Re: Guitar Amp Modelers
Not to drive too far down the road of speculation, guitar amps are part of a combined musical instrument. Unlike PA or Hifi speakers, guitar amps and guitar speakers do not even attempt to reproduce a flat signal, or even within a narrow defined propagation pattern.
Sampling by definition occurs in less dimensions than sound propagates from an actual amp so will never capture the full impact of amplifier XYZ.
That said, live performance involves many compromises. You do not need to sound like an XYZ amp on stage, you only need to sound like an XYZ amp through the PA. This is a much lower hurdle to clear.
I have heard inexpensive tube amp mimics that fooled most of the people most of the time (at a NAMM show). The mystery of tube overload has been decoded so I expect there are decent modeling plug-ins. Probably not as satisfying when noodling in the living room, but good enough to fool the meat in the seats.
JR
