Away from Multi Effects

[topo morto]

Just because a modeling device is a very usable bit of gear doesn't mean it's actually a great emulation though (if the latter is what's important to you).

The Roland TB303 is supposed to mimic a bass guitar, and does a terrible job at that - and yet it turned out to have a rather telling impact on music history...

 

[Explorer]

Just because a modeling device is a very usable bit of gear doesn't mean it's actually a great emulation though (if the latter is what's important to you).

If it is important to someone though, it seems the AxeFX and the Kemper are doing wonders in that arena, which negates the whole "Digital will never duplicate the sound and feel" idea.

You're correct, however, in that not all modelers are easily usable in that way. I've been on several forums where people couldn't hear the difference between the real thing and Kemper, AxeFX, POD HD, Boss GT and ME series, and so on (even the Line 6 M series, which surprised me!), but there are definitely pieces which don't manage to get there.

I definitely use my multieffects for things outside of amp emulation, and often see how far certain effects can go, so I appreciate the TB303 example. I remember when a huge market opened up for TB303 emulators, and then virtual TB-303s cut out the physical market for hardware TB-303 clones for all but the most dedicated of analog-heads.

 

[metaball]