Guitar Amp Simulators: Better Than Real Amps?

[aaronjohnson]

You also can't overlook the fact that you can record a whole sound and decide later that the tone doesn't mesh right. No need to re-record. Just change the tone.

[Someguy-icmu]

Tyler in 2017:"I am not in the postition to spend 9833$ on a little vintage amp."
Tyler in 2020:"I Bought a $5, 000 Guitar Pedal–Does it Sound ANY GOOD?"

[TheeDopeAjax]

You cant go wrong with focusrite and guitar rig 5 fellow budget players

[alexdamaceno]

Thanks, Tyler, for this review. When you go online and read these gear presentations and comparisons, there's so much elitism and hate towards solid state amps, digital amps and emulations. It's like the whole world can afford a bunch of different amps and using an affordable "copy" is a crime or a dumb thing to do.

I'm from Brazil, everything imported here is ridiculously expensive and we gotta make the best with what we got, always. I own an Epiphone, a Marshall MG and, now, a Zoom G5n and I'm pretty happy with them. Many musicians here, that are better than me, can't afford even these "inexpensive" stuff. And I'm grateful with what I've got, even if it's not "the real thing".

[andrewnicorn]

That interface is certainly more expensive than I expected.

[jasong]

I accept the word simulator especially when it tries to sound like a specific amp that exists outside of the computer, but I disagree with the idea of it not being an amplifier. I understand how the word “real” is being used, but real amplifiers were made with the tech available at the time, and using modern tech to achieve a great sound that you can record or perform with is just as “real.” For me, a real amp is a tool that allows you to create the music in your head and convey what you have to say. Why pass it up if it fulfills your vision because of the process?

[lairdey]

If you can’t make the sims sound good, maybe the sims aren’t the problem.

[guitarist]

Is your outro music done with AMP sims or real amp ?

[henrikpetersson]

Sounds like you are going in way too hot on the Tweed. Are you using it in the Unison slot? If not, back the input gain all the way down on the Apollo.

[diazzsama]

For the player, probably not. For the audience, they won't notice at all if you dial it right.

[Andreas_Straub]

A highly versatile and great sounding guitar amp sim is S-Gear from Scuffham Amps. Mike Scuffham brought a lot of expertise from Marshall and designed this great SW. It is especially good for vintage sounds.

[arcanics]

Imho it isn't really important whether or not these emulations are accurate (unless you have a very specific need for that amp) because even if they're not they give you some great sounds.
The software I use on Linux isn't that close on some amp models but with a bit of tweaking it sounds amazing anyway.
And those used in this video are awesome.

[chajmak]

That lick at 2:14 made love to my ears

[WheelieMix]

Fact is, they could sounds pretty similar alone. But it needs to be considered in context.
In case of overdriven tone (classic rock ish, not high-gain), I found that the emulation I used (S-Gear, Guitar Rig et some UAD) don't take EQs as well as real amps. Which makes a use difference in a mix. Convenient but definitely different on the end results.

[gordontubbs]

Tweed amps have a characteristic grind that is associated with cranked 6V6 power tubes - they always sound fuzzed out or ready to fizzle out. Modern guitar players will probably say it sounds like ass, because in my opinion, we've become accustomed to preamp-driven tone rather than power-amp driven tone. My guess is because we rarely get opportunities to crank our 50-watt or 100-watt heads too often, and we simply don't know what power tubes sound like... so when we hear a vintage amp like a Tweed Deluxe of course it will "sound like shit."

[JoelGFigures]

If you think you can tell the difference between an amp simulator and a real amp you're lying to yourself. The only difference is the feel to the player, you can make any amp any simulator sound good because all you're doing is manipulating frequencies no matter if it's analog or digitally controlled. The only difference is the response to dynamics and that gap is quickly going away if not already gone with some real high end simulators. The benefits of simulators far out weigh the benefits of amps:

1. No more breaking your back trying to get your full stack to a gig, just plug in straight to the front of house and use in ear monitors (preferably) and you'll have your own great mix.

2. Once you find that great tone you love you never have to worry about your amp simulator being able to deliver that same awesome tone each and every time. Tubes aren't so reliable.

3. You can record and change your tone later without having to re-record. Just capture a performance and adjust at your leisure.

4. No one has every walked away from a gig talking about how great a guitar's tone was, what they are looking for is how great each instruments sits in a mix. If every instrument is audible and you play well that is what matters, your band as a whole.

5. Amp simulators will not bust the bank.

Are amp simulators better than real amps? Yes by far: Cheaper, sound great with just as much dynamics, portable, reliable, efficient in recording sessions (no extra $500 dollar mics), and a selection of ANY tone that you want in the world. Yeah give me a great amp simulator over the real thing any day.

[burneraccount]

Computers can generate video that looks more real and vivid than real life. So of course they can make gorgeous guitar tones too!

[ThrashRoC]

Sorry, the Default sound at beginning Sounds DEFINETLEY Not Good in my Ears .
Really, THAT is a good Amp sound for you ???

[JohnSKihm]

I definitely liked the sound of the Friedman plugin!

[ehdforlife]

I use the Focusrite Scarlet interface for a fraction of the cost and it sounds amazing, also I use Amplitude 4 for guitar sims and they sound amazing- and have a great range from Fender to Marshall to Mesa and beyond. There are great cheaper options. Side note... the shadow caused by your hat was very distracting.