Let’s talk about Compact Amp Modeling. Unsung Heroes of The Headphones.

[KingsXJJ]

I’ve got quite a collection of these guys. I have or have had them all. With very few exceptions, I’ve been able to obtain what I consider excellent tones out of them. Tones I would/could/have used for creative and recording purposes. I’m primarily a gain player. From Plexi through to 5150, Mesa, Friedman and a bit beyond. I value tone, feel and balance. My personal sensitive pet peeve or overly-weighted criteria lies at the end points of the experience… flabby lows and grating highs. These seem critical to me when not using a physical cab/amp and while using headphones these can be unforgiving.

Most of these vary quite a bit in what they offer and how they do it as far as end result. From digital to analog. White-Box to Black-Box. From relatively complex and highly tweakable to knobs and switches or just captures/profiles. From IR’s to analog to Dynamic-Cab speaker emulation.

So what floats your boat and why? Choose up to three if needed. You can rank them and say why you multiple-choice it if you wish.

 

[Mikael Dez]

Testing testing are you still ignoring me

 

[Alex Kenivel]

 

[paisleywookiee]

View attachment 49795

Yeah, this or the NC would be my choice.

 

[LP59]

Nanocortex, HX Stomp, Kemper Player. None of which are listed.

 

[KingsXJJ]

It’s like asking monkeys to choose their favorite book. Knew it.

 

[dbagchee]

HX Stomp is the king but if we are restricting it to smaller size POD Express is my pick. Has a good selection of amps (and you can choose between Red/Black model sets) and is totally serviceable as a simple all in one to boot. Its only drawback is the plastic construction (though sturdy still plastic) and 80’s volume dial. An HX Express in the HX One’s case would be killer.

 

[JiveTurkey]

For sounds since FAS has nothing in this space; UA.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Out of the ones listed I'd pick POD express. I have the Opus as well, but still give the edge to the POD. More user friendly, better models with much less fuss to get you there. I haven't tried any of the others so no opinion on those.

 

[Frodebro]

The most compact unit I have is a Stomp XL…

 

[Lysander]

I'm sorry, but leaving out the venerable HX Stomp is inexcusable

After all these years it's still the best headphones experience IMHO, with the only downside being that it tethers you to a (bad) power supply. POD Express can scratch a lot of the itch, but no Dynamic Ambience is a massive downside. And, as a pure multi-FX, there's simply nothing that comes close in terms of performance.

 

[paisleywookiee]

I'm sorry, but leaving out the venerable HX Stomp is inexcusable

After all these years it's still the best headphones experience IMHO, with the only downside being that it tethers you to a (bad) power supply. POD Express can scratch a lot of the itch, but no Dynamic Ambience is a massive downside. And, as a pure multi-FX, there's simply nothing that comes close in terms of performance.

Yeah, if the Stomp is too big, you need a bigger purse.

 

[Chocol8]

Tonex One. I was hoping for more from the Sonicake seeing as it has a built in rechargeable battery, but it has not impressed.

 

[laxu]

It definitely becomes unfair if you add HX Stomp, Boss GT-1000 Core or Hotone Ampero 2 Stomp on this list as all of those do way more than most on the list.

These take maybe like 1.5-2x the space of some of the compact modelers on the list and that should not be a dealbreaker issue. I can understand not wanting them if you hate menu diving tho.

I still like the Strymon Iridium. If they made a V2 with some modern amp models and a presence control it would be great.

UA is forever dumb for features. Sure they sound good, but the feature set is so stupid for digital pedals that I don't want to buy any. I recommend everyone to just try the plugins before considering the pedals because that's all you will get. Go try the UA Ruby to see how dumb it is when your tone knobs don't work in anything except one of the modes.

 

[bucephalus]

I like the Tonex but it's not really a modeler is it?

 

[Piing]

Still rocks.

 

[Jarick]

Kemper Player is my favorite now but it's twice the price of many of those. Not sure if that counts though as it has tons of effects.

Strymon Iridium was really good for the times, it may be a bit dated now but maybe not? Better for clean to mid gain and not so much high gain. Room sim is really good, WYSIWYG, very cool.

If I were buying one today it would be the UAFX Lion. I've got the plugin and haven't used it a ton but it sounds killer for true cleans all the way up to EVH. Won't do modern metal, except maybe if you add the right drive pedal in front? Cab selection is a bit limited but there's good ones in there and the room sim is excellent.

 

[Guitarwiz007]

Kemper Player all the way. Morphing alone makes it worth the entry price but it sounds and feels amazing. From the list above, I would go POD Express as that is what I use for rehearsals and it sounds just fine. I especially like that it runs on batteries.

 

[Enchilada Jones]

Kemper Player dethroned all my other headphone options.

 

[KingsXJJ]

View attachment 49811
Still rocks.

I still got one!