software effects processing

[strange_stew]

I recently bought my first guitar and I cant afford an amp yet. I was wondering if there were any programs for the computer that do real-time effects processing. Basically I want to plug my guitar into my computer and hear the processed sound through the speakers. I know there are lots of programs like cool edit which are good for adding effects after you play but I dont know of any which do it during. Any help greatly appreciated..thanx!

[JimK]

n-track, which is shareware and can be found at www.ntrack.com (I think) claims to do this.

 

But....this depends on how fast your computer is, how good of a sound card you have, etc. Even then, n-track doesn't come with a lot of effects and you'll be going directly into the computer, which means it's not going to sound too good, no matter how much reverb/delay/chorus/whatever you throw on it.

 

To improve the sound, you need an amp modeler. Alien Connections makes a thing called ReValver. But, to get this to work, you need a good sound card ($$) and ReValver is about $200, so I don't think this is what you want.

 

I'd suggest saving you money and getting a practice amp when you can afford it. Or, buy one of the cheaper multi-effects processors that do amp modelling. You can run the output into your computer or use headphones. Digitech's RP series is pretty good (along with the J-Station, and POD).

 

Hope this helps.

 

Jim

[not coaster MODERATOR]

My friend

 

This is what the new Guitar Port by Line 6 is all about. Search no further.

[Dak Lander]

What Cereal said.

I use n-Track. It's an outstanding program but will not, at least on my version allow you to process an input signal as you're recording and hear it. If you select the plugin prior to punching in the record, it will lay it on the track, echo, reverb & etc, but I can't hear the effect while recording & monitoring with headphones. Then, too, it's only on the master channel so would show up on all tracks. Now, I haven't gotten into trying to patch to an aux channel to see if that's a possibility because, so far, I haven't needed to.

You record the track and then, while playing it back you can process in real time & hear the changes as you go. I actuality their plugin list is reasonably good and for the price, excellent. What's there is:

Auto Vol

Echo

Reverb

Compression

Equalization

Pitch Shift

Chorus

All have presets and adjustable perameters & actually sound pretty good.

When you figure that the program will run as many tracks that your computer can handle, it's one hell of a bang for the buck. The whole package is only $80.00 bucks for 16 bit processing & $102.00 for 24 bit.

I use Acoustica in conjunction with n-Track to clean up any noise & the package works great together. The only thing about n-Track I've had any dislike for is the mp3 conversions I've done. They've all had problems, maybe my fault but I got tired of fighting it and now use MusicMatch for that.

I have Cakewalk, Sonic Foundry and Cool Edit & n-Track is the one I use.

[Rim]

You can also try Korg's Pandora PX4 ($200) which is a little cheaper than the POD ($300). I have the older PX3 and it has some nice sounds. I haven't tried recording it, since I have the POD , but it probably won't sound that good. It's great for silent practice, though.

[strange_stew]

Thanx for all the info, Im gonna give n-track a try. Whats Guitar Port by Line 6? I did a search for it but didnt come up with anything. I have my eyes on a pod right now but until I get the cash, my computer will have to do.

 

stew