Physical Rig Vs. Digital Rig (Part III of the Pedal Series)

Originally posted on the S&R Blog on April 21, 2016. 

Today we will be diving into the differences between a physical rig and a digital rig. When we say digital rig, we are not referring to an effect like a digital delay, but the rig as a whole being digital, from the effects to the amp, even the cabinet. This is a very exciting topic so let’s dive in!

With new technology comes new innovations. While the guitar has not changed dramatically since the ’50’s, however, rigs & effects have changed dramatically. Back in the early days of electrified instruments, amplifiers were very simple and had limited tonal controls, if any! But as technology has progressed since the ’30’s, when amps were used to amplify acoustic instruments, up to the early ’60’s when iconic amps such as the Marshall JTM 45 Combo, the Fender ’59 Bassman or the Vox AC30 changed the history of rock n roll, to the more recent boutique amplifiers such as the Mesa/Boogie Mark V, the Fryette Aether or the Soldano SLO-100, amps have changed drastically and have changed the way music is played. Even more recently, the idea of having a completely digital rig has become more prominent.

While the Line 6 POD was not the first digital rig (amp modeler), it certainly changed the way guitarists look at the digital realm. The best way to picture an amp modeler, if you aren’t familiar with them, is to imagine all your pedals, your amplifier(s) and cabinet(s) as a single computer; that is what amp modeling is and is then pumped through the PA system. The most prominent amp modelers today are the Fractal Audio Axe FX II XL, the Kemper Profiler or the Line 6 Helix. Today we are going to discuss the differences, pros, and cons of each setup.

Physical Rig

The physical rig is as old as rock ‘n roll. It has been what has shaped modern music and created classics such as Aretha Franklin’s Respect, Iron Maiden’s The Trooper and Nirvana’s In Bloom. The concept of a physical rig is what 99.9% of what folks think of when they think of a guitar chain. It starts with the guitar, goes through effect pedals and then the signal goes through an amplifier and then a cabinet. The physical rig is sworn by everyone and defended by most. Why? It simply works, many will claim “Why fix what isn’t broken?”

A great advantage that a physical rig has over a digital rig, is the ease of use. All the knobs are right there at your beckoning call. If you need a treble boost, lean over your amp and boost the knob. Want to add a delay? Walk over to your pedalboard and click on the delay for the soaring solo. Trey Anastasio (of Phish) has a theory that if you are extremely familiar with your gear, you never really have to think about it. Having a physical rig allows you to make changes on the fly and do so seamless. While some claim that a physical tube amp has a warmness or “secret sauce” that their counterpart cannot recreate, that one is still out to the jury.

One of the biggest disadvantage of the physical rig is having to lug around all of the equipment that is required. The average tube amp head is a whopping 45 pounds. Pedal boards can get heavy and bulky and cabinets are heavy too. Don’t forget about the rack mounted effects, microphones and cables required as well. Another disadvantage of a physical rig is the amount of space the take on stage. If you are working with a 100 watt amp with a full stack of 4x12s along with a decent pedal board, you are taking up some serious stage real estate. If you are playing on the club circuit, chances are some stages will be too small for your rig. On that note, some stages will be too small for a high wattage amp which will force you to turn down the volume and gain thus altering your tone you have been crafting. Big rigs are amazing. They are what most of rock, metal, country and popular music has been made on, but they do have their limits.

Digital Rig

The digital rig is a relatively new guitar phenomenal where one plays the guitar through a virtual rig that is powered by a computer. For traditionalist, this concert sounds completely bizarre, but for those who have embraced the concept, there is no other way to play the guitar.

One of the top reasons, folks have switched to the amp profiler is that they offer a large range of effects, amps and cabinets in one package. Do you fancy yourself several expensive amplifiers and effects but don’t want to drop the cash on every single one? Chances are the amp profiler will have them built into the unit for the price of one amp. These units have hundreds of different amps, effects, cabinets and EQ settings that all come in one portable unit. When performing live, only one piece of equipment is necessary for everything one might need. The unit plugs in directly to the PA and everything else is handled by the unit, space is saved and if volume is an issue, the sound guy can lower the volume with keeping the integrity of the tone.

The digital rig does come with some setbacks. Like mentioned above, real amps have a warmness or a realness to them that some claim the digital rigs cannot emulate. Another setback of the amp profilers is the initial price of the equipment. While the actual unit costs the same price of a higher end amplifier, other equipment such as a PA system or an FRFR speaker to achieve the modelers live full potential is often pricey. Also, the profilers can be difficult to program on the fly. Most of them are designed to be set and programmed on a computer via software that is not necessarily easily editable at gigs. They do have a wide range of potential and sounds but some do have setbacks.

Hybrid Rig

If you want the best of both worlds, you are in luck. There many professional players that use both the physical rig and the digital rig. Guys like John Petrucci, Chris Traynor, Robert Fripp & Steve Vai are all examples of players who utilize the best of both worlds. These guys use a real tube amp and cabinet, but utilize the digital rig for all their effects due to the versatility of the units. It is a solid example of how old and new technology can come together to create some solid sounds with the best of both worlds.

Well, there you have it. New technology versus the traditional historical rig. Each of them has their own advantages and disadvantages. The key is to figure out which is best for you and go for it. Do you fancy yourself a traditional rig with physical gear? Or are you a fan of the digital age where you can craft your perfect rig with a computer? Let us know in the comments below!

Until next time, let the music play!