I just like "TUBES"....not interested in the Kemper or AxeFX

[gibson5413]

I will plug my cord right into a cats ass if it gives me the tone I am looking for.

End of thread!

 

[Chubtone]

I will plug my cord right into a cats ass if it gives me the tone I am looking for.

End of thread!

And the main reason my wife won't let me get a cat.

 

[rlord1974]

SHIT! Where did my cat go?!

 

[ejecta]

I use both, I like option's.
Sometimes I play just a amp
Sometimes I play just a modler
Sometimes I play a hybrid of the two
Sometimes I play just my acoustic

I like option's, I don't understand the " this or that" way of thinking some guys have
I really don't understand the hate between the Kemp & Axe camps.

Exactly the way I see it as well. I don't get the hate and having to stand on one side or the other in the "this vs that"..... right tool for the right job.

I will plug my cord right into a cats ass if it gives me the tone I am looking for.

End of thread!

Yep I think that pretty much ends it.

 

[Shark Diver]

soundguy wasn't as stoked when i went back to tubes, that's for sure.

And that's why I use both - sort of. I run out of my amp to a Two Notes LIVE and use that for the sound guy (and monitoring if needed - or recording), and use the speaker thru to a cab for me Best of both worlds. My amp, my tones and fx - but can still have all the benefits of the digital world. And if I play a gig that doesn't allow amps all I have to do is ditch the cabs as the LIVE is an 8ohm load. Easiest, most versatile rig ever.

 

[Bob Savage]

Unless an amp can somehow support the illusion that I can play guitar with any level of competency, I have no use for it. To the contrary, if an amp can, whether it be a digital contraption, solid state or tube make it look like I am in the know, I will use it with thanksgiving and a smile on my face. <burp>

Excuse me.

 

[Rock Bodom]

I find myself repeating the same cycle with modelers...for about a year I have one and it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, then I get an overwhelming urge to simplify and go back to tubes and there I primarily stay for a couple of years. I just get tired of thinking about "does this patch totally sound natural" and find myself endlessly tweaking tones versus playing. But totally agree they are very convenient for practicing and recording, and I'll probably get hooked on one of these again at some point, especially with how good they keep getting!

 

[steve_k]

There's just something about the smell of hot tubes and seeing them all lit up inside the headshell. There is also that challenge of knowing the inconsistencies of tubes and fine tuning your amp for that killer tone! There seems to be "life" in a tube amp and a certain punch from the tube poweramp.

I prefer simple amps with only a few options for my tone and don't really enjoy tweaking. I'm sure the Kemper and Axe FX are great tools and can get killer tones, but I enjoy the tried and true high gain tube amps that my idols use. I'm sure some of my above comments are the reasons others are going to the Kemper and Axe for consistency and multiple options.....I just can't get past the 1's & 0's as Steve King put it!

Just my .02 cents....no hate here. I just prefer an all tube amp with its challenges and limitations.

The Axe 3 will model tube smell too.....

 

[rlord1974]

The Axe 3 will model tube smell too.....

 

[primerib]

I think there is room for both Kempers/modelers and "real" amps. I mean, without the amps we use everyday, there would be nothing for the Kemper to "profile"?

 

[rlord1974]

.....without the amps we use everyday, there would be nothing for the Kemper to "profile"

This is a great point. I'm not aware that the Kemper has any "proprietary" tones. However, if it does, you never hear people talking about them. Only profiles of actual amps are lauded.

 

[marvcus]

Love tube amps and I have not made a digital plunge yet. My only question is what happens when tube prices become an arm and a leg? With technology in most every field expanding and the long reign of solid state designs in electronic devices, I can't imagine that tube manufacturers will stay in production down the road solely for guitar amp manufacturers and audiophiles.

At that point, would it be worth it to retube for $100/per 6L6, EL34, etc.?

I think that time is coming in the next 10 years. Could be wrong though...

 

[Rash]

I am (have) extremely (into) vintage (sounding) amps, speakers and pick ups, I really like modellers, i.e. I use Amplitube with Irs from Redwirez, for low volume playing digital kills, if you use cool DIs like A Design Reddi or Radial you can also simply use reamping afterwards with a cheap palmer reampig box, so best of both worlds (recording).

Modellers are overrated for live use, unless you are playing with something like John Zorn´s Naked City or Mr Bungle or Cover Band. You have to amplify and use a speaker, so not so easy to use and less an advantage for simplifying things.

The biggest problem using a lot of completely different sounds (biggest advantage of modellers) live, it is a mess for the mixer, audience and your fellow musicians because they have constantly adjust to you changing sounds, almost never works, even more important an aesthetical problem, you are disturbing constantly establishing a vibe, making people to get involved simply takes time. Worst case scenario, using modellers for a cover band and sounding like a DJ, playing the originals.....boring.

So better finding a live amp with usable sweet spot, articulation and expression that makes you performance cool and cutting through.

Btw. did not hear or experienced a cool sounding vox simulation yet.....

Kai

 

[BYTOR]

I am (have) extremely (into) vintage (sounding) amps, speakers and pick ups, I really like modellers, i.e. I use Amplitube with Irs from Redwirez, for low volume playing digital kills, if you use cool DIs like A Design Reddi or Radial you can also simply use reamping afterwards with a cheap palmer reampig box, so best of both worlds (recording).

Modellers are overrated for live use, unless you are playing with something like John Zorn´s Naked City or Mr Bungle or Cover Band. You have to amplify and use a speaker, so not so easy to use and less an advantage for simplifying things.

The biggest problem using a lot of completely different sounds (biggest advantage of modellers) live, it is a mess for the mixer, audience and your fellow musicians because they have constantly adjust to you changing sounds, almost never works, even more important an aesthetical problem, you are disturbing constantly establishing a vibe, making people to get involved simply takes time. Worst case scenario, using modellers for a cover band and sounding like a DJ, playing the originals.....boring.

So better finding a live amp with usable sweet spot, articulation and expression that makes you performance cool and cutting through.

Btw. did not hear or experienced a cool sounding vox simulation yet.....

Kai

You don't know what you are talking about! Sound guys & club owners love modelers. The audience gets to hear the guitar way better as well! Where have you been?? You need to get out more! lol

 

[Valtyr]

I got no problem with modelers, but I'm so happy with my current rig (Mesa Mark III w Marshall 2X12 cab) that I have no incentive to get anything else right now.

 

[Rash]

See my other threads, need to get out more???...a joke ....but yes, you are right, I do not see much hair metal and cover acts, very much electro combined with e-guitars, but even then not much kemper and axe fx, why should they? Cloning a Fender or Orange? Big inear systems and monitoring on stage? Why the hassle? Use a combo with a chair, much simpler and the original!

So enjoy your Journey and Rush concert

Kai

 

[blackba]

I am (have) extremely (into) vintage (sounding) amps, speakers and pick ups, I really like modellers, i.e. I use Amplitube with Irs from Redwirez, for low volume playing digital kills, if you use cool DIs like A Design Reddi or Radial you can also simply use reamping afterwards with a cheap palmer reampig box, so best of both worlds (recording).

Modellers are overrated for live use, unless you are playing with something like John Zorn´s Naked City or Mr Bungle or Cover Band. You have to amplify and use a speaker, so not so easy to use and less an advantage for simplifying things.

The biggest problem using a lot of completely different sounds (biggest advantage of modellers) live, it is a mess for the mixer, audience and your fellow musicians because they have constantly adjust to you changing sounds, almost never works, even more important an aesthetical problem, you are disturbing constantly establishing a vibe, making people to get involved simply takes time. Worst case scenario, using modellers for a cover band and sounding like a DJ, playing the originals.....boring.

So better finding a live amp with usable sweet spot, articulation and expression that makes you performance cool and cutting through.

Btw. did not hear or experienced a cool sounding vox simulation yet.....

Kai

You don't know what you are talking about! Sound guys & club owners love modelers. The audience gets to hear the guitar way better as well! Where have you been?? You need to get out more! lol

Most clubs and bars would rather everyone to direct even the drummer, so the sound person can control the sound. Modelers allow you to do direct easily.

 

[Shark Diver]

I do not see much hair metal and cover acts, very much electro combined with e-guitars, but even then not much kemper and axe fx, why should they? Cloning a Fender or Orange? Big inear systems and monitoring on stage? Why the hassle? Use a combo with a chair, much simpler and the original!

So enjoy your Journey and Rush concert

Kai

Saying a modeller can only do hair metal and cover bands = saying a computer can only do word processing.

 

[Rash]

Both ways are not a guarantee for a cool sound....the concerts I enjoyed the most, no modeler, my experience...I am not anti modeler...

I posted here a modeler marshall sim.....but you have to make it loud, add a speaker...often not an advantage

The most important thing is the concert room, a cool sound guy who knows his (g)ear and a cool source (meaning band with cool and transparent sound and arrangement)....no need for thousands of dollars.....trust me, different story making arena sounding cool.

 

[mentoneman]

I am (have) extremely (into) vintage (sounding) amps, speakers and pick ups, I really like modellers, i.e. I use Amplitube with Irs from Redwirez, for low volume playing digital kills, if you use cool DIs like A Design Reddi or Radial you can also simply use reamping afterwards with a cheap palmer reampig box, so best of both worlds (recording).

Modellers are overrated for live use, unless you are playing with something like John Zorn´s Naked City or Mr Bungle or Cover Band. You have to amplify and use a speaker, so not so easy to use and less an advantage for simplifying things.

The biggest problem using a lot of completely different sounds (biggest advantage of modellers) live, it is a mess for the mixer, audience and your fellow musicians because they have constantly adjust to you changing sounds, almost never works, even more important an aesthetical problem, you are disturbing constantly establishing a vibe, making people to get involved simply takes time. Worst case scenario, using modellers for a cover band and sounding like a DJ, playing the originals.....boring.

So better finding a live amp with usable sweet spot, articulation and expression that makes you performance cool and cutting through.

Btw. did not hear or experienced a cool sounding vox simulation yet.....

Kai

good points

the fact that the modelers are virtually limitless in parameter adjustment can drive you mad. like a magic phone booth that transforms you from buddy holly to john sykes to the mormon tabernacle choir to cello man. it's bad enough there are really no new heroes with identifiable tone personalities, just the old cast of cronies that realize how important that is, and this makes it worse for the next gen.
holdsworth might be the only old school guy that has successfully recreated his sound on new modeling gear, but he's a gear genius who normally helps the company build the gear he plays and even he struggles with it.

and so many of those parameters either don't behave like a normal amp/effect knob i've grown accustomed to, or affect the wrong element of tone i was reaching for.

generally speaking, grab for a modelling amp's treble and turn it up, and some skinny fizzy harsh thing gets turned up unlike any amp treble i've heard before. kemper might be changing that a bit...
normally, pull up a "chorus/delay" preset and you've got a kangaroo playing a jew's harp--if i wanted a background sound effect for a cartoon kid popping a boner--perfect.

but i do know that if you spend the time to become fluent with it, and with the proper supporting gear, modelers can sound great and are way more surgical and beneficial for live sound, and i have to admit running the ultra into garage band digitally i was able to make a recording of my live rock setting that sounded amazing with zero setup/micing hassle.