it's true, modelers are not as accurate a representation or near as realistic as micing your amps. I use ALL of the Amplitube modelers and an Ampeg modeler, as well. i'll post some samples, if you like, of stuff i've recorded with them so you can check out some examples.
i notice a LOT of PURISTS and NAY SAYERS on this board easily write off a lot of things that could be useful, depending on what YOU are trying to do, just because it's not the most ummmmmm, natural(?) or authentic(?) way of going about recording. just because something didn't work for someone else doesn't mean it won't suit what you're trying to accomplish. i record in my apartment. it's in a house that has been divided into 3 apartments. My neighbor is a school teacher and my upstairs neighbor trains dogs. needless to say, i can't make a lot of noise. I work all day and really the only time i have to write and record is late at night (usually between 9pm and 6am). since i don't like pissing off my neighbors (who are really nice people) and don;t like noise ordinance violation tickets (which can range from $200-$500) I'm forced to use modelers MOST of the time. i can say that, in comparison, i can not get the EXACT sound from a modeler that i can from my amps (mesa boogie rectifier/fender tweed/Laney Hardcore50) but, with enough dialing, i can get some VERY similar sounds and, in some cases, some sounds i would not be able to achieve with my amps.
the only thing that REALLY bothers me is the lack of feedback control with the modelers. i LOVE playing with feedback and other naturally occurring noises from electric guitars and amps. however, if you're looking for clean and basic distortion sounds, the modelers work just fine for me.
try them out yourself and THEN make a judgement call. don't let people tell you what is good for YOU and what is not.
so? pretty sure consensus on modelers is not going to possible . . . right up to that moment when that midnight burrito still tastes delicious (& not like tangy poop flavored poop) it will still seem like the world's greatest invention which you might be willing to defend to your death . . . a second later: 'God, this is disgusting, but what, if you're in Gaylord KS @ 12:23 AM, might be your only option . . . for musicians valve amps should be tools not religious artifacts
if you're in Gaylord, KS @ 12:23a.m. you and the convenience store clerk are probably the only ones awake... take this from someone that grew up in Protection, Ks.
