Amplifier modeling
Encyclopedia
Amplifier modeling is the process of digitally emulating a physical amplifier
such as a guitar amplifier
. Amp modeling may appear as software, such as plugins for DAWs (Digital Audio Workstation
) which may be aided by computer hardware accelerators, or may be part of a standalone device or amplifier. Amp modeling often seeks to recreate the sound of one or more specific models of vacuum tube amplifiers.
As part of a digital audio workstation, amp modeling may be applied to a guitar signal that was recorded "clean", in order to achieve the sound of an amplifier being used. This process has the advantage of being dynamic - the amplifier settings can be adjusted without forcing the musician to re-record the piece.
Standalone modeling devices such as the Line 6 POD
digitize the input signal and use a DSP
, a dedicated microprocessor, to process the signal with digital computation, attempting to achieve the sound of expensive professional amplifiers in a much less costly and more compact device. These modelers can be connected directly to a recording device or PA system without having to use a power section, speaker cabinet and microphone, however, there is an ongoing debate over the question of how accurately a modeler can recreate the sound of a real amplifier. Most modelers generally also include a variety of effects apart from the amp emulations and some can be connected via USB for computer based recording.
Modeling amps such as the Peavey Vypyr, Roland Cube and Line 6's Spider series are amplifiers that include a built-in modeling device. Some high-end modeling amps combine the digital modeling process with an actual vacuum tube power section.
Analog modeling systems also exist, such as Tech 21
's SansAmp line of products.
Amplifier
Generally, an amplifier or simply amp, is a device for increasing the power of a signal.In popular use, the term usually describes an electronic amplifier, in which the input "signal" is usually a voltage or a current. In audio applications, amplifiers drive the loudspeakers used in PA systems to...
such as a guitar amplifier
Guitar amplifier
A guitar amplifier is an electronic amplifier designed to make the signal of an electric or acoustic guitar louder so that it will produce sound through a loudspeaker...
. Amp modeling may appear as software, such as plugins for DAWs (Digital Audio Workstation
Digital audio workstation
A digital audio workstation is an electronic system designed solely or primarily for recording, editing and playing back digital audio. DAWs were originally tape-less, microprocessor-based systems such as the Synclavier and Fairlight CMI...
) which may be aided by computer hardware accelerators, or may be part of a standalone device or amplifier. Amp modeling often seeks to recreate the sound of one or more specific models of vacuum tube amplifiers.
As part of a digital audio workstation, amp modeling may be applied to a guitar signal that was recorded "clean", in order to achieve the sound of an amplifier being used. This process has the advantage of being dynamic - the amplifier settings can be adjusted without forcing the musician to re-record the piece.
Pod (amp modeler)
Pod is a series of digital guitar amplifier modelers from Line 6. Pods are designed to digitally simulate amplifiers. Most Pods also include cabinet models, and all Pods include effects models. All Pod variants include headphone ports and recording ports, and can be used to feed a signal into an...
digitize the input signal and use a DSP
Digital signal processor
A digital signal processor is a specialized microprocessor with an architecture optimized for the fast operational needs of digital signal processing.-Typical characteristics:...
, a dedicated microprocessor, to process the signal with digital computation, attempting to achieve the sound of expensive professional amplifiers in a much less costly and more compact device. These modelers can be connected directly to a recording device or PA system without having to use a power section, speaker cabinet and microphone, however, there is an ongoing debate over the question of how accurately a modeler can recreate the sound of a real amplifier. Most modelers generally also include a variety of effects apart from the amp emulations and some can be connected via USB for computer based recording.
Modeling amps such as the Peavey Vypyr, Roland Cube and Line 6's Spider series are amplifiers that include a built-in modeling device. Some high-end modeling amps combine the digital modeling process with an actual vacuum tube power section.
Analog modeling systems also exist, such as Tech 21
Tech 21
Tech 21 is a New York based manufacturer of guitar and bass effect pedals, amps, and DI boxes which allow the user to emulate the tone of many popular guitar amps and record those sounds directly into a mixer....
's SansAmp line of products.
See also
- Fractal Audio Axe-FXFractal Audio Axe-FXFractal Audio Axe-Fx is an all in one electric guitar preamplifier/effects processor made by Fractal Audio Systems LLC., in Plaistow, New Hampshire. The processor is a two-space rack unit. The first version, called simply Axe-Fx, was introduced in 2006. Axe-Fx Ultra was introduced in 2008...
- a rackmount unit which combines amplifier modeling with speaker cabinet simulation and effects processing. - Roland CUBERoland CUBERoland CUBE is a series of guitar and bass amplifiers manufactured and distributed by the Roland Corporation. The CUBE series use amplifier modeling technology.-Mobile CUBE:...
- a series of modeling amplifiers. - Line 6 PODPod (amp modeler)Pod is a series of digital guitar amplifier modelers from Line 6. Pods are designed to digitally simulate amplifiers. Most Pods also include cabinet models, and all Pods include effects models. All Pod variants include headphone ports and recording ports, and can be used to feed a signal into an...
- a series of standalone modeling computers, some designed for digital recording and others for live performance - GaragebandGarageBandGarageBand is a software application for Mac OS X and iOS that allows users to create music or podcasts. It is developed by Apple Inc. as a part of the iLife software package on Mac OS X.-Audio recording:...
- a DAW that has an amp modeler built-in - Logic ProLogic ProLogic Pro is a hybrid 32 / 64 bit digital audio workstation and MIDI sequencer software application for the Mac OS X platform. Originally created by German software developer Emagic, Logic Pro became an Apple product when Apple bought Emagic in 2002...
a DAW that has an amp modeler plugin - AmpliTube - modeling software