Which Modeler Would I Buy in 2024? Quad Cortex, Tone Master Pro, HX Stomp, or Fractal? 

I've been using the IR-2 for about a month now, and out of everything I've tried, it's by far my favourite. No menu diving, just slap it on my board, turn it on, and it sounds great. I'm so burned out on modelers with hundreds of presets and effects. I like having my basic board that I can take anywhere and get a good sound.

If you want great tone, tons of amps and effects, 8 foot switches, easy programming and low latency, the Boss GX100. All for $600 or less.

As a Long time pod go user just got a boss GX100 and i am VERY happy with it. Great tones, 15 effects in the signal chain, dual amps, expeession pedal, plenty of I/Os and small form factor. Only £430.. a serious contender as an all in one

I chose to buy the Helix last month, mainly because Line6 has proven it is interested in keeping its gear updated. Even though I like the interactive element of the Tone Master Pro, Fender has a proven record of allowing its digital systems to die after a few years (i.e. Cyber Twin, G-Dec, etc.). Boss meanwhile has a reputation for providing updates only upon arrival of Halley's Comet-- and then only when it's arrival coincides with a third blue moon and at low tide. Could have waited for whatever Line6 has in mind to replace the Helix, but I really like the user support that already exists, and with inflation being what it is... might as well get the Helix while I can afford one ;) Happy New Year!

A Line 6 rep mentioned this week in a forum I follow that there is no Helix replacement coming in 2024, and they are still building the software side of things, and working on other things. They just don't think that releasing a new product at this point would set a new standard in the class, which is what they want to do on the next version.

I went the QC route and think I made the correct decision. It really is a personal choice and not a one size fits all. I can always run 2 amps in stereo and have a lot more flexibility with footswitches, routing and power compared to an FM3. The FM9 wasn’t out at the time and is a lot bigger, that’s really the closest competitor.

John just want to thank you for your incredible video content over 2023. You are my number one go to for gear review, especially in the modeling world. Also thanks for all of your playing tips they are always very helpful.

For value and tone, S-Gear is a really great plugin. Version 3.2 has compressor, wah, distortion multiple amp models. chorus, flanger, delay, reverb and great cab IRs. The S-Gear tones are really inspiring.

Scuffham S-Gear 2 is what I have been using for a few years now. It's a great plug-in! The effects sound amazingly good.

I bought a Boss GX-100 and other than a problem with the pitch shifter, it's a winner. Tons of effects, expression pedal, IR support, touch screen LCD and not as expensive as the high-end units.

Indeed, if I were looking to dip my toe into modelling right now and already had some pedals I think the IR2 is the only choice to go with. It's about half the price of a Tonex and or one of the UA pedals and fits more neatly onto a board. Of course that's not the only way one might come into the world of modelling. When I returned after many years of not playing much guitar my pedals had gone on extended loans along with my amps. I ended up going for a Helix LT and then HX Stomp since I'd previously enjoyed the original POD and since I also do a lot of recording liked the idea that I could use Helix Native and get the same results. As for using a plugin to use regularly I think the main issue is you need to turn on a computer and then launch some software which takes longer than just plugging into a box which can easily be moved from room to room.

IR-2 + Strymon Volante all the way. Plugins when recording for more effects. IMO Boss has phenomenal feel and sound from the amp simulations, so much that my FM3 hasn't been used for months.

I think you're spot on with that advice. The HX Stomp remains an unbelievable value, powerful, and versatile.

I finally bought an HX stomp and honestly I'm absolutely in love with it, i dialed in one Friedman BE-100 model with a clean and dirty channel and i haven't moved off that preset since i set it on my desk lol.

This video really spoke to me, thank you very much. I have bought and sold the HX Stomp twice and absolutely love the device. I think once you understand how to operate the Helix stuff it can be very rewarding. I agree with your point about plugins and since I am not gigging built a decently powerful pc last year which can run a variety of plugins in my daw. It is very fun - mostly use helix native and the neural software.

99% of the time I’m using a proper amp live and realised I’m mainly using amp modellers as a multi effects unit. Could you do a video focussed on multi effects units and how to integrate them into a typical ‘real’ amp rig?

Helix LT here. Love all the constant updates of amps and effects. Great customer service.. Customer for life.

I currently own the Quad Cortex, FM9 Turbo, Axe-Fx III Turbo, and Helix, and after spending considerable time with each, I've come to appreciate the unique strengths they all bring to the table. However, when it comes to overall performance, especially in a live setting, the Fractal products consistently stand out. The FM9 Turbo and Axe-Fx III Turbo offer unparalleled depth in tone shaping, effects quality, and overall versatility. They excel in every genre I play, from jazz to hard rock, and they feel incredibly responsive under my fingers. The Helix, on the other hand, is a fantastic unit for its user-friendly interface and solid tones, making it a great option for those who want a more straightforward setup. As much as I wanted the Quad Cortex to be my go-to unit, I find myself disappointed when using it in live gigs. Despite its powerful features and potential, it just doesn't deliver the same level of confidence and satisfaction that I get from my Fractal gear. The tones, while impressive, often feel a bit underwhelming compared to what the FM9 Turbo and Axe-Fx III Turbo can produce. There's a noticeable gap in how they cut through the mix and how they respond in real-time performance situations.

I maintain the hx stomp XL is still the best bang for buck and form factor.

I go for Tonex. Just compared it to Kemper Player with a friend. Tonex had better feel and a more open and natural sound. Sorry - I´ve had HX stomp. It´s for the endless tweaking.

I bought the HX Stomp and love it so unlikely to buy anything else in 2024. My wife bought me the Boss WAZA air headphones a couple of years back. Either very generous of her or she’s sick of hearing me play? I use Helix Natve in my studio along with Tone X. Both seem good to me. I only do a couple of live gigs a year and have been using a Katana but might look at using the Stomp. Thanks for the videos. Best wishes for 2024.

I'll be interested to see what Line 6 is going to come out with for NAMM at the end of the month. I'd wait until then before I'd buy anything except for an Axe-Fx III, that is light years ahead of anything else.

Only UAFX Lion 68 feels like playing a real amp. I have owned Fractal FM9, QC, Kemper, Helix, ToneX and Ampero2. If the feel is not important for you, Ampero2 is the best buy.

Got my first moddler last month, a QC , I’m a hobbyist & I love it 😍

I have a Helix and an Axe FX 3 mk 2, both amazing units. Helix I usually drag with me to rehearsals because it's easier to carry. For gigs Axe FX 3, because the tones are just perfect every time 😊

Kemper stage every time, OK the hardware form factor may be s few years old, but the amp tones and effects are just far, far superior to anything else out there (obvs just my opinion), but having been down the Helix and Boss modeller rabbit holes.. the Kemper is pure joy !

I have an FM9 and also have been using Polychrome DSP exclusively for plugins. It's low latency and killer sounding tones is such a delight to work with. They also have a Discord and are always readily available to help with answers and suggestions. Since its release it has had several new updates/upgrades and have been free to download. Pure Fire!

I tried using plug-ins but never was able to get rid of the delay to a point where I felt confortable. I considered fractal but it was really out of my price range. Went for a stop xl. I can play with no delay, and record the clean signal, to tweek the sound with helix native. Great videos and very inspiring playing. You helped with the purchase decision, and now come back for the playing.

The answer depends on your knowledge of modeling. Beginners should start with a Spark 40. From there, move up to a Pod Go, then an HX Stomp with additional expression pedal. After that, you’re free to choose either Helix or Fractal. Knowledge of modeling technique is more important than the brand, but there’s a LOT to learn. Any one of John’s Stomp presets, for example, involves about 50 different settings.

Apple seeds contain cyanide, as does John Cordy, however his is in a capsule behind a tooth in case he is ever caught behind enemy lines, or at the in-laws.

EVERYTHING sounds good today. I can use anything I want, and I use the BOSS GT1000... BTW, the least latency of all of them, if that's an issue:)

Kemper Stage user; the profiles I have are fantastic so no need to change at this moment

Keep an eye on the Chinese companies Mooer, Nux, Sonicake and more as their market is huge, I am going to make a trip to them as I live in Thailand so not so far. I have an Axe Fx III. I think start 23 was v 15 and its now v24 with new Fx, new amps, and dynamic micing added to what I originally bought. So once you have one if I had bought everything they have released it would have cost me more than I can afford. In 2023 I bought the Mooer Prime P1 and the Nux Mighty Air and already P2 is out, a walkman size does everything, load IRs, great for mobile. I do studio only. Mooer Prime P2 is about £150

My Zoom G3n and Multistomp MS-50G still gig like a dream! I got a Boss GX 100 last year and I don't plan to use anything else for as long as they work.

TONEX for me

If you have a great pedalboard already, I'd say a Tonex or IR-2 or the new Kemper makes sense. But if you don't, I think most should go with Fractal stuff due to their ongoing commitment and support. I can't say this for certain obviously-and people have been bitten by Fractal in the past when buying an Axe-FX II Mk2 and then four months later see an Axe-FX III come out-but I wonder if we've hit a 'reticle limit' and the only path forward now is going to be incremental rather than substantial. Line 6 modelling is so good that the only things I can see improving dramatically are hardware-based or within certain specific parameters. Same applies to Fractal. Maybe they'll surprise us on that, but it seems doubtful to me. So I think if the form factor of an FM3 suits your needs, there's no reason to wait. If they can bring gapless scenes and presents to the FM3 and FM9, I don't see what else a guitarist will need outside of a dedicated synth pedal.

Been a kemper owner for years now. The fact that they're still pushing out updates at this stage impresses me to no end. That and the versatility when it comes to output and signal routing, ease of use, effect and profile quality, number of profiles, etc. Means if I had to do it all over again I'd probably still make the same decision... though I have thought about picking up a QC to try out a dual amp stereo rig, which is like the one thing you can't really easily do with the kemper.

PolyChrome DSP McRocklin Suite is my main guitar plugin; I've owned it since it was released. Sounds amazing, easy to use workflow, etc. It's the reason I finally decided to build a computer rig dedicated to guitar. I've had a computer rig dedicated to keyboards for a few years now.

Just downsizing from a full helix to a stomp XL for rehearsals at least.

I love these kind of videos man, great job! I've had almost all the different devices but the TMP, started with the HX Stomp and sold it to upgrade to a QC as I was never really satisfied with the sounds I got out of it. After using the QC for a while I sold it due to being so used to a desktop editor from the Stomp but the QC Editor wasnt anywhere in sight back then and it was way too anoying to use the device without an editior. In terms of tones, I was really happy though. Then I've got the ToneX and it didnt last long as the tones really didnt cut it for me and the software was just a pain in the a**. After that, I decided to go the profiler router and got the Kemper Stage. The tones really did satisfy me, but I just ended up buying profile pack after profile pack and after hundreds of € spent, I decided that profiling is just not for me as I am always on the search for a better/different tone and a profiler is just not suitable for that so I sold it aswell. Finally, I decided to go Fractal and got the FM3 MK2 Turbo and I think I can finally put my device search to an end. The tones are absolutely superb and it has plenty of power. I never really liked the tones of dual amping in the HX Stomp and QC so I dont care for not having that feature as I wouldnt use it anyway. If I have the desire of creating a new tone, I can just pick one of the hundreds of amp models and create it myself instead of buying yet another tone pack. The tones are extremely authentic and you can build whatever tone you like if you know what tone you want. The community and forums of Fractal is also really amazing and helpful. Best gear investment ever.

Boss has something with the IR2. I like the idea of having a sepperate device for the FX side with switch controls along with sepperate controls for the amps. Im using a Spark Go for the FX and EQ and will be using my new IR-2 for the amp / cabs. I sold all my modelers and now going this direction.

Well John, I'm just and OLD man....... I don't understand all the modelers, computer plug-ins, etc. and don't have the time, money and ASPIRIN to figure them out. Your tutorials on tube amps and settings (especially Mesa-boogie markV/ 25) has opened up NEW avenues and hope for me. I recently purchased the amp and starting to have fun with it - it does things that just don't make sense with the controls.......THANKS - from the Old person on the back 9....... 🎸🎸

A new Axe FX seems due either this year or early next.

For me ToneX + HX Stomp is a perfect solution

Fractal FM 9 is the best bang for the buck, best support and firmware upgrades and best tones and effects. L6 is nice but I have had bad results with them as their dsp always chokes after a few firmware upgrades, this has never happened with a Fractal unit. Look for a used Ax FX III

Tonex is IMO a better option than anything mentioned in the title of this video. Edit - watched the full video now… I don’t get why you wouldn’t discuss the Tonex unless there’s an undisclosed relationship with the company issue. I used Helix for ages and think it’s great. ‘Better’ in terms of sound/feel is clearly subjective and personal. Objectively Tonex has some clear advantages for me. Firstly, it’s a lot quicker to dial in - you lose tweakability in patches vs Helix but the trade off is quite a bit of time saved. Secondly, it works better with the gear I already have - for example, it works with loads of power supplies as it draws around 300ma. Helix Stomp draws 900ma by comparison which is just more difficult to service. And I’m getting more use out of other effects pedals I already have. Thirdly, the bundled software is great for recording (obviously DSP is a consideration but if a limitation the hardware also works great for this purpose). Sure, you might have another preference but it absolutely belongs in this discussion & I don’t entirely get why you’d exclude it if your goal is to produce a helpful comparison. With that said, I thought this was otherwise a good run down & summary of the respective strengths - some stuff I’ve used lots, some I’ve not used. Thanks

Thoughts on the new Ampero Stomp II Stage and will you be acquiring one for review? $700 US seems a little steep and the rollout clumsy. Thanks for your honest reviews and entertaining with your fretboard prowess.

I'm still loving my captures on the Quad Cortex. I've got about 150 patches I've made with my captures and they are killer. It's super easy to edit as well. I also own a Kemper Stage that I still can't set up like I want. Confusing. I have an FM3. It sounds good but can't touch the Quad Cortex for power and programming ease and doesn't do captures. I sold my Helix but still have an HX Stomp. The editor is good and the amps sound pretty good. I'm not super thrilled with the delays or using the effects in Helix Native. They are not to precise IMO as far as setting timing and panning. They are ok but not nearly as good as stock plugins in Logic or Izotope. Quad Cortex wins hands down for me, whether gigging (especially gigging), where I can easily load IR's for acoustic, or bass, or for amps and fx, or for recording or practicing. The next best thing I wouldn't want to have to gig with. I'd grab a Katana first.

I bought a quad cortex 3 weeks ago after years of playing the stomp. I gotta say. It’s like luxury compared to the hx stomp. Not saying the stomp is bad because that unit was my best friend for years. I’m saying that everything I want out of a unit I can get. In 15 minutes I had the perfect amp sound and was playing music with a capture of an amp Ive recorded for years sounded dead on first shot and haven’t looked back since. The cortex has been the most positive impact of my musical journey so far. I haven’t stopped writing since I got it setup.

To share my experience of this question FWIW, and maybe 2c, I got a toaster Kemper about six years ago and an Axe-fx III about two years ago. I still have both but I haven't plugged into the Kemper since I got the Fractal, it gathers dust in a corner. However, there are specific reasons for that which is why I'm sharing here, I'm also not commenting on Kemper vs other profiling products 'cos I don't know, I've never used them. 1. If you are a gigging or session musician with your own amps then a Kemper is a very useful tool since you can capture profiles of your own gear and have them all on tap whenever and wherever you need them. It's important to understand that you have to take multiple profiles of your amps at the various settings you use. This is because the gain and EQ controls on a Kemper profile do not behave any like the real amps do, the Kemper sounds best with all controls at noon, never touched. Changing the gain or EQ on a Kemper profile effectively butchers the tone. It may still sound good, but that will be through luck not judgement. Also there is a skill factor in capturing a good profile which you have to learn, it doesn't just happen perfectly automatically, which is why folks like Michael Britt can sell thousands of profiles to Kemper users. 2. If, on the other hand, you spend a lot of time exploring new tones and sounds at home or in one studio (for creating new music/songs etc) then the Fractal approach is vastly preferable IMHO. This is because you have a vast range of very good amps, IRs and effects. Each model behaves very similarly to the real amps when you dial in gain and EQ and they sound very authentic and very good. In a mix I would say they are indistinguishable from the real gear. This is why my Kemper remains unused now, I've been on a two year journey working on my own patches creating all sorts of tones for various projects and I still consider myself a beginner at it. But I've still had far more success with my Axe-fx than my Kemper and certainly learned far more more about guitar sound design than I ever did with the Kemper. Fractals have a vast headroom for finding and improving your own tones. With a Kemper you have to rely on finding exactly the sound your looking for from tens of thousands of options on the share site only a few of which are really any good which is very time consuming and frustrating and is why a lot of folks just buy new profiles from Michael Britt etc. This is IMHO the nub of it. My advice is if #1 is you, consider a profiler, if #2 then a modeller will probably suit you better. The Fractals are widely considered to have the best sounds available in a modeller device. I can't attest to that 'cos I've never used a Helix or a Quad but I can say they sound fantastic and if they're good enough for Robert Fripp and Metallica etc then they're good enough for me. But of course they are also the most expensive. I've certainly got better results from it than I got out of my Kemper. The Fractals cannot reasonably be programmed of tweaked in the unit's native interface, it's virtually impossible. However the Axe-edit software is excellent so this is not necessary unless you need to create or edit patches away from home without access to a laptop. If you do need to do that I understand both the Helix and the Quad have far better native interfaces that can reasonably be used on the fly. Lastly although there are VST amp models out there that sound very good they all suffer from the latency problem due to the fact that your guitar signal as to get from your audio interface into your DAW, get processed, and then get back out to your audio interface again before you can hear what you just played. This can be ameliorated to some extent when you know how but it cannot be eliminated and it a real nuisance. Having either a modeller or a profiler unit eliminates this latency issues at a stroke.

I’ve been using an FM3 for over a year now and I absolutely love it…But I’m about to sell it. I’m just an at home player but am moving back to valve amps and pedals. Will get a gt-1000 core to put on the board for some BOSS effects in my loop and well as full modeling for late night headphone playing.

pretty content with the tonex.

Friedman IR-X augmented with a few pedals has replaced my FM-3 for live us. Sounds and feels better than a LOT of time spent in the FM-3.

Very timely topic, Sir, as I am currently DEEP into this quandary. I’m ready for upgrade from my NUX MG-30 to something next level (the NUX MG-30 is capable, i just ready for more from my modeler, lately). Thanks, Man!

Fractal fm3 only does 1 amp, and the fm9 only does 2(dedicated and therefore limited processor). You can do 2 preamps and 2 amps with helix, but only two amps total with a stomp(plus cabs and maybe 1 or 2 effects). fwiw.

I would go with a used Kemper. Some would be put off with the small display screen, but one can have as big a screen with it as desired. I personally use an iPad, so it’s touchscreen as well.

Here’s an interesting thought, search for dedicated brands that stick to their products and will not force you to buy the next version of your current modeler because it’s outdated, just think of it buying the latest thing only to find out the company just released a new version of your modeler because reasons, it’s sucks right

If it was just based on amp modeling alone, I would get a ToneX. But if I needed amps and effects modeling, then it would have to be a QC or Fractal. Fractal sounds great, but I hate the UI. The QC has a much better UI for me.

TONEX for me 🤩

I bought a TMP after being a Kemper user for 8 years. The TMP is just awesome to me and in my opinion ready for the next few years. I love the UI , the size and the capabilities. I chose it over a Quad Cortex. That is just to fragile to put on a stage to me. Kemper still sounds good, but no dual amps and a bit old tech.

I trust you beyond anyone else on here. unbiased, articulate and accurate. Happy New Year John.

I’m enjoying the UAFX Lion and Strymon Dig in the effects loop of the HX Stomp, with the Stomp handling Compression, Boost, Modulation, and Reverb.

Had an lt got native missed pedal version got a podgo for $337 new. Got tonex as well and had an mx5. Leaning towards getting FM3 or an FM9 next and money is burning a hole in my pocket. If it ever was an issue I could sell something but I dont need to do that. I figure using my cheaper modelers is ok for guests to play and they got a few sounds worth using. Really like the rotary options in my mx5 and I can add a mixer and play fr fr which since I also play keys like my korg nautilus and arturia whatever 88 key board that stuff needs amplifying to so I got to add some EV stuff later on. Got a catalyst 2x12 for amp feel. If I add EV stuff a pxm is probably what I will add. Still need another catalyst for stereo if I get out live so may add another for that. Playing through my event studio monitors mostly. So big question for me is fm9 for a more powerful rig or fm3 for a smaller ine amp only rig and mix in my pod go for when a 2 amp rig is needed? Buying the FM9 sounds like the way to go for me honestly. I am leaning that way. Its a nice amount of foot switches and you can add more using a couple boss fs7 2 botton foot switches already have one for use with my SY1000 I forgot to mention. Pedal wise got ultrawave and a freqout and a 95q dunlop crybaby. Still want an attack decay as well. Got a roland ready strat for playing guitar models like nylon stuff. FM 9 and a cheap attack decay may be all I need for now. Other pedals like a gypsy vibe and neo ventilator can wait till I get rich. Maybe an LA Lady since its midi w my source audio hub. A jam pedal seagull for playing some pink floyd. The asabi with a rat chip may be neat. Jackson audio is local to me maybe I go drop by and test some of their stuff. Dont need a switcher yet the source audio LA Lady can act as a loop for my attack decay and my sy1000 has a mono fx loop for the freqout and its used on a momentary setting anyways. I can play through my sy into the ultrawave path 1 to the LA lady and the loop with an attack decay and then to the path 2 of my ultrawave for compression eq maybe some tremolo. If I add more pedals a morningstar ml10x is likely going to get added. I hear fuzzes are less authentic in modeled gear may add an mxr shrine and an if 6 was 9 mk II.

I've tried them all (except the Fender) several times and found that while Fractal units sound the best, the learning curve is so darn high that it's not worth it. Helix is the most user friendly and with some pro downloads and IRs, it gets pretty close. Just as good, if not better, is the Tonex with 1/2 dozen analog pedals. To each his own...

Hard to beat the helix for the ease of use and obviously the value compared to its competitors. It sounds great and it’s simple to get tones.

Hi John , appreciate your videos covering Quad Cortex. I’m wondering if you have considered a video aimed at the player moving into modellers, who still think like a pedal board into an amp mindset. I have some near-field mons and still don’t really know what it should sound like . I’m not used to decision making from the perspective of a sound engineer etc. Also where players have been used to plugging in pedals into front of amp. This is all different etc. I think it would be a popular video.

For me, just a home playing novice, a touchscreen is pretty much mandatory. It's modern times and i need a modern interface. And to me they sound good enough to do the few things i want which get a serviceable mayer tone, hendrix tone, evh tone, decent fender style clean. Basically a Headrush or that tonemaster pro and the tonemaster seems massively overpriced. If i were buying now i'd get a headrush or similar. or a budget option like a positive grid and just use the app.

For the Pedalboard, Atomic Amplifirebox is great. I also don't care about exactly trying to replicate an amp I own. The idea of a modeler to me is that I can try some different amps out. But, realistically, most folks are doing a clean, a mid gain and a high(er) gain sound. Fractal seems to have a shorter hardware cycle than the other big players. So, I'll assume the firmware doesn't support the hardware indefinitely, it's going to have a shorter lifespan overall compared to others. However, I'm also of the mind that just thinks, pick one and make it your thing.

Been using the ToneX amp with my own IR’s and really enjoying it.

There should be Amp and Pedal captures in Fractal and Line 6 in future models... Why can't we have Guitar and pickup simulation in a modeller... Like Gibsons, Fenders, etc and Seymour Duncan, dDmarzio, etc... just had this in my mind

How about a good 20w tube amp??

Happy and Prosporous New Year John...

The Kemper Profiler is still unrivaled and the global industry standard. It meets all the requirements of a professional studio and live tool. The overall package is crucial and everyone else cannot take victory away from the profiler. It makes more sense to practice to play the guitar better than to spend days arguing about how to improve the last bit of sound. Many of the self-proclaimed gear testers are such lousy guitarists that it scares you, but they have an idea of ​​what good equipment is.

a video even on new years day. far out i really have no excuse to make a crappy 15 second post every day then! re gear, well HX stomp but I actually use Helix Native the most I think, free with the HX stomp at the time! and I used Neural Amp Modeler. every once in a while i got to the NAM website and see what captures are there. i think i need to do some Neural plugin trials.

Interesting take on the issue. I am puzzled, though, by the absence of ToneX and the Two Notes Opus from the crop considered. In terms of form factor and value for money, they seem (to me, at least) to give the new Kemper Player a run for its money, especially given the limited effect slots available on it (2 pre and 2 post), meaning it can‘t really survive on its own for many of us, i.e. without any additional effects on one‘s pedalboard. I‘d rather have a less expensive, good-sounding, highly compact amp-in-a-box together with my existing effects than to settle for compromises in higher-priced all-in-one solutions that come up lacking either in the no. of effects available (Player) or the sound (HX Stomp), etc. I have (and love) a ToneX and now also an Opus, and it‘s the Opus that has won its place on my pedalboard, thanks to being very compact and capable not only of handling my electric guitar, but also my acoustic (with great IRs). Compressor, EQ and modulation are pre, and delay + reverb post. Works for me. From what I‘ve heard of the IR-2, it‘s brilliant for the bucks, but no way as lush and realistic-sounding as the ToneX or the Opus. Could of course be wrong on that. ;-) The Opus costs €319 here in Germany, so quite a bit more, but a heck of a lot less than the Kemper Player, let alone a Quad Cortex or a full-fledged Kemper. If and when an all-in one comes up in a form factor not bigger than an HX Stomp or a Quad Cortex, with fantastic tone, parallel acoustic guitar suitability (best with a 2nd input!) and enough DSP power to handle all the basic effect chains without latency killing responsiveness, I‘ll be sold and probably sell off everything on my high-end pedalboard (except, perhaps, my Cloudburst, which I‘d want to chain into the unit).

Boss GT1000 (I have the core) still happy with that after a couple of years.

I wouldn't buy another (with the possible exception of the new Boss IR-2 for rehearsals) - I'm pretty much over modellers now and am returning to good old valve amps, like a lot of players currently are. I have never quite managed to get as good a sound with modellers and now only really use them for recording as I think that is where they are most suitable. Also, you really have to trust sound engineers, but sadly there are plenty who don't have much of a clue about modellers live.

Despite John’s hate towards Fender for giving him the cold shoulder, the TMP is the future of modelers and the best sounding unit as well as the best UI by miles.. the video by Leon that he mentions shows a bug in the software btw..

Really want to hear your thoughts on the Kemper Player!

For recording, even plugins do an amazing job. For live use, amps for me

Kemper is by far the best sounding to me. Quad cortex, uafx, and fractal are close behind. Helix to me still just doesn't sound realistic, but it is far better than the tone master pro and the boss stuff.

Weird how musicians try to gatekeep people who want to evolve their sound in more versatile and scalable ways, like modelers. Everyone is well aware that tubes exist...I have a few tube amps, I have a few modeling solutions, I have solid state amps and an amp in a pedal. It's not against the law to be educated in, and enjoy multiple different ways to play guitar. No need for tribalism. If you only want tubes, do that and move on why try to stop others' progress? I really hate that most of my guitar-playing life and so much money was wasted not enjoying the newer tech because I was stupid enough to listen a bunch of ignorant snobs are all over the Internet spreading the misinformation that the only way to get good sound is through vacuum tubes. My advice to musicians that want to try newer solutions like these: Do it. Don't listen to these internet boomers, their goal is to hold your art back. To them the only acceptable music is the way that they played, and nothing else. Forget all of that, this is YOUR journey. Don't be set in your ways afraid to experiment, and explore. Use anything and everything at your disposal, and enjoy a lifetime of always learning, growing, and trying new things.

waiting for a 4K refresh of the NU>X MG-30. or an IK Amplitube 5 MAX pedal with FX Loop for a ToneX pedal.

I’ll come back and watch this whole video, but I just bought a Quad Cortex. Love love love the stomp but need a few more foot switches to make it all-in-one. Also love that QC has modeling + profiling.

KEMPER!!! Profile player 😎

Happy New Year. Thank you so much.

TMP despite looking pretty was, well, pretty much a failure for me. Fender models aside, with the EVH being an exception because it's bad, Fender missed the mark. They also have done little to prove they are looking long term. Fender has a bad habit of bringing out new things, then just barely keeping up with any updates for them. Fractal will always be great, but there is a lot more under the hood which may deter ppl from wanting to use it. Quad and Helix, I say you can't go wrong with either of them, both are fantastic. I personally own a Quad, but am also a huge Helix fan. I've also owned an Axe FX 3, but it was more than I wanted to deal with settings wise. Not only that, but I am a simple man.

Thank you John. I hope I get an answer to this, I play guitar AND bass guitar thru the same rig. Which modeler is good with considerable bass models?

In my opinion Helix Stomp(or xl) in price/value is most expensive modeler. Because HX LT is not that much higher price and you have much more dsp blocks which is very important in amp modeler if you want perfect sound and have “logic” in how your signal chain works. That means many times to have 2 amps or 2 ir, more driver pedals, some eq between amp and ir or after amp etc etc. I know is maybe unpopular opinion, but in amp modelers more is always more.

I'm very happy with my Hotone Ampero MP100. Love it

I just have a Joyo American Sound and a $40 delay, chorus and overdrive. About $180 and the tones are great…

@johnnathancordy HX Stomp and HX Stomp XL together? I just ordered a Stomp XL and I have the Stomp already. I plan on using these in conjunction with one another. Thoughts? It's probably a great video that I can't find anywhere. Cheers from central Texas, mate!

Fender are going to fix the IR thing in the next update. Also the TMP sounds better than the helix (and I dare say even fractal) for fender amp models: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tlrmRxV_878.html

Would be interesting to include the NUX Amp Academy into the mix as well. It's a solid little unit.

So I'm not gigging, and I do want to give the plugins a try - but to what speaker should I connect my audio interface to - an FRFR speaker or a studio monitor ? I hope you could reply. Thank you for your wonderful videos.

Tonex ??

Ampero 2 Stage should also be in the conversation.

I'm an HX Stomp user for 3 years now and learned a lot with your videos. I love the Stomp and use it everyday. We need to stop thinking about it as a 400 € unit because it is not. It's now closer to 650€ -in places like Thomann. At this point, the Stomp XL is the value/money unit and for a bit more we're at the Helix LT world. The era of "the Stomp is cheaper than a big Strymon" is over. Also, now that the ToneX is a thing for itself, when is IK Multimedia releasing a full floor modeller? They already have the models on Amplitube, the captures on tonex and the effects on the tonex colour pedals... When is the QC by IK Multimedia coming out?

Seems the Fender Tone Master Pro could be good if you mainly like Fender amps and like the user interface that seems easy to use. Leon Todd did like the Princeton and 5150 in his review 3 months ago. A lot of people seem to think the Fender Tone Master modeling amps that use the same algorithms sound pretty good. A lot of people probably don't need hundreds of types of amps. For some reason I have hundreds of pedals. What the heck. You only live once.

Still haven't seen or heard anything that made me want to trade in my Helix lt.....