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There's no question that DSP (digital signal processing) aka 'modelling' amps and MFX units have come on in leaps and bounds & they'll continue to do so. The cost of processing power has fallen considerably. However, the problem is not so much the modelling quality but the fact that current main-stream modelling amps (Vox Valvetronix, Fender Mustang, Peavey Vyper, Blackstar ID etc) are made to a very tight budget and often its the compromise on quality of components and the amp cab and speakers that typically let the underlying modelling down.
However there's arguably little point in making modelling gear with top components, cabs & speakers because such gear is akin to computers i.e. very quickly superseded by the next version, with low residual values.
Quite some years back one manufacturer did make a top-quality modelling amp with first class components and quality speakers. These are very rare to find second-hand because they are so good users just keep them. I've played one myself and its awesome - simply the best pure DSP amp I've ever heard - the amp is the Hughes & Kettner Zentera (with Z-Board floor controller). Made from 1999 -2005 these amps had 2x Sharc 32-bit floating point DSP chips that were incredibly expensive at that time. Speakers were Celestion Vintage 30's and the cabs were birch-ply not mdf. Prices for the 2x12 120w Zentera were originally well over £2,000 and that was 15 years ago!
Only now has the cost of processing come way down, e.g. the Blackstar ID's now use a single Sharc 32 point chip. The Kemper should probably be classed a little differently as its an amp profiler rather than a guitar amp in the conventional sense. But I'm sure it won't be long before Kemper prices start to reduce considerably or someone else clones it.
For dedicated tube purists there's still a way to go before they really can't hear or feel the difference - especially in a live gigging situation. But it will happen. The biggest problem with valve amps is their weight and the maintenance costs, and even now some players who have used tube rigs all their lives are turning to modelling replacement rigs because the tone/feel is now 'good enough' where the weight and maintenance costs of valve rigs is no longer viable for them.
Perhaps the best current mainstream* solution for many people is to use both - for example a MFX modelling unit (eg Zoom G5, Vox Tonelab, Line 6 HD 500, Boss GT100 etc) with their valve amps for the best of both worlds i.e. underlying valve tone but with modelling tonal flexibility (* expensive stuff like AxFx and Kemper aside as that's out of the reach currently for buyers in the mass market).
Here's a dedicated Guitar Amp modelling forum, the free amps sim section is worth a browse.
http://www.guitarampmodeling.com/
There really is a reason why the Axe FX and Kemper are so talked about when it comes to modelling - they're the best. Full stop. VST's don't even come close, because they're either made to a CPU or monetary budget, or they're made by bedroom hobbyists who have just learnt their first waveshaper algorithm.
Some interesting ideas here .. like the mix of guitar and bass guitar ...
Remember, it's easier to criticise than create!
Read this - http://wiki.fractalaudio.com/axefx2/images/0/04/7_Modifiers_&_Controllers.pdf
We don't know, but maybe a programmer that is freely sharing their work for the community to use/evaluate will gain enough knowledge and expertise to be one of the outstanding music software programmers of the future.
got to violently agree with this....
Im one those guys that still likes physical tactile objects...and although a digital solution might still get the sound and feel it will never be a real amp in my eyes.
But this is from someone who refuses to read on a kindle...and i still love using fountain pens on a daily basis.
For example .. http://www.musicradar.com/reviews/guitars/ik-multimedia-stompio-147643
Remember, it's easier to criticise than create!
In fact I have the possibly controversial opinion that Pod Farm might have contributed to cocking up my technique at one point. The dynamic range just isn't realistic on it, which is part of the tone (and why the tones sometimes sound quite good recorded for high gain). But yeah when I spent a fair amount of time not playing in bands all I used was Pod Farm at home. When I got back into bands again I bought a Blackstar HT60 and even the dynamics on that were miles better than Pod Farm and playing loud was totally alien to me, my control of dynamics was rubbish. When I got the S1, and then the Roadster I really came to realise how unrealistic Pod Farm was, but I could separate it out for what it is - a good and reasonably priced recording tool. I definitely learned a lot about what kinds of tones and FX I like by using Pod Farm and don't regret it - I just wished I'd bought valve amps sooner. Prior to the HT60 I used a Flextone 2 XL for a long time, and the feel/dynamics on those don't compare to valve amps either...
@drew_fx the band i remember most using it (can't remember the name, but they were supporting rise to remain) sounded okay, but worse than the other acts. If it was the only band, I'd have been happy but when the real amps came out, there was an improvement in the sound.
Remember, it's easier to criticise than create!