MakeShift
I guess the thing I didn't really get around to saying much about is that many of these Sims have gotten really good sounding. I amp not having as many issues with the playing dynamics that I used to and, I guess what I would call the lack of sustain.

The AxFx is a little out of my price range right now, but I have been really intested in the new Pod HD's. I only wish someone had them to demo. I hate to dump that kind of money into hardware without physically playing one. If these units were good enough, I could seriously see myself leaving tubes behind.

Yeah I too have been impressed with how the Sims have gotten better. Hahaha I got news for ya Mike, that freakin' AxFx was out of my price range too! I think it's rediculously over-priced to be honest, but it does so many things, you don't realize how powerful it truly is until you sit with it. After spending time with it, I'm sure the work that went into it made it cost as much as it does. For me personally, it's worth about half of what they charge for it.
 
Then again, it very well could be the be all end all of guitar processing. There's nothing it doesn't do. I've been experimenting with it's amp modeling/resampling software. In 2 seconds, you can sound like any amp/guitar player you want if you sample from an open spot on a CD. Like if you wanted a Jeff Beck tone, you just grab a piece off his album where he plays alone and man...it's spot on.
 
This is especially good for studio clients that come to you with a specific sound in mind. I like the AxFxII over the Kemper amp due to the Ax having way more flexibility and additional options. The Kemper is killer though...we had one in the studio 2 weeks ago.
 
-Danny

The AxeFx is also equipment that to me I would consider only if I were gigging.
 
I do know that if GTR3 would work within Sonar that between it and Guitar Rig 5 I would
have the bases covered for recording my guitar parts. 
It's really nice having some of the recording interests squared away.

I hope people can appreciate the idea that modeling a Jeff Beck record with the AxFX makes you sound like a Jeff Beck record.
 
That's a whole bunch different than enjoying the exciting sound of Jeff Beck playing his guitar rig in the same room while you are listening.
 
 
To my bar brawl ears, none of these sophisticated effects ever get any better than sounding like someone has glued their head onto some one else's wedding picture.
 
:-(
 
 

Ted Nugent and Eddie Van Halen were once in the same area (can't remember now if they were sharing a studio, or were both playing at the same concert).  Anyway, they each tried the others setup and managed to sound just like they usually do.  There's a lot to be said about that cliched line that tone is in the fingers.  I wonder if there's a cliched finger tone modeler out yet?

sharke
Just don't use too many of those Reflektor reverbs, they're a real CPU hog. 

That and the Control Room Pro, as it is also convolution based.

mike_mccue
I hope people can appreciate the idea that modeling a Jeff Beck record with the AxFX makes you sound like a Jeff Beck record.
 
That's a whole bunch different than enjoying the exciting sound of Jeff Beck playing his guitar rig in the same room while you are listening.
 
 
To my bar brawl ears, none of these sophisticated effects ever get any better than sounding like someone has glued their head onto some one else's wedding picture.
 
:-(
 
 

Hi Mike, 
 
I agree with you completely and I like your metaphor.  But in a case where it's just me or a client that doesn't have a good rig, then the VST stuff has a pretty good place for me.  For my own stuff, I am always trying new sounds and combo's out as I build the song.  That might be because I am not a good guitar player.  
 
Rimshot

craigb

yorolpal
I still think [tone is] mostly in the hands.  

It certainly is for THIS guy!

I must have been the only one that got a chuckle out of this    !!!!

It just made me smile a big one.
 
:-)

I've got a HD500 and DT50 for live stuff, but I've been using Amplitube Fender for recording.