NeuralAmpModelerCore v0.5.0 is released
- Steve
- Apr 16
- 2 min read
We're one step closer to A2 today, and I've released an update to NeuralAmpModelerCore, version 0.5.0:
Builders interested in how A2 works should aim to support core version 0.5.0 or later. Work isn't entirely compelte yet--while 0.5.0 will be able to process A2 models correctly, optimized implementations are in development and will be released soon in a follow-up version (0.5.1). If you just want to understand what A2 does, then 0.5.0 suffices; however, you can choose to wait until 0.5.1 comes out if you'd like, and you'll have a really nice & high-performance implementation. This is something that the DSP library hasn't emphasized in the past; however, since A2 is a deliberate model choice, I think it's well worth giving it some care and attention, and having a nicely-optimized implementation is a responsibility that the real-time DSP core repo will now be taking on.
Updates to NeuralAmpModelerPlugin are still in progress but should be complete safely in advance of A2 being enshrined in the trainer code, so you'll have time to update before it becomes necessary to have the new plugin to run A2.
Note on backward (and forward) compatibiility
I'm often asked, "Will A2 be backward-compatible with [product]?" What this usually means is: "Will [product] be forward-compatible with A2?" Unfortunately, the answer to this will be "no"--existing products that use .nam files will need an update in order to support A2. However, every product that currently supposrts A1 can be made to support A2 with a software update--there is nothing about A2 (like CPU requirements) that makes it out of reach for existing products. [I can't speak for products that convert NAM to their own proprietary modeling technology--only those that use the code that I maintain.]
There was a time earlier in the A2 project where I thought it may be possible for some amount of forward compatibility to be achieved; however, we discovered a few changes that improved the model so much that I felt it was absolutely necessary that they be a part of A2 so that it could achieve its full potential. They're well worth it--I promise!
However, the code will be backward-compatible with your existing .nam files. Upgrading to the latest version will not cause them to stop working (I hope--If there's a bug, then I'll fix it!). Your models are "forever", so you can continue to enjoy legacy A1 models after updating NeuralAmpModelerPlugin or other products.
Cheers!
