6 Ways To Upgrade Your Guitar Amp Modelling Setup In 2025

The latest guitar amplifiers, pedals, modellers and multi-FX pedalboards are all pushing the benchmark of what is possible with modern guitar setups more than ever before. You may even have a guitar amp modeller yourself already. The question is, how do you harness all of this modern functionality and have a futuristic guitar setup that brings you to the next level?

Whether you practice at home, or even tour on a regular basis, there are some exciting options now to upgrade your guitar modelling setup and make the most of your gear. This blog contains 6 modern modelling setups which make use of this clever functionality.

We will be covering these setups which are all integrated with a guitar modeller:

• FRFR Speaker Cabinets
• Studio Monitors
• Expression Pedals
• Footswitches/MIDI Switchers
• Headphone Amps
• Guitar Plugins

FRFR Speaker Cabinets

You’re spoilt for choice with FRFR cabs nowadays, with brands such as Positive Grid, HeadRush, Laney, Fender, Line 6 & many more making their own versions. There’s plenty of choice in terms of size, power, and features to suit your needs! The benefits of an FRFR Cab is that they give a real amp-like response for your modeller, they are very versatile as you can experiment with different cab impulse responses depending on what modeller you have, and literally replicate any speaker cabinet thanks to the FRFR design, at all volume levels too!

The Valeton VFR-110 1300W 1×10 FRFR Speaker Cabinet is a perfect example of premium audio quality in the form of a highly adaptable FRFR speaker, at a really tempting price. More than that, VFR-110 also works well with other full-range instruments or even using as a FOH/monitor speaker to give you extra flexibility.

Studio Monitors

Studio monitors offer a flat, uncoloured frequency response, allowing for accurate sound reproduction and critical listening for mixing and mastering, unlike consumer speakers that often enhance certain frequencies. 

For an example, use the Neural DSP Nano Cortex as an audio interface for recording via your computer for a minimalist setup.

Studio monitors are great for compact setups, and offer a very accurate high-definition sound which is perfect for desktop computer/DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) users. Most guitar modellers can be used as an audio interface which can be used in conjunction with a DAW for recording purposes.

Expression Pedals

Expression pedals give you an extra layer of control to your modelling setup. Want to do volume swells or control the amount of delay and reverb you are using? Certain volume pedals can also be used as expression pedals, and simply connect to a modellers “EXP” input. Some expression pedals are made specifically for an exact multi FX/modeller to use all of the functionality available. Mission Engineering & Jim Dunlop create fantastic solutions.

The Fender Tone Master Pro combined with the Mission Engineering SP1-TMP Expression Pedal allows for control of effects parameters such as volume and wah effects. By using the toe switch on the pedal, you can turn the effect blocks on the Tone Master Pro on and off, directly from the pedal.

Footswitches/MIDI Switchers

Have a more compact modeller, but want to expand the amount instantly accessible sounds you have to make playing live easier? Simply expand your footswitch options with an external footswitch/MIDI switcher. Brands such as Morningstar and The Gigrig create incredible solutions to this, hosting many intuitive ways to make your setup exactly how you want it. Multi FX units such as the Valeton GP-200 has MIDI jacks for seamless communication, and a higher level of control.

Expand your switching options even on the smallest of pedalboards, like this small yet powerful pedalboard using a Neural DSP Nano Cortex and Morningstar MC6 Pro MIDI Controller.

But that’s not all! Love the sound of your most cherished pedals and want to integrate them into your pedalboard alongside your modelling setup? These switching systems also give you platform to do this.

Headphone Amps

Headphone Amps – Even if you already have a modeller, these are REALLY handy for practicing , playing guitar on the sofa, and practical for everyday use. With a whole host of effects stored in such a tiny package, it is amazing how much power Headphone Amps hold now.

Some headphone amps such as the Positive Grid NEO is compatible with Positive Grid’s own switching systems such as the Spark Control and Spark Control X.

Guitar Plugins

By using your modeller as an audio interface, you can plug it into your computer, and use a whole array of guitar plugin’s to add more choices to your tonal arsenal. Some modellers have accompanying software which integrates straight into your DAW for easy recording (USB audio).

The HeadRush Flex Prime is a “prime” example of a guitar modeller with its own software to use for all of your recording needs.

Expand your setup with external plugin FX and build it into your desktop recording setup! If you have the Neural DSP Quad Cortex, you can even use your favourite Neural DSP plugins that are “X” compatible, and use them straight on the Quad Cortex itself.

Andertons TV

Check out our Andertons Music Co. videos covering some highly recommended guitar modellers out there!

Conclusion

Guitar modelers offer benefits like portability, versatility, and ease of recording, allowing musicians to access a wide range of sounds and effects with a single unit, while also simplifying live and studio setups. They also very intuitively connect to many different pieces of other music gear to make your setups even easier, and work together to push the boundaries of what is possible with digital guitar modelling.

No matter how you use a guitar modeller, your digital game can always be heightened with either FRFR speakers, extra footswitches/MIDI, awe-inspiring computer software which can be accompanied with high-definition studio speakers, or even have the most minimal setup with a headphone amp, with modelling functionality.

Learn More

Delve further in the digital world of modelling and modelling setups by checking out our blogs:

• What Is An FRFR Speaker Cabinet? – The Best FRFR Cabs In 2025
• Andertons Scoreboard: Studio Monitor Shootout -7-Inch Woofers
• Andertons Scoreboard: Studio Monitor Shootout -5-Inch Woofers
• The Best Guitar Headphone Amps In 2025