Which modeler is Future Proof?

[@calebneff5777]

I am loving these daily videos that are more topical and thought-focused. The market needs product videos, of course, but these are refreshing.

[@ToneJunkieTV]

Thanks! I'm really enjoying making these videos too… I appreciate you taking the time to write this… you made my day!

[@HeyWorshipLeader]

@@ToneJunkieTVagreed, can’t help but click every time. Keep it up bro!

[@DjentToaster]

I use Windows 95 to get that vintage tone.

[@LightwaySolutions]

Those floppy disk plug ins oof

[@JeremyAndersonBoise]

Based32

[@vaughanmacegan4012]

🤣

[@MrSixtycycle]

Kemper has been spot on for me since early 2012, biggest improvement was when I got the remote added! I’ll have it until its tubes melt down 😊

[@mikemullis6805]

I continue to be amazed (and appreciative) that Kemper keeps adding value and features to the profiler without making us buy new hardware.

[@nickaslanidis6156]

It's ironic as Kemper is seen as 'old tech' but it's a software driven platform and the hardware is really just providing the physical and software interfaces. So I would say it's potentially the most future proof.

[@davidharder7512]

Agreed. Only a guitar player doing an A/ B comparison in a controlled environment “might” be able to tell the difference between an actual tube amp and the choices available today. What a fascinating time to be a guitar player! Great video, brother man!

[@picksalot1]

In 2000, when the Olympics came to Sydney Australia, Tommy and Phil Emmanuel performed their hit "Terra Firma" on Line 6 Pods at the game's massive Closing Ceremony to around 2.4 billion people worldwide. Line 6 has been going strong for a while.

[@ttexas1963]

I have and like a big ToneX pedal, but I'm just as satisfied with my Pod Express, especially since the Placater and Litigator were my favorite Helix amps. The effects are great, too.

[@scottakam]

As a software developer, I think the real risk is if the devices are no longer supported by the manufacturers. All the units have some sort of computer or phone app. If those don't keep getting updates, they won't work on newer phones/computers and the hardware will become useless pretty quickly.

[@nah3193]

Windows is really good at compatibility

[@lowercase3635]

I know of guys in Nashville still rocking the older line 6 lines like the HD500’s and the M9. Any modeler is future proof if it fits your needs. It just matters if the hardware holds up.

[@martin-1965]

Love how it is always a beautiful morning for you in Nashville 😍 I guess with a coffee and a guitar in hand, it is pretty darn fine. Enjoy your positivity man, all the way over her in Wales, UK.

[@guitartoneSA]

100% agree. Current digital algorithms have basically become the same thing as "tube amp" technology. Tube amp builders just keep building the same thing over and over, why, because tube amp technology hit the ceiling decades ago. Digital algorithms have reached a quality level where the best studio engineers in the world couldn't tell you which digital box was used in a recording, which makes them all as future proof in the same way as a tube amps are future proof.

[@equaleyez]

For me personally, it's been the Kemper (actually not a modeler) since day 1 (august 2020). It still feels as exciting as the first week so that makes it very very future proof for me.

[@amalgamaudioLV]

Yup, ToneX and NAM are so close to the real stuff that i don't feel any cravings for anything "better". Those things are at a point where improvements matter less and less - diminishing returns as they say. Sure more accurate stuff is gonna come, but it will have to bring A LOT more to the table than slightly improved accuracy - FX, UI, ease of use, eco-system, etc. to win people over from these platforms where they are already invested. We are now really spoiled. Btw. what is your take on Neural DSP still not having built a marketplace? I guess their focus is on Plug-Ins, but it seems like a rather big and almost passive revenue stream sent down the drain. And of course an official marketplace would encourage WAY more people to buy 3rd party stuff in the first place.

[@littlespaceman]

You mention the Johnson J Station; I was the proud owner for many years of a Johnson Millennium Combo and 2 x 12 extension cab. Although I eventually some it (when facing redundancy during Covid) I loved that amp. It was years ahead of its time and looked amazing, with outstanding build quality.

[@greenwave792]

Diggin the every day thing

[@ToneJunkieTV]

Thanks dude, the challenge now is not repeating myself and sometime I mention something I said but the videos don’t always come out in order 😂

[@jayh.8676]

I have the Model 3A of that guitar, same color. In 1988 a bunch of friends from work all chipped in and bought it for me. My first guitar. It changed my life. I would never sell it

[@mixministermike]

As successful and wonderful as the Helix was/is, the HX Stomp was clearly the most impactful modeling product in the last decade.

[@guitartoneSA]

Nope...the Kemper was and still is.

[@vaipod3955]

Love that intro playing man!!!!!!! Really nice

[@vaughanmacegan4012]

I actually had a c64 loved that machine, learned programming on it and played some excellent games like Jumpman and Impossible Mission, even had some programs for playing and recording music - ah those were the days. Also have a "Johnson J-Station" good little unit, got it when it was first released, some good sounds and tones to be had, the Blackface and the Mesa models were killer.

[@hgostos]

I think Kemper plays the long-term game...

[@algorithm007ify]

Agreed

[@vaipod3955]

Love the playing in the intro!!!

[@blues3531]

Without watching, I think the Kemper is still future proof even at it's age. It is as good as the profiles that are made for it. And alot of people are still capturing great stuff.

[@Tyler_Wilson]

Well, I’m late to the game, but I just got my FIRST Kemper in the mail yesterday. It’s as good as I was hoping for. Came loaded with a ton of presets. I’ve been enjoying the new tones to explore!

[@juanvaldez5422]

I have had a kemper about 5 years . Even after acquiring high end PRS guitars , Gibson , a Helix , bunch of gear … the Kemper is still by far the best piece of gear i have ever obtained

[@giancarlopaolini7529]

I got it back in 2013 ....it's still with me despite the fact that in the meanwhile I had also some other stuff like Fractal AX8 then FM3, the Headrush and others plus a long list of Neural amps in my arsenal. I still love it and I would still rank it no. 1 today.

[@shawnok1]

I just bought a Boss GT-1000 Core for $300. I slept on these things, they’re badass

[@BlazonStone]

Sweet looking guitar! Big fan of 80s superstrats!!

[@StevenHess]

My Kemper got a update today. My Helix a few weeks ago. They're going to be around for a while and as you say will keep working and getting cheaper. If they can fool me they'll fool the majority of people.

[@kevinmackfurniture]

As a left-handed player... When I find a nice guitar...Any guitar, I keep it. If there are elements I don't like, I mod it, till I do. My old Boss Amp&Cab pedal, a Klon clone and a Pod express is all I need.

[@alexhickmon236]

Yeah us southpaws don’t get to be picky. We walk into a guitar shop and ask what they got that is not a squire strat.

[@jodieunganum1465]

Great atitude. Like that mindset

[@calebneff5777]

I'm working on a new Hill Climber album right now. On the first one I used an EVH 5150 Iconic head, Bogner V30 cab, and Mesa Oversized cab. This time around I'm using the ML Icon plugin which also has IRs of those cabs. Just for fun I reamped the Ramless tracks through the plugin and it sounds literally the same. I know which is which and I can't tell the sonic difference. Modeling has reached the point where it doesn't make sense to make music with real amps if the player doesn't care. The amps are a ton of fun, but I'm not trying to incur a bunch of repair fees for my studio by cranking tube amps for hours on end. If the client doesn't feel more inspired by the amp, then Kemper or plugin it is.

[@nathancourtney2006]

I’m just looking for a modeler for small gigs. I don’t need 200 choices. Just adjustable. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@floridaadaptivestrengthtra8428]

dude i really do enjoy your videos

[@ToneJunkieTV]

Thanks, I appreciate that!

[@timothy5974]

I’m still using my 1990’s Peavey Classic Chorus 2 x12 and just use different preamp pedals if I need different tones. Chorus and reverb with a Revv G3 is pretty crazy !!

[@edwinstovall3334]

Not only are modelers NOT future proof, but their makers DON'T WANT THEM to be future proof. Nor should they, since they rely on repeat business. Future proofing would eliminate their companies!

[@adamwilcox6405]

That's the nature of technology and capitalism for you.

[@edwinstovall3334]

@adamwilcox6405 My thoughts exactly! 💯

[@WholeLottaBulldog]

Loving your daily content HW. I always enjoy hearing your opinions. Talking about guitar topics and minutiae is often more fun than playing itself. Weird

[@ToneJunkieTV]

Thanks for the feedback! Glad you’re enjoying the content. I agree, I could talk guitar all day long... and sometime I do!

[@Twominutedevotions]

As someone that just dove head first into the Tonex thing, I feel like we’re headed away from hardware ultimately. The future to me looks like running instances of plugins in something like AUM on iOS or MainStage on the Mac and midi controlling it. There is no compromise. The bottom line with all of this is making the music and getting the tone to play the music, not impressing other musicians to socially fit.

[@DGGriffinMusic]

Can you get ahold of a Suhr Bella and capture it for ToneX (and all of the things)? 😅

[@rigorhead01]

Man, as a tube amp snob, and hardcore audiophile, you're hittin' me right in the uncomfortable spot 😬🤣🤣🤣

[@lancenunez8252]

Tube amps stayed relevant for so long because they sounded great. It wasn’t because they were heavy and power hungry and hot and needing routine maintenance. Once a piece of gear sounds good, it sounds good and it’s useable forever. I now watch gear videos just for curiosity and entertainment… and I stay (largely) GAS free, because with a bit of tweaking, I can already get just about any sound I can imagine with current tech.

[@robertstan2349]

here's your future: your phone will be your 'amp' the app will obsolete at roughly the pace of your phone the 'amp' will move to a subscription plan

[@ludvanlazarz]

Yup, afraid so too, and when that happens stuff like UA will still work without an app, until it breaks of course. Still gonna buy real amps for this reason

[@riffsnoleads]

subscription plan gear is such a realistic expectation. thanks capitalism.

[@algorithm007ify]

Kemper sounded good in 2012. 2025, and will sound good in 2040.

[@oscarm4154]

That headstock 😂

[@ToneJunkieTV]

I know! What were people thinking in the 80s 😂

[@oscarm4154]

Crazy times😂

[@riffsnoleads]

Sound wise, modelers pretty much topped out like 5 years ago. The UI and extra bells and whistles is all the selling point is for the future of these units. It was inevitable. The question is how these companies will maintain shareholder value as the years progress?

[@RyanWright]

Two Notes Genome software can run the NAM models. Pretty cool.

[@UseTheSupeRsonic]

Genome and STL both need to do a physical modeler. The quality of their amp models is stupid good

[@JediMasterRick2]

Man. I have a Johnson J-Station. It still works. I was just gonna put it on Reverb.

[@dran1015]

I have the J-Station desktop unit and it still sounds great!

[@davidjoel111]

I think every unit has a specific offering, helix has been out for 10 years almost and it’s still relevant. On a silent stage I gig a tone x thru an HX stomp fx loop, after they added effects to the tone X Ive been able to do gigs with the tone x alone. Recently my metal band started giging again and those gigs require an amp on stage, but I like to still throw a direct signal to FOH. The HX stomp can do that but dsp is limited. I’ll probably buy a quad cortex just to run the signal chain I want to run. Tone wise, I don’t think anyone can tell the difference between those units.

[@ultimatescalerc7151]

Custom 3D printed pedals will be the future. The tech we have is plenty good enough. Now we can take plug ins like the IR2, Tone X One, Nano Cortex and combine them with low cost FX units like the new Sonicake Pocket Master or the the NuX MG300 and integrate these units into one using an M Vave Chocolate. Tear all this apart and integrate it all together into our own 3D printed pedal boards. This will be the new frontier building high tier modellering units with low cost solutions.

[@bpatts1652]

I can see how these would be good at the church gigs I’ve played… but for the blues and rock and roll… My ceriatone 20 watt… Orange OR30 … or even the 1987x 50watt plexi… these amps feel so good. Perhaps the new digitals can come close 🤷‍♂️

[@randrothify]

Anything that does not require a screen to function or a proprietary power source will be more long-lived because screens are usually the first things to break and are difficult to replace or repair because parts disappear from circulation . Proprietary batteries, ports, or cords are problems for the same reason. By that measure, only the Boss ME series (ME-90, ME-80, etc.)-which are really effects units with IR capabilities approach that standard among mainstream products. Don’t get rid of your favorite pedals.

[@benf7476]

The biggest question for me is which modeling hardware companies will survive, I don’t know how that will play out.

[@davidcjupp]

Exactly this. The modelling market will get the Behringer treatment at some point and the backlash against price gouging and cork sniffing will kill off some of the big modelling companies. See the success of the TonexOne and the impact that has had on the reception to the Nano Cortex and Kemper Player. Then see the dadification of Gibson, the Epiphone has no clothes price strategy and Fender's success by marketing to the youth.

[@amitb.e.5244]

Agreed. I agree with HW's point that we are well into the stage of diminishing returns with respect to audio fidelity (copying tube amps). But now it's a question of: "if I buy into this ecosystem, will it still be as popular in the future, so improvements will keep coming and the user community will still be making new patches/presets/profiles for it". Personally, I suspect that price and convenience will play a much bigger role in determining which companies dominate now. I think it's a race to see who can get to the milestone: "just buy this cheap box and wirelessly connect it to your phone, which is running the amp and effects". If you do that, and it sounds good, and it's intuitive/easy to use, and it's portable, and it's easy to connect to any speaker you have available, and it has a community where you can easily share lots of presets or buy them for cheap... well, if you get there, you win the market. Everybody will adopt your product. From there, it would just be a question of keeping things fresh (maybe giving options with more interesting sounds you couldn't get before, or an AI that tunes it to your liking based on guitar tones in yoyr davorite songs, or something). We're really not far off from there, honestly. I just hope that it doesn't shift to a subscription model (SaaS) - that would ruin everything.

[@BenBreard]

The Johnson J-Station is still maybe the best $150 I've ever spent. I played hundreds of gigs and made some coin with that thing.

[@fatseaturtle]

Yeah that Charvel is nice! 80s and clean!

[@dalepal]

I trust Line 6 HX more than most because they continue to update and support. I don't trust Fender after they dropped supporti for the Fender Fuse software. I still have a Mustang III v2 that is capable of some good sound if you know how to can dial it in.

[@mikec8815]

Sick Charvel

[@MountainLionessMusic]

Oh yay! I wanted to see this guitar!

[@Thrive-Off-Grid]

I think amp modelling tech has fully matured accross the board. What I think we are going to see are lower cost units advance and made to integrate with higher end plug ins. I mean we have Tone X One and then get the Sonicake Pocket Pro then get the M vave Chocolate and you can build a fuill blown modeller that will compete with high end stuff for less than 300 bucks. USBMIDI is going to change things, I think we just going to see things that more plug and play friendly with each other.

[@TheEnd-vn9rb]

The TONEX One is future proof to me. In the future when better gear comes out, I plan to use them as overdrives in the signal flow etc.

[@achilleszaluar5825]

So far, Kemper and Line 6 Helix have proven cost-benefit and road time, which I think are superior to the others in terms of innovation and updating.

[@WinItReigns]

I still like Boss GT1000

[@JediMasterRick2]

Did anyone else see the teaser from Marshall today on instagram? I’m hoping it’s their amps in pedal form like universal audio.

[@DS-nw4eq]

Anything from Fractal is the best thing that isn’t a tube amp. But if you want to go really affordable, the boss katana.

[@darrinwilson8484]

I feel like we are in the era of diminishing returns, how much better can they actually make them other than a faster processor slicing of a ms of latency? We arent chasing new sounds, they are just honing in closer and closer to what already exists and I'm not sure how much closer they can really get.

[@humbertotapia5502]

What are your thoughts on the chinese modelers? I remember mooer used to be very popular, but now their new line seems to be very meh, but hotone has been adding more and more features to the hotone 2 line

[@typhon4829]

the harley benton one is, because it doesnt cost much. you can just replace it over time, when technology gets better.

[@davidcjupp]

The modelling market will get the Behringer treatment at some point and the backlash against price gouging and cork sniffing will kill off some of the big modelling companies. See the success of the TonexOne and the impact that has had on the reception to the Nano Cortex and Kemper Player. Then see the dadification of Gibson, the Epiphone has no clothes price strategy and Fender's success by marketing to the youth.

[@nantan9453]

My axe fx 2 still sounds like a real amp and is as good as any modeling unit even though it's 14 years old.

[@DavidJosephBoth]

Tonex sounds best to me. Only one i've ever been settled on. sold the others.

[@DigitalChemistryBand]

Remember this... All modelers are software in a hardware shell... software can be updated, hardware shells can be reconfigured... my helix is the latest iteration of my venerable Rocktron Chameleon...

[@vaughanmacegan4012]

HW, or anyone else, I actually want device that runs NAM as the amp driver, but, none of the current devices with NAM have a plethora of FX, some, no FX at all. Do you know of any units coming up at all that have NAM and will have FX built-in like a lot of FX? Or, can you tell me what units with NAM I can buy, AND the FX unit to go with it for pre/post FX (Helix stomp is not enough slots and/or quality)? And how I might do that cause I got no idea? Please share your wisdom on this I need a new ecosystem now!

[@stevenkastner5678]

The real question is, will there be a new technology released that more accurately reproduce the sound of a tube amp than what is available now?

[@Chucksguitargeekery]

My “future proof” rig is my old Peavey Bandits and a proco rat. As long as there’s electricity, they’ll work. All the tech is more for funsies.

[@vitaliistep]

Currently only real tube amps are future proof :) ALL the modellers we have right now are still not there and have a lot of things to improve.

[@jaskiniamestwa]

I think tone modeling is like this video: mid way you eventually realize that this cool looking studio background is nothing more than a green screened photo...but then it hits you: wait this is a real scenario, no green screen and it's the shitty camera focus that gives you this wrong impression. Anyway, whatever's the case you gonna end up felling that something's off. That's modelers for you :)

[@fredriksandegren1948]

What I want to see is actually that you divide the footswitches from the main unit. The footswithches should connect through wireless or USB C and be batterydriven charged through the USB C. It should also have some scribble strips in colour so you know if it is on and what it is! The main unit should have all the connections you need as XLR's, TRS's outputs, at least a couple of effect loop TRS, Midi functionality, a USB C DAW interface, a couple of input jacks, a big touch screen, wifi and bluetooth... And of course we should have an AI chip in it so we can make use of that in the future. The unit should be able to handle assignable virtual buttons, thereby the Midi, so you can get how many expandable footswitches as you want. And of course the DSP should be oversized on what we have today... That would be my dream unit! The most important thing is to divide the main unit and the footswitches so you don't need to be on the floor changing you patches and not need to connect your phone or tablet all the time. You should of course be able to do that through bluetoouth though... I would pay a lot for such a unit!

[@XieYie-d2b]

Sounds for most parts like a Helix rack and controler

[@ramspencer5492]

Captures are the best in my opinion.... But....I feel like the best captures are yet to come.... I think they're going to have to be made at higher sampling rates with better control of aliasing... It's not that aliasing is ruining the sound... You can clearly hear that it still sounds very, very good! But there is something lacking in the shimmer of the high end, because of not being able to accurately capture those higher order harmonics.. Especially on high notes. So first the captures would need to be at a significantly higher sample rate.... With better filtering way way up there outside of hearing range. But then when you use the capture you would also be generating aliasing... So the hardware and software would need to be able to support significant over-sampling... And filtering.

[@AA-ih6kt]

Just buy a fractal and be done with it

[@stevenpipes1555]

I think that in the future were going to see a rejection of computers and things that rely on computers. Don't throw away your amps just yet boys n girls.

[@ToneJunkieTV]

That’s actually the backstory to Dune… ai had been banned in the lore way back.

[@Nizodizo]

I just plug my Fender Mustang Micro into a Fosi Audio desktop amp that is powering Polk Audio T15 bookshelf speakers.

[@Sascha_Franck]

Why would any modeler not be future proof (unless it fails mechanically)?

[@JDStone20]

Great video! It is like computers unless you are doing video production or video games, most computers are way overpowered. I use a computer from 2012 and I can do everything I need to with it. Same with modelers. The ones from ten years ago are still viable tools, and compare favorably to the new models.

[@19768444]

Kemper since 2014...

[@petersouthwell5971]

Self serving gut I think still the Helix. I have one thing rocks.. Love it. That paired with the Boss RC600 Looper man. Im in heaven. I noticed the other day amazingly the Helix was still $1499. Selling no problem in guitar center. I mean the product has been out for like over a decade. I think there's a reason. Honestly.. Once you have a bad ass sound... You have a bad ass sound. Same reason people chase vintage apps.

[@jltg98]

I will say what you told us a few months back. Was this your favorite guitar at some point? Is this an irreplaceable guitar? Will you be able to get another one immediately if you sell this one? That video made me not wanna sell one of my Gibson soooo now it goes back to you😁😁😁😁

[@taz3672]

Love the guitar! Reminders me of 1888!

[@jesterraj]

Caribbean sun here dude your missing out!

[@lentonemusic]

Well, Mxr thinks that the Rockman X100 is future proof....

[@ToneJunkieTV]

😂 good point!!

[@JDStone20]

It isn't what you have, it is what you do with it. You can't buy skills. Practice, practice, practice.

[@Arthur_My_Dear]

Your vids are always interesting. Slurping coffee into a mic is pretty gross though, don’t know why so many tubers do it

[@barnshart9662]

95% of guitar players agree that modeling/ capture sounds as real as the real thing. You can't make things sound MORE real than real. We have arrived. From here it's all a matter of workflow and features.

[@JDStone20]

The audience can't tell the difference, most guitar players can't tell the difference

[@BillVerdon]

I wasn't going to post this cuz... my opinion doesn't mean shit really... but just thought it might be helpful. This is like the 4th video I jumped off after hearing the 2nd or 3rd coffee slurp. I know I am being petty.. sorry... just grosses me out a little...

[@nyack666]

Soundwise? I doubt there's any modern modeler that will get obsolete, even that line6 red bean is still good when you combine them with external IR loader. But UI? yeah that thing gonna be outdated pretty fast, just like how most new gasoline car still works the same but has that big ass touchscreen control

[@myhapylife]

If it sounds good, then it is future proof no matter the technology behind it.

[@RyanWright]

I mean, the reality is that yes, the "future" modelers that come out in 20 years or whatever will have more, do more and sound better than todays stuff (say the Helix or whatever). BUT. If you look at where we are sound wise and all of that with modern modeling algorithms and stuff, I think there is a law of diminishing returns on the sound front. Yeah, they may sound somewhat better in the future, but how MUCH better can they sound honestly? I think more DSP and routing options and stuff like that is definitely going to happen.... But, will my Helix, or Tonex, or Two Notes Opus still sound good in 20 years (assuming it still functions..... that is a point to make)? Yes. Will I upgrade to the Helix2 or something of the new generation when it comes around? Maybe... but doesn't mean my Helix or Tonex or Opus won't still sound great.

[@JDStone20]

I don't have $16.99, nevermind $1699.00

[@mrchecox2206]

The problem is with future proof concept, is you are literal nothing is feature proof in the universe, an amp modeler that can hold for 10 years is already future proof for being an amp modeler!

[@otter5555]

as you said "when you add drums no one can tell anything". buy the one you like. no one cares or knows. they all sound great now.

[@Spidouz]

Future proof Modeler? The pure analog & tube ones such the Black Widow MGP-1A… not all “modeler” have to be digital ;)

[@richo144]

Greetings from Chile HW, where we have a melting hot morning! Would love to exchange for your snowy one!

[@QuickSticks8771]

They sound exactly like classic amps , classic amps haven’t changed much in 40 years Neither will these

[@jesterraj]

Metal man metal with the Charvel.....

[@MC-bi8qw]

tube amps are future proof, modellers will always get outdated by the next versiom

[@mikec8815]

Exactly. Nobody cares if they have a 2001 or 2025 deluxe reverb

[@Cpt_Adama]

I don't agree, my first gen Axe-Fx is still realavent, and sounds beautiful. It doesn't have the power to add 20 blocks simultaneously, but what it does do sounds awesome. What will be the downfall is when a DSP chip goes bad and their are no replacements because their not made. Tube amps can have similar issues with quality of tube replacements, or transformers that aren't made anymore.

[@timothy5974]

I have amps over 35 yrs old !! 👍

[@XieYie-d2b]

Tube amps will dissapear for the most part, in the past every radio had tubes in it and that did colour the sound in a 'good' way. So how many radios can you find today with tubes in it? In a small circle of collectors, that is a fact. And I know a few people who still have those old radio's. But when a tube goes down chances are that there will be no valid replacement anymore anywhere. So in the end nothing will be future proof. An amp is very directional, if you play at a bigger stage and you point your amp straight ahead, the people in the audience standing on the other side will NOT hear you AT ALL. A FRFR speaker or any PA speaker is way better in that respect, it has a much broader angle than a guitar speaker. A guitarAmp is only good for the player to use as a stage monitor. And all the 'goodness' and 'amp in the room feeling' etc will be heard and felt by no one except you (hopefully) When on a small stage your tubeAmp WILL be way too loud, let alone at home, and ok you can turn it down. But then your sweet spot and good tone is gone also and it will sound like shit in comparison. A tubeAmp sounds different all the time every time. Your sound today will not be that same sound tomorrow. That is inherent to a tubeAmp. And just the powersupply of a venue wil make your amp sound different, at any venue. If you buy a record and listen to it, you hear the sound recorded with a mic through your speakerset. Just like a modeler does things. If you go to a concert, you hear the music through a mic and PA speakers. If you try to recreate that sound accurate, a modeler is the only way to go. So to younger people a modeler will be far superior in that respect. A guitarAmp weighs a ton and is prone to damage, if you put it down hard your tubes immediately degrade, if you take it to a gig on a bumpy road, same thing. And at home a tubeAmp is nothing more than an expensive piece of furniture. I still have 1 tubeAmp... well, the cabinet that is, I toke everything out and I've put an FRFR speaker in it, and I play a Helix Floor so it still looks the world AND always sounds like it. At 95% of our gigs I have people (most likely musicians) coming over to tell me how fantastic my real Amp sounds in comparison to all that 'modeling shit' And I mainly only use it as a stage monitor (depending on the size of venue) but at every level I have MY tone, and I can put it at a comfortable level to me and change it all the time if I want without changing what is going to FOH. And when there's no amps aloud on stage, I still put it there but don't use it, it looks great :) At home I only use solid state amps, analog and digital and I am a very happy camper. About modeling, I think you made a valid point to say we are there already soundwise. I only have experience with Helix Floor and I love it to pieces. Today even the best producers can't tell if it is a tubeAmp or a modeler in a blind test, nuff said? That said it will always be nice to have more dsp but howmany blocks do you really need? Helix is amazing today and will be in the future, just like tubeAmps are to some. In this day and age it is great to be a musician. To me it is still mindblowing that I can press a footswitch and change the gain on my amp, the delaytime etc etc, no more tapdancing is a blessing. I turn 60 next year and I hope I will be able to play a few decades to come. Just my 2c Have a good one !