Digital vs Solid State
- Thread starter RepVenom
- Start date
tone4days
Heel Whacker
Re: Digital vs Solid State
to me, they are different and have different purposes
i really like analog solid state very much ... it's all i use live ... try the rocktron prophesy and tell me there is something lacking in it sonically ... i think it sounds phenomenal
after hearing seymour play a line 6 amp at the UGD jam, there is no need to ever doubt that it can throw it down in a live setting, but i havent gotten a live modeling rig to really cook .. but for recording, i am a convert
i like em both in their place
t4d
to me, they are different and have different purposes
i really like analog solid state very much ... it's all i use live ... try the rocktron prophesy and tell me there is something lacking in it sonically ... i think it sounds phenomenal
after hearing seymour play a line 6 amp at the UGD jam, there is no need to ever doubt that it can throw it down in a live setting, but i havent gotten a live modeling rig to really cook .. but for recording, i am a convert
i like em both in their place
t4d
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Digital vs Solid State
IME.. Digital gives more authentic voicing (EQ wise)...it's smoother, less buzzy, though prone to glitching/weird overtones.
Some SS amps are pretty dang good, and where they are superior over a modeller is that they still sound like a real "live" amp, and pick up more of the players dynamics in playing. Modelers just don't have any "real amp" feel (vox being the exception but still not like a "real" amp), and they very much sound like a recording of the amp in question and not the real thing.
My POD XTL through the Atomic reactor (Tube power amp designed for modellers) is better than a straight up modeller, but it still makes every guitar I own pretty much sound the same...and the touch dynamics are squashed compared to a real (tube OR SS) amp:thumbsdow
However the actual tone/voicing of the POD XTL/Atomic is much better than SS and other modellers I've tried :bigthumb:
RepVenom said:We've all seen the "tube vs solid state" and "tube vs digital" threads, but how about digital vs solid state? Which of the two sounds better? What are your thoughts?
(if this thread has been done before then sorry, but I did search and didn't find anything)
IME.. Digital gives more authentic voicing (EQ wise)...it's smoother, less buzzy, though prone to glitching/weird overtones.
Some SS amps are pretty dang good, and where they are superior over a modeller is that they still sound like a real "live" amp, and pick up more of the players dynamics in playing. Modelers just don't have any "real amp" feel (vox being the exception but still not like a "real" amp), and they very much sound like a recording of the amp in question and not the real thing.
My POD XTL through the Atomic reactor (Tube power amp designed for modellers) is better than a straight up modeller, but it still makes every guitar I own pretty much sound the same...and the touch dynamics are squashed compared to a real (tube OR SS) amp:thumbsdow
However the actual tone/voicing of the POD XTL/Atomic is much better than SS and other modellers I've tried :bigthumb:
Animal
Well-known member
Re: Digital vs Solid State
You pretty much nailed it on the head. Digital modellers have a more pleasing TONE however they don't FEEL like a real amp. They sound much more hi-fi/linear and don't posess the raw thump, projection, or volume that a straight-up transistor amp has.
On the other hand, distortion on straight SS amps more than often have buzzy highs and can be quite irritating. Some hybrid amps, that have a 12AX7 in the pre can smooth this out, to a degree.
Perhaps the ultimate solid-state amp would posess the tone of digital modelling while still packing the punch as if there were no modelling to begin with. Quite a paradox indeed though.
JeffB said:
You pretty much nailed it on the head. Digital modellers have a more pleasing TONE however they don't FEEL like a real amp. They sound much more hi-fi/linear and don't posess the raw thump, projection, or volume that a straight-up transistor amp has.
On the other hand, distortion on straight SS amps more than often have buzzy highs and can be quite irritating. Some hybrid amps, that have a 12AX7 in the pre can smooth this out, to a degree.
Perhaps the ultimate solid-state amp would posess the tone of digital modelling while still packing the punch as if there were no modelling to begin with. Quite a paradox indeed though.
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Digital vs Solid State
Zakkly. The lack of "feel" can be soooo irritating. there is no "connection" between the guitarist and the amp. It's like playing through headphones all the time.
I'm looking into the new Randall SS amps that use a 12at(u?)7 in the power amp section. They are starting to become available but I've yet to see a review. Randall SS technology is about as good as it gets, and I'm hoping this new power amp design will warm them up a bit.
Personally I'd be happy if they just brought back the old RG80 series amps from the 80s. Those sound more tube-like than what they produce today.
Hames Jetfield said:
Zakkly. The lack of "feel" can be soooo irritating. there is no "connection" between the guitarist and the amp. It's like playing through headphones all the time.
I'm looking into the new Randall SS amps that use a 12at(u?)7 in the power amp section. They are starting to become available but I've yet to see a review. Randall SS technology is about as good as it gets, and I'm hoping this new power amp design will warm them up a bit.
Personally I'd be happy if they just brought back the old RG80 series amps from the 80s. Those sound more tube-like than what they produce today.
Davey
Goliath of Tone
Re: Digital vs Solid State
in the same price range, modeller over SS at any time of day.
but like said.. modeler can sound like a real amp and is generaly smoother than SS, and to the audience it might make no diference whatsoever, but it doesnt feel like an amp.. its well.. a modeler =/
you can fake it pretty damn good on a recording though
in the same price range, modeller over SS at any time of day.
but like said.. modeler can sound like a real amp and is generaly smoother than SS, and to the audience it might make no diference whatsoever, but it doesnt feel like an amp.. its well.. a modeler =/
you can fake it pretty damn good on a recording though
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Digital vs Solid State
So, in an electronics sense, no. Digital is digital. SS amps, many of them, are analog. There's the difference.
If you look at it from the angle that anything without tubes is solid state, then yeah, the digital modelers could fit in the SS category but they're still digital, not analog.
I thought this same thing too when considering getting a POD but then was reminded that the POD and other modelers are digital.marvar said:
So, in an electronics sense, no. Digital is digital. SS amps, many of them, are analog. There's the difference.
If you look at it from the angle that anything without tubes is solid state, then yeah, the digital modelers could fit in the SS category but they're still digital, not analog.
Animal
Well-known member
Re: Digital vs Solid State
I think what Marvar is trying to get across is that most digital amps use a solid-state power section anyways. Much like how hybrid amps that use tubes in the pre arn't actually tube amps at all except for the fact they smooth out the signal. Hybrid amps that use a valve power section, such as the Roland Bolt series, ....well I'm not sure if you could call them "troo" tube amps either.
However, I think it's important to discuss the finer differences in the solid state brethren as they're often overlooked and just lumped into a category that isn't tube.
I think what Marvar is trying to get across is that most digital amps use a solid-state power section anyways. Much like how hybrid amps that use tubes in the pre arn't actually tube amps at all except for the fact they smooth out the signal. Hybrid amps that use a valve power section, such as the Roland Bolt series, ....well I'm not sure if you could call them "troo" tube amps either.
However, I think it's important to discuss the finer differences in the solid state brethren as they're often overlooked and just lumped into a category that isn't tube.
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Davey
Goliath of Tone
Re: Digital vs Solid State
well.. i for one am done with solid state/modeling stuff for a LONG time.
cos why buy an inferior solid state amp when i can get a tube amp like a laney or similar for the same.. and why dish out that much more for a good quality/sound solid state amp, when i can get a tube head that will kick my ass every time i turn it on ...
but that's probably just me
well.. i for one am done with solid state/modeling stuff for a LONG time.
cos why buy an inferior solid state amp when i can get a tube amp like a laney or similar for the same.. and why dish out that much more for a good quality/sound solid state amp, when i can get a tube head that will kick my ass every time i turn it on ...
but that's probably just me
Re: Digital vs Solid State
I use analog pedals and put them through a digital effects processor.
In my opinion Digital distortion is not bad, in fact I *sometimes* can even preffer it for some leads and solo's when theres a lot of delay to make it feel more natural and genuine.
However, on my Digitech RP50, I notice that the distortions (when playing rhythms and riffs) are at their peak when I play full-out non-muted chords. If I try to articulate rhythms, they just get muddy, bubbly, or just really undefined.
I've noticed however, that playing analogue pedals into my rp50 (with all modelling off) gives a pretty good sound of the analogue distiortion. Fast or slow, hot or not...it all works GREAT!
Although I still use a processor in the chain my Distortion is still reacting to my guitar signal in real-time, not being logrithmically processed by the digitech...so the sound is MUCH more natural.
There is still a digital degredation by using the digitech in the chain, but as long as the distortions and overdrives are placed BEFORE the digitech in the signal chain, the degration is minimal.
I honestly will say, I get tones out of my hybrid digital / SS amp that I would put up against any hi-cost tube amp.
I use analog pedals and put them through a digital effects processor.
In my opinion Digital distortion is not bad, in fact I *sometimes* can even preffer it for some leads and solo's when theres a lot of delay to make it feel more natural and genuine.
However, on my Digitech RP50, I notice that the distortions (when playing rhythms and riffs) are at their peak when I play full-out non-muted chords. If I try to articulate rhythms, they just get muddy, bubbly, or just really undefined.
I've noticed however, that playing analogue pedals into my rp50 (with all modelling off) gives a pretty good sound of the analogue distiortion. Fast or slow, hot or not...it all works GREAT!
Although I still use a processor in the chain my Distortion is still reacting to my guitar signal in real-time, not being logrithmically processed by the digitech...so the sound is MUCH more natural.
There is still a digital degredation by using the digitech in the chain, but as long as the distortions and overdrives are placed BEFORE the digitech in the signal chain, the degration is minimal.
I honestly will say, I get tones out of my hybrid digital / SS amp that I would put up against any hi-cost tube amp.
D-EJ915
Stretchologist
Re: Digital vs Solid State
The Fender Cyber-twin is a computer rofl, I'm sure it outperforms early 90s-era computers, the knobs freaking move when you change settings rofl, that's just so badass.
Anyway, I've liked messing around with Line6 amps but never been able to get a tone I like out of them, I <3 Randall, so plain SS for me at the moment although the new Fenders are cool but not badass enough for me.
The Fender Cyber-twin is a computer rofl, I'm sure it outperforms early 90s-era computers, the knobs freaking move when you change settings rofl, that's just so badass.
Anyway, I've liked messing around with Line6 amps but never been able to get a tone I like out of them, I <3 Randall, so plain SS for me at the moment although the new Fenders are cool but not badass enough for me.
Simon_F
Super Moderator
Re: Digital vs Solid State
My experience of digital is limited - I played through a friend's Flextone II a few times and wasn't impressed, and I have a Roland Cube 30 which is OK for practising but somewhat sterile sounding.
My analog Tech 21 Trademark 60 on the other hand is an excellent amp - great tone and feel. Sounds first class for gigging, recording and practising.
My experience of digital is limited - I played through a friend's Flextone II a few times and wasn't impressed, and I have a Roland Cube 30 which is OK for practising but somewhat sterile sounding.
My analog Tech 21 Trademark 60 on the other hand is an excellent amp - great tone and feel. Sounds first class for gigging, recording and practising.
larry_emder
New member
Re: Digital vs Solid State
You peoples may enjoy this thread....tube/digital/ss comparison with clips.:bigthumb:
http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=191060
I guessed wrong!
You peoples may enjoy this thread....tube/digital/ss comparison with clips.:bigthumb:
http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=191060
I guessed wrong!
