Amp Modeler Tier Ranking

[Jack Ripper]

GT-1000 belongs at the top, too. Only those who have never owned one complain about it. It is absolutely right up there with the big guys.

I have a Boss GT-100 and a Pod Go. I am going to sell the Pod Go probably for $200 and I feel bad for asking that much lol :)

 

[JCW308]

I have a Boss GT-100 and a Pod Go. I am going to sell the Pod Go probably for $200 and I feel bad for asking that much lol :)

We were talking about the GT-1000.

 

[mercifulfuzziness]

Inspired by the Kemper Stage vs Fractal thread, I decided to make my own tier ranking of amp modelers.

Tier 1: Buy with confidence

• Fractal Axe FX 3 / FM9 / FM3 - generally the top dog in terms of being the most advanced and mature, depth and width, balanced by a steeper learning curve
• Line 6 Helix / HX Stomp - neck and neck with Fractal, more dated but still heavily updated, and the best overall blend of power and ease of use
• Kemper Profiler - fairly dated at this point but still under development, massive library of profiles that still sound great, helped by dropping prices

Tier 2: You're taking a chance

• Neural DSP Quad Cortex - has not lived up to the next generation game changer it was promised, but still a very advanced piece of gear with a lot of potential
• Fender Tone Master Pro - very intriguing product but an underwhelming rollout, it remains to be seen how much and how quickly it will develop

Tier 3: Cheap thrills

• Boss ME-90 - basic old school interface with GT/GX tones under the hood, very simple and affordable
• Boss GX-100 - half step forward, half step backward compared to the GT-1000 but generally a cool and powerful modeler for the price
• Line 6 Pod Go - trickle down of Helix technology, while stripped down still quite a lot of modeler for the money

Tier 4: Probably not worth it

• Headrush Prime - repackage of a few outdated plugins, some improvements but can't see how these really compete against others in that price range
• Boss GT-1000 - flagship that was dated upon release, hasn't seen much support or development, and very limited compared to the competition

Tier 5: Budget stuff I wouldn't bother with

• Mooer, Hotone, Nux, etc. I don't really see the point.

Curious to see other takes. Flame away!

Easy of buying would bring helix above fractal. It seems like a rather annoying process

 

[GTR37]

Easy of buying would bring helix above fractal. It seems like a rather annoying process

To press a “buy now “ on the Fractal store ?

 

[Frodebro]

To press a “buy now “ on the Fractal store ?

Considering how many people do most of their shopping online these days, Fractals business model isn’t really any different than buying any other piece of gear.

 

[mercifulfuzziness]

To press a “buy now “ on the Fractal store ?

With prices like those I still rather by in store with a trusted supplier.

 

[JiveTurkey]

You have 14 day return window. The manufacturer is also the supplier.

 

[jellodog]

With prices like those I still rather by in store with a trusted supplier.

Fractal Audio Systems _are_ a trusted supplier, though.

 

[Frodebro]

You have 14 day return window. The manufacturer is also the supplier.

Fractal has outstanding customer service, too. I had some issues with the delivery of my Axe 3 (I was at work both times UPS tried to deliver it), and Mark at Fractal went the extra mile for me and arranged for me to pick it up at the UPS hub, which is about four blocks from where I work. And this was right before Christmas.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Fractal has outstanding customer service, too. I had some issues with the delivery of my Axe 3 (I was at work both times UPS tried to deliver it), and Mark at Fractal went the extra mile for me and arranged for me to pick it up at the UPS hub, which is about four blocks from where I work. And this was right before Christmas.

Yep. Great company.

 

[HomespunEffects]

 

[Desertdweller]

With prices like those I still rather by in store with a trusted supplier.

You absolutely need a middle man? Why?

 

[JCW308]

Easy of buying would bring helix above fractal. It seems like a rather annoying process

Buying from Fractal is fast and easy, just like anything else.

 

[Frodebro]

Yep. Great company.

I’m all for supporting a company whose owner triggers TOP members on a regular basis, often without even posting anything.

 

[dronerstone]

Considering how many people do most of their shopping online these days, Fractals business model isn’t really any different than buying any other piece of gear.

Agree, but EU Fractal prices are insane and have been right from the start. That's probably the real obstacle here.

 

[Frodebro]

Agree, but EU Fractal prices are insane and have been right from the start. That's probably the real obstacle here.

I’m guessing that having G66 as the middleman, plus additional taxes/tariffs/other fees makes Fractal’s European pricing pretty hard to digest compared to the American, factory direct pricing. And economy of scale gives Line 6 a pricing edge as well, because they can afford to run narrower margins in markets where it would be beneficial in order to move units. I don’t think Fractal has enough room to mess with their margins in that manner.

 

[laxu]

I’m guessing that having G66 as the middleman, plus additional taxes/tariffs/other fees makes Fractal’s European pricing pretty hard to digest compared to the American, factory direct pricing. And economy of scale gives Line 6 a pricing edge as well, because they can afford to run narrower margins in markets where it would be beneficial in order to move units. I don’t think Fractal has enough room to mess with their margins in that manner.

At the same time, Neural DSP does manage to assemble/QA their stuff in Finland which is going to be expensive, and they are priced similar to the Helix Floor and sold through various vendors.

If there are any tariffs added to Fractal stuff, they will probably go fully into "really hard sell" territory. Atm VP4 costs more than a Helix LT, FM3 is about as much as QC/Helix Floor, FM9 is about 700 € more...

There's someone selling a used FM9 atm here in Finland and it still costs more than brand new one in the US. Used FM3 prices are starting to be decent at least.

I have no complaints about G66 as a company though. Good support and service.

 

[cherryblossom]

I have Kemper, FM3 and TMP. To me, the Kemper feels the best (as long as the profile is good). For my own sanity, I have gone back and forth between Kemper and FM3 (using an ABY box) and Kemper always feels/sounds better. Then I got the TMP to try it out. For some amps, TMP sounds as good as FM3 (maybe even better) and for some amps TMP sounds much worse (Vox). I have arrived at a point where I will keep the Kemper and TMP and sell the FM3. I don't need all the amps in FM3. Also, the limited options in TMP get me to playing faster whereas with FM3 i am always tweaking, changing amps etc. TMP reminds me of playing an amp i.e. set it up and play.

 

[laxu]

I have Kemper, FM3 and TMP. To me, the Kemper feels the best (as long as the profile is good). For my own sanity, I have gone back and forth between Kemper and FM3 (using an ABY box) and Kemper always feels/sounds better. Then I got the TMP to try it out. For some amps, TMP sounds as good as FM3 (maybe even better) and for some amps TMP sounds much worse (Vox). I have arrived at a point where I will keep the Kemper and TMP and sell the FM3. I don't need all the amps in FM3. Also, the limited options in TMP get me to playing faster whereas with FM3 i am always tweaking, changing amps etc. TMP reminds me of playing an amp i.e. set it up and play.

I recently spotted this nugget in the Axe-Fx Wiki:

The Kemper has its own vibe which a lot of people like. It's characterized by lots of midrange compression. You can replicate this on the Axe-Fx by setting the Output Compression type in the Amp block to Feedback and dialing in ~6 dB of compression. Adjust to taste.

The distortion of the Kemper is smoother than a real amp as well. You can replicate this by decreasing the Power Amp Hardness.

So give that a try, maybe the FM3 will feel more like what you dig about the Kemper.

 

[cherryblossom]

I recently spotted this nugget in the Axe-Fx Wiki:

The Kemper has its own vibe which a lot of people like. It's characterized by lots of midrange compression. You can replicate this on the Axe-Fx by setting the Output Compression type in the Amp block to Feedback and dialing in ~6 dB of compression. Adjust to taste.

The distortion of the Kemper is smoother than a real amp as well. You can replicate this by decreasing the Power Amp Hardness.

So give that a try, maybe the FM3 will feel more like what you dig about the Kemper.

Thanks for the suggestion, I will try it. I remember using the Gain Enhancer in the Amp Dynamics section based on feedback in Fractal forums but will try this as well.