Modeling Fidelity likely isn’t as critical as we think.

[TSJMajesty]

If it sounds good, it is good. Until you hear something better. Or is it just... different?

A buddy of mine has a Plexi Super Lead that I told him needed new tubes, but he thought it was fine. Until he finally replaced them, and couldn't believe how much better it sounded!

 

[Sascha Franck]

The more I've distanced myself from guitar playing the more I've realized how weird it was to be so fixated on having the most accurate model of some amp that I'll never hear in real life, let alone actually play.

Clever idea. So maybe we all should just stop playing guitar and concentrate on the important aspects of life.

 

[timbuck3]

Yeah, sounds great (great playing as usual, too).
But let's face it, these kinda overdriven lead tones aren't too much of a problem. They usually don't need too much dynamics (heck, often they profit from some bits of compression here and there) and as they don't exactly need to "fit" in a mix but are allowed to stand out, I always thought that EQ-ing them to fit isn't too hard, either.
For me it's the kinda EOB tones that really lacked the most in earlier modeling generations, followed by, say, riff tones that would clean up like the real deal. But these are pretty much covered today, too.

The more I've distanced myself from guitar playing the more I've realized how weird it was to be so fixated on having the most accurate model of some amp that I'll never hear in real life, let alone actually play.

I don’t do that.. I just go with a tone I like and need in a certain context.. vs caring what the emulation amp is…

 

[Aleksi]

Clever idea. So maybe we all should just stop playing guitar and concentrate on the important aspects of life.

This is literally exactly what I said! You've obviously figured out how to not care about accuracy while playing the guitar, since you're using Boss!

 

[Sascha Franck]

You've obviously figured out how to not care about accuracy while playing the guitar, since you're using Boss!

Yeah. But in my own defense, I gotta say that their amp modeling isn't harmed in my forays.

 

[Funk Soul Brother]

Inspirat

I don’t do that.. I just go with a tone I like and need in a certain context.. vs caring what the emulation amp is…

 

[AFKAEjay(retired)]

Personally I’m not aiming to use “accurate sounds”, or amp controls to respond like “the amp”. I’m also not looking to sound like [insert artist] at all.

Nevertheless, I do want proof of the pudding of my digital gear by doing the observation that a capture sounds and feels like the original.
Not because I couldn’t live with an endresult to be slightly different, but simply cause I want confirmation that the tech I use, delivers.
Going forward, whenever I’m not happy with my sound, I know it’s not caused by the tech I use, so I don’t look for solutions in buying new stuff
And I am always aiming for the best I can possibly get, this takes one variable off the table.

One might argue, why not simply trust your ears, good = good. Thing is, I don’t trust my ears, and I’m 100% convinced nobody can.
I trust my ears to be able to compare A to B, but I don’t trust it to be able to judge sound in isolation/without reference. Maybe if one day I have a set of sounds I know “are me”, and always work…that could be the reference going forward, however for now that’s not set in stone yet.

Above is a big driver for my preference for capture devices, (and captures of gear I own myself): I can do a capture, do the observation it meets my standards, and go forward with a “check the box” for the device I use.

 

[Aleksi]

Yeah. But in my own defense, I gotta say that their amp modeling isn't harmed in my forays.

I apologize for being an ass, had a rough morning.

But just to clear things up, I never ever said that anyone should stop playing the guitar or gave any kind of advice to anyone. This should be perfectly clear to anyone who reads my post. I simply mentioned that my perspective on things has changed since moving away from the guitar.

 

[Sascha Franck]

I never ever said that anyone should stop playing the guitar or gave any kind of advice to anyone.

I just thought of it as a mildly funny thing.

 

[Aleksi]

I just thought of it as a mildly funny thing.

Was that some of that famous german humor? Went right over my head

For the record, I think everyone should actually stop playing a wooden stick with metal wires and electronics from the 1800's!

 

[Mikael Dez]

I just thought of it as a mildly funny thing.

I also thought it was funny.

 

[KingsXJJ]

I also thought it was funny.

Anything regarding Boss is “funny.”

 

[Jarick]

My unpopular opinions:

1. Amp modeling today isn't as perfect as most people say it is. And not all brands are on the same level, despite hearing it over and over. A proper tube amp is likely going to be more forgiving tonally than a model and likely will have better feel and response especially in a more complex rig.
   
   
2. The above completely goes out the window during practical usage, especially in a mix. Almost any of those sonic differences will be completely overshadowed by other instruments and by changes made during mixing either live or in studio.

At the end of the day a great player with a good ear will probably dial in something that works and sounds better for the audience with a cheap lo-fi digital modeler than a bad player with a bad ear on an amazing expensive tube and analog rig.

 

[KingsXJJ]

My unpopular opinions:

1. Amp modeling today isn't as perfect as most people say it is. And not all brands are on the same level, despite hearing it over and over. A proper tube amp is likely going to be more forgiving tonally than a model and likely will have better feel and response especially in a more complex rig.
   
   
2. The above completely goes out the window during practical usage, especially in a mix. Almost any of those sonic differences will be completely overshadowed by other instruments and by changes made during mixing either live or in studio.

At the end of the day a great player with a good ear will probably dial in something that works and sounds better for the audience with a cheap lo-fi digital modeler than a bad player with a bad ear on an amazing expensive tube and analog rig.

And a great player with a bad ear will sound like…

 

[jay mitchell]

And a great player with a bad ear

Is an oxymoron.

 

[Orvillain]

Is an oxymoron.

No it isn't.

 

[KingsXJJ]

No it isn't.

Exactly. Tell that to the rock stars that blew their ears out with stacks and no protection.

 

[Mikael Dez]

Exactly. Tell that to the rock stars that blew their ears out with stacks and no protection.

Or any Van Halen song, but damn did Eddy shred

 

[Jarick]

And a great player with a bad ear will sound like…

Honestly it will still probably sound really cool. There's a lot of objectively bad tones that people might chase after. Reelin' In the Years sounds like a fuzz box into a console, Randy Rhoads had a can of bees tone, Pantera was all sizzle and no midrange, etc.

 

[Mikael Dez]

Honestly it will still probably sound really cool. There's a lot of objectively bad tones that people might chase after. Reelin' In the Years sounds like a fuzz box into a console, Randy Rhoads had a can of bees tone, Pantera was all sizzle and no midrange, etc.

The song > the tone at the end of the day