A lot of people will disagree with my hardware modeler ranking

TheTrueZoltan! said:
To be honest, I've never been able to hear the legendary squirrels. If there's one thing that bugs me a little about the Helix modeling, it's a certain hardness in the upper mids that sometimes has a somewhat woody character when chugging. More chit chit yee than chug chug yeow, so to speak. ;)
Click to expand...
I have been using an hx stomp on my pedalboard for practice at work and I have the axe 3 at home. Most amps on the stomp are stiff and kinda unpleasant to play, none of them feels right, plus I'm a mesa lover and the Mesa models on the stomp are garbage.
 
luckymethod said:
I have been using an hx stomp on my pedalboard for practice at work and I have the axe 3 at home. Most amps on the stomp are stiff and kinda unpleasant to play, none of them feels right, plus I'm a mesa lover and the Mesa models on the stomp are garbage.
Click to expand...
I don't think that the Helix' modeling is garbage in any way, I think that's just unjustifiably exaggerated.
I think the hardness I mentioned could be improved, but it's not so intrusive that I would classify it as unbearable, it's more of a subtle thing.
 
A quick search and I found this: https://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/best-amp-modelers

Much better review. I would still like to see a ranking within a use model:

  • Best for live touring guitarists
  • Best for solo guitar performer
  • Best for home recording
  • Best for capturing authentic guitar tones
  • Best for small form factor live performances
  • Best for making your own tone (efx and amp routing flexibility)
  • etc, etc.
The article this thread is about had none of this context, did not outline the strengths and weaknesses of each device, and just blindly asks the reader to believe that "this is the best".

I did find the article kind of strange in its contention that Kemper was "Best for profiling". It's like me saying "my favorite daughter" when I have only 1 daughter :). In the write-up, they did elaborate on the performance strength and durability which is really where the headline should have been. Technically speaking either ToneX or Quad Cortex should have been "Best for capturing amp tones" .... not Kemper.

Still, this review was AT LEAST properly organized with context given for what each device was good for, and where they were less than good. Much more useful as a "Review".
 
OneEng said:
A quick search and I found this: https://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/best-amp-modelers

Much better review. I would still like to see a ranking within a use model:

  • Best for live touring guitarists
  • Best for solo guitar performer
  • Best for home recording
  • Best for capturing authentic guitar tones
  • Best for small form factor live performances
  • Best for making your own tone (efx and amp routing flexibility)
  • etc, etc.
The article this thread is about had none of this context, did not outline the strengths and weaknesses of each device, and just blindly asks the reader to believe that "this is the best".

I did find the article kind of strange in its contention that Kemper was "Best for profiling". It's like me saying "my favorite daughter" when I have only 1 daughter :). In the write-up, they did elaborate on the performance strength and durability which is really where the headline should have been. Technically speaking either ToneX or Quad Cortex should have been "Best for capturing amp tones" .... not Kemper.

Still, this review was AT LEAST properly organized with context given for what each device was good for, and where they were less than good. Much more useful as a "Review".
Click to expand...

1726000934478.png


1726001469783.png



Wut?
 
Last edited:
OneEng said:
A quick search and I found this: https://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/best-amp-modelers

Much better review. I would still like to see a ranking within a use model:

  • Best for live touring guitarists
  • Best for solo guitar performer
  • Best for home recording
  • Best for capturing authentic guitar tones
  • Best for small form factor live performances
  • Best for making your own tone (efx and amp routing flexibility)
  • etc, etc.
The article this thread is about had none of this context, did not outline the strengths and weaknesses of each device, and just blindly asks the reader to believe that "this is the best".

I did find the article kind of strange in its contention that Kemper was "Best for profiling". It's like me saying "my favorite daughter" when I have only 1 daughter :). In the write-up, they did elaborate on the performance strength and durability which is really where the headline should have been. Technically speaking either ToneX or Quad Cortex should have been "Best for capturing amp tones" .... not Kemper.

Still, this review was AT LEAST properly organized with context given for what each device was good for, and where they were less than good. Much more useful as a "Review".
Click to expand...
You are thinking waaaaay too hard about this.
 
OneEng said:
A quick search and I found this: https://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/best-amp-modelers

Much better review. I would still like to see a ranking within a use model:

  • Best for live touring guitarists
  • Best for solo guitar performer
  • Best for home recording
  • Best for capturing authentic guitar tones
  • Best for small form factor live performances
  • Best for making your own tone (efx and amp routing flexibility)
  • etc, etc.
The article this thread is about had none of this context, did not outline the strengths and weaknesses of each device, and just blindly asks the reader to believe that "this is the best".

I did find the article kind of strange in its contention that Kemper was "Best for profiling". It's like me saying "my favorite daughter" when I have only 1 daughter :). In the write-up, they did elaborate on the performance strength and durability which is really where the headline should have been. Technically speaking either ToneX or Quad Cortex should have been "Best for capturing amp tones" .... not Kemper.

Still, this review was AT LEAST properly organized with context given for what each device was good for, and where they were less than good. Much more useful as a "Review".
Click to expand...

I’m trying to wrap my brain around how they come to the conclusion that the QC is somehow better than Fractal for complex signal routing :unsure:
 
TheTrueZoltan! said:
I don't think that the Helix' modeling is garbage in any way, I think that's just unjustifiably exaggerated.
I think the hardness I mentioned could be improved, but it's not so intrusive that I would classify it as unbearable, it's more of a subtle thing.
Click to expand...
Specifically the Mesa amps and I stand behind my assessment, they are bad.
 
metropolis_4 said:
I’m trying to wrap my brain around how they come to the conclusion that the QC is somehow better than Fractal for complex signal routing :unsure:
Click to expand...
Well .... I don't agree with all their conclusions either ..... especially this one.

I do like their review format though, which is the point I was trying to make in reference to the original review this thread is about.

FWIW, QC is demonstrably less flexible and powerful in its signal routing capabilities than Axe III Fx. To say otherwise clearly demonstrates that this fact was not investigated at all. In fact, all other digital guitar amps are less capable in this respect at this time (not really sure how anyone could best Fractal in this regard).
 
The fact that all guitar sites and magazines are shills and receive payment for their rankings and that any modeler can sound drastically different overnight with a firmware upgrade, all cursory reviews are meaningless and are more for entertainment purposes and advertising campaigns.
Even on the outside chance they were valid at one point, they are dated as soon as new code develops.

The only way to rank the devices is to try them all out.

OR..just watch Pete Thorn make everything sound great and be happy knowing that they can all do the job.
 
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