Blind test! Mesa Dual Rectifier vs 'mystery' amp modeler...

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Even though I could hear the difference I still had no idea which was which. I liked B better but I just don't know shit about the digital stuff so I would have been guessing.

At this point I think we've all seen enough videos where the recordings do NOT represent what we hear in the room. Like the video showing how tubes don't change your tone. We've all heard it and in some cases it is not subtle yet certain recordings just don't reveal it very well. I'm curious if session guys that are listening to themselves thru headphones are hearing the sort of 'generic' recorded tone or the real 'in-the-room' tone. Because if the former then the notion of "well the player can hear it and it affects their playing"...that dog don't hunt anymore.
 
it's at the point where it's damn close between modeling and tubes after production work. I could hear the difference and I correctly did identify it this time, but out of 100 clips doubt I would every time tbh. AXE/Kemper/helix has its place and tons of advantages but for me it is not a replacement. if I was touring there is no way in hell I would not use Kemper (my personal favorite of the bunch). around my house/shop/studio, I will always be a tube amp person. that's what I like the feel of in the room when I play.

thanks to the OP for the video. I did very much enjoy it.
 
One thing to keep in mind is the fact that it’s one guitar track. In a true mix of a normal song there would be multiple guitar tracks and those digital artifacts would add up in a more obvious way.
 
MrDowntown said:
Curious. Anything in particular lead you to L6 or just wild guess.

IMO...the modern top non tube amp circuitry (Kemper, fractal, etc) in the right hands, especialliy in a studio setting, it's damn difficult to tell them apart by just listening. There is something to the difference In feeling between them though.
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I played Line 6 for years (several models) up until I got the Axe Fx Ultra, I’m bad with adjectives trying to describe, but it just sounded like it was either EQ’d different or it had a fizziness that reminded me of my old Line 6 XT days.

I agree they are hard to tell the difference. I play my AxeFx III most of the time and can’t tell much, if any, difference when I do play my amps. They both go through my Studio Monitors (Suhr Reactive Load for amps and direct for the AxeFx) so they feel the same in the room to me, meaning a complete signal flow from guitar to a mic’d up speaker.
 
Speaking of modelers.. Tried a Kemper today again and came to the same conclusion than before that modelers feel clunky to play and the digital fizz and harshness doesn't help either.
 
Sorry guys, I don't know what happened but I wasn't getting notifications on the thread....

Anyway, I'm currently working on a new blind test! JCM 800 Studio vs Helix vs Kemper vs Axe Fx. Should be fun! More of a mid gain rock crunch this time! :cool:
 
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