The future of rock guitar rigs...

[Rock Bodom]

I think one shortcoming of the modelers is it still takes some time investment to get the very best tones...if the modelers became ridiculously simple to dial in great tones (like a particularly killer 100W amp with just a few knobs), it would broaden the appeal. While being a dedicated tweaker and tone chaser is an admirable quality that pays off nicely for some, lots of people just want to play guitar and quickly get to the tones they like and are practical for their situation. If these products were truly amazing addictive ear candy to most users out of the box, we wouldn't be continuing to debate them so heavily, and we'd see far more people jump ship on tube amps.

I can't imagine ever using a fraction of what a Kemper or Axe-FX has to offer, even though I do in fact play my Axe-FX 90% of the time (and use a grand total of 3 patches for the most part) because it really is more convenient than my 100 watters (though they still do sound better to my ears). I want the "modeler lite", with less versatility and more ease of use to quickly get to "the real thing" experience (which I still don't know I've ever fully heard as it is).

 

[Elric]

Macbook Pro|iPad -> Power Amp.

 

[supersonic]

The future of my guitar rig is keeping my 100w valve head and 2x12 'till I die. Even a 50w valve head doesn't do it for me. Tried the modelers, they have a long long way to go. Then there's the tweaking with the modelers, uggg!

 

[maddnotez]

the next generation of players (metal or otherwise) will inevitably embrace digital technology, just like most of us have in almost every other aspect of our lives.

Tubes are messy and expensive to produce and we only have couple of companies on the earth still making them. At some point (not tomorrow of course), the balance will shift away from that market.

The next batch of young players will create new and exciting sounds with these digital tools and in-turn, influence other players to follow suit. The door is wide-open.

Definitely a few good points.

I can imagine that 8 track users said nothing would ever replace the 8 track.

In the future the modelers just may be 100%. They are pretty damn close now. The only complaint I hear alot is the usually do not capture the "feel" of a tube amp.

I have heard others say for example the Kemper can damn well capture the feel of a tube amp if you have very nice powered monitors. I know Kemper is not a "modeler" but the technology is there.

The biggest and best point to me thas I quoted was the manufacturing. It is not exactly a booming business like it was years ago and the quality is not very close to what it used to be as far as tubes go.

I guess I am having second thoughts. At some point in the future I could definitely see digital completely taking over to where if you have a Diezel or a Bogner from today it would be comparable to having a 69' Mustang or something.

If the price becomes more affordable and the sounds and feels become a little more accurate then sure modelers could take over the White House but there will always be the old school guys like me (I am getting old) that get a boner when the flip that switch and watch the tubes glow.

Some guys even smell the box the tube came in like a fine bottle of wine

 

[stephen sawall]

Someone is going to figure out the feel thing with digital. Eventually they are going to get the sound and feel simulations much closer. The only reason it does not happen sooner is there is not enough money behind it.
Right now if you put tubes before and after digital you can get pretty good results.
I am kind if surprised there has not been more done with digital controlled tube amps.....
There is also a lot that could be done with 3D printers once that technology is more developed.
People are already making circuit boards and a few other things for pedals with 3D printers.
All of this technology is going to have a huge impact on music creation ..... Way beyond "rock" or "guitar"....

 

[tubortski]

Agreed.

Also, it's not to replace tubes amps, at least for me. There will be times when high volumes cannot happen, or a variety of high-quality tones are needed quickly. Using tube amps are at the top of the list.

 

[ghosty999]

My theory is that it will go back to racks, maybe not 80s racks with a u2 unit just for reverb you use once in one song.

There will be small pedal boards, or just a midi pedal board running into a 6u rack unit with modelling or a tube pre-amp. Take a look at the new rocktron Valve Sonic, once it has MIDI it will be ideal!

But then again it makes Yngwie's wall of marshalls look cooler the more people turn to rack systems

 

[Shiny_Surface]

In some ways it could be the next gen version of what happened in the 80's with guitar synths. The guitar will merely become a controller for any type of sound.

A vast library of traditional amp modeling and synths/sampling will all fit on a very tiny chip that will be controlled by something wearable, the "rig" will be what you're holding as the "guitar" controller and maybe a floor controller.

 

[TheLong]

I'm all about tube amps, but it's only a matter of time before they become completely impractical and utterly stupid.

 

[SFW]

As long as big artist tour, there will be tube amps. In 2014 I saw Alterbridge, Blackberry Smoke, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Sebastian Bach, Tom Keifer, Chevelle, and a host of local bands that we played with. In that time, I saw two Line6 POD500s and one AxeFX unit. The vast majority were playing old Marshalls or newer high gain amps. Digital is a niche market. We see a lot of it here because we're a small obsessed portion of the guitar playing market. Sure this stuff is out there and being used. However, most working musicians can't afford to drop $3k just to get in the door. In the 12 years that I've been a gigging musician in the Houston area, I've only seen one or two Gibson Historics on stage. Most guys are like me and playing Standards and $2k amps. Hell, if I have to pick the most popular hard rock company here it would be Schector. Working class musicians are still using good midrange gear. And I don't see that changing. Unless your heroes are Djent or some type of "core" band, kids are still lusting for that wall of Marshalls or Mesas. And that's what will continue to drive the market.

 

[thiswaythatway]

I think one shortcoming of the modelers is it still takes some time investment to get the very best tones...if the modelers became ridiculously simple to dial in great tones (like a particularly killer 100W amp with just a few knobs), it would broaden the appeal. While being a dedicated tweaker and tone chaser is an admirable quality that pays off nicely for some, lots of people just want to play guitar and quickly get to the tones they like and are practical for their situation. If these products were truly amazing addictive ear candy to most users out of the box, we wouldn't be continuing to debate them so heavily, and we'd see far more people jump ship on tube amps.

I can't imagine ever using a fraction of what a Kemper or Axe-FX has to offer, even though I do in fact play my Axe-FX 90% of the time (and use a grand total of 3 patches for the most part) because it really is more convenient than my 100 watters (though they still do sound better to my ears). I want the "modeler lite", with less versatility and more ease of use to quickly get to "the real thing" experience (which I still don't know I've ever fully heard as it is).

How about a Fractal Axe-Fx with maybe 20-25 amp models, 15 or so cab sims, and just like 8 delays, 5 or so verb's, 5 chorus, 3 phasers...etc. And put it in a box like the POD HD500 and price it for around $999. FRACTAL....is that possible? I think they'd really steal even more customers away from Line 6.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Someone is going to figure out the feel thing with digital. Eventually they are going to get the sound and feel simulations much closer. The only reason it does not happen sooner is there is not enough money behind it.
Right now if you put tubes before and after digital you can get pretty good results.
I am kind if surprised there has not been more done with digital controlled tube amps.....
There is also a lot that could be done with 3D printers once that technology is more developed.
People are already making circuit boards and a few other things for pedals with 3D printers.
All of this technology is going to have a huge impact on music creation ..... Way beyond "rock" or "guitar"....

Many think Kemper already got the feel thing down. If not, they're VERY close.

 

[stephen sawall]

Someone is going to figure out the feel thing with digital. Eventually they are going to get the sound and feel simulations much closer. The only reason it does not happen sooner is there is not enough money behind it.
Right now if you put tubes before and after digital you can get pretty good results.
I am kind if surprised there has not been more done with digital controlled tube amps.....
There is also a lot that could be done with 3D printers once that technology is more developed.
People are already making circuit boards and a few other things for pedals with 3D printers.
All of this technology is going to have a huge impact on music creation ..... Way beyond "rock" or "guitar"....

Many think Kemper already got the feel thing down. If not, they're VERY close.

Never tried the Kemper ..... I still am using tubes.

 

[FUZZboat]

thermonuclear destruction , EMP's , ebola

in < 20 years I think we will all be back to acoustic with stone age skiffle

 

[ejecta]

Someone is going to figure out the feel thing with digital. Eventually they are going to get the sound and feel simulations much closer. The only reason it does not happen sooner is there is not enough money behind it.
Right now if you put tubes before and after digital you can get pretty good results.
I am kind if surprised there has not been more done with digital controlled tube amps.....
There is also a lot that could be done with 3D printers once that technology is more developed.
People are already making circuit boards and a few other things for pedals with 3D printers.
All of this technology is going to have a huge impact on music creation ..... Way beyond "rock" or "guitar"....

Many think Kemper already got the feel thing down. If not, they're VERY close.

It feels the best of the high end digital unit but IMHO it's not "very close" for the tones and feel I go for. But I agree.... someday they'll get it figured out.

 

[Little B]

...and coming from the other end of it- I could maybe see a new tube technology where a tube is made that never wears out.( ie:not tube modelling)If that would catch on,and then all the various tube types..wow..buy em once..youre done!

 

[depechex]

Kemper is there right now, so close it's crazy. Add to the mix that touring around is definitely easier if you're carrying lighter and digital units. Tube amps are HEAVY, too heavy sometimes.

 

[supersonic]

Kemper is there right now, so close it's crazy. Add to the mix that touring around is definitely easier if you're carrying lighter and digital units. Tube amps are HEAVY, too heavy sometimes.

Pffft, pussy!

 

[Sworn Virgin]

I am thinking of getting that Mini Rectifier.....but my other amps are all 100 watt heads....

 

[rsm]

Currently using a TC Helicon VoiceLive 3 into my FRFR.

For guitar, my next rig is this:

or this:

Going into FRFR and FOH

controlled by an app in this (using my phone now

Just got the FX100 last week, delivered the same day as info on the Firehawk FX emerged. Happens frequently to me, LOL. Time will tell if it will work or replace the VL3 if I don't need voice.