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> Do you really need tubes for guitar distortion? Technically no. But most professional guitarists still swear by tube driven amps. Solid state is getting bett
by TheCleric 3y ago
> Do you really need tubes for guitar distortion?
Technically no. But most professional guitarists still swear by tube driven amps. Solid state is getting better every day, but I think we're still a long way out before most guitar players give up their tube amps.
I am perfectly happy with my Line6 Helix, but a few friends still turn their noses up at it.
- kazinator 3y agoSolid state per se isn't getting better¹. Software simulation of tubes ("software state"?) is getting better, or has been (it may have plateaued). Tubes are still the reference model. All the DSP cores in a modern amp are just a cover band playing tube tones. --- 1. I mean other than digital solid-state getting more highly integrated and faster, to run more complex software. The necessary analog audio paths in a DSP system aren't getting better.
- TheCleric 3y agoYeah, the transistors themselves aren’t changing. Just how many and how well we can throw them at the simulation. It’s more “tube virtualization” is getting better every day.