Recommend me a modeler along the lines of an HX Stomp

[Rex_Rocker]

So my HX Stomp is about to bite the bullet, I fear. The USB connection broke, and I glued it together using crazy glue, but it's barely holding together.

It's a shame because I really like the sounds I get from it. But I fear it's really close to being outdated as well.

I like the Rectifier model a lot, but I also like messing around with the Revv Red and the 5150, of course. But I barely scratch the surface of what it does, TBH. I use an external OD, and whenever I'm actually making some noise, I bypass the cab and go straight into my tube poweramp and a 1x12. I do like recording the cab sim out of it, though.

So I want something that has a convincing Recifier model, but I'd prefer if it had a good 5150III model as well as a Krank model, althought that's a bit of a crapshot.

I'd also prefer to stay within the same price range, but I mean, if I really need to go Fractal FM3, I will. I'd rather not, though, because as you can see, I just need a few high-gain models, and I can make due with whatever the modeler has as far as clean and Marshall-y tones.

Is Fractal my best choice or is there anything else worth looking at?

Thanks!

 

[DankStar]

I just ordered a Harley Benton DNAfx pro. I’ll let ya know how it is.

It does have limitations, at least one that would affect you:
- doesnt play well with external ODs
- can only have one effect type at a time (cannot use 2 delays for example)
- doesnt have the brand recognition/resale that other units do (at the same time there are none on reverb at the moment)

I was impressed by the number of higher gain emulated amps (ton of Marshalls, boogie, engl, Friedman, diezel, H&K, PRS,
EVH, bogner, soldano, orange) and the clips Ive heard. Holds 30 user IRs.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Not interested in effects, really. I can do away just fine with a few high-gain amp models that kinda sound like the real deal.

Oh, wait! I wouldn't mind a good pitch shifter that shifts in cents as well. The one on the HX Stomp is kinda weak, TBH.

Rectifiers are very stereotypical-sounding, so amp modelers usually get them close enough for my taste. I do hate it when the knobs don't behave like the real deal. Rectos tend to fill out in the mids the more you lower the treble knob, for example. And then to loosen up the more you raise the gain up because of the bright cap. I like how the HX Stomp modeled that.

But I really miss my 5150III and my Krank Rev Jr., so I wished I had an amp model that can pull of those tones.

Also, IR's are a must, as I've bought a few libraries. Bust most amp sims nowadays can load them no problem, so no concern here.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Also, I'D RATHER NOT HAVE AN AMP PROFILER because I am a control freak, and I like to tweak knobs and come up with my own tones from scratch.

 

[beaubrummels]

I solved the OP problem when I got a Zoom MS-50G. The caveat is that sometimes you have to use a different specific named model to make a particular amp sound (for example, sometimes the Zoom "Tone City" [Sound City] model is a better Marshall SuperLead 100 than the Zoom MS 1959 model) but you can convincingly make numerous well-known amp sounds. The power amp and speakers you pipe it through are what affects whether the intended stock model works or not. The good news is no matter what, you can find a model that gets the sound. You can also mix and match cabinet emulations to tweak the sound further. Has a full compliment of adjustable settings, gain, bass, middle, treble, presence, volume, even a 'tube' setting that affect the color/grit. (Doesn't do IRs, unfortunately. Sorry.)

For small box, maybe not perfect, but I own a number of the actual amps they are modeling and I have that as a comparison. They are really good. The sensitibity/response is accurate enough that I find them very easy to play with. I don't have to change my hand technique. Amp models cover everything from little tweeds to Bogner, Mesa and Krank.

Also has a couple different harmonizers. The harmonizer where you set the key works best because it knows what notes to convert to in advance, so it's much faster/less latency. You get 50 programmable slots, so you can basically program 50 pedalboards with amps, then select which ones you want to cycle through using the footswitch. The pedal is like $99-$129.

https://zoomcorp.com/media/documents/E_MS-50G_FX-list_v3.pdf

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Thanks, but the no IR is kind of a deal breaker for me. Especially since I've bought a few libraries that I'd rather not just abandon with the HX, Celestion, OwnHammer, Josh Middleton, etc.

Oh, it's the single pedal Zoom! Yeah, I've been looking into that for a while. It's too bad to learn that it doesn't do IR's, TBH.

 

[Mincer]

You might look into a used Fractal AX8, which has a lot of really great high gain models.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

You might look into a used Fractal AX8, which has a lot of really great high gain models.

Oh, but that's dicsontinued, isn't it? Are the updates still available for it?

Cause part of the reason why I want to upgrade from my HX Stomp is because I fear, based on how old it is, they might just abandon it at any time.

The fear of programmed obsolescence.

 

[Mincer]

Oh, but that's dicsontinued, isn't it? Are the updates still available for it?

Cause part of the reason why I want to upgrade from my HX Stomp is because I fear, based on how old it is, they might just abandon it at any time.

The fear of programmed obsolescence.

Anything you buy will be obsolete soon, but that doesn't mean it doesn't sound good. The AX8 won't have any more updates, but sounds amazing as is.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Yeah. Good point.

I think for me with modelers is kinda hard to braek the stigma of getting the latest and the greates. I guess it's because after all, they're just computers.

 

[Mincer]

Yeah. Good point.

I think for me with modelers is kinda hard to braek the stigma of getting the latest and the greates. I guess it's because after all, they're just computers.

You have to pay a lot for the latest and greatest. I also think the FM3 is about near capacity of what they can do with available memory.

 

[Sirion]

I don't think planned obsolesence is something we need to fear with these units any time soon. According to the rumours I have heard, any "Helix 2.0" units are stil going to be at least a couple of years away. I have an HX Effects for more impromptu rigs, and I hope to get years of mileage out of it still. Besides, I still use the G-System, which was released ca. 2005, and although the editor is primitive by modern standards it works, and the unit itself sounds good enough that I've seen people use it along with amp modelling from the Axe-FX.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Anyone have experience with the Headrush?

Do you guys know if the amp models have poweramp controls like they do on the HX?

I especially want a realistic control set for the models. For example, a 5150 without a resonance control is a deal-breaker for me.

 

[Synapsys]

Anyone have experience with the Headrush?

Do you guys know if the amp models have poweramp controls like they do on the HX?

I especially want a realistic control set for the models. For example, a 5150 without a resonance control is a deal-breaker for me.

I have both a Line 6 Helix and a Headrush MX5. No power amp controls on the Headrush unit, but its amp tones are more "amp-like" out of the box than on the Helix, and easier to get good realistic tones without much tweaking involved. The control layout is more straightforward.

The Helix has good amp sims, but it takes a lot more time tweaking until you find the tones you're searcuing for.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I have both a Line 6 Helix and a Headrush MX5. No power amp controls on the Headrush unit, but its amp tones are more "amp-like" out of the box than on the Helix, and easier to get good realistic tones without much tweaking involved. The control layout is more straightforward.

The Helix has good amp sims, but it takes a lot more time tweaking until you find the tones you're searcuing for.

How about the knobs on the Recto model? Do they behave like the real deal? Does the treble knob affect the mids and the mid knob affects the bass, the presence knob is super extreme, and the gain knob affects the voicing?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

This makes me want to go for the Axe FX, TBH.

The only thing that's stopping me is that I'd feel I'd be overpaying for just using the Recto and 5150III models, LOL.

 

[Mincer]

This makes me want to go for the Axe FX, TBH.

The only thing that's stopping me is that I'd feel I'd be overpaying for just using the Recto and 5150III models, LOL.

Yeah, but if you like high gain, there are all kinds of other flavors in there.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

True. I guess I'm just trying to convince myself not to spend the money, but in the end, I think I could get decent mileage out of it.

I love how in-depth the modeling goes. I am a tweaker myself.

And they have like a model of every iteration of the 5150. And several Rectifier models. And the Soldano model has the depth mod.

And I'm sure I'd like the Savage and the Deliverance model as well.

Hmmmm...

 

[Synapsys]

How about the knobs on the Recto model? Do they behave like the real deal? Does the treble knob affect the mids and the mid knob affects the bass, the presence knob is super extreme, and the gain knob affects the voicing?

Never played a Recto, but I guess not. Fractal will be your best bet for that, if it fits your budget and needs.

 

[Mincer]

Occasionally the FM3 goes on sale, and the AX8's Recto (and other high gain amps) are really just as good as the current Fractals. I think the biggest advancement in the Axe III and FM3 is in the cleaner amps, the control over the whole signal chain, and the information on the display.