Play Electric without an amp help.
 

What's my options if I want to play an electric guitar without an amp? What software do I need to plug directly into my laptop and use my laptop speaker/headphones. Or into my android smart phone?

Not looking to record or have drums tracks, just looking to replace an amp with laptop or android phone, or some inexpensive device. All I really need is to be able to go from clean to distortion.

Edit: Is this something that will get me what I need?
https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com...d-boost/351267

https://images.reverb.com/image/uplo...z6vmt4t9pk.jpg

IK Multimedia iRig and app for smartphone:http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...4MF-adType^PLA

I use the same little Vox plug, works great.

dru: i'd recommend this. i believe it comes with free software that will allow you to get heavy. if not, there are free apps online.

play music!

Thanks for the link - I'll do some reading on it.


Thanks Paleo. You just plug your headphones into it and your guitar cable, right? Nothing else required except the batteries?


Thanks muscmp. Another vote for iRig.

These work really well, especially when you need to play quietly (others are asleep, hotel rooms, etc.). Cheap, compact and easy to travel with.

Dru, bear in mind you don’t need a cable. Vox box directly into output jack on guitar. Headphones directly into the Vox. And you’re done. Gives a really nice clean, decent crunch and decent “burn “. Note that briefly pressing the Power button is how you change channels. Decent sound, very simple, dirt cheap. Hard to beat (and I have tried much more expensive solutions.)

That's the plan. Something I can keep in the hotel.


Thanks. I think this is what I'm going to buy. I'm looking for something with some moderate gain (think '80s metal). I'm guessing the Classic Rock will sound better than the Metal version .

I have a Line 6 Pocket Pod that is really slick. I like the different amp sims. You can use it with headphone and plug it into a amp.

An amp sim like a Joyo American Sound to powered speakers, computer or sound system input works well for me.

I recently got one and I love it. I get up early in the morning and plug my phone with a backing track into it, earphones out and go to town. Very enjoyable. Great sound, simple to use.

This is a good point, it has an input that you can play your laptop or ipod or whatever in it. I practice off of videos a lot and you can plug that in and play over it, works great.

I think this will work well for what you want Dru. Have fun!

The vox amplug is a good shout. You can plug an audio source (phone, laptop, etc.) into it via a 3.5mm jack plug and play along.

If you're looking for something to plug into your PC, I can recommend the iRIG HD. Great sound quality with low latency, and you can use it with windows if you download the drivers online. If you're looking for something a little cheaper, you can go for the iRig 2, which plugs straight into the microphone input on your laptop. They're pretty good for basic stuff, but I find if you want a good quality recording, you're better with the HD model.

The Zoom G1Xon will drive headphones as well as an amplifier, PA or computer line input. I record with mine into my computer and it works great. Many of the patches are stereo. It's cheap, too.

http://media.musiciansfriend.com/is/...00-750x750.jpg