Modern Metal Practice Amp

[Chasbo]

I am leaning towards the POD/Power Amp option here. i have 2 questions before shopping.

What power amp would be a good match for something like this?

Would a 1x12 cabinet still work here?

The pc speaker bit is a nice idea, but what speakers would be a good match for this sort of setup?

chuck

[thetroy]

Do you also listen to a lot of music on your PC? If so, I would look into some real speakers instead of the made-for-pc stuff

[ewright]

Roland Cube 30 will get you alot of great high gain tones.

I just bought a Cube 60, and I have to agree. If you're just using it at home, no pedals required (the EFX sound much better than I expected), and there's alot more in there than high-gain (but again, no pedal required to get really dirty). From what I've seen so far, you can quickly and easily get almost any tone you want (9 models + JC120 clean). It even has an acoustic simulator that really surprised me; Wish You Were Here sounds great!

Also, and I can't speak for the 30 here, but the 60 sounds incredible even at very low volumes. For $345, this is hands-down the best amp I've ever played with (although I've never owned a tube, so take that with a grain of salt).

[Thor Von Clemson]

+1 for a POD/computer monitors. I have an XTL and two Audiophile M-somethings that work very well for high gain tones and cleans. Plus the two of them work great for stereo. Also, with the two outputs on the XTL you can run one into a pc for recording and the other into a speaker. If you hook the other speaker into the soundcard of your pc you will get sound from both of them and have direct recording access. The monitors work very well in bringing out the tones of the POD. I can send you a link to a good high gain tone that I downloaded and messed with.

[Chasbo]

Do you also listen to a lot of music on your PC? If so, I would look into some real speakers instead of the made-for-pc stuff

I hadn't considered that. Do regular speakers use a computer style plug in now?

chuck

[paige]

For speakers go to staples and buy some 3.1 altecs. They are cheap and will get you going for now. Later you can add a mixer and power amp and nice big speakers if you want. I think you will be surprised at the sound quality vs price of the altecs. Also they are self powered, so just plug and play.

[HoWheels]

I have a set of Klipsch Promedia 2.1's I use as my computer monitors. PodXT connected to my PC through 1/4" cables to my EMU 0404 card. Records at 24 bit, 128hz.

-a

[xixor]

I would recommend using a computer/recording setup. This allows you to record yourself, make your own rhythm tracks and play along with cds/mp3s in addition to just playing. Having the computer also allows you to use guitar pro, or search tabs online, watch guitar related dvd's or surf porn.

I use a line-6 pod 2.0 for the guitar, works great, relatively inexpensive, very easy to use and very versatile. Then use a fairly good quality soundcard to bring the sound into your computer. Using a poor quality card such as the sound blaster 16 can be problematic. I use an m-audio 2496 PCI audio card (http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Audiophile2496-main.html), but there are lots of good usb/firewire and pci sound cards around.

Then get good speakers. If you can afford it, get some small near field studio monitors. I use edirol MA-20D's (http://www.network-ed.com.au/computer/shopexd.asp?id=2809). These are more expensive than just going out and getting little dinky computer speakers, but the difference in quality is enormous. Additionally, you can use an amp/reciever and shelf speakers/floor speakers if you have a nice home stereo system.

I have a little behringer 12 track mixing board connected to the sound card, this makes it very easy to add more instruments, mics, etc. Even though each one isn't recorded on its own track on the computer, you can record two separate instruments by panning each of them hard right/left and recording a stereo track.

With this type of setup, you have a great sounding practice system and a solid little recording system for not a heck of a lot of cash (assuming you already have a computer).

xixor

[Chasbo]

I would recommend using a computer/recording setup. This allows you to record yourself, make your own rhythm tracks and play along with cds/mp3s in addition to just playing. Having the computer also allows you to use guitar pro, or search tabs online, watch guitar related dvd's or surf porn.

I use a line-6 pod 2.0 for the guitar, works great, relatively inexpensive, very easy to use and very versatile. Then use a fairly good quality soundcard to bring the sound into your computer. Using a poor quality card such as the sound blaster 16 can be problematic. I use an m-audio 2496 PCI audio card (http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Audiophile2496-main.html), but there are lots of good usb/firewire and pci sound cards around.

Then get good speakers. If you can afford it, get some small near field studio monitors. I use edirol MA-20D's (http://www.network-ed.com.au/computer/shopexd.asp?id=2809). These are more expensive than just going out and getting little dinky computer speakers, but the difference in quality is enormous. Additionally, you can use an amp/reciever and shelf speakers/floor speakers if you have a nice home stereo system.

I have a little behringer 12 track mixing board connected to the sound card, this makes it very easy to add more instruments, mics, etc. Even though each one isn't recorded on its own track on the computer, you can record two separate instruments by panning each of them hard right/left and recording a stereo track.

With this type of setup, you have a great sounding practice system and a solid little recording system for not a heck of a lot of cash (assuming you already have a computer).

xixor

After checking that stuff out, it does seem to be a great home recording/practicing system. Unfortunately, it's also very pricey.
I will most likely get a spyderII 30 watt combo for now, and slowly build a up a system like that. That way I can play now as well.

Thanks to everyone that has thrown their 2 cents in. Ultimately, the home studio will get there, it's just gonna take a bit of time.

chuck

[hippietim]

Chuck - look around for a used Boss/Roland GS-10. They are much cooler than people realize - particularly for home recording and practicing. It's basically in between the GT-6 and GT-8 and has a bunch of bass amp modeling as well. It has small built in speakers, USB, PC editor, recording with PC, etc. It sounds great and is extremely versatile. They're discontinued - GC in Raleigh blew them out at their last sale for about $150.

[Chasbo]

Will do Tim, that sounds like a great little setup. I am always a day late and a dollar short on good deals like that

[jcm800x]

I bought an AX2/212 used for about $350 for the living room, gets all the sounds you need!

[Chasbo]

I bought an AX2/212 used for about $350 for the living room, gets all the sounds you need!

What is that brandwise? Never heard of that.

chuck

[jcm800x]

Line 6, it was their flagship for awhile. They used to go for over a G.

[Chasbo]

I will keep my eyes open, thanks man.

chuck