I had a discussion with a producer regards a future recording project and I mentioned I'd just started working my way through a HX Stomp and wondered what he thought about using modelers in the studio. He just shook his head. He said he uses them now and again but always prefers not to as he just doesn't think they come close to the real thing when under scrutiny in a studio setting.
He does have a very nice collection of amps but I was a bit surprised at how dismissive he was of amp modellers. Is this still a widely held view?
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Opinions are like haemorrhoids, every asshole has one.
I’ve read interviews in recording mags where some producers absolutely love Kempers but I’ve never seen a survey done which would tell you how opinion is divided. If you like to work one way and this producer another then it’s a question as to where the power lies. Is he a big name and you’re desperate to work with him? Anyone can call themselves a Producer – what’s their track record? If I was working with someone who’d had a string of hits and I admired their work then I’d be far more likely to respect their opinion. If it was the chap up the road from me who runs a small studio and rehearsal space who calls himself a producer but is really the studio owner / house engineer then their opinion would carry far less weight and, should they choose to dig their heels in over a particular way of working, I’d likely take my custom elsewhere.
Are you happy with the Helix or do you prefer his way?
In metal using modellers is normal, even more typical than using hardware amps.
Axe FX II/III and Kemper rule the roost, but Helix is common too.
Devin Townsend did his last album with the Axe FX III, after having hired in a load of tube amps and then preferring the Axe FX III.
If you are looking for 'on the edge' not quite clean guitar tones for rock/blues etc then yes I think real amps still have the edge providing you also have a great sounding room, good microphones, preamps and microphone technique- plus you can record at volume without pissing people off endlessly.
Even still I take a dry out from the guitar for re-amping through a modeller when I need to.
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My production style is to work with the band the way they want to work.
I'm not invalidating his way of working- we all have different preferences and perspectives and if you get the best mix from him working that way then job done.
Certainly recording with tube amps is more fun too.
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There is often a difference but it isn't always clear as to whether one sounds better or just different.
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I would always get a DI of the guitar track anyway, the adage 'it is better to have it and not need it' is a very easy thing these days.
I can understand having to choose if there are limited channels, and the workflow may suit this, but I don't think many people are limited to 16,24, 48 track recordings these days.
So my point is that modellers don’t nail the feel of an amp for me personally. Recorded, does really matter if the performance is decent (prob not as fun) though ...
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The AxeFX manual suggests using studio monitors pointing at the guitar, but I've done it by recording DI guitar while playing through an amp before. I actually really like that way of working as I don't fart about trying to get tones when I just want to do a take.