Modeling Software vs Effects Processor

[Johnny the Kid]

I'm leaving for college in a few months, and will have to live in a dorm room, with one or more roommates. This means that although I will have room for a guitar and a bass (yay), I will not have room for any form of amps (the guitars can live underneath the bed). My idea is to get either a program to run off my computer and an audio interface to allow me record and such, or I get an effects processor, which I can then run through the computer (Digitech GSP1101).

Either Way I feel like I will have to get a program for the computer, but would a program like Cubase allow me the ability to switch between different channels? If not, then I'm just gonna go with the Digitech and a basic recording software. If Cubase would allow me to do that, I would be willing to spend the money on a Cubase 7 package.

 

[dominus]

Re: Modeling Software vs Effects Processor

Cubase is the multitrack recording software, it'll handle whatever tracking/recording/routing you need.

Whether or not you need to spend that kind of money is up to you. Reaper will do the same thing and it's only $60. There's also plenty of *free* amp sims out there, like

Lepou:



TSE:

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Modeling Software vs Effects Processor

Were I to be going into a situation like that, I'd get an Eleven Rack. It's worth looking in to.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Modeling Software vs Effects Processor

Dorm room -> Vox/Korg Tonelab.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Modeling Software vs Effects Processor

What about in a live situation where I won't have access to my amp. Would an effects processor be a worthwhile investment for that? I know Trivium use their Axe FX plugged straight into the PA systems.

Also if I did get Cubase, it would be the basic Elements 6 version. I don't need anything too fancy. I'm more worried about how it would work if I were to join a band, and I don't have access to an amp, would I be able to play using Cubase, and how would I switch between channels on there?

 

[dominus]

Re: Modeling Software vs Effects Processor

What about in a live situation where I won't have access to my amp. Would an effects processor be a worthwhile investment for that? I know Trivium use their Axe FX plugged straight into the PA systems.

Also if I did get Cubase, it would be the basic Elements 6 version. I don't need anything too fancy. I'm more worried about how it would work if I were to join a band, and I don't have access to an amp, would I be able to play using Cubase, and how would I switch between channels on there?

Cubase is just the recording software. You'd still need the plugins, and as far as switching channels, what you *could* do is set up different tracks with different plugins and switch between them, but I think you're looking to do something that it's not really designed to do.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Modeling Software vs Effects Processor

Cubase is just the recording software. You'd still need the plugins, and as far as switching channels, what you *could* do is set up different tracks with different plugins and switch between them, but I think you're looking to do something that it's not really designed to do.

Ok, so if I were to spend the money on an effects processor, I could use it as a recording interface, as well as a live rig? Either way, I know I definitely want to get something similar to Cubease (maybe a little cheaper than $100), so that I can keep recording and work on stuff for my band that I am moving away from, (and maybe we can put something together over the internet), but I don't want to not perform anymore, so the effects process would probably come in handy.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Modeling Software vs Effects Processor

my GNX came with a version of cakewalk recording software
the RP pedals come with Cubase Lite

my GNX has bass and Guitar amp sims
and a bunch of drum loops

the CakeWalk software has a programmable drum machine that I just haven't messed with

the RP pedals probably have something very similar


I think the RP155 has a usb out to your pc
and all the features you would need



Edit
the 155 really doesn't have the software I thought

the 255 has the Cubase LE4 software
and they all only have a Fender Bassman as the only bass amp model

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: Modeling Software vs Effects Processor

If I were in your shoes, I'd probably get a multi-fx floor unit with a headphone output for practice, and then get an inexpensive DAW package for the computer. Any of the Vox Tonelab units are great. You can also run these into a PA for gigging and the amp/cab modeling will do you right.

I would *never* try to work in a band situation while playing through amp modeling software/plug-ins on a computer or tablet. Waaaaay too fiddly. (Uh, guys, wait a minute while I reboot my "amplifier...")

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Modeling Software vs Effects Processor

If I were in your shoes, I'd probably get a multi-fx floor unit with a headphone output for practice, and then get an inexpensive DAW package for the computer. Any of the Vox Tonelab units are great. You can also run these into a PA for gigging and the amp/cab modeling will do you right.

I would *never* try to work in a band situation while playing through amp modeling software/plug-ins on a computer or tablet. Waaaaay too fiddly. (Uh, guys, wait a minute while I reboot my "amplifier...")

Alright, well I guess I'm gonna have to look at a few different things in order to get a good idea of what I need. Thanks for the help guys.