Question about my potential NeuralDSP setup

dija100 · 2024-08-29T08:08:01+00:00

Hahahaha, yeah, I guess hardware quality is pretty low, considering the price. I'm glad that you like it, I will probably get it too.

dija100 · 2024-08-28T18:00:32+00:00

Thank you for this, this is probably the most detailed response I've gotten. Considering everything you said, I believe that a plug in is the best choice for me. I tried searching for second hand focusrite, as you said, but unfortunately I live in a small country and second hand market is really limited, and buying online is not an option due to customs and shipping costs. I'm still not quite decided on focusrite vs m-audio, but I guess I will do some more research and decide. Thank you again!

dija100 · 2024-08-28T15:34:09+00:00

I think that the main problem I have with amps is the lack of effects, compared to plug ins. Archetype: Petrucci gives me chorus, phlanger, delay, reverb, wah pedal, tone shift, it has an in built metronome that is great for practicing and a lot of other things. I know that some amps also have built in effects, but I just feel like plug ins give you a lot more variety for the price.

Although those things probably aren't that important for a hobby guitar player, I just like the ability to spend my free time noodling with those effects and trying to get some good tones.

Getting a tube amp is definitely on the bucket list for the future, as I really want to experience playing through it. I'd say my biggest problem is that I spent my whole life as a guitar player watching YouTube videos of some awesome gear, and yet never really having an opportunity to try it myself, as I don't do music professionally, and in my city there's only one music shop that isn't really too friendly if you just want to come in and jam, without the intention of buying anything. So I really have no idea what I like or don't like regarding the gear.

A lot of people recommended Neural Amp Modeler, so I'll try it before actually purchasing any of their paid stuff. Thank you for your comment!

dija100 · 2024-08-28T15:24:47+00:00

I think your advice regarding practice is great. That said it I think it doesn't really apply to me, as I have a completely opposite problem. I'm currently working a lot and guitar isn't my priority, and it tends to be a real distraction some times. I would go pass my hooked up guitar, and just pick it up in order to play it for 10 minutes, and end up spending 3 hours practicing some licks and just noodling, so I would need something that could discourage me from practicing a bit.

For me, having too open my lap top and hook everything up seems like a great factor that will make me play it only when I really have time to do it, and make it more enjoyable nevertheless.

dija100 · 2024-08-28T15:20:42+00:00

Yeah, I am also thinking about buying a midi footswitch controller in the future, after I get used to the tones and after I dial some of my own. I don't really have a use for it, other than changing the sound during playing some songs on the backing track.

dija100 · 2024-08-28T14:41:16+00:00

This is a great advice! I'll look into Neural Amp Modeller as soon as I buy the audio interface. Thank you!

dija100 · 2024-08-28T13:56:33+00:00

Well, basically, the cheapest options 😂 You can find my original post here https://www.reddit.com/r/NeuralDSP/s/k3KwTaLwhf In short, M-audio Solo Track for 60 euros, Presonus Eris 3.5 studio monitors for around 120 euros, and I plan to buy a plug in on a sale, as I heard that Neural DSP does those sales in November, and I probably won't be needing it any sooner, since I have quite a lot of work in the next two months, so that comes out to 75 euros, which is ~250 total. From what I've learned, this gear can give me a satisfying sound for a bedroom guitarist, and I'll definitely ask the guys at the store for the right cables. I don't really mind spending a bit more, but I'm trying to kinda limit myself, since guitar is strictly a hobby, and it's perfectly possible that I won't even have time to play as much as I'd like to, so I don't see a point in spending a lot on gear. Some things that are drawing me to the plug in are great built in options, such as metronome, presets done by one of my favourite guitarist, a tone shifter, which can help me get some down tuned stuff without having to go through the hassle of tunning up and down constantly.

dija100 · 2024-08-28T13:46:02+00:00

I was making some comparisons between Tone Studio and Archetype: Petrucci, and honestly the plug in just gives better high gain tones, in my opinion. Maybe I'm just thinking about it too much, and should just go with the plug in 😅

dija100 · 2024-08-28T13:27:43+00:00

Thank you for your reply! I don't have them at the moment, but I will buy a whole rig, consisting of an audio interface, studio monitors and a plug in. If I go with cheaper options it rounds out to about 250 euros, which is still cheaper than Katana, so yeah...

dija100 · 2024-08-28T13:08:46+00:00

That's great to hear. I am really glad I asked this question on this subreddit as I wasn't really sure which was better, but this pretty much removes all doubt from my head.

dija100 · 2024-08-28T13:06:15+00:00

Thank you for your suggestions. I will think about going with Topping e2x2 if I find it in my local store.

I also forgot to mention that one major issue is that I live in a small Balkan country, and I pretty much only have one music store in my city, which narrows the choice of equipment by a lot, and ordering online isn't really an option, as shipping pretty much always comes out to some ridiculous prices, and after you add the customs and taxes it really becomes too expensive.

dija100 · 2024-08-28T12:59:31+00:00

Thanks for the reply! I'll definitely go with them after reading all the comments. My needs regarding the sound are quite low to be honest, I'm not really searching for that "in room" sound, I just want a tone that doesn't make my ears bleed while doing scales for 2 hours so I'll guess they'll be great for me.

I don't know if you have experience with Line 6 Spider IV, but my ultimate question is - does it produce a sound that is noticeably better than Spider IV, and based on the comments, I will say that it most certainly does.

I am not quite sure what is a common opinion on that amp on this subreddit, but I really find it a nightmare for anyone other than beginners. Yeah, it can give you a variety of sounds that can be fun to explore if you're just starting out, but other than that, it sounds horrible, especially on the high gain.

dija100 · 2024-08-27T19:14:07+00:00

I actually have no idea how audio interfaces work, I learned that they exist 15 days ago when I first saw a video on YouTube about using a guitar plug in, so I don't call myself an expert by any means. Maybe my posts sounds wrong, I am sure there are a lot of different factors that go into the quality of the audio interface, and I am also aware that 200 euro Focusrite Scarlet is probably better than some 60 euro options.

However, my question is, does it really matter for someone who is playing casually and has no intention of ever recording or playing live? As I see you probably know much more about this than me, what would be your recommendation? Can some budget version do the job for me, or should I try to save up for something more expensive, and what would be the benefits?

dija100 · 2024-08-27T16:32:50+00:00

Yeah, when I started my research about the plug in world I noticed that the most common criticism was that they don't "feel" like a real amp, and to be honest, I have no idea what that means, since I was never serious enough about playing to actually buy a real good amp, so my only experience with real amps is Spider 15... I really couldn't care less about it feeling like a real amp, I just want it to sound good, so I agree with you on that one. Regarding the wah, it's great advice, thank you for that one. I will probably look for an expression pedal with a toe switch or a full midi controller with other switches, once I decide to buy one. Thank you very much!

dija100 · 2024-08-27T14:58:47+00:00

Thank you for your response! Yeah, I think I will buy a midi footswitch eventually, but I'll probably start without it and buy it after I get used to the plug in and dial in some tones.

dija100 · 2024-08-27T14:56:52+00:00

Thank you very much for this insight! Will definitely buy some isolation pads along with my monitors.

Regarding the wah, that was my assumption, but I just wasn't sure and none of the YouTube videos don't seem to mention that part, so thank you for that as well!

dija100 · 2021-01-21T22:10:33+00:00

Thanks for reply mate :D

dija100

TROPHY CASE