Giving up on modelers & profilers

[Thunkful]

Tried a Helix today and i've owned a kemper before and i just can't bond with the digital stuff. That clunky feeling & boxy sound with that digital fizz is something i've been unable to get rid off no matter what i did.

Some of that could probably be eliminated with a good IR on Helix, but it was present even on Kemper so..

Yes tube amps can break down, yes tubes can go bad and yes they can be heavy to carry, but i honestly don't care anymore. They feel & sound superior even when played mouse quiet meanwhile Helix retained the same artificial feeling & sound even when played loud through a large monitor.

I'll probably invest my hopes on the IR technology to be used with tube amps, but for now i'll just stick with playing through a real cab and using a SM57 if i need to record something

/rant

 

[jski59]

I just made the switch to modeler and am very happy...but running it thru a guitar cab vs a monitor was the key for me. I'm using an atomic Amplifire 12-Duncan power stage 170-2x12 cab and it sounds great, no fizz.

If recording and sticking with amps, I highly recommend the Suhr reload IR.

 

[Thunkful]

I just made the switch to modeler and am very happy...but running it thru a guitar cab vs a monitor was the key for me. I'm using an atomic Amplifire 12-Duncan power stage 170-2x12 cab and it sounds great, no fizz.

If recording and sticking with amps, I highly recommend the Suhr reload IR.

Probably using a guitar cab would probably improve the sound & feel as well, but these days there's so many lunchbox sized amps on the market that the whole weight & convenience factor kinda fades away. And convenience & simplicity is what was looking for to gain from modelers.

Still happy that it works for ya, enjoy the atomic man! Isn't Satchel using that unit as well?

 

[Monkey Man]

In theory Kemper's new Kabinet and Kone products would make all the difference for those used to a real-amp-in-the-room sound.

The Kone drivers will be able to be installed into any cabinet of your choice, whereas the Kabinet will be a passive, chain-able enclosure with active models to follow.

Just sayin' mate, 'cause this comment below isn't how non amp-in-the-room-addicted guitarists hear the Kemper, but some just can't deal with the studio-mic'd nature of all-in-one Kemper tones and would therefore be better off running it as the amp component into an enclosure of their choice with or without Kemper Kone drivers, or the forthcoming Kabinet.

That clunky feeling & boxy sound with that digital fizz is something i've been unable to get rid off no matter what i did.

 

[flimz]

Im using an Atomic AA6. Very happy. I started with an FRFR powered monitor. That was ok for quiet volumes at home. But now I use a Powerstage 170 into my guitar cab, and that did it for me.
The Atomic amp models are fantastic, no boxy digital fizz. Parametric eq is important here.
And the EQ on the PS170 comes in real handy for quick adjustments in a live scenario.

 

[sleewell2]

hey at least you gave them a shot.

whatever works... do that and just have fun with it!!!

 

[jski59]

Im using an Atomic AA6. Very happy. I started with an FRFR powered monitor. That was ok for quiet volumes at home. But now I use a Powerstage 170 into my guitar cab, and that did it for me.
The Atomic amp models are fantastic, no boxy digital fizz. Parametric eq is important here.
And the EQ on the PS170 comes in real handy for quick adjustments in a live scenario.

LOL, I kept my Wilson vibe as well! Tweaked and tweaked and just couldn’t get the Amplifire’s to sound as good...duplicated my evh flanger and a phaser spot on though.

 

[flimz]

Im using an Atomic AA6. Very happy. I started with an FRFR powered monitor. That was ok for quiet volumes at home. But now I use a Powerstage 170 into my guitar cab, and that did it for me.
The Atomic amp models are fantastic, no boxy digital fizz. Parametric eq is important here.
And the EQ on the PS170 comes in real handy for quick adjustments in a live scenario.

LOL, I kept my Wilson vibe as well! Tweaked and tweaked and just couldn’t get the Amplifire’s to sound as good...duplicated my evh flanger and a phaser spot on though.

I managed to dial in a Vibe tone on the AA6 that is 90% as good as the Aqua. But I would need to add some kind of expression controller for changes in rate/depth etc. So for now the Aqua stays onboard!

 

[mnemonic]

I’ve been using my axe FX II almost exclusively for the last year or so. I’ve had it for probably 5 years but I was always going back to tubes. Though the final (or second-to-last, I forget) firmware update it got finally made it sound/feel as good as my tube amps.

I know some people made that switch years ago but at that time, at least for the models I use and the music I play it wasn’t there yet. And I know for some people it still isn’t quite there yet.

The good news is this stuff does tend to get incrementally better over time. If you do want to use digital, there’s a good chance it may get good enough for you in the coming years.

 

[Thunkful]

Just sayin' mate, 'cause this comment below isn't how non amp-in-the-room-addicted guitarists hear the Kemper, but some just can't deal with the studio-mic'd nature of all-in-one Kemper tones and would therefore be better off running it as the amp component into an enclosure of their choice with or without Kemper Kone drivers, or the forthcoming Kabinet.

I'm aware that a mic'd sound bein' vastly different compared to the amp in the room sound, but i feel like that at least with a real amp, cab and a mic i can try my best to capture the amp-in-the-room experience.

 

[skullfxr]

I like the amps I have. I know I would not be content with digital. I will get a Suhr RLIR or something though for recording instead of miking up.

 

[JSutter]

I go back and forth. Right now it's 4CM, amp tones with digital effects via RP1000. I still love my Ibanez FL99 so that stays. I have a crybaby until I can get used to the digital version (both sound and operation).

I'm having a hard time with the idea of preset patches. I like being able to turn individual effects on and off and change channels on the amp.

Really, there is no right or wrong. Do what works for you.

 

[Shask]

Yep, I agree you need to run it through a poweramp and actual guitar cab. That is when you can start to dial it in to sound like an amp, not like a recording of an amp. It is not perfect, but closer. Preamp Model + Poweramp model + EQ, and NO IR/Cab stuff.

I have never been able to get into FRFR stuff. It sounds ok for a mix in recording, but so flat and lifeless for just jamming. Not inspiring at all.

I go back and forth with my Axe-FX II. Some days it sounds amazing, and other days it annoys me and I go play a tube amp. I have been experimenting with it more as just an effects unit in the loop of my tube amps lately.

 

[stratjacket]

Tried a Helix today and i've owned a kemper before and i just can't bond with the digital stuff. That clunky feeling & boxy sound with that digital fizz is something i've been unable to get rid off no matter what i did.

Some of that could probably be eliminated with a good IR on Helix, but it was present even on Kemper so..

Yes tube amps can break down, yes tubes can go bad and yes they can be heavy to carry, but i honestly don't care anymore. They feel & sound superior even when played mouse quiet meanwhile Helix retained the same artificial feeling & sound even when played loud through a large monitor.

I'll probably invest my hopes on the IR technology to be used with tube amps, but for now i'll just stick with playing through a real cab and using a SM57 if i need to record something

/rant

That’s cool you gave it a go, do what sounds best to you. I love both, Axe-Fx III and amps, they all sound great. Are you keeping the Helix?

 

[sleewell2]

for the longest time i was a firm believer in modelers in 4cm with a tube amp and cab. the more time i spent with it i tried it with a quilter ss amp and cab and it still sounded really good. then i went direct which again, took some time to learn, but it still sounded great.

i think trying something like this for one day you really dont have enough to make a decision. stay away from factory presets, they suck. you really have to learn how to eq it a lot moreso than with tube amps that might sound good on just about any setting. for me at least the time i have invested learning the unit has payed off in spades.

 

[Markedman]

I'm old, like really old and I remember a lot of shit. Solid State Shit hasn't gotten any better sounding, if anything it's gotten stale. My Acoustic brand bass amp from 5o years ago sounds great, as in great great, so does my Ampeg VH140C and I do perform with both without anyone complaining. But, I do have tube amps and my MESA/Boogies shine and get raves when people hear them, "a chill down my spine" raves. The sound difference of tube amps is quite noticeable when playing in a band situation and modern SS is SS in the end, love it or not.

 

[DragonCrestPC]

That sucks, i tried a kemper and AxeFX through a power amp and cab and couldn't get into the feel or sound either. At least you tried it out.

 

[Thunkful]

That’s cool you gave it a go, do what sounds best to you. I love both, Axe-Fx III and amps, they all sound great. Are you keeping the Helix?

I tested the Helix on a local music shop has they had them in stock.

Im using an Atomic AA6. Very happy. I started with an FRFR powered monitor. That was ok for quiet volumes at home. But now I use a Powerstage 170 into my guitar cab, and that did it for me.
The Atomic amp models are fantastic, no boxy digital fizz. Parametric eq is important here.
And the EQ on the PS170 comes in real handy for quick adjustments in a live scenario.

Helix has few built in EQs that helped to get rid of some of the bad stuff, but in the end even with a proper EQ it didn't deliver for me, same with the Kemper.

 

[mystixboi]

I made the switch from using tube amps to a hx stomp last year and I couldn’t be happier. The absolute convenience of this set up as well as the kick ass tone makes it so worth it for me.

Different strokes for different folks of course.

 

[JerEvil]

Do your thing chicken wing. Both for me. Modelers are just a necessity for me but I also enjoy them. That said, I’ll never give up my amps.