Do you prefer software or hardware amp sims

[chaosgow]

There is a difference and it becomes more apparent to the player as your budget grows. Example: Guitar Rig is great but an AXE FX II is another planet.

[emitsweet]

Originally Posted by hemmick reef

I'm just wondering which people prefer and why between software and hardware amp sims - is there a difference?

definitely hardware. Big fan of the Korg Pandora 3. A $60 pedal used market. Smokes all the amp sims. It is as good as Axe FX maybe even better. I like some of the amp sims FX pedals but the pseudo tube distortions are an absolute joke even these days. Digital distortion is bad for your health. 2-4k on amp sim will give you tinnitus. Stay away. As pad as the POD is,
it at least won't hurt your ears and doesn't sound digitized.

[mdme_sadie]

Hardware all the way (for now at least), far far far lower latency, better feel, much better sounds too if you can afford an AxeFX or Kemper (and in my experience pretty much better sounds even at the lower end), more flexibility with routing, no stress on the CPU in the studio and for simple things like amp settings I much prefer a physical interface to mouse clicks.

[hemmick reef]

Thanks for the replies. I have an old Korg AX1100G which I will compare to my software amp sims.
Are there any good stomp box single pedal amp sims that are worth looking at that I could add to my analogue pedal chain so that I can go direct into my soundcard?

[frans]

The short route won't always get the desired results. That's why people have to take the long route. Or the expensive stuff. Maybe it's not a question of "this or that" but rather what will be convincing enough. That includes how it's handled.

[hemmick reef]

I'm trying to find the best recording alternative to using my Laney valve amp because of noise levels.

[Scott_R]

Having owned an Axe-Fx Ultra and a bunch of the software sims. The ultra is gone. I do have and use Scuffham S-Gear 2 which is quite good but to me there is nothing like the real thing so if you are looking for a "pedal" based solution for direct recording find yourself the new incredible Effectrode Blackbird SR-71 or an Ethos. Not to start a debate here but there's nothing like the real thing.

[mdme_sadie]

Originally Posted by Scott_R

Having owned an Axe-Fx Ultra and a bunch of the software sims. The ultra is gone. I do have and use Scuffham S-Gear 2 which is quite good but to me there is nothing like the real thing so if you are looking for a "pedal" based solution for direct recording find yourself the new incredible Effectrode Blackbird SR-71 or an Ethos. Not to start a debate here but there's nothing like the real thing.

The Ultra is several years old and I agree sounded like ass. Check out something more modern like the Kemper or even the Axe II which I hear good things from these days.

[Scott_R]

I'm good. I've been down that road and quite frankly Mike Scuffham's S-Gear 2 sounds excellent for amp sims if that's what I need to use. For me, there's nothing like the real thing. Simple, a few knobs and away I go. Thanks.

[chaosgow]

Thinking about it, a Hughes and Kettener Tubemeister (spelling?) might be perfect for you. It's basically a 5 watt tube head with a great simulated line out.

What does that mean for you?

Well it's an amp! So it works with pedals, you get the valve feel and tone and it's cheap(ish)

I also have to agree that in a perfect world, we'd all prefer the real thing. I've not met anyone that has prefered the Kemper over their fav amp. But the Kemper and AXE II have come a REALLY long way from guitar rig and pods. They do have the feel and resolution of a great amp in their own right.

[Scott_R]

Understood. Enjoy. That's what this is all about. I didn't mean to start a debate, the OP asked if there were any pedals (aside from hardware vs. software amp sims) that could be used for direct recording in the post just before mine. "I" prefer tube amps and pedals. There's lots of great equipment, if there wasn't we would all use the same thing. Finally, I wasn't dissing the Kemper or the Axe-Fx II, I've heard great recordings with them.

[Scott_R]

One last comment, buy cheap buy more than once, buy quality and be done.

[chaosgow]

Originally Posted by Scott_R

Understood. Enjoy. That's what this is all about. I didn't mean to start a debate, the OP asked if there were any pedals (aside from hardware vs. software amp sims) that could be used for direct recording in the post just before mine. "I" prefer tube amps and pedals. There's lots of great equipment, if there wasn't we would all use the same thing. Finally, I wasn't dissing the Kemper or the Axe-Fx II, I've heard great recordings with them.

I didn't mean to come accross asif you did mean anything bad about any solution. Each solution has merits

IMO, there's no such thing as a bad piece of gear (same for software). Just the right bit of kit for the right job that suits your preference. I love all gear, cheap or expensive as it all gives me something.

[catfishmusic]

Neither. I always use real amps (except for maybe during preproduction I'll throw on guitar rig or whatever is handy) If I had to pick a sim to use, I'd use the Ax FX Ultra 2. It's the best sim that I've heard, but I still wouldn't take it over the real thing, miked correctly in a good room with good pres yada yada.

[NoNutz]

Use them all. If it sounds good it IS good

[hemmick reef]

Originally Posted by chaosgow

Thinking about it, a Hughes and Kettener Tubemeister (spelling?) might be perfect for you. It's basically a 5 watt tube head with a great simulated line out.

What does that mean for you?

Well it's an amp! So it works with pedals, you get the valve feel and tone and it's cheap(ish)

I also have to agree that in a perfect world, we'd all prefer the real thing. I've not met anyone that has prefered the Kemper over their fav amp. But the Kemper and AXE II have come a REALLY long way from guitar rig and pods. They do have the feel and resolution of a great amp in their own right.

This sounds interesting, I'll check it out, thanks.

[hemmick reef]

Is the Ethos or Zen drive just another distortion box that's similar to Boss or EHX overdrive/distortion pedals...
or are they amp sims?