Amp ONE vs TH-U

Amp ONE is a free iPad application for real-time guitar preamp and cabinet simulation with effects. It turns an iPad into a modeled tube-preamp and cabinet setup, using pretrained artificial neural network models for circuit simulation. Listed preamps include Marshall JCM800, Cornford Harlequin, Engl E530, Krank models, an American hi-gain amp, EVH 5150 III and Fender Blues Junior III. Cabinet power-amplifier behavior is modeled through convolution. Effects include an adjustable noise gate, swell-capable fade timing, four stereo chorus models, delay and reverb. Snapshot and preset functions can save all settings or selected sections. Amp ONE supports AudioBus and Inter-App Audio. The stated requirements are an Apple iPad 2 or later and iOS 7.1 or later; an external audio interface is required to connect a guitar. The App Store listing says it is designed for iPad and is not verified for macOS. Apple’s listing provides no developer privacy details.

TH-U is a guitar and bass amp simulation plug-in that combines amp modeling, captured rig playback, and Fluid IR processing. TH-U Premium includes 89 guitar amplifiers, four bass amplifiers, 50 guitar cabinets, two bass cabinets, 18 microphone models, and more than 1,000 factory presets. Its Rig Player provides access to more than 32,000 captured rigs. Premium includes SuperCabinet with 1,728 Fluid IRs; users can export a cabinet as a WAV impulse response or load conventional IRs for processing. TH-U also provides a MIDI-controllable polyphonic transposer and MIDI controls that can be learned from the interface. Desktop versions are available as AudioUnit, VST, and AAX64 plug-ins or as a standalone app, with listed support for Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton Live, Studio One, and REAPER. Desktop compatibility is macOS 10.14 or later and Windows 10 or later. TH-U iOS is a standalone and AUv3 app for iOS 13 or later. A 15-day trial is available; TH-U Premium is listed at €269, paid once, with separate upgrade prices for eligible owners.