Amp vs Amp model

[apoclypse]

Amp and stomp boxes are always going to sound better, imo. However, things can get pretty expensive once you start going down the road of getting quality stomp boxes and an amp. Especially if you want to match the amount of effects possibilities that you would find in an 11rack or Axefx unit.

[cinealta]

Tube amp + stomp boxes are the only way to go.

[muziekschuur]

I have over 10 tube amps. I have like 4 modellers. I have a full blown studio. Get whatever you need. The new Fender Mustang is awesome with some headphones and recording.

U want tubes. Life has never been better than today. 20 watt tube amps in all sorts of greatness are really affordable too. And the pedals from Behringer and Danelectro are really affordable and great. Offcourse are Fulltone and MXR pedals great and there are other greater pedals...

Todays guitars are now manufactured with CNC machines. A middle of the road stratocaster guitar is simply awesome. Each and every one of them. And current tube amps are awesome too. But current modellers are convient and handy. They sound good too. So whatever float your boat, grab it and master your skill... Sing a song with friends and enjoy life...

[mdoelger]

As you are using modelling software, how good is your guitar? Maybe start by adding some new pickups and see how far this gets you with your current setup.

[Altered Beats]

For home studio recording, nothing beats digital modeling in terms of simplicity/workflow. And in digital tech, I'd look into the Kemper Profiling Amp. Cheaper and simpler than the Axe, but sounds awesome. It infinitely expandable too.

[marcusfdh]

Hi there,

Thanks for the replies so far.

Just to clarify a couple of things. I don't have the budget to keep spending on this, so am trying to work out where to put the remaining "allowance". I can go up to about £1000, once I have sold some gear, which is always hard to let things go, but I have to this time.

I have good guitars, so I don't consider them to be the weak link, although I do have a few so there are tonal challenges there if I opt for just 1 amp.

I love the options that digital modelling give, or at least the principal, but am no longer happy with my line 6 stuff.

Never heard of the Kemper Profiling Amp, so will lookinto that.

I guess my greatest concern is the perceived limitation of a single amp. All my recording will be directly into a PC, rather than micing stuff up, due to location issues.

What amps would be worth looking at, I guess I need to allow about £500(preferably less) for an amp and £500 for some pedals? not into very weird stuff so should only need a few. I still have a couple of my boss ones left from the 80's!
Cheers

[GJ999x]

Can you demo some of the software? Lots of it is available for download and free use for 7 days (dont know about the specific stuff you're talking about)...

Demo it and you'll find out. You might be surprised...

[mdoelger]

If I understand correctly, your going from your amp's outs directly into the DAW, without micimg a cabinet, right. If that is the case, I strongly advise you to get good modelling. For me the only real benefit from using real amps is capturing the speaker rsponse with some nice microphones.

So demo a few modelling softwares, make a decision and go with it. A lot of todays music is done with modelling. You can do it too.

The main thing is, you loose the feel of playing through an amp into a nice cabinet in a real room.

[tenderboy]

+1 for the kemper
great to get really great sounds on hd without hassle

[marcusfdh]

Kemper looks pretty cool, need to try and find one to have a listen to.

Are there any software modellers that actually work live. I can never get my head round trying to play a dry guitar part into a DAW and then applying the modelling afterwards. I often change my guitar part based on the response I get.

Looks like it's some form of modelling either way?!

Is the 11rack any good or should I just save up my pennies for an Axe or Kemper.

Thanks for the replies.

[GJ999x]

They all "work live" in the sense that in your studio you'll be hearing the treated sound as you play - the only issue is latency, which is daw- and plug-specific, i'd suggest searching GS for "latency [amp software name]" or daw name. I dont think any of the software can only be applied to an audio track in the daw and not to live sound - sorry if I've misunderstodd the point.

If you're tlaking about playing live like gigging, that's a seperate issue, with a much higher bar of reliability needed...

G

[Kevin_B]

Originally Posted by marcusfdh

I guess my greatest concern is the perceived limitation of a single amp. All my recording will be directly into a PC, rather than micing stuff up, due to location issues.

In that case, get a modeler.

I was going to vote for you to get a good, versatile tube amp and a Shure SM57. But if you're only using the line out of the amp, you're not taking full advantage of the amp. And if you're not taking full advantage of an amp, might as well go with the more versatile (albiet perhaps not as good tone-wise) amp modeler.

For what it is worth, I have both a tube amp and a modeler (Vox's ToneLab, which uses an actual tube to help with modeling) and I use them both. I can sympathize too with not being able to turn the amp up to 11 for recording too.

[fastlanestoner]

Amp modeling in no way comes close to a well-recorded amplifier

[Louis Bernstone]

Yeh, I try to use the amp modelling, but always end up using my fender or Marshall combo with some vintage tube mic in front of it.
But, then the issue is cost. If u do go the amp route, it really only out-rocks the software if run thru a cab, into a mic.

[Silky Smoove]

I mic a Jet City 333 combo (all tube, 1x12, 20 watts) up close with an SM57, and back in the room a bit with a U87. The signal is also split (before the amp) to a Sansamp PSA-1 which I send through a Red Wirez IR, and yet another signal runs through Amplitube3.

Real amp, hardware modeler/distortion, software modeler, all in one shot. I'd say 90% of the time I use the mic'd amp. 5% of the time I use the PSA-1. 3% of the time I use Amplitube (more as a safety net than anything). 2% of the time I'll do a mix-n-match thing.

I could be perfectly happy solely using any of those options, but my preference should be obvious given those highly scientific, and incredibly accurate percentages.

[davey boy]

I come from "the land of pod" and then went back to amp land a few years ago. Now I'm mostly amp sim guy and like the speed and flexibility in terms of having an idea and then going to town recording it, not worrying about mics and nailing the perfect tone. But, I've also become "re amp guy" too and I'll use real amps on occasion when I want or need to. In terms of the sims, Amplitube is nice in the sense that you can get it for free and then try out various amp models for 2 days to see if you want to buy them. In terms of real amp bang for your buck, I get a ton of mileage out of my Peavey C30. I've done some tube swapping with it and this year put in a weber blue dog speaker in it. The amp is very versatile and records great.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[hawk269]

Originally Posted by marcusfdh

Hi there,
Just to clarify a couple of things. I don't have the budget to keep spending on this

To get a good recording with an amp is going to require a decent mic and preamp. Not to mention learning how to get the best recordings from the amp.

Originally Posted by marcusfdh

I love the options that digital modelling give, or at least the principal, but am no longer happy with my line 6 stuff.

Line 6 can give decent results with time and tweaking. There are better alternatives. I've heard good things about the Kemper, but have no experience with them.

The Axe-FX (gen 1 & 2) are both great. I'd try to save for the II if you go that route, but the standard and ultras are both high quality.

Originally Posted by marcusfdh

I guess my greatest concern is the perceived limitation of a single amp. All my recording will be directly into a PC, rather than micing stuff up, due to location issues.

In this situation, modelling is the only way to go. There are a ton of options out there. Try out as many options as you can and listen to as many demos as possible. I always suggest finding the best unit you want and save for it if you need to.

In the meantime, keep at it with the Line6. You'll get better tones as you learn more. Read up on recording amps and how to dial them in for recording. A lot of it applies to modellers.

Originally Posted by marcusfdh

£500(preferably less) for an amp and £500 for some pedals? not into very weird stuff so should only need a few. I still have a couple of my boss ones left from the 80's!

If you want effects, I feel the Axe FX is the way to go. From what I've read, the Kemper is somewhat limited in the effects department. Both do extremely well on the amp sim front.

Again, it all boils down to what you need and which sounds the best to you. It's worth saving up for something that will satisfy your needs.

[mattsearles]

I guess hawk269 really nailed it...

I was going to ask if a low wattage amp might not be workable? And also to suggest that if you re amp modeled stuff through guitar speakers.. that can get you closer to the real thing.. something about pushing air.. but then there's the mic / preamp issue as well. I know there are cheap good preamps out there I'm just not sure which ones they are, and an SM57 is cheap so it might not be possible to come in under budget?

Also have you played with free guitar amp sim stuff?

Also what does versatile mean? Are there specific things your going for, particular genres?

[ARIEL]

Originally Posted by muziekschuur

I have over 10 tube amps. I have like 4 modellers. I have a full blown studio. Get whatever you need. The new Fender Mustang is awesome with some headphones and recording.

U want tubes. Life has never been better than today. 20 watt tube amps in all sorts of greatness are really affordable too. And the pedals from Behringer and Danelectro are really affordable and great. Offcourse are Fulltone and MXR pedals great and there are other greater pedals...

Todays guitars are now manufactured with CNC machines. A middle of the road stratocaster guitar is simply awesome. Each and every one of them. And current tube amps are awesome too. But current modellers are convient and handy. They sound good too. So whatever float your boat, grab it and master your skill... Sing a song with friends and enjoy life...

I'll agree with this for sure , I have both modellers and tube amps/cabs - My last mix the line 6 plug in worked better than the real amp . The band I am working with the 5150 half stack is sounding perfect . It boils down to sound tastes , Line 6 axe fx - excellent stuff . It is like having a different colour palette .

[NBarnes21]

to me modeling is the way to go in lieu of being able to track high volume tube amps with high end mics and preamps. recording in my basement I can't turn up my amp too loud (townhouse) and honestly recording direct with my babyface and amplitube 3's AC30 model sounds better than my low volume fizzy AC15 recorded with an SM57. Plus it's nice being able to tweak tones after the fact when you're demoing

[JimGeek]

I've tried both Amp and Amp, but Amp is better.