Review of Bogren Digital AMPKNOB RevC

"If asked, 'Who is a leading mix/mastering engineer in modern heavy metal?' I would immediately name Jens Bogren."

In modern heavy metal, where low-tuned instruments and dense arrangements are common, the engineering plays a critical role in the overall quality of the production. Jens Bogren's work is particularly notable for achieving a sound that is both clear and heavy. Recent projects he has worked on include The Halo Effect's "Days Of The Lost" and At The Gates' "The Nightmare Of Being." His past collaborations feature bands like Sepultura, Carcass, and Arch Enemy. In addition to working with international bands, he has also engineered for artists well-known in Japan, such as Marty Friedman and DIR EN GREY. This extensive portfolio cements his reputation as one of the leading metal engineers of our time.

In 2020, Jens Bogren founded the brand *Bogren Digital*, with a mission to deliver the top-tier sounds that can be heard on the legendary albums he's worked on. The brand offers a lineup that includes IRs, drum samples, and amp simulator plugins. Today, I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to test Bogren Digital's ultra-simple amp simulator, the "AMPKNOB RevC." Let's dive into the review, complete with sound demos!

Here's what the plugin's visual interface looks like.

As you can see, the main controls are just ON/BYPASS and GAIN. There are additional options like turning off the cabinet simulation for those who use external IR loaders and adjusting the noise gate threshold, but we won't be touching those this time. For the GAIN, we'll set it to the marked point (1.0), which seems to be the recommended setting!

■ Demo 1

For this demo, I used a 7-string guitar in "drop A tuning," where the 7th string is tuned down one whole step from standard tuning. No other plugins were used, just the "AMPKNOB RevC." To start things off, I figured a riff-like phrase would be fitting, so I went with a melodic death metal-inspired riff. The metallic "gong-gong" of the open 7th string captures that modern metal vibe perfectly. It's impressive that you can achieve this sound with just a single knob adjustment!

■ Demo 2

Next, I wondered how the plugin would handle a phrase focused on low-end notes. I played a riff that highlights notes like low C, low A#, and low A—frequencies that a standard-tuned 6-string guitar can't reach. The result? A heavy, distorted tone that maintains clarity and pitch definition. With a bit less gain, this could easily handle low G or even an 8-string guitar. This plugin is a beast!

■ Demo 3

Next up, I tried some chord backing in the 6-string guitar range. I doubled the same phrase on both the left and right channels, a common technique in heavy metal. Even though I moved to a higher register, the sound didn't become overly sharp or harsh—it remained perfectly usable. This makes it a great option not just for extended range or downtuned guitarists, but for those sticking with standard 6-string setups as well.

■ Demo 4

Finally, I played a lead guitar-like phrase. I got a bit carried away and ended up creating a version with a lower harmony as well. As mentioned earlier, this plugin is incredibly simple, with GAIN being pretty much the only control you adjust. That means I played this lead with the exact same settings I used for the riffs and backing. The fact that it still delivers such a rich, thick sound is impressive. Adding some EQ and spatial effects would likely make the tone even more polished and fitting for lead guitar.

In summary, I've given a brief review of the "AMPKNOB RevC." To wrap it up: "The fact that you can get this sound with just one knob is incredibly convenient." That's really what it boils down to. Personally, when there are too many settings to adjust, I tend to lose motivation along the way. Ideally, I'd like to start with a preset and just tweak a couple of things to get a usable tone. For guitarists like me who prefer to keep sound shaping simple and get to playing right away, this plugin is unmatched.

Of course, I also recommend it to those who are after a more professional guitar sound! Simply using "AMPKNOB RevC" as your amp simulator can easily give you a sound with depth and power. It also works well layered with tracks from other amp simulators to enhance the thickness of your guitar tone.

This ultra-convenient one-knob amp simulator is joined by another plugin from Bogren Digital: the "BASSKNOB - STD" As the name suggests, this plugin models an Ampeg bass amp, featuring a Clean/Dirt two-channel setup. Like the "AMPKNOB RevC," it's designed to deliver mix-ready distortion with just one knob. Whether you're a guitarist or a bassist, Bogren Digital is definitely worth keeping an eye on!