Let’s assume for the moment that a modeler isn’t a tube amp. It can still be very interesting. Here are a few wishes I have for an awesome hybrid tube/modeling amp:
1. Why not have a high quality tube amp whose preamp section can be switched to a modeling preamp? Have the best of both worlds! It’s certainly doable.
Suhr has a new tube amp head that loads speaker IRs. Why not take it one step further with a tube amp head that can simply be switched to a modeling preamp section? Use it for the tube tone, but also have the user the option of modeling other amps for the times that works better. The tube power section would give the models more authenticity, if the models were designed to work with a particular tube type.
2. If you’re going to have modeling, why not have component modeling - granted it’s a bit more difficult, but it’s been done before. A computer software program does it, and I think that was a Peavey product (correct me if I’m wrong) called Revalver. So my thinking is, let the model load in different component models, such as a higher capacity transformer, or give the choice between a model of, say, the transformers in a Tweed amp, or a Blackface amp, or a Marshall. You get the picture. Let the model select different tube types, transformers, caps, tone stacks, tone stack bypasses, and even different tube brands.
This way the model can do things that a typical tube amp simply can’t do: namely, let the owner try different bits and pieces to create a custom amp that never existed before!
3. Include a built-in load box that can import freely available IRs. Have the input impedance switch controlled by the type of model when not using the tube preamp. UA’s Apollo can already do this.
I’m sure you have ideas of your own. I’m just thinking out loud about this. It’s not impossible, and it really would be a best-of-both-worlds situation.
1. Why not have a high quality tube amp whose preamp section can be switched to a modeling preamp? Have the best of both worlds! It’s certainly doable.
Suhr has a new tube amp head that loads speaker IRs. Why not take it one step further with a tube amp head that can simply be switched to a modeling preamp section? Use it for the tube tone, but also have the user the option of modeling other amps for the times that works better. The tube power section would give the models more authenticity, if the models were designed to work with a particular tube type.
2. If you’re going to have modeling, why not have component modeling - granted it’s a bit more difficult, but it’s been done before. A computer software program does it, and I think that was a Peavey product (correct me if I’m wrong) called Revalver. So my thinking is, let the model load in different component models, such as a higher capacity transformer, or give the choice between a model of, say, the transformers in a Tweed amp, or a Blackface amp, or a Marshall. You get the picture. Let the model select different tube types, transformers, caps, tone stacks, tone stack bypasses, and even different tube brands.
This way the model can do things that a typical tube amp simply can’t do: namely, let the owner try different bits and pieces to create a custom amp that never existed before!
3. Include a built-in load box that can import freely available IRs. Have the input impedance switch controlled by the type of model when not using the tube preamp. UA’s Apollo can already do this.
I’m sure you have ideas of your own. I’m just thinking out loud about this. It’s not impossible, and it really would be a best-of-both-worlds situation.
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