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Observations from a recent metal show

"My generation", whatever you think it is, didn't invent backing tracks either, the Who already did that in the 70s (though Pete Townshend might still have his hearing had they gone ampless...). My point is that you can buy a modeling floorboard or combo amp for ~500 and make little to no compromise in sound quality compared to a tube amp (tons of blind tests on Youtube). That wasn't the case 10+ years ago.

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If the Who were ampless, what would they smash? One guitar and a drumset?? Lame!!
 
"My generation", whatever you think it is, didn't invent backing tracks either, the Who already did that in the 70s (though Pete Townshend might still have his hearing had they gone ampless...). My point is that you can buy a modeling floorboard or combo amp for ~500 and make little to no compromise in sound quality compared to a tube amp (tons of blind tests on Youtube). That wasn't the case 10+ years ago.

View attachment 5043084
Youtube? Oh, my apologies. Well then it has to be true :)
 
This band is not metal but this is what I want to hear/see when I go to a gig….just 3 excellent musicians/singers playing live music with NO tracks whatsoever. Yeah I’m old school but that’s the deal for me!

In addition to that, as a musician myself, I don’t want to play in any groups that can’t play our music 100% live. If I want to play to tracks, I’ll join a synth pop group. :laugh:

YMMV……
 
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If it sounds exactly like a recording, why bother to be held up by ticketmaster for the privilege of jostling with a restive crowd and not really being able to tell if it’s live music, or actors pretending to play instruments while the same recording you can hear at home is coming from the PA, only with people next to you discussing their day. If the only difference between recorded music and “live” performance is added expense and hassle, what’s the point? Or maybe being there for selfie opportunities to prove to your electronic friends you were there really is the point?

I felt this very strongly seeing Dream Theater last year. They were great. So great, I could have sat at home listening to the record.
 
If they the crowd was worried about poor dispersion and consistent results they wouldn’t be at a metal gig.

IMO.

Incredibly wrong. People might not know the technical terms, but they can definitely tell if they can hear the band properly or not, and those impressions remain. The artist has a duty to perform to the best of their abilities and give the best show they can to a paying audience. If using technology makes it easier and cheaper to do so, then why not.
 
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I’ll take my REAL tube amps over digitally simulated tube amps any day.

I don’t care what YouTube, TikTok, and the rest of the internet says.

I mean, everyone here likes them. I don't think anyone is disputing that. Amps are great, I've got a few of them and for local gigs I like taking them down and cranking them up. I just toss em in the back of my car and we're good.

When it comes to trying to keep touring costs down though, they're definitely not great. If our agents can clinch a deal with the promoters for venues/tours etc. without having to demand more money that would cover the cost of backline rental for the tour and the extra transport costs, they'll do it. It's an overhead that we can now negate by a huge amount. That's how things are out on the front lines, these days...

When even huge acts who can still afford to transport massive stage sets (featuring one of the best guitar players on the planet) opt to go for modelers/profilers due to the savings and convenience and consistency, you know that there is a real tidal shift.
 
I mean, everyone here likes them. I don't think anyone is disputing that. Amps are great, I've got a few of them and for local gigs I like taking them down and cranking them up. I just toss em in the back of my car and we're good.

When it comes to trying to keep touring costs down though, they're definitely not great. If our agents can clinch a deal with the promoters for venues/tours etc. without having to demand more money that would cover the cost of backline rental for the tour and the extra transport costs, they'll do it. It's an overhead that we can now negate by a huge amount. That's how things are out on the front lines, these days...

When even huge acts who can still afford to transport massive stage sets (featuring one of the best guitar players on the planet) opt to go for modelers/profilers due to the savings and convenience and consistency, you know that there is a real tidal shift.
Ampless makes sense for large touring acts economically and practically. We will always have that.

That said, this “tidal shift” (altho ampless has been around for years, but maybe newer to metal) will not eradicate real amplifiers from the planet.

And even if ampless became the norm at shows rather than the exception, the youths of the future will do what all youths of every generation have done before them, and that’s rebel: they will bring real amps right back.
 
Ampless makes sense for large touring acts economically and practically. We will always have that.

That said, this “tidal shift” (altho ampless has been around for years, but maybe newer to metal) will not eradicate real amplifiers from the planet.

And even if ampless became the norm at shows rather than the exception, the youths of the future will do what all youths of every generation have done before them, and that’s rebel: they will bring real amps right back.
the pendulum swings back and forth. vintage gear is quite trendy these days.

Interestingly enough, the musicians I play with, the youngest uses a Fender Deville and a USA Strat and Tele. The old guys are all running direct with amp sims and such. :roflmao:

it is really interesting to watch how vintage and modern are being utilized simultaneously by young minds. and maybe that's because of young minds. I'm only 39, but I would need quite a bit of education on setting up an Ableton Live setup with flowing tracks, mixes, etc.

But the younger generation has been using computers since before they were able to retain memories. It isn't complex to them. Many enjoy it. On the other hand, 68 year old Jerry that uses a jitterbug would get a migraine if he had to set up an ampless, IEM system, running clicks and tracks on their macbook pro.

Neither is wrong. Jerry judges the young folks for wasting all that time because it is too complicated and tedious to set-up to play at Mustang Sally's Bar 1 night a month, and the young folks judge Jerry for being a dinosaur that won't adapt to current technology.

But if they both make good music, props to them all.
 
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the pendulum swings back and forth. vintage gear is quite trendy these days.

Interestingly enough, the musicians I play with, the youngest uses a Fender Deville and a USA Strat and Tele. The old guys are all running direct with amp sims and such. :roflmao:

it is really interesting to watch how vintage and modern are being utilized simultaneously by young minds. and maybe that's because of young minds. I'm only 39, but I would need quite a bit of education on setting up an Ableton Live setup with flowing tracks, mixes, etc.

But the younger generation has been using computers since before they were able to retain memories. It isn't complex to them. Many enjoy it. On the other hand, 68 year old Jerry that uses a jitterbug would get a migraine if he had to set up an ampless, IEM system, running clicks and tracks on their macbook pro.

Neither is wrong. Jerry judges the young folks for wasting all that time because it is too complicated and tedious to set-up to play at Mustang Sally's Bar 1 night a month, and the young folks judge Jerry for being a dinosaur that won't adapt to current technology.

But if they both make good music, props to them all.
That’s an oversimplification. First, vintage gear has been “trendy” since the 1980’s, and really hit during the grunge era of the ‘90’s—and hasn’t let up.

Secondly. There are plenty of Boomers running complex setups, including amp modelers, modular synths, etc. And there are plenty of Gen Z’ers who grew up with (dumbed-down for the masses) computers, but don’t have the foggiest clue as to how to properly set up an amp or synth, unless it comes with a button for preset patches.

As someone who has feet in both worlds, I agree there are advantages and disadvantages to both. None will be replacing the other anytime soon.

When generations start begrudging each other, and refuse to learn from one another, we are left with a society that fails to progress.
 
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Incredibly wrong. People might not know the technical terms, but they can definitely tell if they can hear the band properly or not, and those impressions remain. The artist has a duty to perform to the best of their abilities and give the best show they can to a paying audience. If using technology makes it easier and cheaper to do so, then why not.

What I said was half tongue in cheek.
 
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That’s an oversimplification. First, vintage gear has been “trendy” since the 1980’s, and really hit during the grunge era of the ‘90’s—and hasn’t let up.

Secondly. There are plenty of Boomers running complex setups, including amp modelers, modular synths, etc. And there are plenty of Gen Z’ers who grew up with (dumbed-down for the masses) computers, but don’t have the foggiest clue as to how to properly set up an amp or synth, unless it comes with a button for preset patches.

As someone who has feet in both worlds, I agree there are advantages and disadvantages to both. None will be replacing the other anytime soon.

When generations start begrudging each other, and refuse to learn from one another, we are left with a society that fails to progress.
thanks for explaining everything so clearly.

start begrudging? when did it stop? if you can point to a single generation in the history of recorded humanity that hasn't begrudged a younger or older generation, I'll send you a nickel.
 
It may be the present but as a Gen Z guy I’m not letting go of my sunn 200s rig any time soon. Loud amps save lives
AE86019F-247E-48C9-95A9-B2A03F48580E.jpeg
 
It may be the present but as a Gen Z guy I’m not letting go of my sunn 200s rig any time soon. Loud amps save lives
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yeah, i want that setup.

i've been direct for about 3 years, but I still shop for (and love) big amps. I almost bought an old peavey 2x15 to pair with my orange terror bass. but my wife reasoned with me. so I bought two more basses.
 
thanks for explaining everything so clearly.

start begrudging? when did it stop? if you can point to a single generation in the history of recorded humanity that hasn't begrudged a younger or older generation, I'll send you a nickel.
I begrudge the tone of your response, especially since it seems like we are saying the same thing. You’re free to keep your money. ;)