Tube vs Modeling

Back to the tube vs. modeling amp topic...

I know that some modeling amps are very good at what they do etc, but I've always wondered, can they really emulate the sound of an overdriven tube amp? Or is their purpose only to emulate the clean sound of a tube amp? When a modeling amp is distorted, is it the preamp that's overdriven vs. the poweramp in tube amps?

Why not judge for yourself? Here a clip of someone I know from a Dutch forum playing some Pink Floyd with his GT8:
http://www.gitaar.net/forum/index.php?read,10,29033 6"> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr5UkuoYQQE&eurl=http://www.gitaar.net/forum/index.php?read,10,290336

Btw, he sold his GT8 to get the GT Pro, the 19"version. As it happens he sold it to me, I'll make some clips when it arrives. The whole concept of pre-amp/poweramp overdrive does not apply to digital amps. As it's digital all aspects of the sound can be seen as variables which you can individually change: truly overdriving a digital chip is really a bad idea, all tonal variation is got through digital signal processing (DSP). The goal of modeling is to provide a wide range of sounds, how it archieves that really depends on how it's developped.

But in short: the goal of modeling is to provide every and all sounds at every volume level, including tube sounds plus sounds unarchievable using conventional methods. For example, in the GT8 you can use switch between amps using picking dynamics: pick softly and hear a fender with reverb, play hard and hear a screaming Mesa rectifier.

Oh, here's a little clip of me playing straight into the pc, using software for the sound:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=361288&content=videos&vidID=38134

Btw, he sold his GT8 to get the GT Pro, the 19"version. As it happens he sold it to me, I'll make some clips when it arrives.

Sweet!!! Arjen got a GT-8 :) I can't wait to hear what you an do with it :D :D

You'll love it man. There's so much you can do with one and I'm finding a lot of 'dynamic feel' as of late with my strat. Just rolling back the volume a bit gets me on the ragged edge and it sounds great.

In addition to the dynamic amp switching you can also use it to engage or disengage different effects. I don't much use the dynamic amp switching but I do like that I can have a Clean/Wet Amp out the right and a mildly distorted Marshall sound out the left with a few (or a lot) milli-sec delay it sounds like there's two guitarists. Then pan hard R/L through a mixer and its sounds awesome.

It'll take some time to get used to it, but you have all winter eh? :)

Congrats on getting one.

Oh, here's a little clip of me playing straight into the pc, using software for the sound:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=361288&content=videos&vidID=38134

I have to say that that sounded really good. I'm talking about both the tone and your improv.

What software did you use?

Whoops, sorry AK, overlooked the question. It's Amplitube 2. 8)

Cool, I'll try and get my hands on that software :D

Good modelers, and there are quite a few of them out there now, are good enough that you will not be able to discern the difference with your ears -- provided you put the time in up front to dial in a good model in the first place (most of the supplied patches are crap, for some reason).

But they aren't exact, and you can tell the difference between the sound produced if you take analytical equipment to the task.

In other words, yes, it is possible to distinguish between them, but not with your naked ear.

It used to be that you could tell. No longer.

But, it is important to have a great clean amp and speaker stack that doesn't color the sound too much. Keyboard amps work well for this.

for about 5 years I played through SS-amps, and a couple of years ago my first try on a tube amp.
just because, i wanted to try some things out.

I bought myself an engl powerball... (sold him after 2 years)
and ever since, i'm gonna keep playing through tubes, whatever it takes.
modeling amps are just digital, there's nothing, unique or pure to that sound.

the tubes have a certain feeling you cannot obtain with modeling amps.
That doesn't mean there are no good modeling amps:

just try the line 6 Vetta, great amp, but no tubes.

Arghnoã: You're perfectly entitled to your opinion but yoru argumentation is... strange. I can prove beyond any doubt that I can create unique sounds with a digital setup. Purity is a strange word here because no amplification is 'pure'. That's why we use guitar amps in the first place. For the rest, I'm willing to lay down a bet you haven't spend a proper ammount of time on a proper digital unit with decent playing skills. You said you skipped digital after the first few years, remember that every amp sounds bad when you just start out. Finally, technology chances fast, you can't base your opinion on the past.

of heeft een modeling versterker teveel knopjes voor een Belg? :P

I finally took the plunge today and ordered a Blues Jr. I decided to go with the blonde version. Thanks for the arguments and opinions concerning amps, people.

Why not judge for yourself? Here a clip of someone I know from a Dutch forum playing some Pink Floyd with his GT8:
http://www.gitaar.net/forum/index.php?read,10,29033 6"> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr5UkuoYQQE&eurl=http://www.gitaar.net/forum/index.php?read,10,290336
Oh, here's a little clip of me playing straight into the pc, using software for the sound:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=361288&content=videos&vidID=38134

man, thats pretty sweet tone, after hearing that i am seriously close to putting my 50 watt 67 blackface on ebay and buying a new modeler and a more reasonable sized amp

Arghnoã: You're perfectly entitled to your opinion but yoru argumentation is... strange. I can prove beyond any doubt that I can create unique sounds with a digital setup. Purity is a strange word here because no amplification is 'pure'. That's why we use guitar amps in the first place. For the rest, I'm willing to lay down a bet you haven't spend a proper ammount of time on a proper digital unit with decent playing skills. You said you skipped digital after the first few years, remember that every amp sounds bad when you just start out. Finally, technology chances fast, you can't base your opinion on the past.

of heeft een modeling versterker teveel knopjes voor een Belg? :P

yes i changed amps after I think 6years of playing, anfd now i'm 3years further, something like that.
and indeed there's no pure amplification, I'm from belgium, normally i don't speak english so that explains the weird words i use to explain myself :). I just think digital amps are not my cup of tea... i just don't feel it.

The line6 Spider Valve is truly a great accomplishment. That's the modeling amp with the all tube power section. That way you get the feel and the exact sound of tubes. Oh and don't forget the smell and warmth!
I prefer to stick with my Line6 Spider III HD150 though seeing as it's the best amp in it's price range IMHO.

Spider Valve - http://www.line6.com/spidervalve/tour.html

Spider III - http://www.line6.com/spideriii/sounds01.html

Heh, goes to show that in the end it's all about personal preference. I'm a big fan of digital technology but I can't stand the Spider series. I haven't tried the Spider valve yet but the regular spiderIII is everything I don't want in my digital setup. I seriously have difficulties thinking of any amp I dislike more, honestly.

Really, we just proved in music there's no objective good or bad, just taste. 8)

very good point. It is all personal preference.
The spider valve is a pretty neat amp, you should check it out