RANT: going ampless -> why digital? why IR?

[TonyP-]

(First let me start with stating that I am not a native english speaker)

With the risk of getting flamed:

This is not intended as a digital vs analog rant!

I get why people „are going ampless”. I have been crafting „my sound” using pedals for more than 2 decades. I have done this to not be at the mercy of a certain amp or cab, being able to play on any stage, thu any amp or even without an amp….. all before ever using IEM.
I have done this by using a few analog pedals: comp, Tech21 VT, Aguilar Tonehammer, Lehle/RMI Basswitch IQ/DI, Empress Para EQ, …… When I needed a second sound (pick or overdrive) I have added an EQ or an overdrive pedal) etc…

What am I trying to say?
a clear DI vs speaker signal: the DI is almost always the „better” signal for a live mix. Meaning very often a clear DI cuts better and a miked speaker is an additional bonus. That is why a sound person prefers a „pre EQ DI” as opposed to a POST EQ DI from an amp, eq’ed for stage acoustics.
Now substitute IR for speaker and you have the same issues in your DI feed.

A „clear” DI signal I understand can have some comp, light saturation and or light eq HPF/LPF, and effects like Chorus, Filter, Octaver, Delay, ….) but no excessive boost or cuts.

There was a time when I heavily relied an the TwoNotes CabM+ (digital power amp and cab simulator). This lead to some heavy eq’ing, BECAUSE I could which meant some heard work for the sound tech to get a decent clear, defined (not necessarily„clean”) sound to work in the mix.

I think going ampless with some digital solution is very hard as there are too many options available, namely ampsims, IR…… that are giving the foh and monitor guy a hard time and by this will not satisfy anyone on stage either.

When only 2 or 3 sounds are needed, a few analog pedals will be easier and cheaper.

Well said @gillento
For the most part I’m in completed agreement.
To my ears I do love a good GK sound, but I also need to have a facsimile in pedal board format.
I found my quirky pedals that work for me from theater, to heavy rock to really anything. (TC tuner, DK Harmonic Booster, EHX Soul Food and always on M87 MXR Bass Compressor).

I also prefer analog DI amp in box as well. I tried the digitial stuff (I’m using that term loosely before I get flammed from mom’s basement) and I found it’s not for me either. There is one amp sim I dig a bit for some recodings and that it. Live is way different from me.

I do have a different opinion on sending post to the FOH. I like giving my version of tone to them to defeat if they have an opinion on what I should sound like. (I have seen it before, do a fly out date 2K miles away and work with a sound man who thinks you want to sound like e SVT, yeah not me and not even close). So as long as it’s not an exaggerated EQ curve and you explain to them what you are giving them and what you want. They should be cool.

I explain to my sound exactly what the frequencies are that Im giving them. Hope all is well