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Which Got Me To Thinking…
I was working on a review of AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix, a software application/plug-in that models all the gear that Jimi Hendrix used back in the 1960’s. Which got me to thinking…
Wouldn’t it be cool to do this for other guitarists also. Imagine Police era Andy Summers, late 70’s Eddie Van Halen, 80’s era The Edge, Led Zeppelin era Jimmy Page. Better yet, you could model the gear a player used throughout their entire career – Carlos Santana in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, etc. Which got me to thinking…
This modeling software stuff is great for recording and playing at home, but there is no way I am going to play guitar through a laptop live. I know keyboard players do it all the time. But they don’t move around as much as guitar players (who are used to using their feet to stomp things!) Which got me to thinking…
Since most digital effects pedals are really just specialized computers, why not build an effects pedal to run this type of software, with footswitches in place of a mouse. Think of it as a “stomp computer.” You could use flash memory for reliability and a USB port for upgrades. Software companies could model any amp or effect unit in the know Universe and users could load it in the pedal. (Oh my heart be still.) Which got me to thinking…
The PODxt Live already does this, sort of. The problem is, you’re limited to Line 6 models and modeling software. What I’m talking about is an open system with an OS that anyone could program for. Perhaps it could use an existing plug-in technology like AU or VST. Imagine having the best of Line 6 PODxt, Native Instruments Guitar Rig 2, IK Multimedia AmpliTube 2, plus who knows how many other effects software publishers, all on one pedal. Instead of buying a dozen physical pedals, you buy one physical pedal and then load it with your choice of software. Which got me to thinking…