Rock people need amps for the rock'n'roll vibe to work. Other genres not so much. I stopped using an amp and now I just use a direct-box/preamp/cab-Sim device. Not having to lug gear is liberating. I'm never going back to an amp
I think for your situation, desk setup is all figured out. It seems you're pretty fond of the digital realm of things. You can learn all you need for tones on amp sims just the same as a physical amp. First thing to start would just be making your own presets. You can go for an actual amp sure, but there are some really good ways to keep things light and compact. Digital modelers can always be plugged into a power amp/pedal for going to a guitar cab. For example a seymour duncan powerstage 170 (which is about the size of a book) can be found used on reverb for around $260. Pair a modeler like a tonex, hx stomp, moor (whatever fits your budget) into it and now you have the option for playing into a cab or also being able to give a line out/XLR cable from the modeler itself to a venue's PA speakers. Example video: ua-cam.com/video/ZeaMXPsNY-c/v-deo.html
True! If I was gigging and needed a rig, I would for sure have to get an actual amp. A digital modeler/multi-fx into a cab may be all I need! I'll have to look at all of those options you suggested 🙏 Thanks for the comment!
Well I have a kemper, proper pc interface and a nice PA speaker so I could switch to do everything digitally but the feeling of a cranked up tube amp is just different. I play my powerball II at around 105 dB with hearing protection when my neighbour isn't at home and use a engl savage 120 special edition for band practice turned to 12 o clock. Both with huge 4x12 cabinets and it just hits different. I love the kemper for recording, playing it at lower volume and for headphone usage but I'm not feeling each note the same way as I do with a tube amp. That will never change imho. I am in a metal band and play metal and hard rock mostly. I started of with a digitech rp80 back in the day, then got boss gt8, line 6 spider valve (not great but still fun to jam with people) before I got the powerball and later the kemper. For a beginner I would always recommend getting something with modelling. It came a long way. (probably even free plugins and just a proper interface)
The feeling the tube amps provide seems amazing! A lot of the love for this craft is the feeling that comes along with it, so sticking with tube amps seems like a special thing! Feeling the room rumble with a great tone attached is why I love concerts so much. Thanks for the comment!
I had the same experience as you. I bought a small little amp when I started picking up the electric guitar and had some struggle figuring out the sound I wanted. Then I discovered neural dsp plugins and I would say that for beginners, these software are fantastic in order to get the tones they want, especially if they want the sound of idols such as tim henson, plini, gojira,etc. For live, I thinks a multi effect would be more convenient.
Those neural dsp plugins seem incredible! I've been playing around with the idea of trying them out at some point. As far as multi-fx go, are there any brands you recommend I look into?
@@SteeleJohnsonMusic I haven't got much experience with multi-fx but there are a few renowned ones I know: Line 6, quad cortex, hotone, boss, fender, nux
*Do You Need a Tube Amp as a Beginner Guitarist?* When starting out as a guitarist, the question of whether you need a tube amp often arises. While tube amps have long been cherished for their warm, rich tones, the necessity of owning one as a beginner is debatable. Let’s explore the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision. *Why You Don’t Necessarily Need a Tube Amp* Firstly, you do not need an amp at all to play and record guitar at home. Modern technology offers numerous alternatives that can produce excellent sound quality without the need for traditional amplification. Guitar plugins are a popular choice, but they require a decent setup to run smoothly. This includes investing in a good audio interface, USB mixer, and quality studio monitors. Additionally, many users find that a Mac is preferable for running music software efficiently. The combined cost of these components can be comparable to, or even exceed, the price of an entry-level tube amp or a high-quality modeling amp. *Cost Considerations* For beginners, the cost is a crucial factor. A decent modeling amp, which can emulate various amp sounds and effects, is often more affordable and versatile. Modeling amps provide a wide range of tones and are user-friendly, making them a practical choice for someone just starting out. This way, you can experience different sounds without the steep investment in multiple amps or extensive recording equipment. *Practical Benefits of Alternatives* One significant advantage of using studio monitors and an audio interface is the ability to separate your tone from your volume. This is particularly beneficial for those living in apartments, where high volumes can be problematic. Tube amps often need to be played at a certain volume to achieve their signature sound, which can be too loud for home use. Conversely, digital setups allow you to enjoy high-quality tones at any volume, making them a more suitable option for beginners in noise-sensitive environments. A small combo amp is also easy to take anywhere, and you will most likely not move your home studio setup whenever you play guitar at family or friends. This portability makes combo amps a convenient choice for casual playing outside your usual setup. *Exploring Various Options* There are many ways to achieve great guitar tones today, and each has its unique benefits: Tube Amp + Speaker and Mic: Traditional and authentic, but requires high volume. Tube Amp + Load Box + Impulse Responses: Allows for tube amp tones at manageable volumes. Pre-amp + Cabsim: Combines analog and digital for flexible sound shaping. For example, a tube pre-amp with cab emulation like the Friedman IR range or the Tsakalis Audio Mothership comes close enough and is much easier to take to gigs. You can go to a monitor and PA or into the power amp of any amp they have at the venue. Profiling/Captures in DAW: Offers precise emulations of various amp sounds. Amp captures are also great, but some players might miss the traditional tone shaping possible with analog gear or even modeling plugins. Modeling Plugin in DAW: Provides a cost-effective and versatile solution for both practice and recording. One of the benefits of using plugins is that they offer a studio quality sound with minimal effort. The guitar preset tones are polished and sound wide. In my experience, using a reverb in the FX loop of your amp will sound less wide and lush than using a plugin after the fact. Also, with plugins, you can easily change your tone after recording, which is much harder or impossible with a real tube amp, depending on your setup. Another thing to consider is that a modeling amp gives you a lot of different tones in a single package, whereas a tube amp is often less versatile. Additionally, the polished sound of plugins can compensate for imperfections in your playing. Practicing through a tube amp forces you to focus on even the minute details of your playing compared to what you can get away with by using plugins. Also, because of the even vs. odd order harmonics in the sound, your ears will fatigue sooner when using digital gear. *Conclusion* For a beginner, starting with a decent modeling amp is recommended. It offers flexibility, a wide range of tones, and ease of use at a reasonable cost. Once you have developed your skills and a clearer understanding of your preferences, you can explore tube amps to further refine your sound. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs, budget, and living situation.
First ...I have to say in 5 years you have done well learning.......2 you need to get away from plugins and try Helix, QC, Fractal, or even a Boss unit...or a tube amp. You will discover a whole new realm of realism to your tones so they won't sound digital.....just my 2 cents ...your playing 🎸 is great 👍🏻 though
@@SteeleJohnsonMusic I have a Cortex Nano. I use a Mesa TA-15 as a clean amp and run through a 1x12 speaker when I travel. It sounds stellar and I can use any amp capture to its best. Of course, I could use an IR and a /FR speaker, but that's more complication. Headphones would also work. ON a job where I fly, I have unit through a Yamaha THR-10 with great results. I like that little amp, but it's OD and gain channels suck balls. The Nano OTOH, sounds fantastic and has enough effects for me wiht excellent delay and reverb.
nope, depends on the venue, most places nowadays give u a direct out option and u can use something like a quad cortex but always good to have an amp as an option at least 100watts since most mic u up
not true I run My guitar (and bass and every mic we use on stage, our in ears, and our dmx lighting) through an interface into a laptop through our daw with all our backtracks and back out through the same interface to FOH and sometimes 4x12 cab next to me and its the best live sound and setup I have ever used.
Thanks from Italy 🇮🇹
Thanks for watching! 🙌🏻
I use a yamaha THR10X amp for my interface and desktop home amp. Yamaha now has their newer models of this amp out, but this thing is KILLER.
I’ll have to look that up!
Rock people need amps for the rock'n'roll vibe to work. Other genres not so much. I stopped using an amp and now I just use a direct-box/preamp/cab-Sim device. Not having to lug gear is liberating. I'm never going back to an amp
THat's a great perspective! Not having to haul an amp around seems like a major benefit to going digital.
I think for your situation, desk setup is all figured out. It seems you're pretty fond of the digital realm of things. You can learn all you need for tones on amp sims just the same as a physical amp. First thing to start would just be making your own presets.
You can go for an actual amp sure, but there are some really good ways to keep things light and compact. Digital modelers can always be plugged into a power amp/pedal for going to a guitar cab. For example a seymour duncan powerstage 170 (which is about the size of a book) can be found used on reverb for around $260. Pair a modeler like a tonex, hx stomp, moor (whatever fits your budget) into it and now you have the option for playing into a cab or also being able to give a line out/XLR cable from the modeler itself to a venue's PA speakers.
Example video: ua-cam.com/video/ZeaMXPsNY-c/v-deo.html
True! If I was gigging and needed a rig, I would for sure have to get an actual amp. A digital modeler/multi-fx into a cab may be all I need! I'll have to look at all of those options you suggested 🙏 Thanks for the comment!
Well I have a kemper, proper pc interface and a nice PA speaker so I could switch to do everything digitally but the feeling of a cranked up tube amp is just different. I play my powerball II at around 105 dB with hearing protection when my neighbour isn't at home and use a engl savage 120 special edition for band practice turned to 12 o clock. Both with huge 4x12 cabinets and it just hits different. I love the kemper for recording, playing it at lower volume and for headphone usage but I'm not feeling each note the same way as I do with a tube amp. That will never change imho. I am in a metal band and play metal and hard rock mostly.
I started of with a digitech rp80 back in the day, then got boss gt8, line 6 spider valve (not great but still fun to jam with people) before I got the powerball and later the kemper. For a beginner I would always recommend getting something with modelling. It came a long way. (probably even free plugins and just a proper interface)
The feeling the tube amps provide seems amazing! A lot of the love for this craft is the feeling that comes along with it, so sticking with tube amps seems like a special thing! Feeling the room rumble with a great tone attached is why I love concerts so much. Thanks for the comment!
How are you learning your favorite metalcore songs? Could you make a video on your process?
Great question! I'm going to make a video detailing the process! Thanks for sending this question over!
I had the same experience as you. I bought a small little amp when I started picking up the electric guitar and had some struggle figuring out the sound I wanted. Then I discovered neural dsp plugins and I would say that for beginners, these software are fantastic in order to get the tones they want, especially if they want the sound of idols such as tim henson, plini, gojira,etc. For live, I thinks a multi effect would be more convenient.
Those neural dsp plugins seem incredible! I've been playing around with the idea of trying them out at some point. As far as multi-fx go, are there any brands you recommend I look into?
@@SteeleJohnsonMusic I haven't got much experience with multi-fx but there are a few renowned ones I know: Line 6, quad cortex, hotone, boss, fender, nux
*Do You Need a Tube Amp as a Beginner Guitarist?*
When starting out as a guitarist, the question of whether you need a tube amp often arises. While tube amps have long been cherished for their warm, rich tones, the necessity of owning one as a beginner is debatable. Let’s explore the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
*Why You Don’t Necessarily Need a Tube Amp*
Firstly, you do not need an amp at all to play and record guitar at home. Modern technology offers numerous alternatives that can produce excellent sound quality without the need for traditional amplification. Guitar plugins are a popular choice, but they require a decent setup to run smoothly. This includes investing in a good audio interface, USB mixer, and quality studio monitors. Additionally, many users find that a Mac is preferable for running music software efficiently. The combined cost of these components can be comparable to, or even exceed, the price of an entry-level tube amp or a high-quality modeling amp.
*Cost Considerations*
For beginners, the cost is a crucial factor. A decent modeling amp, which can emulate various amp sounds and effects, is often more affordable and versatile. Modeling amps provide a wide range of tones and are user-friendly, making them a practical choice for someone just starting out. This way, you can experience different sounds without the steep investment in multiple amps or extensive recording equipment.
*Practical Benefits of Alternatives*
One significant advantage of using studio monitors and an audio interface is the ability to separate your tone from your volume. This is particularly beneficial for those living in apartments, where high volumes can be problematic. Tube amps often need to be played at a certain volume to achieve their signature sound, which can be too loud for home use. Conversely, digital setups allow you to enjoy high-quality tones at any volume, making them a more suitable option for beginners in noise-sensitive environments.
A small combo amp is also easy to take anywhere, and you will most likely not move your home studio setup whenever you play guitar at family or friends. This portability makes combo amps a convenient choice for casual playing outside your usual setup.
*Exploring Various Options*
There are many ways to achieve great guitar tones today, and each has its unique benefits:
Tube Amp + Speaker and Mic: Traditional and authentic, but requires high volume.
Tube Amp + Load Box + Impulse Responses: Allows for tube amp tones at manageable volumes.
Pre-amp + Cabsim: Combines analog and digital for flexible sound shaping. For example, a tube pre-amp with cab emulation like the Friedman IR range or the Tsakalis Audio Mothership comes close enough and is much easier to take to gigs. You can go to a monitor and PA or into the power amp of any amp they have at the venue.
Profiling/Captures in DAW: Offers precise emulations of various amp sounds. Amp captures are also great, but some players might miss the traditional tone shaping possible with analog gear or even modeling plugins.
Modeling Plugin in DAW: Provides a cost-effective and versatile solution for both practice and recording. One of the benefits of using plugins is that they offer a studio quality sound with minimal effort. The guitar preset tones are polished and sound wide. In my experience, using a reverb in the FX loop of your amp will sound less wide and lush than using a plugin after the fact. Also, with plugins, you can easily change your tone after recording, which is much harder or impossible with a real tube amp, depending on your setup.
Another thing to consider is that a modeling amp gives you a lot of different tones in a single package, whereas a tube amp is often less versatile. Additionally, the polished sound of plugins can compensate for imperfections in your playing. Practicing through a tube amp forces you to focus on even the minute details of your playing compared to what you can get away with by using plugins. Also, because of the even vs. odd order harmonics in the sound, your ears will fatigue sooner when using digital gear.
*Conclusion*
For a beginner, starting with a decent modeling amp is recommended. It offers flexibility, a wide range of tones, and ease of use at a reasonable cost. Once you have developed your skills and a clearer understanding of your preferences, you can explore tube amps to further refine your sound. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs, budget, and living situation.
What in the ChatGPT is this 😟
First ...I have to say in 5 years you have done well learning.......2 you need to get away from plugins and try Helix, QC, Fractal, or even a Boss unit...or a tube amp. You will discover a whole new realm of realism to your tones so they won't sound digital.....just my 2 cents ...your playing 🎸 is great 👍🏻 though
DSP Nolly plugin or Gojira Plugin is all I need, appreciate your video
They sound incredible! Thanks for watching!
You dont need amps and pedals to play live anymore.
The best way to make digital sound good is to play it through a tube amp.
not true ss and tube amps are identical in tone now days.
I never thought to do this! Sounds like it could be a fun thing to try out!
@@SteeleJohnsonMusic I have a Cortex Nano. I use a Mesa TA-15 as a clean amp and run through a 1x12 speaker when I travel. It sounds stellar and I can use any amp capture to its best. Of course, I could use an IR and a /FR speaker, but that's more complication. Headphones would also work. ON a job where I fly, I have unit through a Yamaha THR-10 with great results. I like that little amp, but it's OD and gain channels suck balls. The Nano OTOH, sounds fantastic and has enough effects for me wiht excellent delay and reverb.
Yes you need an amp.
Good luck surviving your 1st club gig with a laptop
Fair! Now the real question: What wattage would I need 🤔
nope, depends on the venue, most places nowadays give u a direct out option and u can use something like a quad cortex but always good to have an amp as an option at least 100watts since most mic u up
not true I run My guitar (and bass and every mic we use on stage, our in ears, and our dmx lighting) through an interface into a laptop through our daw with all our backtracks and back out through the same interface to FOH and sometimes 4x12 cab next to me and its the best live sound and setup I have ever used.