What's the next big thing for the amp world?

[misterwhizzy]

I was reading an interview with the new head of Marshall and started wondering what is missing from the amp world these days. I've recently become nearly totally happy with my tone, but not necessarily my playing. I could definitely do with a bit of a quieter setup, but I really just love the feel of a loud amplifier.

From the sixties to the present, it seems like each successive generation of amps has more gain than the previous, with features like master volume controls, effects loops, and noise gates being added to control or work around the increase of gain. I don't still hear guitarists saying they need more gain. So what's next?

What's missing for you, or where do you think things will go, or both?

 

[jeremy]

im the wrong one to ask. i usually gig with vintage 60's fender amps, usually a '66 deluxe reverb. at home if i plug it, which i usually dont, its a tweed princeton clone. i do have a bad cat cougar 50 which has a ton of gain, but i dont use it often. thats about the only "modern" style guitar amp i have that i can think of.

 

[Mincer]

I think next is the simplicity of a (modeling) vintage combo, with 3 or 4 iconic sounds that are indistinguishable in feel from their vintage counterparts. The prices will go down, too. I'd like to see some upgrades in lightweight speakers and cabinets, too, that copy the look of vintage amps.

 

[donaldr]

What we are seeing in new amps right now is the addition of cab sims and reactive loads, so you can record you amp direct to an audio interface or go direct to FOH.

 

[Artie]

I wouldn't call it a "big" thing per se, but I'd expect to see modeling just get more and more refined and accurate. I think they're pretty close now.

 

[DankStar]

For my needs, most everything has been made, I just need to streamline what I use to make it as portable and easy to set up as possible.

I've heard of super lightweight yet loud/durable cabs that were at NAM (GR bass) - that would be the next step for me personally if were made for guitar.

I definitely don't need more gain, but as far as modeling goes - any refinements to the higher end register and noise reduction I'm on board with. Someone needs to figure out the whole noise thing when gain is turned up. We shouldn't need a noise gate in my opinion if it's digital. We can put a man on the moon drinking Tang but we can't program a modeler to increase gain without increasing white noise?

 

[misterwhizzy]

We can put a man on the moon drinking Tang but we can't program a modeler to increase gain without increasing white noise?

That's the thing, though, isn't it? The real problem is that circuits can't detect the difference between white noise and music the way our ears can.

 

[misterwhizzy]

I wouldn't call it a "big" thing per se, but I'd expect to see modeling just get more and more refined and accurate. I think they're pretty close now.

My argument would be that's not even a new thing. You can't get Recto tones out of a Plexi. A Recto is a modern innovation. But if you get Recto tones from a modeler, they're still Recto tones.

 

[donaldr]

I'm wondering the same thing about cabs, why there's (almost) no cab modelling? There's only IR with the cab and the microphone (and the preamp). I don't need the microphone because that's how it was recorded because there was no other ways until now, I want the sound that my ears are earring.

 

[Seashore]

I'm wondering the same thing about cabs, why there's (almost) no cab modelling? There's only IR with the cab and the microphone (and the preamp). I don't need the microphone because that's how it was recorded because there was no other ways until now, I want the sound that my ears are earring.

How about an IR made with a Neumann Head?

 

[Chistopher]

I think the next thing would be finding the crossroads between versatility and minimalism. I can have any sound I want out of an amp if I want to navigate through endless menus. I want an amplifier with the versatility of a modeler, but the feel of using an analog amp. The Boss IR-2 is a fairly close amp-in-a-box of what I want. 12 amp models, analog controls, and 0 touch screens

 

[Securb]

You are going to plug one end into your guitar, and the other will plug directly into the board or a powered speaker. You will pull up your tablet or phone and will be able to accurately model any pickup, guitar, effect, amp, or cabinet in history.

 

[DankStar]

Maybe a foot controller that is more like a motion sensor like those drum sticks that sense where the virtual drums are

 

[idsnowdog]

I think there's a market opportunity for lunchbox amps to use lower-wattage power tubes common in old radios. There's nothing that says you can only use 6V6, and EL84s. I also think designing amps to use 6L6, and EL34s in triode mode is dumb.

 

[Mincer]

Maybe a foot controller that is more like a motion sensor like those drum sticks that sense where the virtual drums are

At NAMM this year, they had a motion sensor watch that controlled effects. It was interesting, but thing is, your hands are kinda busy with other things when playing guitar.

 

[Securb]

At NAMM this year, they had a motion sensor watch that controlled effects. It was interesting, but thing is, your hands are kinda busy with other things when playing guitar.

Source Audio already did this years ago with their Hot Hand technology.

 

[PS412]

Wrong guy to ask, wrong guy to answer....I pay not much attention.
Wireless power?

 

[DankStar]

At NAMM this year, they had a motion sensor watch that controlled effects. It was interesting, but thing is, your hands are kinda busy with other things when playing guitar.

Yeah an ankle or foot band would make more sense but could be kinda silly if it was obvious

 

[Seashore]

Something I'd really like (that's not guitar amp specific) is a better solution for live sound in the small DIY venues where I play and see most shows. The standard setup hasn't changed since I started going to see live music 30 years ago - unmiked acoustic drums, half stacks, whatever the bassist has, and a small PA for vocals only. I'm used to it and it has its charms, but it seems like today's power amp, mixer, and speaker technology should make it easier to get a good consistent live mix even in those humble situations.

 

[Artie]

I hope I'm staying on topic . . . but as good as modelers do most affects, they're terrible at distortion. I have a half-a-dozen modelers. But for distortion, it must be a stand alone pedal. Not sure why. It just is what it is.