Are digital modelers killing tube amps?

[jeremyb]

https://web.musicaficionado.com/main.ht ... edBy=hfroe

Nothing new really, but interesting why some are choosing modelers for live use now

[sty]

I know you're largely trolling JB

But from what I'm observing on the outside looking in it really does seem to have taken another solid step forward recently and I'm suspecting there's another big step about to released because the last stuff (Helix latest AxeFX etc.) felt like a solidifying half step forward over where the best were.

I'm beginning to think about having another go myself for my home playing as a "bedroom warrior".

I think this might be where we're going to see a major revolution in the next couple of years. I can't see why any home practice/beginners/low volume system won't go modelling and why, given the application of Moore's Law, these won't be pretty much as good as the best that is on offer today. There's really no excuse for shitty modelling or crap practice amps any more is there?

And I'm expecting to see this at pretty much entry level prices. It's a bit like the fact that there is no excuse for crap coffee these days or bad beer, there's no excuse for bad practice amps.


I think the article nails the fact that the old "authentic" stuff will still be sought after in the same way we lust after vintage Les Pauls, original Tube Screamers, vintage Plexis, old Mustangs, original Led Zep issues, first edition hard backs, etc. etc. And I'm sure it will spawn a million bootique re-issues

[sty]

I'm also seriously wondering what will happen when you can run a Helix or an Axe-FX or Kemper on your own MacBook Pro or windows laptop. Once the product becomes generic out there like all the various DAW packages did who knows what the upcoming players will do to it.

There'll be money if pro-quality IO boards and rugedised all-one stage units...

[TmcB]

The beauty of modellers is in the utility of them; they're light, flexible, and the tones are reproducible.

The fact is that they're still trying to ape the real thing

I think that modellers are fantastic for people who like tweaking and/or have a lot of sounds they'd like close at hand. I'd hate it because I like the creativity that restriction gives me and I like the process and feedback loop of tube gear.

I see this as a vinyl vs digital debate - you know there's a difference when you're in front of it, it feels different.

The roland cube amp a former student of mine had was seriously impressive for what it was - I wish I'd been able to start out with something like that, and they can only get better.

[godgrinder]

People have been having this discussion since the GT5/POD 2.0 days.

Modellers won't kill tube amps but the "next big thing" in the modeller world will kill what's popular now.

[null_pointer]

People have been having this discussion since the GT5/POD 2.0 days.

Modellers won't kill valve amps but the "next big thing" in the modeller world will kill what's popular now.

This.
Just look at the guy trying to sell his gen 1 AxeFx on TM. I suspect it'll never move till it gets to HD500x pricing...

[mrmofo]

with Apple changing there hardware the way they do, will modelers become Wi-Fi/blu tooth or need to be cloud based in the future? will stage fireworks become stage firewalls
will one have to log in before a gig or dongle-fy there 58 les paul. that's what I worry about.
and the singer, what about the singer?
he could do tech support I guess.

[Green Bastard]

People have been having this discussion since the GT5/POD 2.0 days.

Modellers won't kill valve amps but the "next big thing" in the modeller world will kill what's popular now.

This.
Just look at the guy trying to sell his gen 1 AxeFx on TM. I suspect it'll never move till it gets to HD500x pricing...

He really should wait a few years until the vintage modeller market picks up

[H671]

https://web.musicaficionado.com/main.ht ... edBy=hfroe

Nothing new really, but interesting why some are choosing modelers for live use now

Bugger!
I got lost on this website for a couple of hours soaking up the nostalgia.

[Kris]

He really should wait a few years until the vintage modeller market picks up

I knew i should have hung on to that behringer V-amp!

[olegmcnoleg]

He really should wait a few years until the vintage modeller market picks up

I knew i should have hung on to that behringer V-amp!

You really should have--those are the booteek vintage tones of the future. New modellers will have to simulate their simulations.

[sidewinder]

He really should wait a few years until the vintage modeller market picks up

I knew i should have hung on to that behringer V-amp!

Only worth something if it comes with an all original vintage midi fbv, its the capacitors in the floorboard you see, they affect the tone...

*ahem*

I only want one, good tube amp. Its the pedals that do it for me, BUT that said...

I love my HD300, I got it for peanuts! With the amount of modeling gear becoming used, even in NZ, I think having both is realistic.

Even if you would choose a tube amp over a modeler every time (like me), having a modeler as a backup is a wonderful feeling, to know that even your amp AND pedals crap out, you've got an easy option to cover your ass. Convenient, flexible, reliable, who cares if it's "close but not the real deal"?

[jeremyb]

I'm also seriously wondering what will happen when you can run a Helix or an Axe-FX or Kemper on your own MacBook Pro or windows laptop. Once the product becomes generic out there like all the various DAW packages did who knows what the upcoming players will do to it.

There'll be money if pro-quality IO boards and rugedised all-one stage units...

Line 6 are releasing a version of Helix as a plugin

http://line6.com/helix-native/

[Conway]

I'm leading the charge from digital back to valve amps.

[philly]

they're tools....you can have both... it's not against the law...