Is solid-state dead?

[NegativeEase]

Re: Is solid-state dead?

Ya'll don't get offended when I speak the truth about digital and transistor based tech eclipsing the desired tube waveform qualities at some point - it's just inevitable. doping semiconductors and writing code to emulate an analog waveform with enough resolution to not tell the difference will be here very very soon -if it hasn't already happened for many tones. plus writing the code and making semiconductors will be incredibly less expensive, more efficient, and environmentally safer than producing tubes.

If you don't believe me, think about why are the worlds greatest sounding audio consoles (Neve, SSL, MCI etc) not tube based in their pres -or anywhere?

Why is the professional standard for amplification for almost everything except a few styles of guitar tone using Solid State amplification?

Why are every album you listen to now using digital plug ins for processing, mixing and mastering instead of dumping to tape?

it's an inevitable certainty -I accept it -although I don't have to like it or not love my tube amps.

Just save up enough tubes like me for the Zombie Apocalypse now and you will be just fine.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Is solid-state dead?

I think tubes will be like horseshoes, they will be available for those who want them. They may be significantly more expensive.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk

 

[Cynical]

Re: Is solid-state dead?

Ya'll don't get offended when I speak the truth about digital and transistor based tech eclipsing the desired tube waveform qualities at some point - it's just inevitable. doping semiconductors and writing code to emulate an analog waveform with enough resolution to not tell the difference will be here very very soon -if it hasn't already happened for many tones. plus writing the code and making semiconductors will be incredibly less expensive, more efficient, and environmentally safer than producing tubes.

If you don't believe me, think about why are the worlds greatest sounding audio consoles (Neve, SSL, MCI etc) not tube based in their pres -or anywhere?

Why is the professional standard for amplification for almost everything except a few styles of guitar tone using Solid State amplification?

Why are every album you listen to now using digital plug ins for processing, mixing and mastering instead of dumping to tape?

it's an inevitable certainty -I accept it -although I don't have to like it or not love my tube amps.

Just save up enough tubes like me for the Zombie Apocalypse now and you will be just fine.

The applications you mention (aside from mixing and mastering, which is still done on outboard rackmounted gear at higher-end studios, not using plugins) are trying to accurately reproduce an existing sound. That's an entirely different ballgame vs. what a guitar amplifier is trying to do.

According to guys in the DSP world, digital amp simulation isn't going to get much better than it is now (something about limitations in modelling non-linear analog transformations, it's a math limit that I don't fully get), and right now, digital modelling isn't even close on transients (the easiest way to tell ampsims from the real thing is to listen to the attack of notes, ampsims don't have the same punch on attack that a well-recorded real amp does).

 

[IM4Tone]

Re: Is solid-state dead?

The applications you mention (aside from mixing and mastering, which is still done on outboard rackmounted gear at higher-end studios, not using plugins) are trying to accurately reproduce an existing sound. That's an entirely different ballgame vs. what a guitar amplifier is trying to do.

According to guys in the DSP world, digital amp simulation isn't going to get much better than it is now (something about limitations in modelling non-linear analog transformations, it's a math limit that I don't fully get), and right now, digital modelling isn't even close on transients (the easiest way to tell ampsims from the real thing is to listen to the attack of notes, ampsims don't have the same punch on attack that a well-recorded real amp does).

You have an appropriate handle.

 

[Godin15]

Re: Is solid-state dead?

Definitely not! I have had a tube amp and have for now moved on. My amps I have right now are Solid State. Orange 35RT, Vox Rhythm 5, Blackstar Fly 3. My next amp will be the Vox VT20x. I have 2 friends who have purchased this amp and 1 who purchased the 40. The guys with the 20 rave about it, they say it is a keeper. The one with the 40 says its a great amp. All the guys own more than 2 tube amps each. The 20 watt x is loud, the tones that come from this amp is very inviting. From the hype that's out there about these amps is true. https://youtu.be/AljhxZaE3qI

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Is solid-state dead?

I think tubes will be like horseshoes, they will be available for those who want them. They may be significantly more expensive.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk

As long as there is a finite, non-zero demand and somebody can make money meeting it.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Is solid-state dead?

As long as there is a finite, non-zero demand and somebody can make money meeting it.

Let's convince the EPA to ban em

Should make prices skyrocket overnight

 

[Hellion]

Re: Is solid-state dead?

Well, maybe it's just me, but I've been doing this for over 42 years now, and if you're looking for real crunch, go with a quality solid state. Hughes & Kettner made a very high quality amp in their Vortex model. The early Randall amps that were solid state were absolute screamers. Maybe it is just me, but there's a reason that Gallien & Krueger have been building high tech SS bass amps for decades as well as Ampeg and Hartke. The bottom end is tighter with a faster transient attack. Well, that applies to guitar amps as well. My main rig is driven by a Marshall 8008 SS power amp. In the end, the tone lies in your head and hands and not the equipment.