The amp modeller arms race is heating up, here’s what’s going on

New releases and huge updates are making the marketing more competitive than ever

The digital amp-modeller arms race is officially heating up, and every major brand is gunning for your attention. Among them, three heavyweights have rolled out fresh updates and shiny new gear, each vying to lock down your loyalty. Here’s everything you need to know.

In 2024, not a single tube amp made Reverb’s list of best-selling amps. That’s terrifyingly indicative of the current state of play in the amp market. From super transportability to tonal versatility, the list of reasons more and more players, from bedroom riffers to stadium fillers alike, are turning to modellers is obvious.

But that also means each manufacturer must do more to earn your loyalty and hard-earned cash. Of course, modellers need amps to survive – they’re very much built on their legacy – but the modeller rise is undeniable.

So, what’s the latest?

Fractal just got affordable

Fractal Audio’s Axe-FX line—favored by world-dominating acts from Metallica and Deftones to Polyphia—has long been one of the benchmark names in digital modelling. The catch? Access to those tones usually means dropping a small fortune… until now.

The new AM4 shrinks the Axe-FX ethos into an ultra-compact unit and arrives swinging at the Quad Cortex and Line 6 Helix, while also putting pressure on budget contenders from Harley Benton, Mooer, and Valeton.

Its interface takes inspiration from traditional amp faces for familiarity, alongside four configurable footswitches, and plenty of other handy controls.

Spec-wise, it still packs Fractal's powerful software, and boasts 240 amps, 45 DynaCab speaker sims, and over 325 effects. And its amps are models, not captures, or impressions thereof, and are built to react just as a tangible amp would. Of course, such a selling point is commonplace in this market, but Fractal has the history to justify making that somewhat cliché claim.

Elsewhere, there are 104 preset slots, with gapless switching meaning you can really make the most of what it has to offer, switching between wildly different tones - such as a dirty rhythm tone to a clean, heavily-effected shoegaze tone, in an instant.

It's available for a pretty accessible $699.

Huge updates for the Quad and Nano Cortex

In recent years, Neural DSP’s Quad Cortex has grown into the near-unquestioned king of the modeller world, with the Nano Cortex punching way above its weight for such a tiny unit. Their latest updates — CorOS 3.3.0 and NanOS 2.2.0 — bring a stack of fresh features that could pull even more players into the Neural ecosystem.

The Quad Cortex gets a full spread of new amps, cabs and pedals, but the headline addition is the new Mono Synth. It’s a free, streamlined take on the Overlord Synth from Archetype: Rabea X — a strong hint that the full plugin might soon land on QC. With full MIDI support and a range that spans smooth lead tones to filthy synth bass, it’s one of the most exciting creative tools Neural has dropped in a while.

The introduction of the legendary Dumble Overdrive Special tube amp headlines its new amp models, while other highlights include a 1958 Fender Deluxe 5E2 1958, an ENGL Savage 120, an EVH 5150 III S EL34, and a 1987 Marshall JCM800.

Effects sees four new compressors, 11 fuzz pedals, 7 overdrives, and auto-wah join it's huge fleet of tone-twisting options. Quality of life updates and more round up the lot.

The Quad and the Nano also get Neural Capture Version 2, the tech it uses to steal the souls of amps.

"Neural Capture Version 2 is an advanced evolution of Neural Capture, trained via Cortex Cloud for higher resolution and more detailed results, says Neural DSP. "Instead of processing captures on the Quad Cortex itself, V2 uses Cortex Control and Cortex Cloud to analyze your device with a more advanced algorithm."

It arrives with greater dynamic accuracy and realism, especially with touch-sensitive devices like compressors and fuzzes.

The Nano also gets a tremolo effect while supporting offline Cortex Cloud mode, Cloud backups, and preset rearranging. All very handy.

Line 6's Stadium opens its doors

After months of hype, Line 6's all-new Stadium XL Floor is now shipping, and it does so with four of John Browne's tones as stock.

As previously reported, the Stadium aims to be far more than just an amp modeller; it could soon become the beating heart of many band's gig rigs, even living in harmony with other amp modellers.

The smaller Helix Stadium is still unavailable at the time of writing, but this big daddy offers an all-new amp capturing algorithm called Agoura that it claims offers a greater realism than any of its many competitors. Couple that with Hype, a feature which gives players a blend of tube amp-like break-up and pristine digital tones, and it has a lot to offer. But it doesn't end there.

It can also control your light rig, handle video changes, control MIDI-equipped pedals, and connect to drum pads, so your drummer can trigger click tracks. All in, it's pretty mega.

“Helix Stadium XL Floor is more than simply a new product; it is a new type of product,” says Line 6 Chief Product Design Architect, Eric Klein. “In addition to featuring the best-sounding, most powerful, and most flexible processing Line 6 has ever offered, it can serve as a performance workstation that can upend the way you approach tone creation and performing – whether that’s jamming with friends, creating your next opus in the studio, or during your world tour.”

All these arrive ahead of Black Friday, coincidentally. It's only a matter of time until its competitors return fire.

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