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IntroductionI took the following text from my response to an e-mail I received from a very accomplished shredder regarding which amp modeler to purchase. The Major ContendersThe current top amp modelers are (not in any particular order):
Products 1 through 6 are pretty similar. I own products 1,2,3, and 5. You can read my notes about these units in the comparison chart at GNX4 Review. Digitech AMP ModelersFor pure amp modeling and effects, the Digitech units (products 1 and 2 in the list above) are hard to beat. I have been spending lots of time tweaking the GNX3000 and for the price, it kicks. Both Digitech units have cool effects that you might use that the PODs don't have, such as pitch shifting, detuning, looping, whammy, divebomb, etc. These are effects, that once you tame them, you'll use. The MFX SuperModels are third party amps, cabs, and presets that just blow the doors off of the stock units and the competition. And that is not just my opinion, even honest owners of other boxes claim the same. The GNX units provide USB for recording, plus both units are bundled with Pro Tracks Plus, Lexicon Reverb, and other plugins. It includes a great patch editor. And no box competes with the GNX units for over connectivity options (XLR and 1/4" ins/outs, Mic XLR with phantom power, USB, MIDI, etc.). The GNX4 + MFX SuperModels is by far, the best bang for the buck (amp variety, artist presets, connectivity, onboard recorder / looper, drum machine, MP3 player, computer recording/sound card options). Oh, if you're a bass player, both units provide great, legendary amps for bass guitar (especially, the GNX3000). Check out this site for some great cover tunes done completely with a GNX4 + MFX SuperModels: David Zatuchney Cover Songs Line 6 Amp ModelersSupposedly Roland was the first company to introduce amp modeling, but Line6 is the company that made it real. I like the POD XTL a lot, but IMHO, the majority of its amp models are not quite as good as the GNX3000 or the GNX4 + MFX SuperModels (but far better than the stock Digitech GNX4 amps). It's hi-gain amps are good to outstanding (i.e., Criminal [5150], Uber, Treadplate). A few of the clean amps are also outstanding. Expect to spend another $100 for the Line6 POD XTL Model Packs. Supposedly the POD XTL effects are its highlight but IMHO, the Digitechs are better. The digital delay for instance on the POD sounds like a delay I built from scratch 25 years ago. But there are dozens of name-branded modeled effects in the box. Also, the Line6 site has over 4,000 free user and Line6 presets available to download. Some are outstanding. In comparison, the GNX3000 has 88 free downloadable presets (at the time I wrote this article). The XTL offers USB for recording, but no software. It includes a great downloadable patch editor. No XLR or Mic connections. POD XTs are like IBM computers. No one ever went wrong choosing IBM, right? A lot of artists and everyday musicians make great sounds using these units. Consequently, you probably can't go wrong either. By the way, the reason I purchased the XTL was to support the Variax I already owned. If you own a Variax, it's a no brainer to choose the POD XTL. The combination of these two products is pretty hard to beat. The bottom line, I use the POD XTL more than any modeler I own for its combination of sound and ease of use.
Boss (Roland) GT-8The Boss GT-8 is very popular, but its amp modeling is generally considered a step behind the Digitech and the POD units. It's claim to fame is its great effects, extreme tweakability, and EQing. If you're willing to spend lots of time, you can coax great sounds from it. One thing about all modelers, they require some post EQing and other tweaking. Evidently, the GT-8 includes good EQ circuitry. (By the way, I use VST plugins for my EQ needs.) Plus the GT-8 has two features no one else has: 1)Dynamic Solo selection to access more gain (different patches?) based on light or heavy picking, and 2)Two simultaneous amp modeling circuits. The GT-8 has very good effects, but the fly in the ointment is the amp modeling. Does not provide USB for recording. No software patch editor. Does not match the GNX4 in features (looping, onboard recorder, drum machine, MP3 player, etc.). I have not played the GT-8, but I have heard some pretty incredible tunes produced with it. No USB, no patch editor. VOX TonelabThe VOX Tonelabs are great for guys who do a lot of Beatles and early British rock. Made by VOX, it nails the VOX clean amp sound and effects. It also nails a couple of Marshall amps. But if you're looking for metal, go elsewhere. It has a good rectifier model and others that will do metal, but the XTL an GNX boxes have many more hi-gain and metal amp choices. The Tonelab's claim to fame is that it employs a real 12AX7 tube in its amp circuit. This helps it acheive the richest and deepest tone of any amp modeler I own. The Tonelabs have the least features and effects, but is by far the simplest to use and master. I love mine. No USB. No recording software. Good software patch editor. Popular Pro VersionsThe Boss GT Pro and POD Pro are essentially rack mount versions of their floor based brethern. Both contain features and connectivity not found in their siblings, and supposedly, both sound better than their siblings. My take on these units is that they are designed for studio applications. If you want floor controls, they're purchased separately. Roland VG88The Roland VG88 is in a class by itself. It does some amp modeling, guitar modeling, effects, and also borders on a synth. To fully leverage its capabilities you must purchase the special MIDI pickup for the guitar. GraphTech offers a pickup that tracks better for about the same price. Few guitarists have this unit because of the cost, but I have a friend in PA that thinks the VG88 is the greatest thing since electricity. Native Instruments Guitar RigThe Native Instruments Guitar Rig 2 has received some good reviews. It is a software application and plugin that runs on your PC. It also includes a sturdy floor switch unit that includes a sound card and USB computer connection. Reviewers are quite happy with the amps, but Guitar Rig does offer the variety (quantity) of amps as the hardware-based units. Behringer VAMP and Korg ToneworksI left off the Behringer VAMP and the new and old Korg units because they don't compete with this crowd. I do like the VAMP and it is worth the price ($99 for the basic, $169 for the PRO). But its logic is based on earlier generation PODs, which means it's a good five years behind. I have both and use them, but they just don't compete with the higher end units if you're willing to spend the extra $$$. But for the price... SummaryCheck out my web site reviews / info. Then I highly recommend that you hit a few stores and try them out with headphones. Be warned. The presets on most of these boxes are terrible. I found you cannot judge the units by their presets. You need to build your own, download them, or buy them. The problem, in the store, selecting amps, cabinets, and effects to build a preset is time consuming and difficult (since you're probably not familiar with the box). The GNX3000 has by far the best presets, but that does not mean it is the best box. The GNX4 has the worst presets, but it can be tweaked to sound incredible. The POD XTL and VOX presets are pretty good. But again, don't let the quality of the presets be your determining factor. Oh, and a guy named Kewlpack runs an effects site and has published a good article regarding these boxes. Access the article at: MFX Shootout Hope This Helps, Jack Loganbill |
