best amp simulator/ worth upgrading to a kemper/axe?
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aleclee
Major General GAS
Re: best amp simulator/ worth upgrading to a kemper/axe?
I'd suggest checking out the Atomic Amplifire. It's 1/3 the price of those and sounds great without a ton of tweaking or sifting through scads of profiles. It's good enough that it's replaced my AxeFx for live use.
I'd suggest checking out the Atomic Amplifire. It's 1/3 the price of those and sounds great without a ton of tweaking or sifting through scads of profiles. It's good enough that it's replaced my AxeFx for live use.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: best amp simulator/ worth upgrading to a kemper/axe?
I use a SansAmp PSA-1. Line6 has those PODs that are pretty decent also, both options are at least satisfying enough to practice with. The difference to me is the SansAmp sounds about like standing in front of a good amp while Line6 sounds like a recording of a good amp.
I use a SansAmp PSA-1. Line6 has those PODs that are pretty decent also, both options are at least satisfying enough to practice with. The difference to me is the SansAmp sounds about like standing in front of a good amp while Line6 sounds like a recording of a good amp.
jake_xms3_punk
New member
Re: best amp simulator/ worth upgrading to a kemper/axe?
If you don't mind using a pc/ tablet I would check out the amplitube series. I use it all the time for recording demos and it sounds great IMO
If you don't mind using a pc/ tablet I would check out the amplitube series. I use it all the time for recording demos and it sounds great IMO
Re: best amp simulator/ worth upgrading to a kemper/axe?
I can't buy it...I currently live in London and it is only available in the US:gurmpy:
I owned a POD and just didn't like it...the PSA doesn't really sound that good on demos that I've seen online...
I tried it. it sounded good, but the distortion sound was never perfect for some reason...it had that fuzz that I couldn't escape
I can't buy it...I currently live in London and it is only available in the US:gurmpy:
I owned a POD and just didn't like it...the PSA doesn't really sound that good on demos that I've seen online...
I tried it. it sounded good, but the distortion sound was never perfect for some reason...it had that fuzz that I couldn't escape
kramersteen
PowerMetalRaph
Re: best amp simulator/ worth upgrading to a kemper/axe?
Why not just get a 1 watt blackstar amp? They ****ing sing at any volume and they give you that tube tone.
Why not just get a 1 watt blackstar amp? They ****ing sing at any volume and they give you that tube tone.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: best amp simulator/ worth upgrading to a kemper/axe?
Mesa has a new little gizmo called the Cab-Clone. Definitely worth checking out. And they build it into the little Mark V Mini. Great late night feature, and that amp rocks at any volume. Check them out.
Bill
Mesa has a new little gizmo called the Cab-Clone. Definitely worth checking out. And they build it into the little Mark V Mini. Great late night feature, and that amp rocks at any volume. Check them out.
Bill
Re: best amp simulator/ worth upgrading to a kemper/axe?
I was gonna suggest this as well considering that modelers seem unsatisfactory to the OP. The other nice thing is that he gets to keep his favorite amps/heads even if he has to get rid of his cabs, which can be rented if he plays out once in a while...
I was gonna suggest this as well considering that modelers seem unsatisfactory to the OP. The other nice thing is that he gets to keep his favorite amps/heads even if he has to get rid of his cabs, which can be rented if he plays out once in a while...
aleclee
Major General GAS
Re: best amp simulator/ worth upgrading to a kemper/axe?
Buy when you get to NY. One less thing to move and you won't have to worry about VAT / exchange rates / wait lists.
El Dunco
Sock Supplier to RHCP
Re: best amp simulator/ worth upgrading to a kemper/axe?
This baby!
http://amtelectronics.com/products/...0-compact-ir-player-cabinet-emulator-and-eq-/
This baby!
http://amtelectronics.com/products/...0-compact-ir-player-cabinet-emulator-and-eq-/
ZSSelectronics
New member
Re: best amp simulator/ worth upgrading to a kemper/axe?
8 ways:
1) tube amp + isolation cabinet with microphones + soundcard
2) tube amp + amp loader with hardware impulses + soundcard
3) tube amp + amp loader + sondcard + software impulses
4) tube preamp + soundcard + software impulses
5) tube amp with headphones output
6) axe/kemper, and etc.
7) pedals with cabsims or cabsim pedals
8) playing through mixer with equalizer
Each of them has some positive and some negative moments - i'll describe, basing on my personal experience:
1) tube amp + isolation cabinet with microphones + soundcard
The good: True live sound and playing feeling - almost studio quality sound at all - nothing should be added actually)))
The bad: The most complicated in usage - you'll need a lot of activity with microphone positioning, and it will not be 100% quiet at all, and it's expensive.
2) tube amp + amp loader with hardware impulses + soundcard
The good: True tube playing feeling, good enough sound quality, 100% quiet, comfort controlling of mic position settings.
The bad: Not 100% real mic recording sound. and it's still rather expensive.
3) tube amp + amp loader + sondcard + software impulses
The good: True tube playing feeling, good enough sound quality, 100% quiet, not expensive.
The bad: Not 100% real mic recording sound. not so comfortable impulse selection like in amp loader with hardware impulses.
4) tube preamp + soundcard + software impulses
The good: True tube playing feeling, not good enough sound quality, but really not yet bad, even for a professional records. 100% quiet, not expensive, i'd say even cheap))
The bad: Not 100% real mic recording sound. not so comfortable impulse selection like in amp loader with hardware impulses.
5) tube amp with headphones output
The good: True tube playing feeling, not good enough sound quality, but still possible for recording. 100% quiet, it's cheap.
The bad: Not 100% real mic recording sound. not comfortable at all for good quality recording.
6) axe/kemper, and etc.
don't like them all really, cause to reach a real good sound you have to spend really much more time, than even with a microphone setting up, and they are rather expensive.
7) pedals with cabsims or cabsim pedals
it's worser than a #5
)) That's all. But still possible in some conditions, even for a recording)))
8) playing through mixer with equalizer
so/so decision actually, possible if you have good monitors. Not that really tube sound, but with a good tube pedal and equalizer setting up, good enough sound can be reached finally.
P.S> almost any decision should be based on the amount you would like to spend on it.
If you are not acquainted with ways I described, please do not hesitate to ask questions
I'll be happy to clear everything out
))
8 ways:
1) tube amp + isolation cabinet with microphones + soundcard
2) tube amp + amp loader with hardware impulses + soundcard
3) tube amp + amp loader + sondcard + software impulses
4) tube preamp + soundcard + software impulses
5) tube amp with headphones output
6) axe/kemper, and etc.
7) pedals with cabsims or cabsim pedals
8) playing through mixer with equalizer
Each of them has some positive and some negative moments - i'll describe, basing on my personal experience:
1) tube amp + isolation cabinet with microphones + soundcard
The good: True live sound and playing feeling - almost studio quality sound at all - nothing should be added actually)))
The bad: The most complicated in usage - you'll need a lot of activity with microphone positioning, and it will not be 100% quiet at all, and it's expensive.
2) tube amp + amp loader with hardware impulses + soundcard
The good: True tube playing feeling, good enough sound quality, 100% quiet, comfort controlling of mic position settings.
The bad: Not 100% real mic recording sound. and it's still rather expensive.
3) tube amp + amp loader + sondcard + software impulses
The good: True tube playing feeling, good enough sound quality, 100% quiet, not expensive.
The bad: Not 100% real mic recording sound. not so comfortable impulse selection like in amp loader with hardware impulses.
4) tube preamp + soundcard + software impulses
The good: True tube playing feeling, not good enough sound quality, but really not yet bad, even for a professional records. 100% quiet, not expensive, i'd say even cheap))
The bad: Not 100% real mic recording sound. not so comfortable impulse selection like in amp loader with hardware impulses.
5) tube amp with headphones output
The good: True tube playing feeling, not good enough sound quality, but still possible for recording. 100% quiet, it's cheap.
The bad: Not 100% real mic recording sound. not comfortable at all for good quality recording.
6) axe/kemper, and etc.
don't like them all really, cause to reach a real good sound you have to spend really much more time, than even with a microphone setting up, and they are rather expensive.
7) pedals with cabsims or cabsim pedals
it's worser than a #5
)) That's all. But still possible in some conditions, even for a recording)))8) playing through mixer with equalizer
so/so decision actually, possible if you have good monitors. Not that really tube sound, but with a good tube pedal and equalizer setting up, good enough sound can be reached finally.
P.S> almost any decision should be based on the amount you would like to spend on it.
If you are not acquainted with ways I described, please do not hesitate to ask questions
I'll be happy to clear everything out
))
Last edited:
Re: best amp simulator/ worth upgrading to a kemper/axe?
Is the issue more of the amount of room amp+cab would take up or is it the volume? if it's just the volume, rather than paying hundreds of dollars for a new amp/amp sim, you can get a used power attenuator. I picked a Rivera RockCrusher up from eBay for 300 shipped, and I can get a monstrous tone out of my dual rec without disturbing the peace.
Is the issue more of the amount of room amp+cab would take up or is it the volume? if it's just the volume, rather than paying hundreds of dollars for a new amp/amp sim, you can get a used power attenuator. I picked a Rivera RockCrusher up from eBay for 300 shipped, and I can get a monstrous tone out of my dual rec without disturbing the peace.
ZSSelectronics
New member
Re: best amp simulator/ worth upgrading to a kemper/axe?
it's one of the possible amp loader decision)
I was happy to explore about 20-30 of them - different: starting from vintage Marshall, more modern Ultimate and Palmer, than few Webbers, Rivera and Torpedo today... )))
it's one of the possible amp loader decision)
I was happy to explore about 20-30 of them - different: starting from vintage Marshall, more modern Ultimate and Palmer, than few Webbers, Rivera and Torpedo today... )))
Re: best amp simulator/ worth upgrading to a kemper/axe?
As a NYC resident I've been playing both amps and amp sims for years in my apartment. My current amps are Marshall SL5 and Soldano Astroverb - both of which sound very good at reasonable levels and do not generate complaints. At late night I use various "headphone" solutions - I've moved from various POD products now to iOS products. Currently I use Jamup and Bias Fx on iPhone and iPad with the iRig pro (I think - $100 version - the cheaper one squeals). I've previously used Amplitube for a few years as well. These sound very good through good headphones. And both plug right in to garage band for recording and such. Very convenient. They are also cheap - even with in app purchases you're only in for $20-$30.
As a NYC resident I've been playing both amps and amp sims for years in my apartment. My current amps are Marshall SL5 and Soldano Astroverb - both of which sound very good at reasonable levels and do not generate complaints. At late night I use various "headphone" solutions - I've moved from various POD products now to iOS products. Currently I use Jamup and Bias Fx on iPhone and iPad with the iRig pro (I think - $100 version - the cheaper one squeals). I've previously used Amplitube for a few years as well. These sound very good through good headphones. And both plug right in to garage band for recording and such. Very convenient. They are also cheap - even with in app purchases you're only in for $20-$30.
ZSSelectronics
New member
Re: best amp simulator/ worth upgrading to a kemper/axe?
also convenient and good result at all.
also convenient and good result at all.
