Using hardware amp sim like HX Stomp vs Software amp sim?

S

Seafroggys

Well-known member
So I know the answer is always "if it sounds good, use that option" but I just want to see how people approach this?

So the long story, I am slowly continuing work on my musical that I started recording in 2013. I made "temporary final" instrumental mixes in 2014 that I'm now finally starting to revisit as I finish recording the vocals. I recorded some great guitar playing out of a Fender Twin, but there were sections that I needed more gain out of so I used an amp sim. Being a cheap mid-20's something I just stuck with freeware amp sims....specifically Camel Crusher. Even for an early 2010's freeware amp sim, it had a pretty good sound...but it really only had one sound you could dial in.

I recently had bought a Line6 HX Stomp for my Chapman Stick, but with its plethora and variety of amp sims, I thought about maybe using that instead of the Camel Crusher. Amp sims, imo, have gone through the most improvement in sound in the past 10-15 years. Surely the amp sims on this unit blow away the 13 year old Camel Crusher plugin? Looking online, it seems almost no engineers use units like these for their amp sims....they just use software amp sims like UAD plugs or something like that. And it made me second guess myself why that is.....maybe there is a reason no one uses a hardware unit like this for their amp sims (except for Sansamps for bass). Maybe because a dedicated software amp sim is generally better? But surely the HX Stomp sims are better than the Camel Crusher?

Anyway, I just want to see if there's something I'm missing from this, or if I should just stick with the "if it sounds good, use it, damn what everybody else does."
 
No direect experience with the HX Stomp, but Line 6 is known for their diligence in amp modeling. I don't think you're going to go wrong with using it.

I bought a chinese knock-off about 6 months ago and it sounds great. I agree with you on anything in the last few years have been a big improvement, even the cheap junk.

Not familiar with the Camel Crusher, but if it's a one-trick pony, you'll get better utility out of the Stomp. I typically use UAD amp sims myself when recording and I'd put the chinese knock-off up against the UAD stuff. It is not the same, but the difference is negligible. No one is going to listen to a song and say, Dude, is that a cheap chinese knock-off??
 
The only thing you're missing, is that people Recording would most likely be using the Helix Native Software (which is what your HX Stomp Hardware is) instead of the Hardware because it's more flexible. There is little reason to use a direct recording of the actual Hardware itself when the Plugin exists.
 
Ujn Hunter said:
The only thing you're missing, is that people Recording would most likely be using the Helix Native Software (which is what your HX Stomp Hardware is) instead of the Hardware because it's more flexible. There is little reason to use a direct recording of the actual Hardware itself when the Plugin exists.
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Yeah I looked it up. Even with the discount for me owning the hardware its still $100. Even though having the plugin would be more convenient, I can just run the Stomp as an interface and record in 1:1 real time and save that money. But yeah, I see what you mean there, a typical engineer would rather be using that.
 
Seafroggys said:
Anyway, I just want to see if there's something I'm missing from this, or if I should just stick with the "if it sounds good, use it, damn what everybody else does."
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I have come to realize {actually, I've long known this} that I'm a stubborn old cuss when it comes to what I like. I don't give a camel's hump in a Toronto zoo what the most expert of experts thinks or uses if I happen to think differently and like what I'm using.
With that in mind, "if it sounds good, it is good" definitely applies. Now, I'm well aware that something may sound good due to one's own impatience or inexperience or even just going with the crowd and one's view may change 5 years later. But so what ? Musically, much of what we do is a snapshot of a moment in time and we have to stand or fall by that snapshot. We are fortunate that technologically we can change our minds {and therefore, elements of our songs} but unless it comes from an actual change of mind, why change what you do or have done just because a producer does this or that ? I'm not going to change to an electric car just because the noise about them is ever so loud at the moment. But should I change my view about what I currently drive, well, that'll be a different story. And if I go for the current vogue in amp sims or even amps or whatever because I genuinely love the sounds that can be gotten from them and no longer dig the old sounds, then so be it.
 
I've rarely used an amp sim plugin. I am still using the old Pod 6 for everything, right into the DAW via the Audient 880. I switch off the reverbs and other stompers inside the Line 6, but do occasionally use the compressor on a couple of the sims. You can pick up those things for around 60 bucks on Ebay, but the power switches do go out, and you have to then solder the power switch wires together. I will be moving on to the Line 6 Helix sooner rather than later though.
 
I have never used an amp sim for post processing of my guitar. For my direct guitar recordings (assuming I'm not using an amp and pedals) it used to be my PODxt. I recently snagged a Strymon Iridium and it sounds MUCH better. The only thing lacking is reverb, which I can add into my DAW. I can use my pedals just like with an amp and it's set up for a Fender and a Marshall sound.

I guess I could "reamp" through the Strymon if needed.
 
Yes, you are right. If it is the sound you want, use it.
I tend to produce disco, funk, light rock and Jazz in Australia. And whatever indi stuff walks into my studio.
I often record a DI output from the guitar via a Avalon U5 box, but anything will do.
I then record an amp using a Rode NTR and a Shure SM57 and commit to a mix of these 2 before it goes to the DAW (Cubase).
If I need to bring it out to re-amp I use a Radial ProRMP Reamp into another amp. I have a Mesa Boogie Nomad 100 and a few extension cabs I can pull some great sounds from.
Otherwise, sometimes I use an amp-sim; sometimes a distortion like Waves BB Tubes will give me what I want.
I have found the biggest mistakes are when the guitar becomes over processed. (More often than not the re-amping is to remove the guitarist's pedals from the track.) If I need a BIGGER sound then I double track (or more) the guitar line.
Way too many guitarists over process their sound.
 
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