ML Sound Lab

Active

Country: Finland (FI)
Founded: 2018
Developer: Mikko (ML Sound Lab, Finland)
Pricing: Freemium (free amp sims available, paid plugins and IRs)
Open source: No
Platforms: Windows, macOS

Indexes

Audio/Music Production

Overview

ML Sound Lab develops guitar amplifier simulation plugins, drum software, and impulse responses (IRs) for audio production, primarily targeting guitarists seeking realistic amp tones in DAWs. Products include the Amped series of VST plugins modeling specific amps like EVH 5153 (Amped Roots, free version available), Soldano SLO-100 (Amped Volcano), JCM 800 (ML-800), Dumble, and Oracle, using technologies such as parametric NAM for amp modeling and Reflex IRs for cabinet simulation. It stands out with free offerings, trials, and focus on high-gain and classic rock tones.³⁴⁵⁸

Key Features

Amped Roots - Free VST plugin modeling EVH 5153 amp for high-gain metal tones.
Amped Volcano - Parametric NAM-based plugin simulating Soldano SLO-100 and Astro amps.
ML-800 - Standalone plugin emulating Marshall JCM 800 with tight mids and bright highs.
Reflex IRs - Impulse responses designed for fuller range and flatter frequency response.
8-Knob Mixing Plugin - Plugin with industry-standard moves for quick tone mixing without ear fatigue.
Humble Dumble - Amp simulation plugin with presets and customizable dialing.
Amped Oracle - Plugin offering amp simulation tones demonstrated in reviews.

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Amped Roots	Free	EVH 5153 amp sim VST plugin.
ML-800	€30	JCM 800 amp sim standalone plugin.
Amped Volcano	Paid (purchase required)	Soldano SLO-100 and Astro parametric NAM modeling.
Reflex IRs	Paid	Cabinet impulse responses series.

Platforms & Requirements

Runs as VST plugins on Windows and macOS within DAWs; standalone options available for some like ML-800. Minimum requirements align with standard VST hosts; no Linux, mobile, or web versions noted. Trials available for testing compatibility.²⁵⁸

Integrations & Ecosystem

VST plugin format
DAW compatibility (e.g., Reaper, Logic)
Neural Amp Modeler (NAM) technology
Impulse response loaders
Virtual pedalboard
Preset loading/saving
IR import/export

Alternatives

App	Difference
Neural Amp Modeler (NAM)	Free open-source amp modeler; ML Sound Lab uses parametric NAM in paid plugins.
Amped Roots competitors (e.g., other EVH sims)	Many paid high-gain sims exist; Amped Roots is free and praised for metal tones.
Soldano sims (e.g., in Neural DSP)	Neural DSP offers polished suites; ML focuses on NAM-based single-amp models.
Marshall JCM 800 sims (e.g., Softube)	Softube provides hardware-modeled plugins; ML-800 emphasizes tight mids at lower cost.

Reputation

Users praise ML Sound Lab plugins for realistic high-gain tones, with Amped Roots highlighted as one of the best free amp sims for metal and EVH 5153 modeling. Reviews note killer tones on JCM 800, Soldano, and Dumble sims, often leading to purchases after trials. Some demos correct initial misunderstandings on IR usage, maintaining honest impressions. Overall perceived as high-quality, budget-friendly option in crowded amp sim market.³⁵⁶⁷⁸

Sources (8)