Future Sounds
Will digital models ever really overtake our loyal stompboxes? Adrian Thorpe ponders one reader’s existential question
THE BACKGROUND RYAN HAYNES, Via email
I can’t seem to find a definitive answer to this anywhere so I thought I’d ask you: do you think we will get to a stage where guitar pedals will be obsolescent? Do bits of kit like Kemper and the forthcoming Neural Quad Cortex mean that all pedals will be modelled in the digital realm? Should I invest in compact guitar pedals or get an all-in-one unit like those mentioned? Will I lose lots of money if I do either?
THE ANSWERS
I feel like this question is philosophical in nature, like the meaning of life for pedals. I’ll try my best to answer but bear in mind some of the views are my opinion only and any counter-opinion is equally as valid… just not to me!
01.
Guitar pedals (as we know them) have been around since the early 60s and were designed to give musicians differing sounds and allow them to have their ‘own sound’. Today, pedals still offer these things and arguably more and more power as the years progress. That said, some of the most collectable pedals are the simplest fuzzes that are tuned by ear to sound incredible. Individual pedals allow you to easily craft your own custom pedalboard, so with all that in mind I personally don’t think pedals will become obsolete. At worst, they’ll become a similar product to vinyl, collectable and a real event to use; at best, builders will continue to innovate and progress the format.
02.
I think the Kemper device has shown the commercial viability of a snapshot approach to modelling guitar amps. This makes sense because typically guitar amps are expensive and are designed to produce one or a few core sounds for that platform. The opposite can be said of guitar pedals where there are relatively cheap and there are many options in such a small package. Pedals are going to become similarly modelled – but in the same way that amp models do not sound or feel as good as the real thing, the pedal version is likely to be lacking as well.
My opinion on digital modelling is that it has its place in the guitar ecosystem. I often use and enjoy plug-ins to great effect (excuse the pun). Where I struggle is if a digital model’s main selling point is that it sounds like [insert brand]. Morals aside, I personally believe that digital models of classic pedals aren’t as good as the real thing. They lack that tangible nature, the ergonomics and the user experience. Using guitar pedals is a bit of an event, whereas loading an algorithm can never be. So while digital models have their place, I personally prefer the real thing.
03.
This is the million-pound question: singles or multi-effects? But why not have and enjoy both? As for investment, single pedals appear to hold value better due to the lack of built-in obsolescence. Multi-effects have a shelf life because – like computers, phones and tablets – they are often marketed based on in-built processing power and as soon as a faster, more capable version comes out, the price drops and over time it becomes a fraction of what it cost new. Regardless of my opinions, the clear winner in all of this is the consumer. What a time to craft your sound!