Multi-effects/modeler VS plugin

[Sascha Franck]

Do I need to worry about "noise, signal hotness, pickup voltage, Hi-Z (instrument) inputs" if I buy a Helix LT/ Stomp/ Ampero 2?

Likely not.

Latency will not be an issue at least since I don't feel any delay when I pluck a string using my GT-1, so much advanced unit like those will definitely not have latency issue.

True. That was related to the interface option.

It's not all that much of a bad situation with interfaces anymore these days, though. I was just mentioning all of the above so you'd be aware of potential issues. But you can pretty much always solve them.

 

[DonaldR]

Late to the party. I'm using hardware modelers for 15 years and I'm using recording software for 20 years.
Using software for playing guitar was never as good and always a pain: dedicated computer, bunch of stuff to plug and power, software updates, software incompatibilities, software end-of-life, audio interface problems. You got it.

But last year I decided to retry using my computer to play guitar and that was a totally different story.
I already have a Macbook M1, so I bought an IK Axe IO One which is bus powered, and an M-Vave Chocolate bluetooth midi foot controller. Everything is connecting within a few seconds and running on battery for couple of hours. (I even used that setup with my iPhone 16).
I'm using Nalex Crunchman (BE100 amp model), couple of Nembrini freeware and some Apple AU plugins, all running in Kushview Element (Audio Unit Host). This setup is as fast and easy as using an hardware modeler and it sounds as good (thru my headphones and my PA).

Edit: I think why I like the software now is probably because of the Axe IO front-end. It sounds better and it feels better. Also because of Nalex Crunchman.

 

[Shask]

Late to the party. I'm using hardware modelers for 15 years and I'm using recording software for 20 years.
Using software for playing guitar was never as good and always a pain: dedicated computer, bunch of stuff to plug and power, software updates, software incompatibilities, software end-of-life, audio interface problems. You got it.

But last year I decided to retry using my computer to play guitar and that was a totally different story.
I already have a Macbook M1, so I bought an IK Axe IO One which is bus powered, and an M-Vave Chocolate bluetooth midi foot controller. Everything is connecting within a few seconds and running on battery for couple of hours. (I even used that setup with my iPhone 16).
I'm using Nalex Crunchman (BE100 amp model), couple of Nembrini freeware and some Apple AU plugins, all running in Kushview Element (Audio Unit Host). This setup is as fast and easy as using an hardware modeler and it sounds as good (thru my headphones and my PA).

Edit: I think why I like the software now is probably because of the Axe IO front-end. It sounds better and it feels better. Also because of Nalex Crunchman.

I hated playing through computers for years, but a year or 2 ago I also bought an IK Axe I/O interface, which I do think helps with the feel, and the recent technology advances of ToneX and NAM has made me finally hit the point where I actually get sounds that I like and feel good to play.