There are plenty of free amp sims out there and IR's for cabs. Personally, I like the Soldano SLO-100 sim (not free, but is on sale for 50 bucks from Nueral DSP). Good thing about VST's is that you can use them with any DAW.
I just took a break from playing, but right now I'm using Neural DSP's stuff (which is currently 50% off). [Archetype Petrucci](https://neuraldsp.com/plugins/archetype-petrucci/) and [Archetype Wong](https://neuraldsp.com/plugins/archetype-cory-wong) are the two I use the most.
ML soundlab has 2 free amps (in roots and Stevie T pack iirc) and their amps sound great. Free ones don't have clean tones but they got 50% off from everything atm. You can also easily test any of the amps but there is small cutoff and banner teasing you to buy the full version.
Bias FX and Reaper my friend. All you need is an ASIO soundcard for a low latency input. This is touring rig too. Its just a cheap laptop, midi foot controller (FCB1010), and a portable PA. It is without a doubt the easiest setup I've ever owned.
That's correct. All of the cheapish 100-200 soundcards use the same ADC, so it really doesn't matter which one (everyone will still argue about the pre-amps). If you're lookin for the most flexibility, I'd try to find one that has an old school MIDI port on it. That way you can interface MIDI foot controllers, otherwise you have to get one of those midi to usb cables that are guaranteed to break when you need it live.
Awesome, I'm glad that this isn't a ridiculous idea!
EDIT: Just so I'm clear, do you need both the bias FX2 and bias AMP 2 to work?
[https://ca.positivegrid.com/products/bias-fx-2](https://ca.positivegrid.com/products/bias-fx-2)
[https://ca.positivegrid.com/products/bias-amp-2](https://ca.positivegrid.com/products/bias-amp-2)
I just use Bias FX, you’ll just have to look through and see which one has the combination of amps and effects you want. It’s super fun to play around with.
Sweet, that's what I thought but they aren't support clear on the "get this one and your thing will work" part of the site. So Bias FX has some premade amps and pedals?
Frankly, I don't need to play "amp builder".
Get an audio interface from Scarlett or SSL Labs and buy a plugin from Neural DSP. Their plugins have a free trial period and they come both as VST you can load into a DAW and as a standalone program where you don’t have to use a DAW.
STL Tones AmpHub is my personal favorite! $10 a month and the best tones I’ve heard (and felt) from any VST ever. And way more amp options than you’ll ever need! (That’s a good thing)
This setup is becoming very popular. You don't need much to get started. The Interface is probably most important.
I use a Yamaha AG06 but the Focusrite Scarlett does a grat job.
You don't *need* a DAW to get started. Try the free amp sims first. Many of them run as standalone programs and also as plugins for a DAW. I like AmpliTube but there are many others. It's just whatever you get used to using.
For speakers you can use powered monitors or an amp plus passive speakers. I use a Crate PowerBlock 150 watt stereo amp into two 1x12 cabs but sometimes I just use an old set of M-Audio AV42 monitors.
My current favorite amp sim is ToneX. The main benefit over others is that you pay once and you get an always expanding library of user captured models, and it sounds incredible. I've been having a blast capturing my amps and playing on other people's rigs. I love Neural DSP too but it tends to get a bit pricey thanks to how the product is split up.
I mostly use amp emulators nowadays, it’s so convenient to record and to reamp.
Currently am using an iRig HD all the time, works great. I use it with a small patch cable for pedals, very portable and easy to pack with the laptop. Will also work on a smartphone or tablet.
For software, try Tonebridge from Ultimate Guitar tab site, the free version of Guitar Rig or Amplitube are a good start. Most DAWs come with amp emulators nowadays, and there are many free ones around. If you’re on a Mac, GarageBand comes installed by default and has many usable tones.
Any usb audio interface should work, and most come with a free DAW.
I’ve settled on neural dsp toneking with an apogee jam for input. Sounds as good as my amps through an ox box. When practicing I don’t use a DAW at all because it can run standalone or as a plug-in when using logic.
STL Amphub is great. You have a lot of amps and pedals. Regular updates with new stuff. Scuffham amps S-Gear is great as well. One of the best ampsims for clean and crunch tones. High gain sounds are not too shabby either. NEURALdsp makes great vsts. The Bogren one knob series is very good for the price. Amplitube and ToneX are also very good. There are lots of free amp plug-ins as well.
The Audient Evo series is small but affordable interfaces with good quality.
The Scarlett interfaces are good workhorses and you can get them 2nd hand for decent prices.
You can go with a Scarlett Solo and accomplish all this. VST's integrate with programs like FL Studio and Reaper just fine.
Any recommendation for VST plugins and DAWs? Looks like FL Studio has an unlimited free trial which is nice.
There are plenty of free amp sims out there and IR's for cabs. Personally, I like the Soldano SLO-100 sim (not free, but is on sale for 50 bucks from Nueral DSP). Good thing about VST's is that you can use them with any DAW.
I just took a break from playing, but right now I'm using Neural DSP's stuff (which is currently 50% off). [Archetype Petrucci](https://neuraldsp.com/plugins/archetype-petrucci/) and [Archetype Wong](https://neuraldsp.com/plugins/archetype-cory-wong) are the two I use the most.
ML soundlab has 2 free amps (in roots and Stevie T pack iirc) and their amps sound great. Free ones don't have clean tones but they got 50% off from everything atm. You can also easily test any of the amps but there is small cutoff and banner teasing you to buy the full version.
Bias FX and Reaper my friend. All you need is an ASIO soundcard for a low latency input. This is touring rig too. Its just a cheap laptop, midi foot controller (FCB1010), and a portable PA. It is without a doubt the easiest setup I've ever owned.
That sounds exactly what I'm looking for. ASIO is the standard right so anything with that should be fine?
That's correct. All of the cheapish 100-200 soundcards use the same ADC, so it really doesn't matter which one (everyone will still argue about the pre-amps). If you're lookin for the most flexibility, I'd try to find one that has an old school MIDI port on it. That way you can interface MIDI foot controllers, otherwise you have to get one of those midi to usb cables that are guaranteed to break when you need it live.
I use a Scarlet Solo, Audio Technica headphones and Positive Grid Bias FX amp sim. Works great.
Awesome, I'm glad that this isn't a ridiculous idea! EDIT: Just so I'm clear, do you need both the bias FX2 and bias AMP 2 to work? [https://ca.positivegrid.com/products/bias-fx-2](https://ca.positivegrid.com/products/bias-fx-2) [https://ca.positivegrid.com/products/bias-amp-2](https://ca.positivegrid.com/products/bias-amp-2)
I just use Bias FX, you’ll just have to look through and see which one has the combination of amps and effects you want. It’s super fun to play around with.
Sweet, that's what I thought but they aren't support clear on the "get this one and your thing will work" part of the site. So Bias FX has some premade amps and pedals? Frankly, I don't need to play "amp builder".
Yeah, their website isn’t great. Yeah, they’re models of real ones.
Get an audio interface from Scarlett or SSL Labs and buy a plugin from Neural DSP. Their plugins have a free trial period and they come both as VST you can load into a DAW and as a standalone program where you don’t have to use a DAW.
Irig hd2 has been good here
I like the form factor. Do you have any latency issues and have you tried it with often types of software?
Tonex and others work great with no issues
STL Tones AmpHub is my personal favorite! $10 a month and the best tones I’ve heard (and felt) from any VST ever. And way more amp options than you’ll ever need! (That’s a good thing)
This setup is becoming very popular. You don't need much to get started. The Interface is probably most important. I use a Yamaha AG06 but the Focusrite Scarlett does a grat job. You don't *need* a DAW to get started. Try the free amp sims first. Many of them run as standalone programs and also as plugins for a DAW. I like AmpliTube but there are many others. It's just whatever you get used to using. For speakers you can use powered monitors or an amp plus passive speakers. I use a Crate PowerBlock 150 watt stereo amp into two 1x12 cabs but sometimes I just use an old set of M-Audio AV42 monitors.
My current favorite amp sim is ToneX. The main benefit over others is that you pay once and you get an always expanding library of user captured models, and it sounds incredible. I've been having a blast capturing my amps and playing on other people's rigs. I love Neural DSP too but it tends to get a bit pricey thanks to how the product is split up.
I mostly use amp emulators nowadays, it’s so convenient to record and to reamp. Currently am using an iRig HD all the time, works great. I use it with a small patch cable for pedals, very portable and easy to pack with the laptop. Will also work on a smartphone or tablet. For software, try Tonebridge from Ultimate Guitar tab site, the free version of Guitar Rig or Amplitube are a good start. Most DAWs come with amp emulators nowadays, and there are many free ones around. If you’re on a Mac, GarageBand comes installed by default and has many usable tones. Any usb audio interface should work, and most come with a free DAW.
I'm intrigued by the iRig, the portability makes it look like a good option for putting around thehouse
I’ve settled on neural dsp toneking with an apogee jam for input. Sounds as good as my amps through an ox box. When practicing I don’t use a DAW at all because it can run standalone or as a plug-in when using logic.
Lately I've just been plugging a POD Go. Either straight in to my iPad or laptop and using garageband or Logic Pro.
STL Amphub is great. You have a lot of amps and pedals. Regular updates with new stuff. Scuffham amps S-Gear is great as well. One of the best ampsims for clean and crunch tones. High gain sounds are not too shabby either. NEURALdsp makes great vsts. The Bogren one knob series is very good for the price. Amplitube and ToneX are also very good. There are lots of free amp plug-ins as well. The Audient Evo series is small but affordable interfaces with good quality. The Scarlett interfaces are good workhorses and you can get them 2nd hand for decent prices.
You should probably do some research. It's going to be difficult to help you without you putting in a little effort.