GUITAR
MY TOP FIVE AMP SIMULATION RECOMMENDATIONS | Chris Rocha
For the longest time , I thought the only way to achieve a great guitar tone was by using a highend tube amplifier . When I started traveling overseas , I would request Fender tube amps . The most common tube amps you can find in other countries are the Fender Twin and the Fender Deluxe . I would request two per night that way I could get a great stereo image . I got to the point where I thought that if you didn ’ t use tube amps you couldn ’ t get a great sound . I was sold out all the way and looked down on digital simulation .
About seven years ago I was forced to try to get my sound using digital amp simulation . I had to find a way to record guitar tracks in hotel rooms and continue producing records wherever I toured too . To my surprise , I was able to achieve a sound that I fell in love with . I now encourage other guitar players to try out digital amp simulation so that they can reap the benefits and ease of technology that we have at our fingertips .
What I did to achieve my sound was construct a hybrid setup . I invested and purchased a Line 6 Helix , kept my analog drive and distortion pedal and utilized my faithful companion , the Strymon Big Sky . I received a lot of compliments from my sound guy and other people and fell in love with the consistency of my tone night after night . I was able to continue to produce and record guitars in hotel rooms all over the world . At first , I thought that I would receive complaints from my clients because of this drastic change of equipment , however , everyone kept loving my tones . If you are on the fence about using digital multi-effects pedals , I encourage you to take the plunge . The number one thing that I did have to adjust to was not having that raw guitar amp feel next to me , but once I adjusted to that I was all in .
Many of you may ask , what is the best amp simulation software or hardware out right now ? I will list the five most popular options below . The first is what I am currently using which is Line 6 multi-effects pedals . Helix , HX Stomp and Line 6 PodGo are the ones I ’ m most familiar with and would recommend . The Helix is the most ideal but also the most expensive . What impresses me about the Helix aside from the high-end software is it has all the external ports and capabilities to integrate analog pedals . I also like the fact that you can use it as a recording interface . I love using left and right amplifiers and within the software itself you can integrate two amps and have a bigger sound . I also love that you can upload external ImpulseRespones ’ ( RIs ) from other companies . I love to use IRs .
The second pedal is the Simplifier from DSM Humboldt Pedals . This analog amp-simulation pedal is a full amp rig in a pedal that you can mount on a pedal board . You can run your full analog pedal direct into the front of house and get a great sound . I remember talking to Jano , the owner , a few years back and telling him that there was a huge hole in the industry within amp simulation pedals that needed to be filled . A year and a half later he sent me that pedal and it did a great job .
The third option I recommend is the Iridium from Strymon . Although I don ’ t have a lot of experience with this pedal , I have played alongside other guitar players while they use it and I ’ m thoroughly impressed with the guitar tones that come from it . Strymon is a company that strives to achieves excellence .
The fourth option is Kemper . They have very high-grade amp simulators and it costs a pretty penny , but sounds out of this world . I also like that you can get a lot of third party profiles from other guitar players and upload their sound to your Kemper .
The fifth option is the Boss RP1000 . Although Line 6 software is my favorite , Boss comes in a close second .
If you have yet to try out amp simulation , I highly recommend these five options and dive into this world that many are hesitant to try .
Chris Rocha Lives in Houston , TX , and is the guitarist and producer for Miel San Marcos