Amp modeling using
While the debate between tube amplifiers and solid-state has raged on over the years, one could take that to the next level when also considering modeling amps. The basic difference between solid-state and tubes is that solid-state amps boost the incoming signal without using vacuum tubes. Instead, circuits with semi-conductors enhance the electrical current of your guitar. Modeling amps go one step further, adding in additional digital processors that can recreate the sounds of a variety of different amplifiers and effects. Because modeling amps are based on computers and chips, they are quite light, and therefore, portable. The Mustang GT 40 weighs in at a mere 14 pounds, while its bigger sibling, the Mustang GT , tips the scales at a manageable 34 pounds.
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When players hear the phrase best amp modelers, they probably bring to mind one of two things. Guitarists of a certain age will remember fondly the little red bean-shaped Line 6 POD, which brought modeling to the masses. No doubt the young guns will picture the overflowing racks of modern touring bands on YouTube, with Axe-FX and Kemper amp simulators.
The technology in the gear featured in this best amp modelers round-up is unrecognizable from those first innovations, and some of the higher-end kit comes complete with an eye-watering price tag to match. But amp modeling is not just the preserve of the pros — and this guide is going to prove why.
Are you looking for a great deal on the best amp modelers this Black Friday? Check out our Black Friday guitar deals page for the latest news, and the best deals around. While the Axe-Fx redefined the professional modeler, the Line 6 Helix revolutionized the user interface players could expect. All that said, there is one situation in which the Axe-FX can be bested. If you have analog gear or amps you want to build into virtual rigs, it's a great all-in-one solution to base your live rig around.
On the other hand, if money is limited, there are more affordable options to check out in our best amp modeler guide too. It includes the same dual-DSP architecture, capacitive footswitches and presets. The Helix LT is the floorboard-only little brother of the full-fat Helix.
It has the same dual-DSP architecture of the larger unit, but removes the scribble strips and slims down the input and output options, resulting in a leaner beast. Luckily, these changes are unlikely to affect most players, and if you don't want a rack version or extensive MIDI and CV control, then we'd probably say this is not only the better choice for your needs, but also for your wallet. Finally, for an extra hundred bucks, you can get the Helix Native plugin, which allows you to use Helix models directly in your DAW.
If you can afford it, the Axe-Fx is one of the best amp modelers you can buy. Not only does it have the best tones in the business, but it's got hundreds of them. Periphery, Coheed and Cambria and Devin Townsend you say? The Axe-Fx III has an overhauled user interface that, unlike previous versions, can finally go toe-to-toe with the intuitive Line 6 Helix. Although we're only concerned with amp emulation here, the Axe-Fx has hundreds of brilliant effects as well as powerful, studio-grade EQ and gating options, so that's certainly worth considering, especially for recording.
As Omar from the cult television series The Wire had it, "if you come at the King, you'd best not miss. In terms of sound, like the Axe-FX, it's impossible to tell it apart from a real amp. Where it has the edge is form factor, portability and the ergonomics of its touch screen.
It's not the first modeller to sport a touch screen, but it is the first one to offer an experience comparable to other high-end consumer devices. Another killer feature on paper is the ability to capture amps and pedals that you own. Again, like other products such as the BIAS amp suite, it's uncannily on the money. This feature does, however, require you to own or have access to the amp or pedal in the first place. This neatly sets up the only drawback of the Cortex - that, however good they are, it ships with a fraction of the amp models of its main competitors.
For extra expansion in the future, it does have Cortex Cloud, where you can download and share presets, but that's hardly a unique feature. If you liked the idea of being able to run amp models and IRs but have a traditional pedalboard, then the Line 6 HX Stomp could be for you.
It takes a scaled-down version of the Helix floorboard, and gives you a subset of its amps and effects, with the same intuitive controls. As you'd expect, it doesn't have the processing power of the larger unit. This means you can't run patches of the same complexity. However, it's incredibly useful for adding additional, infrequently-used effects to your chain.
This could really come into its own in a covers band, for example. Meanwhile, the amp and cab models are the same excellent pedigree as the flagship models.
This means that it's a great grab-and-go amp solution for smaller gigs, as well as a useful audio interface to use in a home studio setting.
Read the full Line 6 HX Stomp review. With a more amp-like front panel than many of its competitors, the Kemper is the best amp modeler for players who want to be eased into the simulation experience, hiding a huge amount of depth behind its simple user interface.
There's a rack version for those that want to use it in a studio or ship it in a rack, or a head version that comes with a power amp, so that a speaker cab can be attached. For both, there's the option of a floorboard. They're a core part of the live rig of bands like Biffy Clyro, and Tesseract switched from Axe-FX to Kemper for their most recent album Sonder, using a patch based on a custom-captured Diezel head. Read the full Kemper Profiler review.
With a quad-core DSP and luxurious 7-inch touchscreen, the HeadRush certainly goes all-out on hardware. In terms of the fidelity and feel of the amps, it's more 'open' and 'full' than most of the Helix models, and the way models respond to playing dynamics seems more subtle and more rich than other top-flight units.
So what's the catch? Well, on paper the 7-inch touchscreen should be a great user experience, but in practice, it's often harder to use than a joystick or arrow buttons, resulting in a great-sounding, but often frustrating floorboard. Given that it is capable of profiling an innumerable amount of vintage amplifiers and making them digitally available, and it costs less than buying a Profiler Head and Remote, the Kemper Profiler Stage could be marketed as the best value amp on the market.
Or alternatively as the ultimate tool for the touring musician. But that is part of the Kemper experience. The Profiler Stage weighs just 10lb and yet it can hold all the rigs you could ever need. Read the full Kemper Profiler Stage review. The Helix LT is probably more than enough for most players, but if you want to send CV or control a whopping three expression pedals, then the full-fat Helix could be the best amp modeler for you. For the extra cash you get some additional affordances like scribble strips and additional inputs, though the DSP and software is the same.
Crucially, the user interface is the best on the market right now, and that's why you'd buy the Helix over the Kemper or Axe-FX. Alternatively, you can opt for the rack version if you have a studio or want the ability to neatly flight-case the unit, though you'll need to separately purchase the Helix Floor Controller if you want a floorboard to control it.
The amp simulations are second-to-none, thanks to the Augmented Impulse Response Dynamics AIRD tech, which gives the impression of even more 'air' and harmonic richness than even the Headrush.
However, the user interface has not changed with the times, reminding us more of our old rack gear that, while powerful, required power-user level knowledge to edit and operate.
The GT sounds fantastic, but many of its competitors on this best amp modeler list leave it in the dust in terms of usability. Read the full Boss GT review. The BIAS Head ships with 25 built-in patches, and a pleasantly familiar amp-like interface on the front panel. The real power comes from hooking it up to a computer or device running the BIAS software, as you can tweak and load new patches directly.
If you're looking for an interface to flight-case or put into a studio setting, there's also a rack version, though without effects like its competitors, at that point you might want to explore more all-rounder solutions. It might not have the sampling rate or bit depth of the trailblazing GT, but for a fraction of the price the GT certainly isn't bad.
Yes, there are many better options on the market all of which are on this list , but like anything else, ten years ago this amp sim would have blown away the best studio gear available. With a host of amp models that cover the main bases, from bluesy to high-gain metal, the GT is a workhorse that will get you to your band's first demo tape and beyond, even if it's unlikely to be a tool you hang on to forever.
When it comes to guitar amp modelers, they come in two main flavors — rack and floorboard. The big sluggers are the Axe-Fx and Kemper, both of which are primarily rack units. The Kemper does have a head version, as well as a new floorboard edition, for guitarists that prefer the look and feel of those formats.
The Line 6 Helix also comes in two different flavors. First, a floorboard, familiar to those that had already used POD floorboards and Line 6 multi-effects in the past, and a rack version, aimed at touring players, or for studio use.
When choosing the best amp modeler for you, the main consideration should be the user interface. That is, how you interact with it, and how easy it is to use. In some ways, the quality of the models themselves is a secondary concern. Though it's tempting to buy based on the number of patches, the interface is more important. Manufacturers will boast an eye-watering number of presets, but most units will allow you to add new presets and Impulse Responses IRs.
From our experience, a lot of players will only dive deeper once they've found some core sounds they're happy with. This is why it's still important that there be some great-sounding stock presets, straight out of the box.
Finally, there's the tech specs. Is there any noticeable latency? What inputs and outputs are on offer? Most modern units also allow you to share tones and presets on the internet and many allow you to load new IRs. If you want to play live, probably the most important consideration is whether it has a power amp built-in or not.
Most of these units will use their digital modeler as a preamp, like the pre- in a traditional guitar amp. However, if they don't have a power amp — like the power tubes in a valve guitar head — then it won't be able to drive a speaker, and you'll need to buy a separate power amp.
Alex Lynham is a gear obsessive who's been collecting and building modern and vintage equipment since he got his first Saturday job. Besides reviewing countless pedals for Total Guitar, he's written guides on how to build your first pedal, how to build a tube amp from a kit, and briefly went viral when he released a glitch delay pedal, the Atom Smasher. Guitar World. Included in this guide: 1. Line 6 Helix LT. Models: 62 amps, 37 cabs. Power amp: no. Reasons to avoid - Fewer inputs and outputs.
Sound like your heroes using one of the best amp modelers around. Models: amps, cabs. Reasons to avoid - Expensive - Too powerful for some. Power amp: No. Reasons to avoid - Price - Fewer stock amps than the competition.
Best amp modelers 2021: rack-mounted and floorboard options for every budget
Each amp in the series delivers the same organic, natural, and authentic tones that can enthuse and encourage aspiring stars, and also hang tough on stage and in the studio. DT25 allows you to reconfigure analog components for a completely customized sound via L6 Link. Why would you turn down to practice? Spider Classics give you the excitement and feel of amps twice their size, and are there for you when you need it most: when inspiration strikes. Packed with plenty of amp and effects models to practice at a civilized level, or turned up to rehearse the new tunes for your next show.
The Many Benefits of Modeling Amps
Play and practice with millions of songs and access over 10, tones powered by our award-winning BIAS tone engine. The Spark amp and app work together to learn your style and feel, and then generate authentic bass and drums to accompany you. The Spark app responds to your voice commands. Tell it to stream a rock song or a blues backing track, or ask for a virtual band to follow your playing. The Spark app provides over 10, killer guitar and bass amp-and-FX presets from famous guitarists, professional session players, expert studio engineers and hit-making producers from around the world. Plug in and play or stream your music using Bluetooth in high-definition audio. Connect Spark and easily record on your computer. Spark is not just an electric guitar amp — it also comes with amp models and effects for bass and acoustic. With deep, thunderous tones for bass, and a bright and full-bodied sound for acoustic guitar, Spark is your go-to amp for every instrument.
Connecting Amp Modelers for Live Performance – The Complete Guide
Protect your investment. Register your product and stay up-to-date with the latest warranty information. Explore in-depth articles on BOSS pedals and get inspiring knowledge to help spark your creativity. The VG-8 was truly a milestone for the guitar products industry, the very first device to incorporate digital modeling in a guitar processor.
2021 UPDATE: Best Amp Modeling Pedals & Cab Simulators
If you are looking for a range of classic amplifier sounds, without investing heavily in a tonne of classic amps, then without a doubt you are going to want to source a great modeling amp. Likewise if you are a gigging guitarist who typically lugs around a several amps and a large pedal board to venues you would be mad not to want to reap the benefits of authentic modeling in a single amplifier They give the guitarist the freedom to perform without pedal boards and guitar accessories, to explore tones in an unencumbered all-in-one product. For keyboard players, check out our review on the top keyboard amps! Amps are evolving at an unbelievable rate and the technological advancements bring with them seemingly infinite sound options. Allowing players to effortless switch up their sounds and even find a unique individual tone. When it comes to choosing the best modeling amp for your needs there are many factors to take into consideration Fortunately we have compiled a practical list of the top ten best modeling amps in no particular order.
Amp Designer models in Logic Pro
You can learn about different Amp Designer models, their tone and sonic character, and the musical styles they have traditionally been associated with. The Tweed models are based on American combos from the s and early s that helped define the sounds of blues, rock, and country music. They have warm, complex, clean sounds that progress smoothly through gentle distortion to raucous overdrive as you increase the gain. Even after half a century, Tweeds can still sound contemporary. Many modern boutique amplifiers are based on Tweed-style circuitry. For extra definition, set the Treble and Presence controls to a value around 7.
Once upon a time, most electric guitarists i. This is a guide to the best amp modeler pedals and cab simulators on the market, today. Ready to buy?
Designed to offer a wide variety of options for players in search of the perfect clean and edge-of-break-up tones. The sonic possibilities of Archetype: Abasi are as vast and genuine as the artist who inspired it. Be part of the Neural network! Subscribe now to get information about free updates, new releases, special offers, giveaways, and more! This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
At the time I thought it was a lot of fun for practicing since it had a variety of tones. I could play some blues licks, dial in a jangly clean tone for my softer chord progressions, and scoop the heck out of the mids on the metal setting for my Metallica jams. Sure, it was fun to use at home to practice. But I'd never gig with it. And my physical amps sounded way better. I could throw a pedal and a guitar in my trunk, and just drive off to the gig.
For decades, the electric guitarist has been shackled to the tube amplifier as the only means of achieving "that sound". This magical combination is by no means ideal - the challenge to achieve a consistent sound from the practice room to the studio, and especially to the stage, continues to frustrate guitarists, just as it has since the early s. We use proprietary digital technology to analyze the sonic DNA of your amp.
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