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All Software Rig?

jdwhitak

jdwhitak

Mar 20, 2012
407
79
Indianapolis, IN
#1
I'm thinking about ditching my amp and pedals. I've been using software more and more. I spend most of my time hooked to the computer playing along to my iTunes library or loops that I've set up. These days the plug-ins seem just as good or better than the real device.

I currently don't play with anyone or gig. I don't think I really ever will again either. It's just too much of a pain for me.

So, who's doing this? On the rare occasion that I might play out what would I need equipment wise besides the computer, software and audio interface?
 
#2
Obviously will need a good cab & poweramp.

Have seen this done with a Line6 POD desktop interface & a presonus preamp between the output & poweramp. Sounded damn good actually.

If going direct to board would imagine just a preamp.
 
#3
I've seen one guitar player do it. Honestly, I wanted it to suck out front, but it didn't. In the mix with the rest of the band it sounded REALLY good. He was playing a Taylor electric (solid body, not acoustic) and he even set the software to do acoustic guitar sounds. The acoustic guitar sound was amazing. The overdrive sounds were good. Even the lead tones were pretty spot on. And he was able to mimic just about anybody. Did it sound EXACTLY like the original? Nope. But it got closer than any other setup I have seen/heard live. Go for it. If you ever gig again, just run it straight to the PA and send some back through your monitor.
 
#4
I've been doing it since 2008 with my Line6 Pod xtLive, USB'd into my computer. I usually run the Line6 Edit software for tweaking my "amp" settings. I play, practice & record with Reaper - Ableton Live - Garage Band - whatever I feel like using that day.

I go direct from the Pod to the board for most of my live gigs with my main band, (using in-ears), sounds amazing.

I only ever use an amp (combo) now if I'm playing with my blues band.
 
#7
It's great having everything on a laptop or iOS, right in your hands when you want to try something. Work with it studio style, and carry it onstage for a performance.
Take a look at the FOH market. Laptops running the signal processing is everywhere. Keyboards have been doing PC's for years.
Know that others are doing this and it works.
If you don't get the response, then take a double look at your set up. I may be as simple as the drivers you use.
 
#11
F-Clef-Jef said:
Also check out the IOS Bass Players Thread (and reserve a couple of days to get through it all...
Click to expand...

Definitely take the time to read through this thread. There's a huge amount of info there.

I use my iPhone 4S with an Apogee Jam, running Jamup XT with the bass expansion (an in-app purchase). I run out of my iPhone to a DI box, which splits my signal to the PA and my amp (when needed).

I've got the best bass sound that I've had in over 30 years of playing, and an amazing practice setup at home. I can play bass while watching tv in the living room, and have the exact tone that I have at rehearsals and gigs.
 
#12
I've started working that way. I recently got an Avid 11 Rack and couldn't be happier so far. It's very user friendly and a great bargain. Plus it is an audio interface so it plugs straight into pro tools, but can also be plugged straight into a board should you play out, or you can run it through a power amp and into a cab. I highly recommend looking into them.
 
#13
The possibility of using laptops and iOS devices as a replacement to a real amp has taken some big leaps in recent years. I have to say that while I still prefer to have physical knobs, the stuff like JAMUP, AMPLITUBE and AMKPKIT on iOS are very, very convincing sound-wise. Obviously there are more options on the laptop when it comes to amp models and plug-ins.

Just the overwhelming positive response to the OP shows that there has been a pretty mainstream acceptance of software based rigs in recent years and the stuff is only going to get better sounding over time.
 

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