Real amps, vsts, emulators, oh my... Krebstars analog/ digital hybrid reality

Why do you deal with physical amps in this day and age of modeling and VSTs?

At Krebstar, we have sat around and thought about the psychological aspect of recording. Yep, that's how our day goes sometimes. But here's the thing. Nowadays, you can more or less find a VST plugin for anything on your DAW, so why not?

Performing and recording might not capture the same performance when you are handling musical creativity the same as writing a report on Microsoft Word. 

There is some peace and difference to recording the "old way" . Seeing tape spin is. Pushing actual buttons. Turning actual knobs. Feeling the sound from an amp, the air of a speaker cabinet blasting your guitar.

We have real amps. We also have a profiler.

This is why we have real amps on site—three of which I believe are the holy grails of differing music styles—for you to "feel" the real experience.

Ampeg SVT Tube Heritage bass amp- If you google the bass recordings done on one of these you will see why it's in the holy trinity of amps for capturing whatever bass sound you seek.

Vox AC30- Think of any beautifully clean tone. Country, Indie rock, British invasion. The AC30 has been on pretty much everything.

Diezel VH4- We're in Morgantown WV so this is Karma to Burn country. You want tones like that? the Diezel VH4 is the go to for bands like Tool, Metallica. Argueably, can walk all over a Marsall. I'm willing to bet you can dial in your perfect sound on this. If you can't then we go to the Kemper amp profiler.

So, with all this talk about why real physical amps could be better, why do you also have a Kemper amp profiler on site?

So we can provide all the "other" amps out there in a way we feel is an ideal compromise of tech meets "real world". The Kemper 600-watt head is a standalone system without the need for a PC in front of you. You can blast it through a cabinet to feel it. You don't have to sit in front of 7" studio monitors and watch Windows update before hearing it. The kemper is also not an amp modeler, like what VSTs are. It's not using processors to pretend to be that amp. It's using literal recordings from the actual amps to be the amp. In simple terms, and to our ears, it is the amp.

Amplifier modeling and profiling are two different approaches to digitally recreating the sound and characteristics of guitar amplifiers, each with its own methodology and advantages.

Amplifier Modeling

Amplifier modeling involves creating digital representations of amp structures and components, aiming to emulate the amp's feel and sound.

This process typically uses digital signal processing (DSP) to replicate the behavior of various amp circuits, resulting in a digital version that can sound like a wide variety of well-known amp types

• Key aspects of amplifier modeling: Attempts to recreate the theoretical behavior of an amp's circuit design

• Can produce multiple amp types within a single unit

• Relies on digital algorithms to simulate analog components

•  Aims to provide a versatile range of amp sounds

  
  

Amplifier Profiling

Profiling, on the other hand, is a more recent technology that captures the exact characteristics of a specific amplifier at a particular moment in time

• This method aims to recreate not just the sound, but also the playing dynamics and tonal response of the original amp.

Key aspects of amplifier profiling:

Captures a "snapshot" of a specific amp's sound and behavior

• Uses test tones to analyze and recreate the amp's characteristics

• Focuses on replicating one particular amp setup, including mic placement and cabinet

• Can potentially provide a more accurate representation of a specific amp's nuances

Key Differences

1. Approach: Modeling creates digital replicas of amp circuits, while profiling captures the actual response of a physical amp

2. Flexibility: Modeling typically offers a wider range of amp types, whereas profiling excels at recreating specific amp setups

3. Accuracy: Profiling is often considered more accurate in reproducing the nuances and "feel" of a particular amp

4. Source: Modeling is based on theoretical circuit behavior, while profiling requires access to the physical amp being profiled

5. Customization: Modeling allows for the creation of theoretical amp designs, while profiling is limited to existing physical amps

   
   

In practice, both technologies have their strengths and are used by musicians in various contexts. Modeling is often favored for its versatility, while profiling is praised for its ability to capture the exact characteristics of beloved amplifiers, making them more accessible and preserving them for future generations of guitarists