7. Setup 3: Amp Modeler
If you're not dead set on real tube amps and prefer a compact solution, an Amp Modeler might just be the right alternative. These devices take things a step further compared to Cab Simulators, which mainly handle the "mic'd speaker cabinet" component. With an Amp Modeler, the entire signal chain from the amp, through the cabinet, to the microphone is digitally replicated. Most of these offer a variety of different amps and cabinets, providing lots of flexibility in terms of sounds.
Amp Modelers typically come with a generous selection of effects, often making a massive pedalboard unnecessary. They're the classic all-in-one solution, available across various price ranges, from budget-friendly units by Harley Benton, Mooer, or Zoom to larger devices from Boss, Line 6, or the Kemper Profiler. If you want to dig deeper into Amp Modelers, check out our Amp Modeler Guide.
Some Amp Modelers have a built-in USB connection with audio interface functionality, allowing direct connection to a computer for recording without the need for an external audio interface. In the following example, you'll hear the Kemper Profiler using a profile of the Marshall Plexi and the 4x12 cabinet (recorded with a Neumann TLM-103) from the previous examples.
Marshall Plexi Kemper Profiler
