Update: Unfortunately, I have to redact my initial review after I updated the NUX Amp Academy to firmware version 4.0.2 and am now facing several issues.
1. NUX added one more amplifier model to each type, bringing the total number of models up to 18. One of them (modelled after an AC30) does not work and makes the software crash. This in itself wouldn't be a huge problem for me, as I am not a fan of VOX. However, not only did the firmware update reset all presets, it also messed with the export and import of old presets, as, due the different numbers of models per amplifier type, the old presets are no longer compatible with the new setup. Unless you remember your presets, they are gone, because there is no way to roll back the firmware to an earlier version. Factory resetting the unit only brings you back to the factory settings of 4.0.2.
2. Even if you do remember your settings (I did), they messed up most of the amplifiers, especially the high gain ones, which sound utterly terrible now, simultaneously boomy and brittle. The clean amplifiers are okay, but they no longer take pedals well, which was one of the things I really liked about the NUX Amp Academy. Everything has a telephone-like sound quality to it (the Marshall model sounds particularly bad), and the top end is very fizzy, no matter how much you fiddle around with the equalizer, boost, etc.
3. Ever since the update, the unit is extremely noisy. It produces a constant background hiss, which does not go away by proper grounding (e.g. plugging it into a mixer) and occurs both with and without other pedals.
As I am not sure with which version new units ship, I discourage anyone from buying a new one or updating their Amp Academy to the latest firmware version, thus essentially bricking their unit.
Original review:
I was looking for a fly-rig and home-recording solution to replicate my pedal board amp setup without having to lug around a heavy amplifier and/or getting noise complaints. I compared various amp and cab sim pedals for this, including the Strymon Iridium, the DSM & Humboldt Simplifier DLX, the Blackstar Dept. 10 Amped 1 and the NUX Amp Academy. The Iridium sounded very synthetic with digital artifacts, the Simplifier had a very bland DI sound, and the Amped 1, while a fully-fledged amped including a 100W power stage, suffers tremendously from its awful proprietary Cab Rig DI out. All three pedals are at least twice as expensive as the Amp Academy, but none of them sound even remotely as good as it does.
I want both modern high gain distortion and warm vintage cleans, for which I am throwing various dirt pedals at a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. The NUX Amp Academy does this perfectly, and it takes pedals incredibly well. I am using the SUPER RBV (obviously modelled on a Fender 65' Super Reverb), the second of the two Vintage models on channel A (accessibly via software), and it works like a charm. Even rather harsh pedals like the EHX Metal Muff sound great through it - the built-in impulse responses are top notch, but you can load your own IRs too, if you so wish.
The NUX Amp Academy is intuitive to use and, in addition to all the usual controls, bursts with features: 12 amp models (two channels with three amp types each and two models per type), presence, boost, noise gate, effect loop, line out, DI out, headphone out, cab sim on/off; you can even use it as an audio interface in a pinch. By downloading the Amp Academy Software you can fine tune all settings (e.g. amp bias), get access to additional elements in its virtual effect chain (e.g. EQ pedal) and set up your preferred presets. More importantly, the guys at NUX actually listen to their customers' feedback and provide updates for their gear. The pedal used to reset to the settings on the front panel when switching channels, people asked for a patch to fix this, which NUX provided, adding a 'sticky mode'. It also offers three preset slots (called 'scenes') per channel, through which you can cycle with the second foot switch. If you wanted to, say, switch between one scene with and one scene without reverb, this meant you had to skip over the third scene, which is very impractical in a live situation. NUX fixed this in a patch by adding a toggle switch in the software to disable the third scene.
All in all a great sounding pedal, good value for money and excellent customer support.
