Mercuriall Spark

[Steinmetzify]

Buddy hipped me to it this AM, got a few mins to mess around with the demo. It's good. Really good, especially for a plugin...pretty much zero latency and sounds fuckin HUGE in headphones.

Key features include 4 amp models with tube changing capabilities:

Based on Marshall® AFD (four channels)
Based on Marshall® JCM 800 (two channels)
Based on Marshall® JMP Super Lead (two channels) with Master Mod
Based on Marshall® JMP Super Bass (two channels) with Master Mod 
Tubes: 12AX7 RCA, 12AX7 RSD; 6L6GC, EL34

4 cabinet models and 3 mics with the ability to blend 2 at a time:

Based on Bogner® Uberkab 412 - 4x12 Celestion® G12T-75
Based on Bogner® Uberkab 412 - 4x12 Celestion® V30s
Based on Marshall® 1960B - 4x12 Greenback
Based on Marshall® 1960B - 4x12 JBL® K120 (vintage)
Microphones: Shure® SM57, Sennheiser® MD441, Royer® R121

Pedals and FX:

Noise Gate
Overdrive based on Ibanez® TS-808
Overdrive based on Ibanez® TS-808 Lower Drive Mod
Overdrive based on Ibanez® TS-7 Hot
Overdrive based MESA/BOOGIE® Grid Slammer
Overdrive based on Boss® Super Overdrive SD-1
Stereo Chorus
Stereo Delay
Stereo Reverb

Ola vid:

[video]https://youtu.be/0NGrERQswWU[/video]

Chug clip with occasional silences for extra fun, zero EQ on guitars:



This thing kind of amazed me....I dig Amplitube Mesa Boogie the most out of the plugins I've used/bought, but this thing kicks ass...it's the most Axe-like out of the ones I've tried as far as feel goes. Pretty damn good for $99. Great time to be a guitarist for sure.

That is all.

[ajaxlepinski]

This looks good! Will check out after work..

[Steinmetzify]

So I've messed around with this some more. I'm undecided about a purchase.

On the one hand, the AFD model sounds fuckin fantastic for metal, the others not so much with regards to the tones I dig.

On the other hand, they've pretty much taken the guesswork out of models and IRs...the presets and cab models sound fantastic; there are 4 cab models, and 4 of the same already EQ'd to a certain degree; any one of them would sound great in a mix or for practice/drumjams.

It sounds equally good with one of my LTDs that has an EMG 81 in it as it does with my GT that has some PRS McCarty pickups in it....cleans up ok with volume....not great, but it does it.

I guess in the end I could make it work with just the AFD model and some EQ-ing, but it seems to me that $100 for the one amp model and a couple cabs that I like is kind of nuts when I have other shit here that works almost as well.

Some of you guys that are into lower gain rock stuff might really dig this though...I'd say check it out, it's got a really fantastic feel and tone to it, especially the 800 and the 68. Closest I've found to the Axe I had, and that's saying something.....I know the Fractal shit doesn't get a lot of love here, but there's no denying the feel of it, and this is almost there.

Might snag it, might not. See how the demo goes, and if I can get other tones out of the other models I like.

[Ostinato Rubato]

Awaking Mercurial Spark

[VTM]

I'm liking this a lot more than the Bias stuff. Can you load 3rd party IRs? I'm not seeing that mentioned anywhere.

[Steinmetzify]

Nope, don't see it anywhere. Give it a shot though, the cabs are pretty good. Wasn't wishing I could load anything else.

[VTM]

I just downloaded the demo and I'm looking forward to checking it out. Thanks for posting this stuff.

[JiveTurkey]

I'm liking this a lot more than the Bias stuff. Can you load 3rd party IRs? I'm not seeing that mentioned anywhere.

Alternately; could you disabled speaker emulation on the Spark and then load up Nadir or whatever?

Clip sounds good Stein and it is always good to see you post!

[Steinmetzify]

That was the ticket JT...there's just a power button for the cab section...loaded up WOS III after it and it worked.

Adds some latency though...not much, but Spark itself runs pretty seamlessly, so it's noticeable.

[Steinmetzify]

Ended up grabbing this. I really like their U530 plugin and since I grabbed that one they offered me this at a substantial discount.

I still don't know that I'll use all the amps at all, but the AFD is a killer sim for drop tuned metal tones.

Noise gate, a few different ODs, lot of cabs and delay, reverb and chorus. Simple but badass.

Buddy of mine. Spark one side, U530 other side:

https://soundcloud.com/reverend-chug/de ... ark-test-1