'Just food for thought:
 
The hardware solutions, AxeFX, Kemper and others are really just dedicated processors running an amp sim.  I've heard clips from these units and they sound amazing.  I believe as PC processors, memory and IO get faster the PC will be able to run software amp plugins as convincing as the Kemper and it's ilk.  As the sim technology gets more sophisticated, I really do think, at some point, the amp sim will render the tube amp obsolete.  'Just my humble opinion.

Pragi


Hi stratman,
you´re right, I never played an axe fx ii. But
had the kremper amp here, which is unbelievable 
good sounding. But still not as "good" as a good mic-ed
amp.If you are  happy with the axe ii and you have the bucks........
congratulations....This is a personal decision.
To me this is not "good"enough,which is again  personal
decision.Additional I don´t see to spend thousands of bucks for a
simu.It´s just really expensive .
I have the opportunity to record (loud)in my studio.
If I could not have this possibility,I would buy and try an 
axe fx or kremper.
Have a nice day! 

Thje kemper is NOT the Axe FX-by far How much do you spend on amps, mics to mic it, How about FX? Reverbs delays? Foot pedals, flanger, distortion, etc, etc, add it up.Just sayin- You cannot say someday or not good enough when you never have played thru an AxreFX. I mainly use the mesa boogies and the Trainwreck amps along with s few Fender cleans and now a badger and a divide/13. Those arre my go to amps-in the axeFXII. The linbe has been crossed between modlers and amps-now , not someday.
It's just amazing that you guys can say with certainty someday maybe, or never-when you have not had the device that has bridged that gap.That is all I was saying

I do apoligize to all in this thread for taking it in a different direction-I am sorry :-(

stratman70


I do apoligize to all in this thread for taking it in a different direction-I am sorry :-(

No need to apoligize.  This is all in the same vein actually and great stuff.  TH2 is one of the promotional tidbits Cake is using to garner more sales.  I think it's perfectly legit to discuss all of the alternatives around this subject, i.e., amps, moddlers and plugins.

I received my new Audio Technica ATH-m50 headphones yesterday and now I believe the HD500 sounds better. I will keep testing and tinkering untill X2 comes out and then probably upgrade TH2. I wish Cakewalk would tell us more about the effects that come with TH2 producer...? Will X2 be here before the blog?

clintmartin


I received my new Audio Technica ATH-m50 headphones yesterday and now I believe the HD500 sounds better. I will keep testing and tinkering untill X2 comes out and then probably upgrade TH2. I wish Cakewalk would tell us more about the effects that come with TH2 producer...? Will X2 be here before the blog?

I have those headphones also and they are great. Suggested by fellow forumites here

amiller


'Just food for thought:
 
The hardware solutions, AxeFX, Kemper and others are really just dedicated processors running an amp sim.  I've heard clips from these units and they sound amazing.  I believe as PC processors, memory and IO get faster the PC will be able to run software amp plugins as convincing as the Kemper and it's ilk.  As the sim technology gets more sophisticated, I really do think, at some point, the amp sim will render the tube amp obsolete.  'Just my humble opinion.

I agree 100%. While IMHO (30+years playing guitar) the axe has equaled it, but it will be a long while before tube amps are absolete. Too many folks just cannot believe that anything could equal them-but no harm there-that's the way they feel.. Evidence is in this thread all over. You have to do what works for you. The AXe, THD, Gutar rig, etc are not for everyone
Youtube videos do no justice for audio as you all know I am sure. Right now my go to amps are a Trainwreck, Mesa Boogie Lonestar, Boogie IIC+ and Fender Vibro. Just started getting into the the Suhr Badger 18 and divided/13.
You have to FEEL the AXeFXII and work the volume control-then you know.
Not bad for the pricxe.

stratman70

amiller


'Just food for thought:
 
The hardware solutions, AxeFX, Kemper and others are really just dedicated processors running an amp sim.  I've heard clips from these units and they sound amazing.  I believe as PC processors, memory and IO get faster the PC will be able to run software amp plugins as convincing as the Kemper and it's ilk.  As the sim technology gets more sophisticated, I really do think, at some point, the amp sim will render the tube amp obsolete.  'Just my humble opinion.

I agree 100%. While IMHO (30+years playing guitar) the axe has equaled it, but it will be a long while before tube amps are absolete. Too many folks just cannot believe that anything could equal them-but no harm there-that's the way they feel.. Evidence is in this thread all over. You have to do what works for you. The AXe, THD, Gutar rig, etc are not for everyone
Youtube videos do no justice for audio as you all know I am sure. Right now my go to amps are a Trainwreck, Mesa Boogie Lonestar, Boogie IIC+ and Fender Vibro. Just started getting into the the Suhr Badger 18 and divided/13.
You have to FEEL the AXeFXII and work the volume control-then you know.
Not bad for the pricxe.

 
Yep, I agree.  The thing for me is being able to get my real amp tone recorded as it sounds in my meager home studio.  For instance, my Bogner 101b sounds amazing when I play it live in my studio but I can never capture that sound to "tape."  Of course, that has to do with the room, mic and mic placement and so on.  To be able to bypass all of those variables and get a great recording would be ... bliss!

Well, without a doubt the HD500 is far better than TH2. I deleted my demo and will continue to try and get something useable with TH2 producer...Later. It's still a great freebie from Sonar, but it's not to the HD500 level. I agree the Fractal Axe fx II is as good as anything a amp and mic has to offer. The Kemper may be too. I actually think we should be beyond the comparisons. They are different technologies and yield different results, but I don't think one is better than the other anymore. It depends on what your ears want to hear.

clintmartin


Well, without a doubt the HD500 is far better than TH2. I deleted my demo and will continue to try and get something useable with TH2 producer...Later. It's still a great freebie from Sonar, but it's not to the HD500 level. I agree the Fractal Axe fx II is as good as anything a amp and mic has to offer. The Kemper may be too. I actually think we should be beyond the comparisons. They are different technologies and yield different results, but I don't think one is better than the other anymore. It depends on what your ears want to hear.

I agree about the comparisons-Because the Axe and the Kemper are completely different. The HD500 is more like the Axe as far as what it does and it's purpose.What many don't realize about the axe fxII is that the FX are right up there with the Eventides-you know how much they cost. The AxeFXII also has tone matching now-yup, match any guitar tone you want. Also has amp matching-yup-mic your favorite amp and match the tone. You also can create (match) IR;-like your favorite Boogie 2X12 cab, etc. But the biggest thing is the feel ans volume control of the amp is all there. The pick attack etc.
The HD500 is a nice unit-it bloews away the software imho and I don't even own one but a friend does and I have played thru it.
 
So it's all good. And like I said a while back-I still like using guitar pro 4 with my laptop-did that a jam session-it was very nice. My axeFXII stays in my Studio-since I do not make $$ playing live anymore-25 years or so was enough. I am sure I will find a use for the THD also. But I won't buy the upgrade-I'll just use the freebie.