Digital Amps? Marketing Hype?

Right now, digital guitar "modeling" amps are all the rage. Even That old tube stalwart Fender has a line of these digital amps. The idea is to process analog sound through chips so that you can get a "model" of any type of sound you want. Thus, you can set your amp to "60s British Blues," or "Surf," or "Metal," and there's countless combinations. I have used these amps at jam sessions, and they are impressive, but I'll stick to my 40 watt Marshall, thank you.

ANYWAY, it got me to thinking. Will we see digital modeling amps for audiophiles? In other words, say you want that classic 70s Marantz 9 sound? There's no reason to think that manufacturers won't be able to do create a digital product that can "model" the sound of any amp you want. Cary, Conrad Johnson, Rogue, VTL--all of these have some sort of sound signature (that is electronically measured). What's stopping companies from digitally capturing these sounds? The technology exists right now; it just needs to be applied to the consumer market.

How do we feel about this? Me, it's kinda scary in that this just another example of digitizing experience. Let's face it: We're living in a digital age.

Crazy4blues...Carver already did that without the benefit of digital processing. He designed a solid state amp that was made to sound like a tube amp. He said he could tweek his amp up to match anything on the market. Reports that I read at the time said that he was quite successful.

Jlamb,

Your welcome... I think the big advantage for the
"digital" amps utilizing DSP's is shorter signal
path. If you get a chance have a listen to The Bel
Canto EVO's and the Spectron. Im guessing either way
you wont be dissapointed.

Crazy4blues..

My SS practice amp has digital modeling... I dont know
anybody who uses any of that stuff.. as you know most
of it is worthless.. Its like the Hall or jazz club
effect on a pre-pro. Anyone who knows any better cant
stand to listen to it.

What i was talking about is the actual amplifier portion of the head. Not the effects.. Im using 120w Blue Voodoo heads now.. And i used to use Marshalls 50 and 100 heads and i really wish they all were a little faster/punchier with more attack. I would be very intrested to try out a "Digital" not SS guitar head. Maybe based on Tri-path? I dont know.. but i would the first in line to try it out?

Steve

Eldartford: I'm not talking about ss amps that are supposed to sound "like" tube amps. Rather, I'm talking about *one* digital amp that can, at the flip of a switch, sound like *many* different kinds of amps. You want that sharp Krell sound? No problem. How about a 2a3 sound? Just flip the switch again. How about a tetrode push-pull kt-88 sound? Again, flip the switch.

The technology I'm talking about is the ability to digitize a sound signature and use one product to convey several different choices of sounds. I can see this as a possible direction for audiophiles.

While I don't necessarily look forward to it, I can see a day when discussion lists on this forum will concern themselves not with this or that tube, or this or that cable; rather, guys will be asking about the latest "cyroed el-84 preamp to 300B SET power amp" PATCH, which will be downlodable via usb and put into your amp. Boom, you have a different sound. See what I mean?

If I were smart enough, I would try to produce this type of product.