The Amp Of The Future

[red_rhino]

Needs an AI voice assistant.

Me (Mid way thru first set): "Hey Siri! Increase the bass."
Siri (responding via FOH): "There are 3 seafood restaurants nearby that serve bass."
Me: "No! Turn up the bass"
Siri: "I've found 10 recipes online for 'Turnips and sea bass".
Me: "No No! Increase the bass EQ!!!"
Siri: "Bass Pro Shops stocks a complete line of bass fishing tackle."
Me: "NO NO NO NO! I said bass EEEEEEEE QQQQQQQ!!!!
Siri: "Composing a bass haiku:
Bass - A Haiku
by siri
Meandering thoughts
An electric, wet bass trots
whilst enjoying the

Me: "Siri, just cancel".
Siri: "Rebooting.... please wait."

 

[Jim C]

The amp of the future has got to be something new and different or it's just another version of the past.
A true, dedicated modeling bass amp is the next logical step.
Every studio I walk into is running guitars and bass through software with no amps and I must admit some of it sounds great.

When you think about it, high quality SS amps from 25 years ago had pretty much the same feature set as today with the exception of being much smaller, lighter, and in somecases an additional band of EQ. EQ's themselves have stayed pretty consistent between the Fender tone stack, James, & Baxandall (or a modified version there of).

6lbs x 800 watts x .5 sq/ft is already plenty small enough so getting smaller is not important to me.

 

[Code Brown]

@erratick
I suspect the system you describe (laptop + powered speaker) will possibly compete along side the "future amp". It's a good setup, as the video proves, however... a laptop may be overkill for modeling tasks. I'm sure the OS will start an update just as dive into my awesome solo. Then the firewall won't let me connect the whatever, etc. Also, a decent laptop might cost about the same as "future amp". I like the idea of powered speakers, and I looked into that option - but they just haven't caught on. Maybe that'll change. We'll see...

 

[agedhorse]

Don't forget the all-important note-correct, time-correct, and groove-correct functions.

Practicing, learning, improving, hah, those are just outdated boomer concepts!

Don't forget the "in bad taste" joke filter...

When you think about it, high quality SS amps from 25 years ago had pretty much the same feature set as today with the exception of being much smaller, lighter, and in somecases an additional band of EQ. EQ's themselves have stayed pretty consistent between the Fender tone stack, James, & Baxandall (or a modified version there of).

I don't think this is true. Newer amps are smaller, lighter, draw much less power from the wall, have MUCH better interfacing, DI's, voicing filters, eq, HPF's, channel switching or signal path routing, etc.

 

[kleinenenten]

Only 128 simultaneous effects? Pass. I'll wait for the upgrade to double that number, then maybe I'll start thinking about buying one.

 

[MVE]

Well, Gall-lee, I had no idea... now I'm sold! The touchscreen was all the ADA needed. Now, Chef's kiss--perfecto! (I think you're joking--the OP described a complete amp/pre and power integrated)

But seriously, my '89 SVT II sounds great, it's quiet/low noise and reliable. Alternate to that, I can already run my OE SV into a power amp or direct to PA. I don't need a Twin and why would I need or want an 810 cab at the point, with this touchscreen ADA? I might as well go direct with an in-ear monitor.

It doesn’t have to have a touch screen.
Take a look at the Bergantino Forte. Its a digital amp, no screen, all knobs. They’re selling pretty well and users seem to love them.

 

[Snert]

There's a lot of hyperbole about these sort of devices, but updates on a W11 machine can be put off until after the show, and dedicated devices like a Stomp, don't have that sort of issue to begin with. For the most part, it's no more of an issue than an onboard battery - oops, sorry, I didn't mean to trigger a lot of you...

If you are triggered, move to the room at the end of the hall designated the 'Bassist's Safe Space' where there are cushions, crayons, labradoodle puppies and pictures of Leo.

 

[Grinderman]

It doesn’t have to have a touch screen.
Take a look at the Bergantino Forte. Its a digital amp, no screen, all knobs. They’re selling pretty well and users seem to love them.

I agree and I'm well aware of that amp. Mike Watt likes the Berg Forte. I've owned a Mesa WD-800, among others, and I have too many amps currently. I've got two STVs!

What I've been responding to specifically is the concept presented in the OP.

 

[EliasA]

Add a second mid and you've got me sold on it.

So two separate mids, each with their own freq control? Maybe stacked?

 

[DonaldR]

@erratick
...a laptop may be overkill for modeling tasks. I'm sure the OS will start an update just as dive into my awesome solo. Then the firewall won't let me connect the whatever, etc.

Stop using Windows and get you a MacBook

 

[agedhorse]

So two separate mids, each with their own freq control?

Like that hasn’t been done before?

 

[DonaldR]

I think the best user interface on a modeler was from the Digidesign Eleven Rack. Dedicated button to recall components of your signal chain on the screen, and dedicated infinite controller knobs. It's like using real knobs and switches on amp and effect pedals.

 

[crazyBassClown]

Newer amps are smaller, lighter, draw much less power from the wall, have MUCH better interfacing, DI's, voicing filters, eq, HPF's, channel switching or signal path routing, etc.

Not sure the smaller lighter is much of a draw beyond a certain point, and much less power draw is essentially meaningless to virtually all players.
All the other stuff has been available in some amps for a long time. not just new amps.

 

[DonaldR]

And what your future amp is different than a Headrush Gigboard + powered cabs?

 

[Code Brown]

And what your future amp is different than a Headrush Gigboard + powered cabs?

On the future amp, the knobs go to 11.

 

[DonaldR]

I think powered cabs are the way to go since most new bass heads are class-D. Move that class-D section from head to cabs and use as much cabs as you want/need/dream. Or a neutral class-D amp with a line input and just an EQ for adjusting to the room, something small like a TC Bam200 that you can put in your gigbag and use provided passive cabs.

 

[badinage]

I think I don't want my bass amp to require software updates for the same reason I don't want my surfboard to require software updates.

 

[Yahboy]

Here it is - the amp of the future!
(Apologies for my poor photoshop skills)
View attachment 5439836

A digital modeling / multi-effect processor with touch screen interface and fully integrated preamp / DI / 800W power amp - all in the palm of your hand!

Basically a Kemper, Fractal, etc. with a cell phone screen attached to a very compact amp head. It'll have everything you ever wanted:
3,500 effects (up to 128 simultaneously)
Store unlimited user patches
Cab sims and IR
Bluetooth / Wi-Fi / USB connectivity
Every type of input / output connection
2 hour looper
USB audio interface
MIDI I/O / Thru
Stereo FX loop
etc.....

A optional footswitch is available.
MSRP: $599.99

How is this miracle of technology even possible??? I don't know, go ask agedhorse.

I think this is where we're headed. Agree or disagree? Will you embrace this future or stick with your traditional gear?

Credit to Headrush Core screen that I totally used without permission

Amp of future.......Hmmmmm..........

Bonus.....

 

[bucephylus]

Here it is - the amp of the future!
(Apologies for my poor photoshop skills)
View attachment 5439836

A digital modeling / multi-effect processor with touch screen interface and fully integrated preamp / DI / 800W power amp - all in the palm of your hand!

Basically a Kemper, Fractal, etc. with a cell phone screen attached to a very compact amp head. It'll have everything you ever wanted:
3,500 effects (up to 128 simultaneously)
Store unlimited user patches
Cab sims and IR
Bluetooth / Wi-Fi / USB connectivity
Every type of input / output connection
2 hour looper
USB audio interface
MIDI I/O / Thru
Stereo FX loop
etc.....

A optional footswitch is available.
MSRP: $599.99

How is this miracle of technology even possible??? I don't know, go ask agedhorse.

I think this is where we're headed. Agree or disagree? Will you embrace this future or stick with your traditional gear?

Credit to Headrush Core screen that I totally used without permission

You left out the 2000W Class D onboard.

But, I’m not buying it, until the gen2 release with the tube inside.

 

[groooooove]

one with a mic to self-tune the EQ to the room would be super cool. you feed it information (your band instrumentation, bass, pickup selection, etc) and it makes the adjustments so you sit in the mix how you need perfectly.

and then you'd see the added benefit with you team it up with another one for your guitarist, and everyone else, it will it the mix like puzzle pieces and end the volume wars once and for all!

...this post started as a joke but, this probably is possible with 2024 technology?