# Gain Stage Vintage Clean — amp simulator audio unit

> Unique warm, softly saturated amp simulator audio unit plugin for music production. (iPhone/iPad app by Blue Mangoo Consulting Company Limited.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gain-stage-vintage-clean/id1508081069 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Blue Mangoo Consulting Company Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1475107602)
- Category: Music
- Price: $5.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 14 App Store ratings · 10 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 15 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2020-04-21
- Data updated: 2026-08-30
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gain-stage-vintage-clean/id1508081069/reviews.md

## What is Gain Stage Vintage Clean?

This plugin sounds totally unlike any existing hardware amp but it also sounds totally different from any other software amp plugin. If you need for a perfect copy of your favorite tube amplifier this is not the amp you are looking for. However, if you want  something new and different with a warm, softly saturated tone and none of the harsh fizziness found in badly-designed software amps then you will love Gain Stage Vintage Clean.

Gain Stage Vintage Clean has a unique feel that becomes warm and punchy as you increase the input gain. The unusual design of this amplifier eliminates more than 99% of the unpleasant aliasing noise typically associated with software amps. Compared to other amp sims, listeners immediately recognise that is has a sweeter, more natural tone quality. Compared with real guitar amps, it takes more gain to push this plugin into distortion so when you increase the gain it will become warmer and more but it won't easily go into heavy distortion.

When we started work on this plugin we intended to build a software amp that handles every style from clean country to hardcore and metal but when we discovered that its design doesn't handle high-gain distortion tones, we started working on a new design that more closely resembles real high gain guitar amplifiers. However, since many of our beta testers liked the clean and low-gain distortion tones that this design makes, we are releasing Gain Stage Vintage Clean as a separate software amp with a sound that you can't get anywhere else.

Gain Stage Vintage Clean includes six amp models: Four clean amps, one blues amp and one crunch-style amp. It also has everything you need to get a basic clean guitar sound: two five-band equalizers, stereo cabinet simulation, reverb, and a peak limiter.

NOTE: GAIN STAGE VINTAGE CLEAN IS AN AUDIO UNIT PLUGIN. IT RUNS INSIDE A HOST APP SUCH AS GarageBand OR AUM. IT DOES NOT RUN AS A STANDALONE APP.

## Key features

- Unique warm and saturated tone
- Eliminates aliasing noise
- Six amp models (4 clean, 1 blues, 1 crunch)
- Two five-band equalizers
- Stereo cabinet simulation
- Reverb and peak limiter

## Recent user reviews (10 of 10)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gain-stage-vintage-clean/id1508081069/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Works great in Zenbeats

*2025-02-25*

Was a little nervous buying this as the most recent review said it wasn’t working, but I took a chance and glad I did. Lovely clean tones, works great in Zenbeats, so I’m super happy with it.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t open at all in any host

*2024-01-30*

Ive just downloaded this and attempted to open it in AUM and Cubasis, it doesn't appear at all in either inter app audio units or AUV3.

Ipad pro, latest firmware.

Please advise.

### 5/5 — Sweet Beautiful Distortion

*2022-12-13*

I have owned many classic amps since I started playing in the early 70s. Currently my main amp is a Vox AC 30, but it’s nice to use GarageBand to work on material while traveling and I wanted a good amp sim to plug in. I purchased Amplitude and Tonex and a few others, but for a much lesser price Gain Stage Vintage Clean produces a far nicer tone. I like my distortion to be part of the guitar’s tone not a layer of high frequency fuzz that obliterates all nuance. This is the only amp simulator I have found that gives me that tasty sound – Thank you!

### 5/5 — Anthony McGrath

*2022-01-27*

Just plugged in an acoustic guitar via a Fishman magnetic pickup, iphoneSE & irig interface…loaded up Aum ….ran one guitar signal through Gain Stage Vintage Clean (British Chime)…another through Gain Stage Acoustic Amplifier (Cigar Box) and another clean.
The mix is  crystal clear with sparkling highs thumping bass and a driving edge that only started to go gritty if played loudly. 
Quite simply the best sounding apps I have found in over 5 years of buying and trying.
I added a few Eventide ios effects and was surprised and delighted to hear the result. I’ve had these effects for two years…now I have the signal path required to make them sing! 
I’m off to buy your Mix Bus Compressor and reckon this will add to the sound control. Happy Days😎

### 5/5 — Mandatory App For Guitarists

*2021-02-04*

I’ve spent more money on amp sims than I care to remember, some of them incredible works of sonic engineering. Even with all those great options available, Gain Stage Vintage Clean is nearly always the one I choose. Rich, warm, organic and a breeze to dial in. Beautiful, shimmering cleans or raunched out with a distortion plugin (e.g. Nembrini), I haven’t found anything more useful. Mani’s apps are all remarkable and I’d to see some more for us six stringers.

### 5/5 — This is the way...

*2020-06-02*

First off, this is THE best sounding clean amp simulator I have run across, and I now use it on almost every track I lay down. It can go from an amazing, bell-like tone to a lovely growl with ease. Any dial you turn or setting you tweak just sound divine. Seriously, if clean to moderate distortion is your thing, this is your app.

I have one single feature request. I would be overjoyed if it was possible to turn the various amp models into buttons instead of a menu, and then add MIDI control so you can change between them. Honestly, with that addition, I might never use another amp sim, EVER! Even live.

### 5/5 — Different, in the right way

*2020-05-28*

I’ve tried almost all of the IOS amp sims, and while they range from abysmal to very good indeed, it is only now with this fine app, that something has been made specifically for the digital world. The result is a crisp, smooth sound that is never muddy and always clear, without being overly harsh. It is useful on all kinds of tracks, not just guitars.

Nic

### 5/5 — WOW - Simply amazing.

*2020-05-22*

This is the first app that has delivered what I’ve been looking for in a clean tone.  I have purchased the STARK app and all the Nembrini amp sims but none deliver the sweet clear warm tones that this particular app delivers.  I think the developer of this app is on to a winner.  Most other developers of this type of app seem obsessed with focusing on high gain distorted sounds which ignores those users wanting to deliver sweet smooth sounds.  This app is superb.  Only one small request if the developers read this.  It would be nice to have a release/attack control on the Peak Limiter if at all possible as an addition to switching it in and out.  It’s a big WOW from me.

### 5/5 — One of the best amp sims for clean tones

*2020-05-21*

I really love this app for clean rhythm playing, it’s got really nice warm tones without the brittle digital highs you get in a lot of amp sims. The oversampling really helps here IMO. This app definitely deserves more attention, it’s really good.

### 5/5 — Beautiful

*2020-04-26*

Absolutely beautiful
Electric guitar sounds great through this for cleaner tones. However, the Crunch preset is perfect for dirt. Hell, all of the presets sound great. I haven’t tweaked a knob yet.
Very recommended.

## Frequently asked questions about Gain Stage Vintage Clean

### Does Gain Stage Vintage Clean have ads?

No, Gain Stage Vintage Clean does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application.

### What is Gain Stage Vintage Clean?

Gain Stage Vintage Clean is an Audio Unit plugin that simulates amplifier sounds. It is designed to run inside a host application like GarageBand or AUM, not as a standalone app.

### What kind of tones does Gain Stage Vintage Clean offer?

This plugin provides a unique warm, softly saturated tone with minimal harshness. It excels at clean and low-gain distortion sounds, offering a natural quality rather than a direct emulation of existing hardware.

### How many amp models are included in Gain Stage Vintage Clean?

Gain Stage Vintage Clean includes six amp models: four clean amps, one blues amp, and one crunch-style amp, providing a variety of low-gain tones.

### What other features are included in Gain Stage Vintage Clean?

Beyond amp models, it offers two five-band equalizers, stereo cabinet simulation, reverb, and a peak limiter to help users achieve a basic clean guitar sound.

### Is Gain Stage Vintage Clean compatible with all devices?

Gain Stage Vintage Clean is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It requires a host app to function.

### How often is Gain Stage Vintage Clean updated?

The latest version is 1.0.4, last updated on December 4, 2020. While updates have not been frequent recently, the core functionality remains stable.

### What is the price of Gain Stage Vintage Clean?

Gain Stage Vintage Clean is available for a one-time purchase of $5.99. There are no in-app purchases or subscription fees associated with this plugin.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.0.4 — 2020-12-04

Stability improvement.

### 1.0.3 — 2020-12-03

Saving Custom User Presets on iOS14.0

### 1.0.2 — 2020-05-05

Support for user presets.

### 1.0.1 — 2020-04-29

Improved stability.

### 1.0 — 2020-04-22

No release notes.

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## More apps by Blue Mangoo Consulting Company Limited

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All apps by Blue Mangoo Consulting Company Limited: https://appshunter.io/developer/1475107602

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-30.*