Help me take full advantage of what makes modeling better than a real amp. re: gain compression feel

[Enchilada Jones]

For me presets are the number one advantage but there is more than that to enjoy.

I’m trying to fully understand what parameters under the hood of a modeler preset will, when mapped to a midi continuous controller, let me transition smoothly from two very different states of ‘feel’.

That state where ‘the guitar almost plays itself’ kind of feeling where that higher gain (or compression?) allows a light touch that lets you play fast and exploit sustain and the other side of the equation a more dynamic kind of touch where you get a full and open ringing of the note but can dig in to get louder.

Kind of a sweep from Eddie to Stevie Ray? But hopefully using one amp model to deliver both. What knobs in the virtual domain of amp and effects need to be turned and which amp model would you choose to do it.
I guess primarily I need to know what provides that ‘guitar plays itself’ kind of sensation. Some models go there with lots of preamp stage gain but usually it becomes a ‘too much gain’ sound.

The ultimate goal is a continuous controller à la Luminite on the guitar that you can hook your pinky finger around and sweep between the two states the way we do with a volume knob for swells.

 

[ian_dissonance]

Input level and amp gain, which are very closely related. To sweep between “dynamic and raw” and “blow across the strings to play” could be something like cross fading a drive pedal or compressor, pushing the amp gain or power amp level. Most modelers would even allow you to crossfade between two amp models or signal chains. I would probably start with an amp model that does both as you’d like and then use a volume pedal before the amp to raise or lower the input without changing the tone of the guitar like rolling off the volume would.

 

[laxu]

The absolute easiest way is just a volume pedal that reduces the input level to the amp.

Another option would be to add a compressor block and tie its settings to the expression pedal. Starts from "no compression", goes to "very compressed" when you push the treadle down.

If you also want the sound to change then you could assign also amp gain.

If you have a Fractal, you could also use the envelope follower where it would adjust settings based on how hard or soft you are playing. You can do some interesting things with it if you put your mind to it.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

For me presets are the number one advantage but there is more than that to enjoy.

I’m trying to fully understand what parameters under the hood of a modeler preset will, when mapped to a midi continuous controller, let me transition smoothly from two very different states of ‘feel’.

That state where ‘the guitar almost plays itself’ kind of feeling where that higher gain (or compression?) allows a light touch that lets you play fast and exploit sustain and the other side of the equation a more dynamic kind of touch where you get a full and open ringing of the note but can dig in to get louder.

Kind of a sweep from Eddie to Stevie Ray? But hopefully using one amp model to deliver both. What knobs in the virtual domain of amp and effects need to be turned and which amp model would you choose to do it.
I guess primarily I need to know what provides that ‘guitar plays itself’ kind of sensation. Some models go there with lots of preamp stage gain but usually it becomes a ‘too much gain’ sound.

The ultimate goal is a continuous controller à la Luminite on the guitar that you can hook your pinky finger around and sweep between the two states the way we do with a volume knob for swells.

Volume pedal in front of the amp, just like in the olden days. If this changes your output volume more than you like, then take advantage of being able to reverse map output level and mess around until you get the balance you're looking for.

 

[metropolis_4]

Less: roll back your volume knob

More: hit it with a Tubescreamer

It’s all gain and compression. Hitting an amp harder gives more gain and more compression. Backing off gives a more open feel and sound that is more responsive. Pedals like a Tubescreamer are compressed already and give a more tight focused feel to the gain structure that helps with that “feel” you’re talking about on the high end of the gain spectrum. You have the gain and compression from the pedal and you add it to the gain from the amp

 

[0XI0]

bias excursion models how much tube bias excurts when you hit em, to me when i turn bias excursion all the way down, the distortion sounds like going from the amp to the pedal-version-of-the-amp. it gets stiff and flat and really fast. as far as I know there hasn't been a real amp that leveraged bias or bias excursion as a user adjustable performative function. except bias tremolo. fractal has that

 

[0XI0]

honestly an overdrive boost in front of an edge of breakup amp

with the controller mapped to
overdrive gain+mix
hi/lo+wet/dry