Not long before the NAMM 2024 show, Neural DSP came out with a brand-new version of their Archetype series of plugins and a continuation of their collaboration with Gojira. Called Archetype: Gojira X, the plugin was officially launched on January 10 this year and included a bunch of new features and improvements.
What they explained in the official press release was impressive, to say the least. But obviously, you can never know unless you try it yourself or hear what it sounds like in action.
Well, Gojira frontman Joe Duplantier sat down for an exclusive demo with Neural DSP and showed what the plugin can really do. You can check it out in the embedded player below. In case you’re thinking about giving it a go, the demo of the Archetype: Gojira X plugin is available at Neural DSP’s website here. The price of the full version is €129.
When they launched the new plugin, Neural DSP revealed that it comes with the same features as the previous version, along with some significant improvements. This includes stuff like Transpose, Doubler, Metronome and Live Tuner features. Additonally, they announced that Archetype: Gojira X is also going to have compatibility with the company’s acclaimed Quad Cortex modeler unit.
As far as other features go, the official statement says it also has a new UI design, new visual assets, and overall improvements in performance. It also “covers as vast a ground as the bands’ own classic-metal compositions. The plugin is intended to cover players all across the board. So apart from the expected chugging high-gain tones, you’ll be able to do clean and mellow stuff with ambiental effects on top.
Most importantly, it allows users to play around as much as they want. These are the main components that you can use to create your perfect tones:
- Amp simulations
- Pre Effects
- Pitch effects
- Cabinet simulators
- Link and Unlink
- Time-based ambient effects
When it comes to amp sims, there are three models based on Joe Duplantier’s usual setup. These are Clean, Rust, and Hot. The Clean model can bring some organic-like dirt when you crank it all the way up. Rust is a very interesting one since it covers a lot of ground, going from sparkling overdriven tones up to chugging tones but with the usual “crunch”-like character.
The Hot amp is what most metal players will be looking for. To put it simply, it’s the ultimate high-gain beast for riffage and soaring leads.
Cabinets were done in collaboration with Adam “Nolly” Getgood and is a collection of impulse responses with six microphone models. You can either use stock IRs or create your own setups. Either way, it all adds that super-realistic character to them. To complement these realistic-sounding cabs, the Link/Unlink feature allows users to interchange cabinets with three amp models.
The Pre Effects section is a collection of four pedals. These are the overdrive, distortion, phaser, and chorus.
The Pitch section is incredibly exciting. With the “Wow” effect, you can do some crazy stuff with its MIDI-programmable feature. It’s fairly similar to what the legendary Whammy pedal does. With this, the pitch section also comes with an octaver pedal sim.
With the Time Effects section, we have the usual delay and reverb. The delay is described as having “tape saturation,” while the reverb comes with a “dark-voiced shimmer.”
Joe Duplantier himself commented:
“It’s incredible that Archetype: Gojira X is able to capture the essence of what we bring to music. This tool will get you the wholesome sound and feel we’ve been crafting for years.”
“Working with Neural DSP on the original Archetype: Gojira was a tremendous experience for me as an artist, and seeing what they have been able to accomplish with the updated Archetype: Gojira X is even more satisfying.”
Photos: Neural DSP
