Do they make effect pedals... for the computer?

[Tupac]

Is there any program that turns your computer into an effects pedal? Like sound goes into through the microphone, and comes out of the speaker distorted. I know there's an app for the iPhone that does it, but I have an older generation iPod that doesn't have a microphone.

[superbassman2000]

yes, and most of them are called VSTs

[avvie]

Any digital audio program worth a crap is loaded with 'em.... any effect you can think of.

VST is a format to run them ; I think developed by Steinberg. AU (Audio Units) is the premier format for Mac DAWs.

[Tupac]

Originally Posted by avvie

Any digital audio program worth a crap is loaded with 'em.... any effect you can think of.

VST is a format to run them ; I think developed by Steinberg. AU (Audio Units) is the premier format for Mac DAWs.

Do they output the sounds in real time as I'm playing? And do you have any recommendations, preferably for Windows?

[jkramer5]

yes and IK Multimedia

[avvie]

Yeah, IK has a good standalone program. I got the free version of Amplitube and though it's very, very limited, with enough noodling you can make a pretty decent tone. Takes a while to jump through the registration hoops to get it.

kvraudio.com is an internet database of virtually every single VST/AU plug-in or standalone program, along with a list of all the free ones. What exactly do you want? Just a distortion? Just for microphones? What are you doing exactly? Figure that out, and a search of kvr will find it.

[avvie]

PS: "output sounds as you're playing" sounds like you may have run into that "latency" issue that comes with some ASIO programs. You're gonna want a standalone program that doesn't have to be patched through a sequencing program (DAW) as a plug-in.

[slaphappychappy]

logic pro has a great range of pedals which is why i have started using effects .

[kokoshmusun]

Get a good audio interface, USB or preferably PCI, and tweak your Windows system to run audio faster (google "optimize Windows for audio"), and then the latency (the time that passes between you hitting a note on your guitar and you hearing it from your speakers) is going to be so little that you will not notice it.

For effects, try Guitar Rig by Native Instruments, or IK Amplitude, or a bunch of free and paid VSTs.

[Happynoj]

Try the Line 6 Toneports.

[superbassman2000]

Originally Posted by Tupac

Do they output the sounds in real time as I'm playing? And do you have any recommendations, preferably for Windows?

Plogue Bidule is my recomendation

[smllsnd/bigsnd]

ableton live is another great option

[g13b9b5]

check out a USB output upgrade for your instrument as well. this website iGuitarWorkshop.com has info about it. you can get an upgrade on any brand of instrument.