JohnnyMcFly wrote:
From the perspective of a guy who codes virtual amps, I may have a different insight into this conversation. I have not read every post so, if this has already been mentioned sorry...
Cheap imitations are cheap imitations, period...
If you want a Marshall sound, there is only one place to get it, buy a Marshall. Same goes for Fender, Mesa, and everything else. Absolutely no one, is going to tell me that an imitation amp sim is the same as the real tube amp, they are not. Here's a good reason why, Have you ever set the sample rate on your computer, 44,100, 48k, 96k? Is there a setting for infinit sample rate? There is no such thing..In order for a cheap imitation to function like the real thing, it needs to have this. Right now, this is an impossibility, so, there is no way that an amp sim will be doing the same thing as the real world counter parts.
Having said that, I am actively involved in coding and designing virtual guitar amps, effects, and cabinets. I whole heartedly believe there is a place for them, I believe in the technology, but I wish companies would stop with the cheap imitations like the one pictured in the video above.
I do not make simulators, I make virtual amps, there is a difference. What we make are original creations that work more with the short comings of sample rates and other factors, as opposed to trying to sell snake oil and make people believe that there is a little Marshall living inside the computer. In the video above both may sound really similar, but there is big differences. Anyone with a trained ear, not just a trained ear in terms of a mixing engineer, but someone who knows what to listen for would pick them out instantly. Listen closely to the low end breakup, listen to the "smooth brittleness" of the real amp, then compare that to the imitation. Thats only a couple differences I heard. Listen to the mids that should not be there, particularly around 900 hz region.
The biggest difference you will get out of a real world comparison is the feel, amp simulators are dead feeling to me, plastic. The only simulator that has a little feel is Guitar Rig, Nothing else feels right, of course thats just my opinion. If it works for you, then great, they just don't work for me.
In our developments, I would rather spend more time researching dynamics and feel, than worry about whether it could trick someone into thinking its the real deal.
Just my 2 cents...
Interesting perspective!
But then, take Fender for example: they actually do market their own series of models for Amplitube, right down to the "look 'n' feel" of the knobs and the cabinets etc.
I have a hunch that they do this to hook people into the sound of their gear, with the idea that possibly a player will someday then want to upgrade to a real Twin or Bassman or whatever. But the models are branded "Fender", and they're supposed to "sound like the real thing".
