Multi-effects/modeler VS plugin

Q

qwvb1111

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Greetings, I am using Boss GT1, two Yamaha HS5s to play guitar at home only, and I mainly play high gain lead. Since GT1 is probably malfunctioning I am gonna buy a new modeler/plugin. My budget is USD $700.

My choices are:

- Hotone Ampero 2 Stage / Ampero 2

- Headrush Core / Flex prime

- Maybe HX Stomp

- Focusrite 2i2 4th gen + Neural DSP Petrucci / Gojira X

Tone of FRACTAL FM3 MARK II TURBO is very good according to what I heard on Youtube, for example the "lead shrimmer" preset, but it is just too expensive...

Kemper Stage looks difficult to use and the tone I heard on Youtube can be done by the forementioned choices of mine I guess, and it's even more expensive than FM3...

Petrucci plugin sounds nice too, I may be able to achieve what I want with lower cost, but I haven't used any audio interface + plugin before.

￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

Which one you think I should buy? Please share your opinions.
 
I'd get an interface and one of those plugins you mentioned, and give it a whirl.

You never know until you try, but it's the "least out of pocket" option and a great place to start. Plenty of people use nothing but plugins. You may later decide to change things up (lmao) - but you may not!
 
If at all: Which DAW are you using? And are you generally happy with playing guitar through plugins? Or is that just a thing you'll start with?

Edit: Missed it that you're new to this.
 
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I use Plugins + Reaper + Audio Interface + Studio Monitors every day, even though I have several real amps and a ton of pedals.
I do also have a bunch of NDSP plugins, Helix Native etc and they are really great, but another option is to try out some freeware options before jumping towards paying for premium amp sims. Freeware can often be as high quality as payware, often because it's a promotional device to bring new users into the rest of the portfolio. In some cases it can even be of better sound quality and realism. For example, NAM is free and you can find some great user uploads on Tone3000, and is currently the most accurate in capture technology, and is pretty much the simplest and quickest way to try out capture style amp modelling.

I think in the long run, there is very little or no reason to not get a setup running on your computer, but other options are possibly more convenient for going off to a jam or a gig, and may have less of a steep learning curve compared to starting a fresh with a computer setup. It depends on your workflow requirements. Either way, whatever you use to actually amplify the end result will make a big difference - some investment into studio monitors, an "FRFR" cab, or if nothing else, decent headphones will be a smart decision.

*Edit - I forgot you already mentioned the HS5 studio monitors, so you're half way there.

Also, another thought: if you get Helix Hardware, you get steep discounts on Helix Native - which is a fantastic direction if you want both a hardware option and a software / plugin version of the same thing.
 
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Dom Mcsweeney said:
I use Plugins + Reaper + Audio Interface + Studio Monitors every day, even though I have several real amps and a ton of pedals.
I do also have a bunch of NDSP plugins, Helix Native etc and they are really great, but another option is to try out some freeware options before jumping towards paying for premium amp sims. Freeware can often be as high quality as payware, often because it's a promotional device to bring new users into the rest of the portfolio. In some cases it can even be of better sound quality and realism. For example, NAM is free and you can find some great user uploads on Tone3000, and is currently the most accurate in capture technology, and is pretty much the simplest and quickest way to try out capture style amp modelling.

I think in the long run, there is very little or no reason to not get a setup running on your computer, but other options are possibly more convenient for going off to a jam or a gig, and may have less of a steep learning curve compared to starting a fresh with a computer setup. It depends on your workflow requirements. Either way, whatever you use to actually amplify the end result will make a big difference - some investment into studio monitors, an ""FRFR"" cab, or if nothing else, decent headphones will be a smart decision.

*Edit - I forgot you already mentioned the HS5 studio monitors, so you're half way there.

Also, another thought: if you get Helix Hardware, you get steep discounts on Helix Native - which is a fantastic direction if you want both a hardware option and a software / plugin version of the same thing.
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Have you used any of the modeler I mentioned?

I searched for comparison video in terms of lead tones between ndsp plugins and those modelers, but found nothing. Individual tone demonstration of ndsp plugin and for example ampero 2 is there but first, not close to what I want, second, they sound similar.

I want to know the difference so I can decide to do the hardware or software way.
 
qwvb1111 said:
Have you used any of the modeler I mentioned?

I searched for comparison video in terms of lead tones between ndsp plugins and those modelers, but found nothing. Individual tone demonstration of ndsp plugin and for example ampero 2 is there but first, not close to what I want, second, they sound similar.

I want to know the difference so I can decide to do the hardware or software way.
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A lot of us here have used most of that list, you'll get different suggestions from everyone. :rofl

I'd say from that list, the Stomp is probably the most well-respected unit on this forum due to it's features and cost. It's really hard to beat a Stomp, even with Line 6 getting ready to launch a whole new platform. Those things will be in gig bags and closets for years to come.

I'd say if a single lead tone is your priority, the plugin route would probably be your best bet. There's so many other options in a full on modeler that you'd be paying for a lot of functionality you wouldn't use. But if you want to experiment with some other tones you haven't really tried before, I'd go for the Stomp.

And FWIW, when I first got my AxeFX 5 years ago, all I cared about were Mesa's and 5150's, but for the last 3.5 years my main preset is an edge of breakup Bassman or Plexi with a Strat and my playing/songwriting went down roads I never thought I'd go down as a result of having different tones available. Because of that, I always urge people to go down to full-on modeler route if they can, you never know what road you're going to want to go down some day and it's a lot more fun having the options there when you want to do so than not.
 
qwvb1111 said:
Have you used any of the modeler I mentioned?
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Helix Stomp - I have yes

Headrush / Ampero - no, I haven't

If you want hardware then I would recommend you go with the Helix Stomp or a Helix Lt - a bonus there is that registered owners of the hardware can get a cheap deal on Helix Native too, so if you ever want to go down the software route, it's probably all you'd ever need.
 
Personal preference if you want to go the interface and plugins route vs a dedicated modeller. Same quality in the end just very slightly different workflows.

If you like the thought of doing some basic recording (which can lead to advanced recording obviously) then I’d say dollar for dollar the interface and plugin route is better. If you never want to record and just want to play guitar by turning something simple on then out of that list just get the hx stomp or the fm3 ignore the rest.

There really isn’t a wrong answer here it’s personal preference. I’ve been revisiting the helix stuff and it’s insanely competent, you can’t go wrong at all with a stomp. And plugins are endless so you also can’t go wrong there either.
 
DrewJD82 said:
A lot of us here have used most of that list, you'll get different suggestions from everyone. :rofl

I'd say from that list, the Stomp is probably the most well-respected unit on this forum due to it's features and cost. It's really hard to beat a Stomp, even with Line 6 getting ready to launch a whole new platform. Those things will be in gig bags and closets for years to come.

I'd say if a single lead tone is your priority, the plugin route would probably be your best bet. There's so many other options in a full on modeler that you'd be paying for a lot of functionality you wouldn't use. But if you want to experiment with some other tones you haven't really tried before, I'd go for the Stomp.

And FWIW, when I first got my AxeFX 5 years ago, all I cared about were Mesa's and 5150's, but for the last 3.5 years my main preset is an edge of breakup Bassman or Plexi with a Strat and my playing/songwriting went down roads I never thought I'd go down as a result of having different tones available. Because of that, I always urge people to go down to full-on modeler route if they can, you never know what road you're going to want to go down some day and it's a lot more fun having the options there when you want to do so than not.
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The Stomp and Stomp XL are awesome units, and that's coming from someone firmly entrenched in the Fractal camp.

And in response to the OP, I ran plugins for years before finally buying a hardware unit (Kemper). The biggest advantage to hardware over software is that it's much easier to move around. My Stomp XL is my "headphone modeler for the living room" much of the time.
 
@qwvb1111 I would not recommend the Headrush and Hotone devices, but you definitely can't go wrong with an HX Stomp - even though Line 6 has just announced their next generation of modelers and we currently don't know how much longer the OG Helix/HX devices will get new firmware updates.

If you are interested in Plugins, just get a Focusrite 2i2. You can get both plugins you mentioned for a good price from... me! I'm currently selling those in the Classifieds section of the forum (not because I don't like them, but because I just bought an Axe-Fx III). ;)
 
I think if you're starting out, getting one of the Hotone offerings would be a decent thing.
Personally, I'm using an HX Stomp as a small box and love it a lot, but the Hotones are easier to operate on the unit and pretty self-explaining, whereas the Stomp defenitely has a learning curve.
 
Sascha Franck said:
I think if you're starting out, getting one of the Hotone offerings would be a decent thing.
Personally, I'm using an HX Stomp as a small box and love it a lot, but the Hotones are easier to operate on the unit and pretty self-explaining, whereas the Stomp defenitely has a learning curve.
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If you had to pick one for yourself right now which one would you pick
 
[Nathan] said:
if you Sascha could only own one of those units which are you choosing
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The Stomp.
But I'm a nerd.

Frodebro said:
As Benjamin Franklin famously said, "Anybody who gives up great tone and functionality for ease of use deserves neither."
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Unfortunately I can't tell about the quality of tone of the Amperos from first hand experience, but what I've heard so far was pretty pleasing. So it might be one of the units combining the two aspects.

Besides, I don't agree with the premise anyway. There's a certain threshold of tone quality that must be met (and it varies from person to person), once that is achieved, other things become more important.
Otherwise everybody had to use FAS products.

I'm firmly in the camp that whatever unit must be fun to use as well, to keep the inspiration flowing.
 
Sascha Franck said:
The Stomp.
But I'm a nerd.



Unfortunately I can't tell about the quality of tone of the Amperos from first hand experience, but what I've heard so far was pretty pleasing. So it might be one of the units combining the two aspects.

Besides, I don't agree with the premise anyway. There's a certain threshold of tone quality that must be met (and it varies from person to person), once that is achieved, other things become more important.
Otherwise everybody had to use FAS products.

I'm firmly in the camp that whatever unit must be fun to use as well, to keep the inspiration flowing.
Click to expand...

Tone AND functionality. The Stomp can do a lot more than the other units, and even if you don't need it in the beginning you still have a unit that you can grow into.
 
Sascha Franck said:
The Stomp.
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I figured this was the answer and was surprised why you wouldn’t recommend something that you’d personally want to own as a one stop shop device.

The helix isn’t hard to use you don’t need to be a nerd at all. Just need to know how to plonk a few blocks down and you’re good to go.

Anyway there’s no real wrong answers here all the gear comes down to price ultimately. But when I hear someone is happy to do a medium investment into something I’d always steer them to a named brand device because there’s usually more to them. If budget is a concern or it’s a second third device then sure get any old trinket and goto town, not as crucial of a decision.
 
Frodebro said:
The Stomp can do a lot more than the other units, and even if you don't need it in the beginning you still have a unit that you can grow into.
Click to expand...

I don't disagree at all. But the Ampero could do pretty much the same things functionally. I mean, tell me one thing the Ampero can't do that the Stomp can (ideally something within the realm of being useful for someone starting out, even if he/she is advancing a bit).
For example, one of the key features of the Stomp has been that you could use any kind of block in any position. That's not possible on many other of the cheaper chinese offerings. But the Ampero does allow you to use block types as you please. So you could as well just use it as an FX unit. It also allows for parallel/split paths. So there's really not much it's missing. And in addition, it allows you to load captures.
And in comparison, regarding usability, the Stomp is kinda dated. A touchscreen is pretty much a level up for such units.
 
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