Best Desktop Amp solution

Si_

HI all.. I've been away from playing guitar for a while but want to get back into it.. All my lovely Valve amps are useless in a small apartment so I want a PC based solution. What's the best one out there a the moment, and what's the best way to hook the guitar up to a PC?

BRISTOL86

I'm using a Scarlett 2i2 with Amplitube 4 on a Mac and I really like it. I need to do some work delving into the tweaking as I find a lot of the tones aren't brilliant straight off the bat, but it's a better solution than a modelling amp IMO. 

To be able to go straight from playing to recording is a big plus. My THR10 could record but the Scarlett is much better as an audio interface. 

darthed1981

I've recorded off the USB on a Blackstar Core 10 - thats kinda fun and dirt cheap

fretmeister

Helix.

Si_

fretmeister said:

Helix.

I'm on a budget....

Modellista

The amp sims in the Zoom units are pretty good - G3 or the Multistomps.  You might need an interface or you could just plug into your computer's line in with the appropriate adapter, it might sound fine depending on the quality of the on-board sound card.

Shark_Eyes

The Laney L5 Studio Guitar head has firewire direct out, it's not tiny, but neither is it massive, so depending on your desk size, it could live on your desktop.

Other plus points are:
It is an actual tube amp
Can be used with headphones, and has a good speaker sim
Can also be hooked up to a proper a speaker cab.

I use it as my only amp, so could potentially be worth checking out.

fretmeister

Si_ said:

fretmeister said:

Helix.

I'm on a budget....

If you give an idea of the budget then our ideas would be more useful.

Or you could sell a valve amp you aren't using?

bingefeller

Boss GT-001 sounds good and is pretty cheap, plus the Boss Tone Studio software is very useful for editing patches and you can download patches too.

modellista said:

The amp sims in the Zoom units are pretty good - G3 or the Multistomps.  You might need an interface or you could just plug into your computer's line in with the appropriate adapter, it might sound fine depending on the quality of the on-board sound card.

The Zoom units do sound good when recording, but they don't have any software to edit on your actual computer, which might put some people off. 

thermionic

Vox Tonelab, the original desktop model.

olafgarten

bingefeller said:

Boss GT-001 sounds good and is pretty cheap, plus the Boss Tone Studio software is very useful for editing patches and you can download patches too.

modellista said:

The amp sims in the Zoom units are pretty good - G3 or the Multistomps.  You might need an interface or you could just plug into your computer's line in with the appropriate adapter, it might sound fine depending on the quality of the on-board sound card.

The Zoom units do sound good when recording, but they don't have any software to edit on your actual computer, which might put some people off. 

I'd recommend the Zoom G3 or G3x, I have the G5 and it sounds really good through monitors. You can edit patches with the Edit&Share Software and I use Reaper for recording. They can also act as an interface for S Gear, Amplitube and Guitar Rig etc...

guitarfishbay

Amplitube 4 is $59.99 until the end of the day 

http://www.ikmultimedia.com/mobile/news/news.php?id=861

NelsonP

Si_ said:

fretmeister said:

Helix.

I'm on a budget....

I have a POD XT and FBV Express mk2 for sale if you're interested?

bloodandtears

Si_ said:

fretmeister said:

Helix.

I'm on a budget....

HD500X?  Pod v2?

sweepy

Scuffham S Gear followed by BIAS 

tony99

boss katana, but just make a bit of room for it on the desk

Jetfire

Im liking guitar rig but s gear is quality too

TimmyO

If I were setting out to do this now on a budget I'd get a Line 6 Sonicport VX as the 'interface'  and Scuffham S-Gear as the modelling 

DaveMon

If you have or buy a focusrite interface and register it on their website before the end of May you can get BIAS amp for free!

https://uk.focusrite.com/plugin-collective

edbolivar

Apollow twin duo I s great, and not too expensive, but then you open yourself to temptation as lots of amps, effects plug ins, etc are available at extra cost.

Much better Amp plugins available in comparison to Helix, for 'initially' less money but far less choice unless you spend much more 

TTBZ

S-Gear 2 has been the best modeller I've tried but I'm actually quite liking the amplitube or120 model at the minute.