Do You Need a digital amp?

Apparently Marshall thinks so.
They are switching all amp production over to digital amplifiers.
This hints at the fact that Marshall will no longer build tube amps, or at least will minimize tube production.
Most of Marshall current production is headphones and blue tooth speakers, they barely even sell tube amps anymore.

But the interesting fact is:
unless we build new tube amps, digital amp makers will have nothing to imitate.
And further, without tube amps - digital (imitation tube amps) amps probably wouldn't exist.

As for me, I will continue building tube amps.
 
I currently own two 15w tube amps. One's a bass practice amp (and works fine for clean guitar), the other's a guitar amp. I'm happy with the sounds I get at bedroom and moderate levels; I'm not playing out so I don't need more power than that. But if I did, I also have an old 50w analog solid state amp--its dirt channel isn't to my taste but the cleans are fine and I've got some pedals.

So what need for digital? I doubt if I'd use one even if someone gave it to me.
 
I'm not opposed to owning a digital amp, but I don't think I need one. I have a couple small tube amps, a Vox AC-10, and a Stage Right 5watt (single 6V6). The Stage Right is actually the best $125 that I've spent in recent years. It takes pedals really well and I don't have to monkey around with settings. But that's just me, I'm a creature of habit.
 
Astral Traveler said:
No, I need a digital amp not! I’ve had several and always end up in a knob twisting, menu browsing frenzy. I get no playing done. The one I was most happy with was the Yamaha THR 100H, it came with a limited set of knobs and the software couldn’t do much more than change cab sims. It was basically an old amp that produced sound using digital technology.

I have nothing against digital or SS amps. Just make sure they have few knobs and no additional software before you give them to me.
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THRs remain the best-sounding and maybe more importantly, feeling digital amps out there. Simple to use and instant great tone; they got it right from day one.
 
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I went digital on my PA system 6 years ago does it sound any better than my old EV PA speakers and Crest amps no way
but the weight factor and set up time I'm not getting any younger
 
If I didn’t have a Kemper, I’d barely play guitar anymore.
I only get a few hours of family time between work and bed, so I save my playing for after the kiddos are in bed. I did the captor X thing for a while because I didn’t want to ditch my tubes, but when I learned the Kemper could also be my interface for my DAW, it was a no brainer.
I did keep some tube amps around, but they are mostly for decoration now because they are ones that I either built or modded, and they aren’t worth selling
 
I have a variety of things. Yamaha THR100HD 2 channel, analog Amp1 Iridium floor amp, Taurus floor amp, the little BossIR-2 pedal (sounds amazing!!) and a Katana. Then all the tube amps. Different venues, different gigs, different stages mean different ampa. I could probably literally play all of them with the Mesa MkV 35 combo but what's the fun in that?
 
Aynirar27 said:
If I didn’t have a Kemper, I’d barely play guitar anymore.
I only get a few hours of family time between work and bed, so I save my playing for after the kiddos are in bed. I did the captor X thing for a while because I didn’t want to ditch my tubes, but when I learned the Kemper could also be my interface for my DAW, it was a no brainer.
I did keep some tube amps around, but they are mostly for decoration now because they are ones that I either built or modded, and they aren’t worth selling
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I use my Boss GT1 for the same reason. Can use headphones. Interface with my lap top via USB. Set up patches using different amps and speakers. Effects. It does everything I need. Fully acknowledging it’s a mere fraction of what your Kemper does. And by that I mean a fraction of a fraction.
 
iblive said:
I use my Boss GT1 for the same reason. Can use headphones. Interface with my lap top via USB. Set up patches using different amps and speakers. Effects. It does everything I need. Fully acknowledging it’s a mere fraction of what your Kemper does. And by that I mean a fraction of a fraction.
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I probably only use a fraction of a fraction of what the Kemper has to offer anyways. I have thousands upon thousands of profiles, have probably only tried 100 of them and use 5 or 6 for almost everything I do.

My motto has always been that, for me, the best amp is the one that you don’t think about when playing. No knob twisting or fussing around, just turn it on and your sound is there and you have nothing to think about but your playing.
 
Aynirar27 said:
I probably only use a fraction of a fraction of what the Kemper has to offer anyways. I have thousands upon thousands of profiles, have probably only tried 100 of them and use 5 or 6 for almost everything I do.

My motto has always been that, for me, the best amp is the one that you don’t think about when playing. No knob twisting or fussing around, just turn it on and your sound is there and you have nothing to think about but your playing.
Click to expand...
Oh boy do I get that. I’m an Excel nerd. That said….. I’m probably not using 1% of its capabilities.
 
dirocyn said:
I currently own two 15w tube amps. One's a bass practice amp (and works fine for clean guitar), the other's a guitar amp. I'm happy with the sounds I get at bedroom and moderate levels; I'm not playing out so I don't need more power than that. But if I did, I also have an old 50w analog solid state amp--its dirt channel isn't to my taste but the cleans are fine and I've got some pedals.

So what need for digital? I doubt if I'd use one even if someone gave it to me.
Click to expand...
I have 5 tube amps. I like the tones however when I record it is very difficult to monitor the recording with a tube amp due to volume.
So I spend 99.9% on digital. The other thing is 74 amps and numerous pedal effects with total control.
 
ibmorjamn said:
I have 5 tube amps. I like the tones however when I record it is very difficult to monitor the recording with a tube amp due to volume.
So I spend 99.9% on digital. The other thing is 74 amps and numerous pedal effects with total control.
Click to expand...
i just got these & am in recording heaven now... cabs are 40' away in the bandroom with 2 doors & rooms between. Whoa..its massive sounding in Reaper now. gonna record like mad now especially when new amps start to arrive.. pighog.jpg
 
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