Roomtone Amp Sim: March 2026 Update

This is the biggest update we've shipped since launch. We rebuilt the core DSP engine, added new cabinet types for lo-fi production, included vintage EQ emulations, and fixed several bugs that were bugging us (and probably you).

If you already own Roomtone, the update is free. Just download the latest version from your account.

Core DSP Engine Overhaul

We spent three months rebuilding how the amp modeling works. The goal: make it feel and respond like a real tube amp, not just sound vaguely similar.

Improved Realistic Tube Saturation

The preamp now models how real vacuum tubes actually clip—asymmetrically. In a real 12AX7 triode, the positive and negative halves of the signal distort differently. This produces even-order harmonics (2nd, 4th) that give tube amps their characteristic warmth.

Each of our 18 amp models has been tuned with accurate clipping ratios, from the smooth 6L6 tubes in Fender amps to the aggressive EL34s in Marshalls. The result is richer tone that responds to your playing dynamics.

New Inter-Stage Coupling Caps

Real tube amps have coupling capacitors between each gain stage that progressively filter out low frequencies as gain increases. This prevents the muddy, fizzy sound that plagues many digital amp sims.

We added per-amp-type coupling cap simulation across all 18 amp models. Clean amps stay full and open. High-gain amps get tight and focused. Exactly like the real thing.

New Miller Capacitance Filtering

Vacuum tubes have a parasitic capacitance that naturally rolls off harsh high frequencies between stages. We added per-amp-type Miller cap filters:

• Clean amps: Bypass the filter entirely
• Fender/Magnatone: Roll off above 16kHz
• British types: Roll off at 11kHz
• High-gain/Mesa: Roll off at 8-8.5kHz

This eliminates the "digital fizz" without dulling the tone. It's one of those things you don't notice until it's gone—then you realize how much better everything sounds.

Improved Interactive Tone Controls

Guitar amp tone stacks aren't independent EQ bands—they're passive RC networks where every knob affects the others. Our tone stack now models this interaction for all four voicings.

There's now 10dB of audible difference between tone stacks. They sound like genuinely different amps, not subtle EQ tweaks.

5 New Lo-Fi Cabinet Types

We added 5 cabinet types specifically designed for lo-fi and bedroom production. Each is based on real-world technical specifications.

These aren't just "low-pass filter + noise." Each type has the specific frequency response and resonances of the real thing.

5 Vintage Gear EQ Types

A new stackable EQ module with emulations of classic studio hardware. Placed at the end of the effects chain, after Lo-Fi processing.

New HiFi Tone Control (Baxandall)

Simple bass/treble shelving EQ at 220Hz and 4.5kHz. Based on the classic Baxandall tone circuit found in hi-fi receivers and cassette decks. Great for adding warmth to lo-fi presets.

New 7-Band Graphic EQ

7 fixed frequency bands at 100/200/400/800/1.6k/3.2k/6.4kHz, each with ±15dB range. Based on classic guitar pedal graphic EQs.

New Proportional Q (Console Style)

3-band EQ where the Q automatically narrows as you boost more. Small boosts are broad and gentle, heavy boosts are focused. Hallmark of classic American recording consoles.

New Vintage Tube EQ (Pultec-style)

The famous "low-end trick"—you can simultaneously boost AND cut at the same low frequency, creating a resonant bump that adds punch without muddiness. Selectable frequencies from 20-100Hz.

New Console Channel EQ (Neve-style)

Inductor-based EQ with frequency-dependent Q and a switchable high-pass filter. That distinctive "recorded through a classic desk" weight and presence.

We hand-selected 41 presets where vintage EQ genuinely adds character: 13 lo-fi presets with HiFi Tone Control, 17 blues/vintage presets with Vintage Tube EQ, and 11 studio/classic rock presets with Console Channel EQ.

26 Effects Now Fully Preset-Controllable

We wired 9 previously dormant effects into the preset system. Every factory preset can now control all 26 effects in the chain.

These effects are now activated across factory presets where they make sense: TapePreamp on 29 lo-fi presets, Rotary on 6 psychedelic presets, TransientShaper on 12 math rock presets, etc.

Output Improvements

New Transparent Output Limiter

Added a soft-knee output limiter that replaces the old hard clip. It's completely transparent below 0 dBFS, applies gentle tanh saturation above, and caps around 1.5x. No more digital clipping artifacts on loud presets, and it doesn't crush dynamics.

Improved Volume Normalization

All 322 factory presets have been volume-normalized to sit between -2.0 and -7.0 dB output. No more presets that blast your ears when you switch to them. Switching between presets is now a consistent listening experience.

Bug Fixes

Fixed Lo-Fi Mode EQ Processing

Fixed a bug where 2 of the 7 Lo-Fi modes had their EQ processing dead:

• Telephone mode: Now properly processes its ITU-T G.711 bandpass (300-3400Hz with nasal 1kHz peak)
• Radio Static mode: Now properly processes its NRSC-1-C AM pre-emphasis

Fixed Bitcrusher Effect

Fixed a bug where the Bitcrusher mode produced almost no effect. The bit depth was stuck at 16-bit regardless of the amount knob. Now it properly scales from 16-bit (clean) down to 4-bit (heavily crushed).

Fixed Compressor on 4 Presets

Fixed 4 presets where the compressor was set too aggressively (thresholds at -16 to -20dB), crushing dynamics:

• Scandinavian Dream
• Indie Glow
• Care
• Underwater Vibrato

Preset Updates

• New Studio A Warm: Bedroom Pop preset with boutique tube amp and Pultec-style EQ
• New 10 Bedroom Indie presets: Jangle clean and lo-fi character tones
• Improved Reordered top presets for better discovery
• Removed Shimmer Cloud preset (didn't fit the collection)

Technical Summary

For the spec-minded:

• 18 amp models with asymmetric tube clipping, coupling caps, and Miller capacitance filtering
• 4 interactive tone stack voicings (Marshall, Fender, Vox, Mesa) with coupled passive RC network behavior
• 21 cabinet types (16 guitar + 5 lo-fi) with 10-stage IIR filter chains and 5 mic positions
• 26 fully controllable effects in a researched signal chain order
• 7 lo-fi modes with authentic broadcast/tape EQ curves
• 5 vintage gear EQ types based on classic hardware
• 322 factory presets with artist keyword search, volume-normalized

What's Next

We're working on:

• More genre-specific preset packs
• Additional amp models (requests welcome)
• Potential IR loader (under consideration)

If you have feedback or feature requests, let us know. We read everything.