So I have a guitar, a cable and ~$250 in roubles. I need something with different effects, not necessarily a ton of them, but I'd like to get some vintage sounds as well as modern high gain sounds. I also want to be able to record my guitar in a DAW. Right now i'm choosing between BOSS Katana 50 or some usb audio interface and VST software like BIAS FX (standard). With Katana I will be able to record using different effects AND it has a 12' speaker, but it doesn't have a tuner and a metronome for good practice and the amps and effects may be worse than BIAS FX ones. So which would be better in your experience?
Amp or usb audio interface for home recording and practice
- Thread starter Dmitry7
- Start date
Synapsys
Well-known member
Re: Amp or usb audio interface for home recording and practice
Any of these can be found in your budget range, new or used, depending on the model.
https://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical_instruments/guitars_basses/amps_accessories/thr/amp_types_sound.html#product-tabs
Any of these can be found in your budget range, new or used, depending on the model.
https://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical_instruments/guitars_basses/amps_accessories/thr/amp_types_sound.html#product-tabs
Kamanda~SD
New member
Re: Amp or usb audio interface for home recording and practice
Well I cant comment on the BOSS Katana, but I can tell you BIAS FX is fantastic, and if you have a decent machine and interface, it's great for practicing and recording (use it all the time). It is standalone too for when you just wanna play. you can also change up the tone afterward for recording which is handy.
Well I cant comment on the BOSS Katana, but I can tell you BIAS FX is fantastic, and if you have a decent machine and interface, it's great for practicing and recording (use it all the time). It is standalone too for when you just wanna play. you can also change up the tone afterward for recording which is handy.
Re: Amp or usb audio interface for home recording and practice
If you want to play with friends or in a band at all, you'd be better off with the Katana as that can be a stand alone amp as well as a DI for recording directly into a DAW.
If you buy a Plug In type program to use within your DAW, you will still need a way to hear what you're playing/recording and laptop or desktop speakers suck for that. So you will either need to invest in proper studio monitors and/or headphones, although, you don't want to mix any of your recordings with headphones. Earbuds really won't do either if you want to get a good sound.
One thing of note is that DAWs all have metronomes, and everyone should have one of those cool little clip on tuners these days.
The best question is what exactly are you doing with the product? Are you just recording yourself jamming to YouTube backing tracks? Are you getting into songwriting? Are trying to record you own music with all the tracks made by you?
Give us some more info on your goals!
If you want to play with friends or in a band at all, you'd be better off with the Katana as that can be a stand alone amp as well as a DI for recording directly into a DAW.
If you buy a Plug In type program to use within your DAW, you will still need a way to hear what you're playing/recording and laptop or desktop speakers suck for that. So you will either need to invest in proper studio monitors and/or headphones, although, you don't want to mix any of your recordings with headphones. Earbuds really won't do either if you want to get a good sound.
One thing of note is that DAWs all have metronomes, and everyone should have one of those cool little clip on tuners these days.
The best question is what exactly are you doing with the product? Are you just recording yourself jamming to YouTube backing tracks? Are you getting into songwriting? Are trying to record you own music with all the tracks made by you?
Give us some more info on your goals!
Re: Amp or usb audio interface for home recording and practice
Thanks for answers! Unfortunately I don't have any decent monitors/headphones right now, but I've got cheap closed type headphones. Yes, I'm getting into songwriting and want to be able to make music with all the tracks made by me. I understand I can't do all that with my current budget, but for now practicing and recording guitar tracks are the most important goals for me.
So, I guess if I went with a USB audio interface, I would need proper monitors/headphones. Assuming that, will Katana be good for monitoring while recording and mixing? If not, will my cheap headphones do for monitoring? At least until I get proper headphones.
Thanks for answers! Unfortunately I don't have any decent monitors/headphones right now, but I've got cheap closed type headphones. Yes, I'm getting into songwriting and want to be able to make music with all the tracks made by me. I understand I can't do all that with my current budget, but for now practicing and recording guitar tracks are the most important goals for me.
So, I guess if I went with a USB audio interface, I would need proper monitors/headphones. Assuming that, will Katana be good for monitoring while recording and mixing? If not, will my cheap headphones do for monitoring? At least until I get proper headphones.
devastone
Well-known member
Re: Amp or usb audio interface for home recording and practice
For guitar sounds, the Katana will be fine (does it allow playback?) For everything else, no, it won't sound that great.
I would probably start with a cheap interface, used is always an option and you can probably find one for <$50, which shouldn't set you too far back on your Katana quest also. But I might put some decent monitors or headphones in the budget pretty quickly. FWIW, if all I had was headphones, I would find it fatiguing pretty quickly, but I also have a house to myself so listening to monitors doesn't bother anyone except maybe the cats, but they go sleep in the bedroom if it gets annoying.
For guitar sounds, the Katana will be fine (does it allow playback?) For everything else, no, it won't sound that great.
I would probably start with a cheap interface, used is always an option and you can probably find one for <$50, which shouldn't set you too far back on your Katana quest also. But I might put some decent monitors or headphones in the budget pretty quickly. FWIW, if all I had was headphones, I would find it fatiguing pretty quickly, but I also have a house to myself so listening to monitors doesn't bother anyone except maybe the cats, but they go sleep in the bedroom if it gets annoying.
Re: Amp or usb audio interface for home recording and practice
You will not really be able to use the Katana for mixing or monitoring. You need something that won't color the sound like a guitar cab will. And yes, if you went USB interface you will need something to listen to what you are playing with.
I'll be honest, my son has $20 headphones he got for his PlayStation and they sound pretty darn good.
Btw, if you are even a little serious, the cheapest USB interface I would go with is a Focusrite Scarlet 2i2. For the price, it can't be beat. Can find it for $100 used on Reverb.
You will not really be able to use the Katana for mixing or monitoring. You need something that won't color the sound like a guitar cab will. And yes, if you went USB interface you will need something to listen to what you are playing with.
I'll be honest, my son has $20 headphones he got for his PlayStation and they sound pretty darn good.
Btw, if you are even a little serious, the cheapest USB interface I would go with is a Focusrite Scarlet 2i2. For the price, it can't be beat. Can find it for $100 used on Reverb.
Re: Amp or usb audio interface for home recording and practice
What about Focusrite Scarlett Solo? I guess the difference is in the mic inputs and I need to record only guitar.
What about Focusrite Scarlett Solo? I guess the difference is in the mic inputs and I need to record only guitar.
Re: Amp or usb audio interface for home recording and practice
I love Bias Fx. The tone cloud is amazing and simple to use. In my experience Bias sounds bad through regular headset, but it sounds amazing through a studio head set. I use AKG 271 and it does the job for me. The sound is amazing. Once I got Bias Fx, I sold my POD HD right away.
I love Bias Fx. The tone cloud is amazing and simple to use. In my experience Bias sounds bad through regular headset, but it sounds amazing through a studio head set. I use AKG 271 and it does the job for me. The sound is amazing. Once I got Bias Fx, I sold my POD HD right away.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Amp or usb audio interface for home recording and practice
I use AmpliTube with the iRig in to a small mixer but then again, I use it for practice and don't record much. It works great for my needs. We have a few older iPhones so I put it on there and it's even my backup rig if I ever need it.
I do like those Yamaha THR amps. Very cool sounds.
I use AmpliTube with the iRig in to a small mixer but then again, I use it for practice and don't record much. It works great for my needs. We have a few older iPhones so I put it on there and it's even my backup rig if I ever need it.
I do like those Yamaha THR amps. Very cool sounds.
Re: Amp or usb audio interface for home recording and practice
It really depends how deep you want to get. It's always better to spend a bit more and get a bit more, than to spend on exactly what you need NOW and not have room to evolve. If you have the cash, of course. It'd suck to buy one now, only to realize in a year that you need more and have to buy the better one. Spend twice. You know.
It really depends how deep you want to get. It's always better to spend a bit more and get a bit more, than to spend on exactly what you need NOW and not have room to evolve. If you have the cash, of course. It'd suck to buy one now, only to realize in a year that you need more and have to buy the better one. Spend twice. You know.
Re: Amp or usb audio interface for home recording and practice
AKG has a few simple studio monitor headphones that sell for $20 - 30 in America.
They're not perfect, but they still slay all the consumer-grade stuff at any price point.
AKG has a few simple studio monitor headphones that sell for $20 - 30 in America.
They're not perfect, but they still slay all the consumer-grade stuff at any price point.
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Amp or usb audio interface for home recording and practice
The Solo is one mic and one guitar input. The 2i2 doubles both and is on sale now for only $129. I have one and it's a nice unit. No effects but you can do them in software. Latency is very low.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlet2i2G2--focusrite-scarlett-2i2
The Solo is one mic and one guitar input. The 2i2 doubles both and is on sale now for only $129. I have one and it's a nice unit. No effects but you can do them in software. Latency is very low.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlet2i2G2--focusrite-scarlett-2i2
Jacew
New member
Re: Amp or usb audio interface for home recording and practice
If you buy new Focusrite is good choice as they retain value very well. Somehing with the brand I guess.
Works both ways. If you go used, they're overpriced and you can better units for much cheaper.
If you buy new Focusrite is good choice as they retain value very well. Somehing with the brand I guess.
Works both ways. If you go used, they're overpriced and you can better units for much cheaper.
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Amp or usb audio interface for home recording and practice
That, and also the 2nd Gen units have several improvements. Not the least of which is the knurled headphone level knob. On my Gen 1, it's smooth and hard to turn. I still like my 2i2 but I upgraded to a 2nd gen 18i8. They're great units. Nice headphone interfaces for playing back MP3's and watching YT vids.
That, and also the 2nd Gen units have several improvements. Not the least of which is the knurled headphone level knob. On my Gen 1, it's smooth and hard to turn. I still like my 2i2 but I upgraded to a 2nd gen 18i8. They're great units. Nice headphone interfaces for playing back MP3's and watching YT vids.
Jacew
New member
Re: Amp or usb audio interface for home recording and practice
I recently bought pair of mkI version of these when Thomann was blowing them out for 100€ a piece:
https://www.thomann.de/fi/jbl_lsr_305p_mkii.htm
They do their job. Not what you want for living room listening. I've hear better monitors too, but not in competitive price and clarity is definitely well enough for monitoring. Don't know how they've improved for mkII model.-
I recently bought pair of mkI version of these when Thomann was blowing them out for 100€ a piece:
https://www.thomann.de/fi/jbl_lsr_305p_mkii.htm
They do their job. Not what you want for living room listening. I've hear better monitors too, but not in competitive price and clarity is definitely well enough for monitoring. Don't know how they've improved for mkII model.-
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