Software or physical Amplifiers: Which is easier and more convenient to use? @BaenaCarcosa fights Plug-ins' corner while I defend Valve Amplifiers. Blackstar St. James Software: blackstarplugins.com/dp/st-james-plugin/ Blackstar St. James 6L6 Amp: thmn.to/thoprod/543952?offid=1&affid=367 Ibanez RGRTBB21-BKF: thmn.to/thoprod/568644?offid=1&affid=367 PJD Guitars St. John: www.pjdguitars.com/product-page/st-john-standard-3tsb This video contains paid promotion from Blackstar, PJD Guitars, Ibanez and other brands sponsoring 42 Gear Street. More details on how CSGuitars implements product promotion - www.csguitars.co.uk/disclosure #42gsfive #blackstar #stjames More from CSGuitars: Support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/csguitars Join CSGuitars Discord - discord.gg/csguitars Buy CSGuitars Merchandise - www.csguitars.co.uk/store Website - www.csguitars.co.uk Contact - colin@csguitars.co.uk ____________________________________________________________________ *Description contains affiliate links. Purchasing using one of these links will generate a small commission for CSGuitars at no additional cost to you.*

I think another cool thing to do would’ve been for Colin to dial in a tone on the computer while Andrew dials in a tone on the real amp side

Two men with different opinions sit down and have a civil conversation about it! Why is this so refreshing

Hurray, Colin is back!

It would've been cool to hear both of them plug in and play through both setups.

🤝 a gentlemently debate

Welcome back, Colin!

Glad to see you are making videos again, welcome back!!

This is the funniest vid I've seen in ages!!! the 'Cameo' appearance had me in stitches :-) keep up the great work!

Welcome back Colin! Good to have you, hope all's well in your life.

You're the man Colin! Glad to have you back on your feet!

Good to see you back Colin.

Colin! Good to have you back man. 🎸🔥🎸🔥🎸

Both have their place and uses, and I use both a fully analog tube amp rig, as well as various plug-ins. For writing/recording, practicing quietly, etc. I just use plug-ins. They sound great and are ridiculously easy to dial in. But for enjoying just the pure pleasure of playing the instrument, it’s a tube amp+real cab all day every day. I’ve been using digital for a long time, and spend probably 80-90% of my time using digital to be honest. But there is absolutely nothing like cranking a very good tube amp through a very good cab, and just feeling the amp breathe and come alive.

YOU'RE BACK!!! I'm so happy you have returned, hole all is well!

Good to hear from you aga my man, hope you and yours are keeping well 👍🏼

2 videos in a week! Hope this means you’re back Colin and things have improved! 😊

Welcome fucking back Colin! Hope you are well!

I relate with Andrew here, as I find plugins sooooooo easy to work with. At the same time, I am now really thinking about getting an amp with an internal load (still deciding between the Blackstar St James 6l6 because of the plugin and the Revv G20), so that I can just use it to get sounds and record as I do not gig. And it is funny, because the St James plugin got me pretty interested in the real amp because the plugin is really easy to dial in and get sounds. And the thing about a real amp is that (whenever I get a cab) you are not tied to your computer all day. Specially if you're an office worker like myself 😅

Hell yeah, Colin's back!!!

Thanks for sharing.

Welcome back Colin, we missed ya!

Next: How to dial in the color of your guitar for better tonal control! Keep it loud!

I have a tube amp (Hughes and Ketner Tubemiester 18), and a Strat. I got to the stage in my learning and playing where I got interested in pedals, but it's super expensive to explore and experiment unless you want to be "that guy" down at the guitar shop. So I recently got a pedal that does software emulation of other pedals amps and cabinets. It's really cool since I only paid 200 bucks for it and I can experiment and tweak to my hearts content. I still run it through my physical amp and a few physical pedals like my tuner, volume pedal and loopers. So I feel like I have the best of both worlds here.

I personally feel that both have such a valid place. There's something very romantic about a totally physical signal chain, the fact that every component in that chain is imparting something on to the signal. I also feel that recorded physical amps have a high end sizzle that software and modellers get 85% of the way there with, but not 100%. Having said all that, I'm actually a Quad Cortex user primarily. The benefits of having so many amp models at my fingertips, combined with the flexibility and stability of the whole system is just a win win for me. Modellers these days sound so good compared to 10 years ago, that I'm more than happy to continue using them at this point. 'Real' amps, to me, at this point are a special case scenario that I just couldn't afford to delve into again (used to have a Marshall JVM410).

Andrew jokes about "tactile feedback" but I'd reckon he's holding a guitar in his hands instead of programming one in software is due to the tactile feedback. There are plenty of guitar software rigs available and you can program guitar chords and solos pretty effectively in some of them. However, when you're trying to express your art, you use different tools to accomplish that expression. Tactile feedback on a guitar helps some of us express emotion through our hands and we find it easier to express our emotion in that way. Same with real vs digital amps, or with some folks spending thousands on a guitar when a $200 would ultimately accomplish getting the sound on a record. It is more about how the player feels with the equipment they're using. Colin mentioned this briefly, but he enjoys the setup process. That can spark creativity and emotion. A person may pick up a very expensive guitar and how it feels in their hands or even how they revere it may spark creativity and emotion, which helps them play differently. Could the person listening hear a difference in tone between the $200 and $3000 guitars? Probably not, but I'd be willing to bet the person would hear a difference in character in some instances. You may notice less "emotion" in their bends or how they hold notes because they're just not that into it with one guitar over the other. Same goes for someone that liked the idea of handling the $200 guitar. The potential workarounds and fights you may have with that guitar can spark emotion and creativity too. There is no right or wrong answer here. It's about what gets you the creativity and emotion behind what you want to express in music. Tactile feedback is absolutely a part of that process and if you're holding a guitar and playing it as a form of expression, you're doing it - at least in part - due to tactile feedback. Otherwise, you'd be clicking through some software - which is perfectly fine too if that helps you express yourself.

I like both tbh. I have a hybrid setup where I can record both but the distortion on a tube amp sounds more analog and less digital. The plugins are neat because they're compact but not as tactile/hands on.

I love modeling, profiling, capturing, etc, etc. but there is just something else going on with a real amp that cannot be reproduced digitally.

I’ve never had much success with plug-ins for guitar, but I liked the St James one a lot, best sounding.

I love my Marshall ATV50 and pedalboard. However, I discovered Bias FX2 a year ago and have been slowly using it more than the real amp. The sheer availability of tones, presets, effects, etc makes it really appealing. Also, being able to get great tones and use good quality monitor headphones is great after years of damaging my ears with a loud amp.

I use both plugins and tube amps, I’d say I use them 50/50. If I’m just jamming in the room, I use real amps 90% of the time. For recording, I almost always end up using plugins just for the convenience.

One thing I experienced is I’ve never laid eyes on a plugin and fell in love

Amp Sims ftw! I started with a Marshall 100W Stack... JCM2000DSL. I would have preferred a JCM800 at the time but I got a great price for the 2000. I tell a lie, I started with a little 20/30W marshall practice amp. But I mean... my first proper amp for gigging. Then I moved to Laney briefly, and then Hiwatt. I sold all my amps a few years ago because I stopped using them since amp modelling as come on so far since the old days. It really doesn't take longer to use them when you have templates saved ;). I plug in one cable, and crank my speakers as my DAW loads which takes mere moments. Boom! Good to go. hahaha. But to each their own of course. Whatever works for you. However, I wouldn't go back to real amps even for live performance.

For the kind of music Andrew plays, real amps are more hassle than anything. I've got a 6505 that I never use. Even with it running a dummy load and cab IRs so it doesn't get me evicted, it struggles to handle my 8 string (and sometimes even my 7 when I tune it down). It's so much easier to just plug into my interface, load up my DAW, and then use one of my Neural DSP presets or make a new one.

My problem is matching. I discovered Rhett video on his channel about compensating for levels to get the amp simulator closer to a real amp. Since I’m still new at this I want the amp simulator to sound like a real amp (I didn’t say “sound exactly”because everything can be off a little because of environment) so if I have to play with a real amp, I want it to sound like what I record closely. It’s so easy to create unique sounds in sims only to run into trouble with recreating it in real amps and you can’t always carry a laptop with you or use it every time if no power and no option to connect on stage just like amps have limitations like power outage, volume etc. sometime the laptop or iPad gives you issues and it not as simple to fix mid show.

Conclusion: use both, depending on how your mood strikes you! 😁 I have a live rig with physical amp & pedals, but I mostly use software when I'm at home. I guess I'm a lucky one that embraces both (now that modeling has come so far!)

I find it fine if a band has some multi amp/effects pedal or something like the Kemper or Axe FX live, but I always find it a little more pleasing to my eyes when a band actually has an amp or amps on stage. Sometimes I use Bias FX 2 and sometimes I use a real amp. I chose to get Bias FX 2 after comparing the sounds of other guitar plug-ins from videos. I find it amazing how with some newer plug-ins you can get tones that are so close to the sound of a real amp because I remember not really recording Amplitube or Guitar Rig which didn't have very good distortion sounds back in the day.

I had a Valve state combo for 8 years. It spent 4 years in a closet because I mostly played Bias FX2 with a MIDI controller. 😀I, too, am blessed by not giving a shit about gear. 😀

As an owner of Boss Katana I exist somewhere in a middle. Physical 100 watt amplifier & cabinet w/ 12'' guitar speaker but with capabilities of dialing any sound through tone studio cause it's digital

I'm a live player and as long as I can lift them, I'll keep using the amps and cabs, I've got modellers but find it faster to dial in the amp to the venue.

I use an hybrid setup: amp + torpedo captor and it's perfect

I used amo and cab sims for years. I now have my first real amp for a while. Playing the real deal was like a "ahhhh.... ohhhhh... wtf..." moment. I will never play plugins anymore. Maby compression and eq when recording, but a real amp is a different thing. An amp or cab sim always sounds like a recording. This is not a problem when you are recording, but you will nit have the "in room sound" of a real amp and speaker. It is a different thing to hear an instrument live on a concert or on a cd as recording. Same with amp and cab sims.

Is there a guitar that doesn't look totally badass on Baena? Like give the man a Hello Kitty guitar and he'll make it seem epic!

I use virtual amps for practicing but for recording and live definitely a real tube amp!

Amps are always "cool" but they cost a shirt or two. Then the VST can compete great with them for lot cheaper, and no weight, or noise in the home. Also, a wall of tops and cabs, would be prohibitively expensive, while some VST's wouldn't cost you much at all. It is better to spend the time learning to play or mastering the guitar, and then one day, decide if you want/need the amps. Many players spend too much time in hardware, while their playing lacks!... which is just dumb.

I just can't be arsed with dialing in a sound on a plug-in and then listening on monitors or headphones - I want the sound of an amp in the room, its just a more enjoyable playing experience. Also, the amount of options you get with plug-ins - you just end up fucking with them for ever and never actually settling on anything. Just get a sound and make it work.

Wooo and you are back in business. Ohhhh baby!

That bold guy is soooo anoying...

honestly guitar gear is reallly similar to how hi-fi audio is now, like sure you dont need to spend a whole lot of money for a decent sound that most people would consider good, digital or not. but part of the allure of using real physical analog gear is the uniqueness of the experience using it and for me its just reassuring knowing that the sound coming out is being made in real time and is actually real, not just a computer simulation even if its good sounding, and analog is waaaaaaay easier to repair over time, amp sims running thru a computer or even the axefx/kemper is just not as reliable or repairable, yes tube amps are expensive but if you buy a good one itll last you a life time!

As a previous owner of amps/pedals and now all digital: Colin's sounded BETTER!

Im going to have to agree with Baena here

Get that man a guitar strap!

I didn’t know you rebranded Collin! I almost unsubbed cause I was like who tf is science of loud, then I remembered you always said that haha!

Awesome idea, not so awesome on the execution. I love the conversation, and hearing friendly, informed discussion on pros and cons of two preferences. But the promised "Plug-in VS Real Amplifier" comparison immediately breaks down before the first chug. The simulated equipment and the physical should match as closely as possible, at least to begin. Also, it wouldn't hurt the timing to already have the amps dialed in before the video begins, and then change them up for different tones.

it does seem weird not liking/understanding a plug in, when the interface is so closely just aping/if not just straight recreating the interface of a real amp/setup.

That guy dialed in one of the worst tones I've ever heard.

Privileged to have a valve amplifier? I'm from a generation where you had to choose wisely because you only got one shot. I've had the same valve head for almost 20 years now. The vast amount of choice readily available would have been a luxury to me. I find it interesting now things have changed since I bought my 1st and only valve amp. In hindsight I would have bought a 6505 🤷🏻‍♂️

Sorry guys but the whole video I was looking at that gorgeous Ibanez.

Lol no shit real amps dont matter when you play that type of modern metal, its always these type of players who make those claims.

I'm at about 9 and half minutes in and I already can't deal with the plugin. Hell, left to my own devices I've gotta be having a pretty good day to want to deal with an amp that has more than 4 knobs.

I am really unsettled by this video: normally, this conversation results in one hysterically weeping guitarist and the other dead with an axe sticking out the chest cavity. The right answer is that it's conditional; depending on if your parents are home when you crank up the full cab at 0300 or if you really have to carry the full rig up 7 flights of stairs to your apartment from the basement storage. I know what I'd want.

13:48 yeah i cannot tolerate this guy anymore, it's called having a passion

oooo at least tune your guitars!

They both seem entirely effective at hiding the sound of strings and wood.

best video ever

6:29 ALL THE GAIN! Had to do it 🤣 So glad to see you back Colin! Hope all is well for you dude. We missed you! 🤘🏻😈🤘🏻

Welcome back from Bathgate!

I'm on team Colin with this one. He uses a plugin like "everyone gets a trophy", the extreme gating , tuning, amounts of gain ETC...Why bother playing a timbred / dynamic instrument just to remove those factors 🤦‍♂🤣🤘

Nothing beats valve amps.🙏👍👍👍⚘❤🎸❤🎸❤🎸🎸❤🎸

Wow, this wasn't what I was expecting (a side-by-side comparison with the amp and the plugin) but it's possibly even more helpful: a take-home message of "use whichever works best for you." If one method - whether it's plugins or physical amps - is more intuitive and convenient for you than the other one, and you get the result sounds good, that's the right choice. FWIW, I probably fall on Colin's side of the argument, but that's because the software just wasn't all that great back when I got my first guitar. Maybe if I was starting out now, I'd prefer to learn how to tweak the software instead of playing around with an amp in the room? Great discussion lads. It's great to see new stuff on this channel again!

Welcome back Colin. Give me an amp and speaker every time. Although I use a Vox Tonelab SE set to an AC30 TB, no extra effects. I did buy a U-Phoria UMC202HD for my PC with came with software plugins, I couldn't get them to work, uninstalled them in the end.

Would love to hear you review the Fishman Fluence pickups one of these days Colin.

Plugins >>>>>>>

Just my opinion..... music starts and pretty much finishes on stage, not in the studio. The studio recording is the poor cousin to the live performance. However, bringing that live feel into the studio is an art in itself.... I haven't heard much of that since pooptools came along. I have yet to get a sound that sounds live from plugins... I seem to need at least one 12 inch speaker to get that live sound. Even with an analog amplifier modeling circuit going into a class D amp.... the speaker matters (that was the first thing I noticed in this demo). Add to that, I have access to so many plugins that I tend to spend more time messing with plugins than playing guitar and most of the sound is in the fingers anyway. It is ok to have a sound you can't repeat or change later, that is where historic performances come from. Part of how a guitarist plays is what they hear, any change to the sound after adds disconnect from the performance to the sound in a recording.

This video is great! BUUUUUUUUT Standing in front of the Amp and the god awful "live REAL" hum.. no thanks. VSTS all the way. I even play live with my VST's now. The cost and the freedom to do whatever i want to get my "tone" with a VST is far more modern superior than the old grandpas 80s 90s way. Work smarter NOT harder.... and spend less of your hard earned money.

I understand where people like Baena comes from but it's his attitude that makes djent sonically the metal equivalent of McDonald's. Everything sounds decent with minimal effort but it sounds THE SAME as literally everyone else playing that, and while it sounds decent it rarely sounds *excellent*. And considering """modern metal""" is already the most "no thinking or songwriting required" subgenre so maybe a bit more effort into the setup would make them put more thought into their music. As for the "no one will notice" is that it's a circular argument because everyone in the djent scene is just used to this scenario so no shit they won't hear it. But everyone else with ears will sure notice. Listen to someone like Bill Steer of Carcass's tone or the Gojira guys and it's night and day compared to this cookie cutter plug-in sound. And INSTANTLY Colin's setup sounds infinitely more alive and vibrant than Baena's. I have a pretty big axe to grind against guitar tubers in general, Baena in particular for being the most "djent by numbers" example, and """modern metal""" by extension. But I just can't stand that tone or attitude.

Real amps are king

Please tune you´re guitar 🤣😆

I love how this video takes forever to stop being dumb af lolz

KZfaq guitarist are really starting to become cringe worthy…

Let's look at from a professionals point of view: you make $0 from this hobby, so why the fuck would you dump all this money into a hobby that you don't make any money on!?! I've been using free guitar plug-ins for over a decade, and it has never deminish my enjoyment of noodling. All this gear envy just drives the market, and all it does is absolutely nothing to propagate necessary and proper knowledge to make better guitarists of tomorrow. Focus on knowledge, not gear envy. More crap will never make you a better musician/artist.

Plugins have no chance against real amps. It''s not even close. If u can''t tell the difference it means u ears developed not enough.