makes dialing in sounds a quick and fun process. I’m super happy and impressed with it and I will not be miking up an amp any time soon! It really has simplified things for me.One suggestion I’d make is to add your reverb and delay right away as you get to know it, either with your pedals through the effects loop (which, awesome) or in your DAW. You won’t fully appreciate the sound until you add your normal sweeteners.Disclaimer: I have not dialed up aggressive distortion and I don’t imagine this is meant for that but I went like ‘AC/DC dirty’ and ‘blues dirty’ and had excellent results. I also have not tried it into a PA yet but if it sounds close to as good as it does in the box it may replace my amp for live gigs.

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