What's your favorite digital modeler in 2025?
- Thread starter Jarick
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Jarick
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It is a bit weird, but that was my suspicion and why there's very little excitement for the Kemper Mk2 on this forum.
GTR37
Rock Star
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I think they could be in some troubleSurprised to see The QC not as once popular
When QC came out it had a lot of things special about it
Compact , great new GUI
Good amp modelling , best amp captures in the business
But a lot has changed
in the last 2 yrs while they have been stuck with plug in compatibility
Chocol8
Roadie
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I added another. Tonex has been my primary DIGITAL solution for around 2 years now. That said, over that time I have been using digital less and analog more. I would say more than 95% of my digital playing in 2025 has been with headphones for when even an attenuated amp is too loud.
Some of that was because my CLR puked a chip, but that is now fixed so who knows what the second half of the year will bring. Also, I have not played through my laptop at all in the last 6 months so NAM and other plugin usage went to absolute zero, but I did order the Sonicake pager looking thing so I will probably be spending some more time with NAM again after it arrives. I'd be shocked if it dethrones the Tonex One, but it will get a shot at it.
Otherwise, I have been playing tube amps through JohnH attenuators or a Suhr RL, or occasionally a tube pre-amp. I still love real amps and real cabs.
Desertdweller
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Best digital modeler : Axe FX.
Best analog modeler: Mesa Road King.
Best analog modeler: Mesa Road King.
That's interesting . . . Why about the Hotone Ampero 2 put it at the top of your modeler list? This is a genuine question and I have zero intention of starting another "holy war" thread about which model is best. I'm a long time Fractal User. I owned a Helix for a short time (3 - 4 months) back when it ran firmware 1.x. I'm surprised that Ampero 2 had tones good enough to displace either Helix or Fractal. Maybe there's a thread that already discusses this . . . ?
Mikael Dez
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It even has a scribble strip.
deadpool_25
Roadie
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This was more interesting than I expected. It made me think and I eventually picked Fractal even though my only Fractal device is the VP4. I almost picked the QC but the VP4 lives on the QC board when I'm using that, it lives on the board I use with real amps, and I think it'll also live next to Stadium when that happens (assuming it does). So basically VP4 is pretty foundational for me.
laxu
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I have a whole review thread of it, so check it out for details.
It's no Helix or Fractal, but it has a lot going for it:
- Cheap. Under 400 €, so like less than 1/3 what a new FM3 costs in Europe. Several hundred euros below HX Stomp.
- Compact. Barely larger than HX Stomp or GT-1000 Core.
- Modern touchscreen UI. It's very easy to work with without the computer editor.
- Good set of I/O. Separate stereo in/out, stereo fx loop, headphones, aux-in, expression.
- Capable enough DSP so you can build relatively complex presets.
- Effects, amp and cab modeling are not the best of the best, but for this price range mostly really good.
- It feels good to play and sounds good, you could easily do a gig or record an album with this without feeling like you should've invested in the "the best".
I'm still moving to the Helix Stadium when it releases. But since there's not likely to be a HX Stomp successor until maybe next year at the earliest, I might keep the Hotone around for its form factor convenience.
I love Fractal for sound and features...but after years of fighting to get them to do anything to improve usability, I've given up on them until they release next gen products. Helix Stadium is way more aligned with how I want a modeler to work and I'm confident in Line6's ideas and execution.
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I may get crucified for this but tbh I kind of like NDSP plugins better than any of the hardware modellers 
Not that I actively use any of the above plugin/hardware/otherwise lol
Out of the list my “primary device” would be the HX stomp but I mostly use it as a multi fx unit
Not that I actively use any of the above plugin/hardware/otherwise lol
Out of the list my “primary device” would be the HX stomp but I mostly use it as a multi fx unit
Mikael Dez
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I always like the sound of my actual amp through a load box more than any amp sim I've triedI may get crucified for this but tbh I kind of like NDSP plugins better than any of the hardware modellers
Not that I actively use any of the above plugin/hardware/otherwise lol
Out of the list my “primary device” would be the HX stomp but I mostly use it as a multi fx unit
EOengineer
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This is like choosing a favorite child. I suppose mine will be the Stadium XL once it ships because of honeymoons and all that.
I’ve always thought the FM9 would be my ideal modeling unit, but I’m non-negotiable on the plugin so that has never materialized.
I’ve largely abandoned my Helix Floor outside silent rehearsals with the band. It’s probably time to sell the HXFX. Not yet sure what I’ll do with the Floor.
I’ve always thought the FM9 would be my ideal modeling unit, but I’m non-negotiable on the plugin so that has never materialized.
I’ve largely abandoned my Helix Floor outside silent rehearsals with the band. It’s probably time to sell the HXFX. Not yet sure what I’ll do with the Floor.
JiveTurkey
Goatlord
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With the pile of amps you have at your disposal; a plugin should be a non-concern. I get why people want a FAS plugin but it would never stop me.
bucephalus
Roadie
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More punishing to keep going I guess
