Guitar interface Laptop/Android

[RicharDC5]

I've been looking around the net for a guitar interface as I can't take my amp to uni.

I'm getting confused with all the software options...some free with add-on stuff, up to hugely expensive does everything software. I can't figure out which interfaces work with what either. I'm only looking for something simple, preferably with a headphone output (apparently the sound is better using a dedicated sound card). I'm not looking to spend a lot of money as I just want something basic. I also have an android phone, so that could be an option.

What are others using? and what are the good options?

Thanks, Richard

[Tom_C76]

When I started Uni I took a Marshall DRP1 preamp and ran it though a pair of PC speakers. There's a couple of similar small amps available not, a Diageo one for a start but not sure if that has the 3.5mm output for headphones or line out.

That said, I soon weakened and got the combo amp up there too. Still got the DRP1 somewhere, could maybe be persuaded to part with it if you're interested?

[RicharDC5]

Thanks, I'll bear that in mind.

I can't take any kind of proper amp though as they are on the banned items list

[Hanslow]

I've just swtiched to a focusrite scarlett 2i4 which I run into my laptop through reaper and a number of free VST plugins (lepou mainly). Sounds really good with lots of flexibility on sounds. Lag is low enough for me to not/barely notice. I've not tried using the scarlett's headphone socket, but it gets the signal back from the laptop and you can dial it in between wet and dry as much as you want.

I went for the 2i4 over the 2i2 as most of my guitars have active pickups and allows you to compensate for a hotter input signal. Have a look on youtube at what the interface, reaper and the lepou plugins can give you.

[RicharDC5]

That looks like a really good setup

Can you play backing tracks in reaper while using the amp sims?

Also what cable do I need to connect my guitar to the interface?

Thanks

Edited by RicharDC5 on Friday 5th September 08:59

Edited by RicharDC5 on Friday 5th September 08:59

[singlecoil]

RicharDC5 said:

That looks like a really good setup

Can you play backing tracks in reaper while using the amp sims?

Also what cable do I need to connect my guitar to the interface?

You certainly can with other DAWs, so I expect Reaper is ok for that too. Just load the track in as an audio recording. With Cubase you can do a lot of processing to the track too, tempo, pitch etc, Don't know about Reaper. Many interfaces come bundled with a free stripped down DAW.


1/4" jack to jack.

[OldSkoolRS]

I bought a little Alesis iO4 recently (they do a cheaper iO2 as well if you don't need 4 channels input at once). It came with Cubase LE5 which is perhaps not the best DAW in the world, I've been able to knock up a few multitrack recordings with it using guitar, bass and electronic drums.

What found when I looked at interfaces was that every single one has negative reviews! I almost didn't buy anything as I kept looking at more and more expensive solutions. In the end I figured that if it really was that poor then I'd take it back for a refund. In the event I found it included more features than I'd realised ( read a copy of 'Sound on Sound' on holiday and discovered that DAWs usually include compressors, reverb and other effects...I just didn't know they were there until I went looking!).

I'm not saying the iO4 is the best in the world (or even at it's price), but just don't be too put off by any negative reviews you might read AND expect to spend a bit of time getting your head around using whatever interface you end up buying. At first it was hard going (for someone more used to a 'simple' 8 track recorder), but I'm getting there. You can always add extra FX and amp simulators later on too.

[Hanslow]

singlecoil is spot on. You can import a song as another track, then adjust the mix to get your sound louder than it, or vice versa. Standard guitar lead as already mentioned connects you to the scarlett.

Reaper is free for trial use (unlimited features and time but with a delayed nag screen) and not too pricey to buy. I got a copy of Ableton Live Lite with the interface, but chose Reaper instead as there's a good userbase and it has a lot of features for something so cheap.

The amp sims work on a track by track basis, so you can turn them on/off on whichever tracks you choose, so you can keep your backing track as it would sound normally, and apply effects just to your own track which can record what you play, or just monitor and run you through the effects in a live type setup.

[Hanslow]

One thing to note. If you do go down a digital route, invest some time with IR cab impulses. Without them the amps can sound really fizzy, like a tin of wasps. Lepou has an IR VST module that lets you load multiple impulses and switch between them, and there are a number of available free impulses available on line. Again, youtube videos will show you the difference between using them and not. Once you get the basics down (I'm still doing so) you can get a decent sound for practicing and ultimately tweak and record for production if you want to.

[RicharDC5]

I've watched a few youtube vids and they did explain that a few different things are needed in the signal chain to get the sound right. I've ordered the scarlett 2i4 and I'll see what I can do with the bundled software before I start downloading stuff. I guess the best way to learn is to go ahead and start using it.

Many thanks to everyone for the info and suggestions

[Chirpsean]

Just another sugestion, if you have an iOs device (ipad/phone) you could run the focusrite through a camera conection kit into garageband or another DAW and play about with the effects used in them.

[conkerman]

Fender mustang 1.

90 quid.

USB recording and comes with Ableton and amplitube.

[RicharDC5]

Thanks, but I've already bought the 2i4. I don't have any apple stuff so I'm just running it through the laptop.

I can't get lepou plugins to download at the moment so I haven't spent much time using Reaper. The free amplitube software sounds ok and is easy to use

I'm going to download a few demo's/free software apps before I decide what I'll be using full time.

Cheers

[Hanslow]

You should be able to get the Lepou VST plugins from here http://lepouplugins.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/new-dow.... Get the Amp sims pack and LeCab from the right hand side light blue box.

Once you've got them, extract them into a folder that is in your plugin path in Reaper (or other DAW) and you should see them as available FX plugins.

For possibly better latency, try the ASIO4ALL driver, which you can then choose from your input driver interface list in your application. One thing that took me a while to sort out was how to get "live" playing in Reaper. To help with that (if you need it) create a track (CTRL+T), then prime the track by clicking on the round red button on the track. Look at the mixing panel at the bottom, and click on the speaker button on the right hand column of buttons. That should get you audio.

Once you have that, click the FX button for the track, pick your plugin(s), to start with, I'd just go with an amp and the lecab plugin, load a cab impulse into lecab and you should be set to start tweaking.

Have fun with it all, hopefully you'll get something set that will last you through uni

For cab impulses, if you've not found many, try http://bedroomproducersblog.com/2010/10/01/free-sa... as a place to start, and then keep digging around

Edited by Hanslow on Thursday 11th September 19:03

[RicharDC5]

I've finally have Reaper/Lepou working. Even with little tweaking I'm getting a nice sound out of it (better than Amplitube) without any noticeable lag. There's a lot of stuff to play around with which should keep me occupied for quite a while!

Thanks for all the help Hanslow, it's much appreciated

[Hanslow]

My pleasure, glad you're sorted It's certainly looking at saving me a lot of money being thrown at new amps because I fancy a change.