We check out the latest Neural DSP Archetype: Petrucci X update and walk you through the major updates to this already well-specified virtual guitar rig.
Archetype: Petrucci X
Neural DSP kindly sent us the latest update for their popular Archetype: Petrucci software suite. We ran the new Archetype: Petrucci X on two Apple Silicon Mac systems and used Logic Pro as our test DAW.
Archetype: Petrucci X is a fully fledged software suite that emulates the gear used by Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci. It features four meticulously modeled amps: Piezo, Clean, Rhythm, and Lead, each offering a wide range of tones, from pristine cleans to earth-shattering distortion.
We also found the Transpose and Doubler features very useful and a lot of fun to experiment with. Doubler is excellent for making a vast stereo spread and is great for writing riffs, and the Transpose feature allows you to instantly down-tune, etc.
Piezo Amp
The Piezo amp is particularly noteworthy, designed to emulate the natural resonance of an acoustic guitar body, making it perfect for fingerpicking and strumming.
Effects
The suite includes a comprehensive collection of effects, including overdrive, phaser, chorus, flanger, wah, and compressor, allowing you to craft your sound precisely. A powerful cab sim module with six virtual microphones and the ability to load custom impulse responses provides unparalleled flexibility in shaping your tone.
Post-signal rack effects like chorus, delay, and reverb, a four-band semi-parametric EQ, a transpose feature to shift your guitar pitch, and a doubler effect to widen your stereo field offer even more sonic possibilities.
The software’s redesigned UI is visually appealing and intuitive, making navigating and tweeting your settings easy. We found it easy to navigate on a MacBook Pro and our larger studio monitor.
Key features
- Four amps: Piezo, Clean, Rhythm, and Lead
- Effects: Overdrive, phaser, chorus, flanger, wah, and compressor
- Cab sim module with six virtual microphones and the ability to load custom impulse responses
- Post-signal rack effects: chorus, delay, and reverb
- Four-band semi-parametric EQ
- Transpose feature to shift your guitar pitch
- Doubler effect to widen your stereo field
- Redesigned UI with updated visuals
- Improved performance for a faster, smoother, and more responsive experience
- Updated EQs with high and low-pass filters
- Quad Cortex compatibility
- Live Tuner
- EQ ‘Low-Pass’ and ‘Hi-Pass’ filters
- Additional window sizes
- ‘Click-and-Drag’ window edges to resize
Performance
Performance-wise, Archetype: Petrucci X delivers a smooth and responsive experience thanks to Neural DSP’s latest technology. The updated EQs with high and low-pass filters provide even more tonal control, while the Quad Cortex compatibility expands the plugin’s potential.
Additional features like a live tuner, adjustable window sizes, and ‘Click-and-Drag’ resizing options enhance the user experience. Which, in turn, makes the plugin simpler to use and navigate.
It ran superbly on both our Apple Silicon systems and sounded great.
Formats
Available for Windows and Mac in VST/VST3, AU, and AAX formats, plus Standalone.
With all these standard formats, plus the ability to load it into the Quad Cortex, this suite is very versatile and will work equally well live and in the studio.
Guitar Bomb Verdict
Overall, Archetype: Petrucci X is a powerful and versatile tool that can help you achieve John Petrucci’s signature sound and a wide range of other tones. It’s an excellent choice for guitarists looking for a high-quality amp and effect simulator to handle any musical style.
Yes, we all know that Petrucci uses Mesa Mark IIC+ amps and has his signature model, so if you want those drive tones, here they are, and there is more than enough gain on tap.
We found that this is one of the most fully-fledged virtual guitar suites from Neural DSP, and it would be perfect for studios and guitarists looking for a modern guitar rig that covers many bases.
The refinements with this latest X update are well worth having, and they are laid out and simple to navigate. The tones available are precisely what you would expect from something with Petrucci’s name on it, and we think that Neural DSP has done an astounding job capturing these amp voices and effects.
Download the free 14-day trial and give it a whirl; we think you will love it.
MSRP – €179 with a Free Update for existing owners
More Information
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