Rob Chapman: "Gear has reached a level where it's good enough." Whaddya think?

They’re tools themselves but no pedal is going to replicate, let alone replace, my builds for people in the room.

Under a mic is where it gets harder to differentiate because now it involves recording skills which are a skill in and of itself.

The boss katana version 3 artist edition would be my good enough amp if that’s the mentality I had for recording and live playing. It would do the job.

However it’s not good enough for many who demand a lot more from an amp. Digital is still replicating. I haven’t seen one digital anything claim to have developed their own amp design only by modeling and they never will because analog is king.
 
I'm not sure how you make digital gear/modelers much better. Outside of making the interface idiot proof.
 
I think part of it is psycological. So lets use an Irish example. Organic potatoes taste good, and Maris Pipers (usually not organic) also tastes good. But you always go for the Organic ones, becuase even though they can both be tasting similar, you just go organic because you are predisposed to thinking that that route represents the zenith.
 
I think a related point is the number of tones the digital route offers you, which is certainly an advantage over a JCM800. But another thing Ive realised over time, is that I dont want, or need 100s of patches. I need 4 or 5.
 
It’s a weird industry because all the new digital stuff is trying to copy the sound of analog gear from 40+ years ago in some instances

Digital is helping with workflow and convenience

I feel like we had all the tones and effects we needed about 20 years ago though
 
analog, digital, software, solid state, tubes,...

I have, use and enjoy them all.




CRAFTSMAN S2000 52-in Metal Rolling Tool Storage Collection
 








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Chapps is doing the same thing he was over 15+ yrs ago. Schleping music gear. First others and now his own.
Nothing will replace my 50+ yr love affair with thermionic valve amplifiers. Even if its only "rockin the hallway" its still "rockin".
The "easier softer way" is for pussies. NO GUTS NO GLORY.
 
I didn’t watch the vid, but yeah gear is good enough now. You can create great music with most any beginner shit right now.

Chasing specific tones and feels will send you down the rabbit hole, but any gear will let you play and create
 
Rob Chapman: "Gear has reached a level where it's good enough." Whaddya think?


Honestly I haven't had GAS in 13 years since I got my Kemper. I also have a holy grail OG 1984 Mesa Mark IIC+ HRG and...honestly, it barely gets used.
Kemper through PA, Kemper through headphones, or even (heresy) Kemper through the IIC+ power amp sounds so good and in some cases better, depending on the context.
 
Honestly I haven't had GAS in 13 years since I got my Kemper. I also have a holy grail OG 1984 Mesa Mark IIC+ HRG and...honestly, it barely gets used.
Kemper through PA, Kemper through headphones, or even (heresy) Kemper through the IIC+ power amp sounds so good and in some cases better, depending on the context.
Kemper completely changed me too. I still build tube amps for fun, but haven’t really gassed to buy one since the day I got the KPA.
It’s my amp, my monitor and my digital interface for a daw.
 
Honestly I haven't had GAS in 13 years since I got my Kemper. I also have a holy grail OG 1984 Mesa Mark IIC+ HRG and...honestly, it barely gets used.
Kemper through PA, Kemper through headphones, or even (heresy) Kemper through the IIC+ power amp sounds so good and in some cases better, depending on the context.
Better send me dat C+ so it gets used. Don't want the caps to go bad.
 
I don’t play guitar for convenience or for gadgetry or work flow. I play, because it nourishes my spirit and my soul. I’ll use what does that the best. Right now and ‘til I’m dust, that’s going to a tube amp at reasonable volume through a real cabinet in the room.
I understand a professional player using appropriate tools for their job. It’s why I’m very glad that my pro days were long ago.
 
That's like saying cars are fast enough. No. We need more power. We need more speed.

I agree. OTOH, it is a little disconcerting on how the average family car can now outperform my classic Porsche in pretty much every way. (My classic Mustang was never really a performer, but it sure looks good, and it sounds so sexy setting there rumbling along.)
 
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