sleewell2":zdvtjx90 said:
if there was stuff like the Helix, KPA or AX8 around back in the 70s and 80s I highly doubt the average joe without roadies would haul around a huge rack to most gigs.
Whoever suggested that those huge racks were for the average joe, or for 'most' gigs? [...]
None the less, technology has come a long way since the 70's, and there are a lot of available tools which sound fantastic. They are getting so close to some of the classic tones-- it's awesome.
The trick is finding and achieving the intended result from the gear. Each device has it's own color, and texture that they bring to the table-- and those who are lucky, find their preferences available because they were specific when making their gear selection.
It only matters when close enough is too far away, as it goes to the framework of this vs that. Having the right gear doesn't even guarantee a great result. Knowing what to do with the gear once we have it, is the thing that can frustrate those who may have a complicated soundscape in mind, but not really know how to achieve it by programming, and routing the gear to hit the target.
I know I'm not unique in that even though I have the huge w/d/w rig, it isn't my only gear. I figure the guys who have the crazy big rigs also have medium and small sized rigs for various live club, concert, touring, and/or studio gigs, and/or rehearsals, or jam sessions.