"High End" solid state/amp modelling/valve amp style emulation.

Arktik83

So I'm probably looking for something that cannot be done but I was wondering if there's any suggestions on an amp that I could use at home that could emulate a valve amp without blowing the house up.

I would like to hook it up to my PC and be able to record too, I've got a THR at the moment but as the speakers are quite small and "focused" I would like something that has a bit more of a bigger/fuller sound.

I love valve amps and I love the dynamics that they give but I live in a place where if someone starts shouting/a baby crying you could hear it.  The neighbours are pretty good and they don't bang on the walls etc but I don't want to piss them off by trying to drive a valve amp at a decent volume and the low watters just feel a bit naff at very low volume.  

So I would like something that's versatile that has the option to record and can get some decent "amped" tones but isn't very loud.

Am I looking for the moon a stick?  

Apologies in advance because I know this post is a little bit waffley and not very specific.

Cheers!

bazxkr

Have you looked at the Laney IRT15 studio ? Pretty good sound and ability to hop down to 1w plus the studio recording covered.

The demos I've looked at on these are pretty impressive..of course you would need a small 1x12 cab too

bazxkr

Alt I have the Blackstar ID30 as my main user at home...I'm really stonked with it... master volume plus delay, reverb etc & headphones & MP3 input to play along with. Hooks up to PC too but I've not experimented with that yet.

Great sound at low volumes.

ecc83

Not the moon but maybe a quite large asteroid!

There is a wide spectrum of opinion about getting THE best guitar sound, both "in the room" and "in the can".

The purist will say you need a 4x12 fed from an all valve 100 watter running at 120dB SPL, At the other end of the spectrum you will be told to just plug the guitar into a 75quid AI and use some free sound mangling software!

But I shall commit a shameless spam and say "ID 15 or 30" or even an ID Core!

Dave.

ICBM

The Blackstar IDs are very good. Personally I would go for the ID60 even if you don't remotely need that much power, I think it's just a better-spec'ed and better-sounding amp than the 15 or 30.

bazxkr

Think Johnny @hertz32 or his Gf picked up a id60 and adored it and can prob give heads up on the recording  aspects

bazxkr

An idea of budget might be useful too to narrow the possibilities

Nomad

A Zoom G3 and a keyboard amp?

Hertz32

I actually own the Laney IRT Studio and barry's right. My GF does have the ID:TVP 60. Both are very, very good although I'd take the Laney out of preference. The option to reamp is invaluable, as is the DI out function. Only thing I will say is that it's 2 channels really. Not 3, as the Clean and Rhythm share tone controls etc. And if you set it up for a killer clean, it tends to sound naff as a dirty rhythm.

The Laney plays real nice, but the 4 channels of the B* are fantastic to have, as is the fact that you can emulate 6L6 tubes which I love, rather than being stuck with EL84's in the laney. If you are in no rush, I'll see if I can get more familiar with her B* and give a more full report you'd have to play both though and see which suits.

Fwiw, the Laney records in >1W by default and you cant change that.

p90fool

Just turn the valve amp down?
I think too much is made of "driving the power section", most of us are not in Deep Purple.

Cabicular

Software emulation is pretty good these days
Amplitude and a decent set of studio monitors for your PC will give you all sorts of options

Arktik83

Cheers fellas!

Budget?  I have about 10p at the moment haha, just getting a few ideas really!  I have a Core: ID 10 but the ambient hissing that comes out of it I find a bit of a distraction!  Though the crunch models sound rather nice so I'll have a little tool around on that before I scrap enough bunce together to see if I can get one of the TVP models.

@Hertz32

If you don't mind having a little dabble on your GF's B* and give me your thoughts that would be very much appreciated!

Ta!

ToneControl

Amplitube is the best value option

ThePrettyDamned

Lepou has some amazing models for free, if you already have some cab emulation.

Lepou 456 is epic.

Fretwired

Blackstar HT5 ... I recently dug mine out and am enjoying playing again. The emulated out allows you to plug it into your computer to record - it sounds pretty good and an FX loop allows you to connect your pedals. There's also an HT1.

crunchman

Depends whether you want a more conventional amp or whether you want to go for a software/hardware modeller.  I don't know much about the amps so I'll defer to others on that.  For the modellers the key is to get a half decent set of studio monitors as @cabicular said.

If you want to record then decent studio monitors would be a good investment anyway.  I'm a bit spoiled with my equipment, but I would say from personal experience that Kemper through studio monitors > Lazy J at the kind of volumes I can get away with most of the time at home.