Pod Studio vs. Guitar Rig 3 vs. Ampeg SVX?

[mrjameskent]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum so hi, and after doing some searching in other topics I'm still a little unsure hence this post.

I'm going to be buying my first bass in a couple of weeks, used to play guitar and since moved over to electronic music with Ableton Live 7. As much as I love it I miss having an instrument, and am just being pulled to the bass over guitar.

I'm probably going to get myself a 5 string Peavey Cirrus BXP (£350, seems a good price), but don't want to get an amp due to already having shelled out a lot of money on some monitors (Rokit KRK 5's) and all my other gear (plugins, synths etc).

So my research has thrown up 3 contenders for being able to use my computer to practise and record.

My setup is a MacBook 2ghz Intel with 2gb ram. My soundcard is an M-Audio Firewire Audiophile, which I bought for DJ'ing so not sure that it is suitable as it doesn't have the inputs I need.

My priority in order is to be able to 1) practise, 2) record to Ableton. Eventually I would like to be able to gig or play in practise rooms and so investing in something now that does all 3 is preferable.

So basically I'd really value your input on whether the Pod Studio, Guitar Rig or Ampeg is the best route.

I want to be able to play a range of sounds from Motown/Jamerson-esque through to a nice rock bass tone.

Thanks everyone, really looking forward to becoming a bassist!!!
J

[bassplayer22]

I picked up the Ampeg SVX package for my ProTools rig a few weeks ago and have done some recording on it already. I don't know much about the other 2 products, but I really dig the SVX software. I am an Ampeg amp user, so it made sense to me to grab this. I used to use my SVT Pro 5 head as a pre, but I just use SVX now. It has several amps/cabs/mics to choose from to get the tone you are looking for. I don't really ever play with effects, although SVX does offer some, but you can throw together just about any Ampeg combo you can think of.

Maybe someone else can chime in on the other products you listed. Here is a review of SVX. Hope this helps.

Tim

http://www.musicplayers.com/reviews/...iaAmpegSVX.php

[tasty sweeps]

i have a macbook and i use it both as my practice amp, headphone jam amp, and recording booth simply by plugging an instrument cable into the input on the side of the computer [with a 1/4-1/8" adapter]. even sounds great through garage band, though logic is on the way for more midi and such.

2gigs ram, upgrading to 4. i'd recommend that as well. and no, i have yet to experience any kind of detrimental lag in my usual setup. even with the headphone out on the computer going to my home stereo system. at the most, it's a bit noticeable. but it has yet to interfere with my playing in any way.