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Why do we tube lovers love tubes?

#341
seamonkey said:
I have advocated all along that you can't try an amp out in a store and know how it work for you. You need to go to a store where they have a good return or exchange policy and check the amp out for a month and try it out on many venues. Same would be true for modeling. You just can't just try it out for a few minutes and dismiss it, you really need to practice it. And try it with non-bass cabinets and pre-colored amp heads. You need time to practice it and make an informed decision. And there are many if not more modeling solutions than heads these days.
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i'm sure you've done the same thing with tube amps before you dismissed them, right? i mean, it would be very hypocritical of you to tell people they need to try modeling for a month of gigs to see how they blow away tube amps if you've never done the same with a tube amp. right?
 
#344
seamonkey said:
I have advocated all along that you can't try an amp out in a store and know how it work for you. You need to go to a store where they have a good return or exchange policy and check the amp out for a month and try it out on many venues.
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well, i definitely don't need a month to know how amp work for me.
i can determine and be relaxed with great tube amp sound more than solid state model with instant result. ;)
 
#350
michael_atw said:
Alright, Mr. Roboto. Do you know where I can get ahold of a bass guitar modeler too? Something preferably small, lightweight, non-breakable, and makes the whole song without me having to do anything.
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51vOD%2Ba73YL._SS350_.jpg



For live performance, this may be a better solution, as it retains the bass guitar (so we can still argue about gear on forums) but models the bass player:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5df2QpMyiL8&feature=related

Not that any of this matters, keyboard players' left hands make us all just as obsolete as tube technology anyway. :p

This talk of modelers and software makes one wonder... is there a rogue tube-hating AI loose on the internet?
 
#351
NecroticImbecil said:
51vOD%2Ba73YL._SS350_.jpg



For live performance, this may be a better solution, as it retains the bass guitar (so we can still argue about gear on forums) but models the bass player:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5df2QpMyiL8&feature=related

Not that any of this matters, keyboard players' left hands make us all just as obsolete as tube technology anyway. :p

This talk of modelers and software makes one wonder... is there a rogue tube-hating AI loose on the internet?
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Scary. He wouldn't happen to be using a tube modeler in that video...would he?;):rollno:

Link Removed

^I had them ship it FedEx express, just so I won't miss a beat in my transition from my clunky, breakable, unreliable 40 year old tube amp to my "amp in a box".
 
#352
fdeck said:
Cool, but that rules out any technical or objective explanation.

I'm OK with that. :cool:
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lol! but not entirely true. there is a dynamic response that is very noticeable with the real thing vs modeling. tonally, i agree that the tones are close enough to not be noticed by your average listener. but you'll darn sure notice it when you play, and those around you will notice it as well. i've ab'd my svt vs an lmii/vt on a gig, and everyone in the band, as well as the soundman, noticed the difference, even though the tones matched almost exactly. the lmii/vt rig sounded like it had a limiter on it. the svt did not, and it also had a bigger tonal presence, for lack of a better word. there is just something about the signal traveling through a network of tubes and transformers that you don't get with a modeler. maybe that can't be measured so easily, but you can darn sure feel it. the limiting, however, is noticeable and can be measured. and that's why i insist on dragging heavy tube amps to my gigs instead of a light amp and a modeler, although i do use the svt less than i used to in favor of the b-15n.
 
#353
scotch said:
We're starting to enter a period where newer (younger, whatever) players only know what the "modeled" tones sound like. A lot of folks haven't actually played through an SVT stack properly (no, plugging into a barely audible amp at GC doesnt count!). Its hard to know who really has an experienced, informed opinion...
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very true..

I used to just read all those "tube emulation is just as good as the real thing" post and even thought there was no difference.. until i got myself an all tube amp.

i can definitely tell the difference in playing through a tube amp compared to emulation. There are certain dynamics i unknowingly control when playing and theyre noticeable to me when they arent there... which is what i notice when i use emulation.

I know a lot of the argument AGAINST tube amps is that no one in the audience or listening to tracks can really tell the difference..

I do agree with that.. HOWEVER.. If that were the case... people should just buy the cheapest jazz bass to get a jazz bass tone? not the case. the FEEL of playing through an amp is just as important to me as the feel of the bass I am playing.. tube amps feel a lot more responsive to me then emulation.. the break up is just not the same in emulation. I'm sure i can get a tone that is very close to what a real tube amp sounds like but i would need to also adjust my attack and playing style to get the emulator to react the way i want it to.
 
#355
Craig_S said:
Doesn't that wonderful tube breakup only come at high SPL?
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if you use a low power tube amp, not at all. my b-15 will get pretty loud at that point, but you can sit in the same room with it and not be offended by the volume unless you're a big wuss ;)

but to be quite honest, i actually like the tube breakup emulation in the vt and british pedal. again, if i'm in a good studio and i need that sound, i'll always use a b-15 cranked because it does have an extra level of good, but i find the emulation circuit in the vt and british quite acceptable. and it won't get you fired if you use an svt ;)
 

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