I use Cantabile 3 as my host. My pedal is Line 6 FBV MKII. Programming is all done through Cantabile 3 (very powerful host) Heavy USB wiring are my physical connections. So basically, guitar into interface, interface into laptop, audio out of interface to powered monitor or PA System, whichever is needed at the time.

 

Definitely, and I would love to be able to (or have the time) to get our love shows running off a lappy for lights, mixing, guitar tones, and of course it’s doable.

the Helix interface works on the Helix, but the plug-in equivalent is just a bear compared to the others. I get it was done to ensure compatibility and swapping of presets, but guitarists like virtual knobs, not sliders, and it’s certainly its downfall against the competition. I have still not yet found any other plug-in that I think is unequivocally better sounding than Helix, but I think the ability to dial in tones on the competition is far easier, and because Helix Native is the same software as the hardware, it expects a certain type of signal, and that means far more faffing with input gain to get where you need to be. If I am wanting to record a scratch guitar track quickly, I will often just use Anplitube first as it’s just soooooo much quicker.

 

Wow, thanks for all the useful input, folks!

Gonna think all this through for a while, and will come back
when i know, what i'll be doing.
I'm gonna let you know, how it will be going.
This thread might surely be useful for others here as well.

 

That's why I also have a midi controller on stage with bindings to knobs and sliders. Easy to do.

I am also running lights through the laptop, and have the ability to adjust tones and mix when needed. It took awhile, but once it came together, it was like an exciting new world was exposed. I always take a backup laptop, but in all these years, I've not had the need to use it. When some of my bands went to "in ears", another big door opened, and I couldn't be more satisfied.

 

Im very tech savvy I would like to think, but also when it comes to that, it’s beyond me, I like simplicity, so kudos to you!

 

For jam nites at bars I use Jam Origin Midi Guitar as my host with Positive Grid FX for the amps, ERS Dim-D or Soundtoys Microshift for choruses, for the guitar side and Full Bucket's Trident And Deputy synths on the Synth side of JO-MG. Almost all the bars and clubs have new Fender amps so I don't solely rely on my Laptop.

 

Last edited: Jul 25, 2021

I wouldn't go the software route, mainly because you would need an analogue backup solution anyway. I've had many multieffects units over the years and for a while enjoyed going direct and not even using an amp. But if I were to start again I would put most of my money into buying a very good combo amp and a handful of those little mini single effects units, very cheap. You only really need one good sound, even a one channel amp would do, turning the guitar volume down for cleans.

 

my best advice to you would be to get your own sound. whatever equipment you have or intend to use is secondary to you! hope that makes sense and good luck and all the best with the gigging.

 

It's annoying to program, sure. However, there's a handy editor: https://mountainutilities.eu/fcb1010

 

Yup. Choose a modeller and learn it. Muuuch better than any laptop + interface solution. Also, all newer units come with a PC editor that is essentially the same work as making presets with plugins.

I can confim this. In fact, I sold my Boss GT-8 for a GT100 because the GT-8 had so many damn buttons I had to have it fixed every 1-2 years. The GT-100 only has like 8 buttons and so far, so good. I use it as a MIDI + FX controller (also direct to desk if the amp goes down).

 

Last edited: Jul 25, 2021

Ah, thanks.

 

Turned 65 and decided to become a guitarist. My fave amp sim/+ is Overloud THU-3.
Makes both my guitars sing with a little adjustment here and there.
Beats buying 240 amps to see which one I want.
Will eventually settle for a Katana Artist MK2 or and H&K Grandmeister 40 with tube replacement.
Any other suggestions from the real guitarists as far as a versatile high gain amp I can play in my condo apartment?

 

what I was trying to say is that the majority of your sound is going to come from YOU yourself. Only you know what exactly it is that you are trying to achieve musically, and you have your own unique way of playing, your own level of ability. Any equipment in your signal chain is secondary. It can only enhance or take away from the sound you create going into it. Hardware units or software solutions come and go. But you still need to tweak any fx they make to and fine tune them to your sound and taste. If only it was as easy as buying the latest and greatest toy, plugging into it and instantly sounding like the best version of yourself.

 

Last edited: Jul 26, 2021

what I'm saying is that realistically in the real world, noone here can actually answer your question! all anyone can do is shoot the shit and either tell you about themselves and their gear, or tell you what the adverts are selling right now. imho, that's very amateur! .... in the course of a musical career, you will play with many musicians and you will have to adapt what you do to whatever situation or level of abilities you happen to find yourself in at any given moment. If you are talking about joining and gigging with some glorified covers band, that literally want to recreate a piece of work, then ok. But it's much more fun to be confident in yourself, and cover that music as yourself. You will always be the best you there is, but a poor copy of someone else. and that entails you finding your own sound through trial error,blood,sweat and tears!

 

Last edited: Jul 26, 2021

Hey Prendergast,
I've been running a laptop system live for a KISS tribute for several years now and use two Marshall plexi stacks for an AC/DC tribute.
Believe me, the laptop is stable, noiseless and tons of options tone wise, and you don't need a truck and a strong back, your back will appreciate it.
I use a dedicated HP laptop with an I5 processor and 2 internal SSDs; a presonus audiobox usb for the interface and Studio One5 for the DAW. A Roland FC-300 midi controller, because it has 2 expression pedals( 1 for wah, 1 for volume). It's built like a tank.
Originally, I was just sending 2 balanced outputs (left/right for stereo effects) to the snake on stage and have the soundman send me back in the monitors for my reference, but a lot of the soundguys are not experienced with this kind of setup and would only put my guitar in the one monitor where my equipment was setup on stage. This forced me to stay in close proximity of that monitor, ruining any reason for having a wireless, even though I would stress to them that the guitar had to come back in ALL the monitors, dumbasses.
So to fix that problem, I bought a HeadRush FRFR112 2000watt Powered Cabinet for Guitar Modelers, placed it on a speaker tripod to shoot across the stage.
Now back to talking Midi/Daw, you can have a selector switch an effect on/off for those little changes during a tune, but I will have entirely different rigs setup on different tracks with all the inserts off except on the one I'm using, and with one selector, switch to an assigned track, turn on all the inserts and turn off everything on the previous track (side note, you never have to hit the play button,lol) But another cool thing is that you can record your live performance if you want, and everything you need for the gig can fit in the trunk, so you can sit back and laugh at the stupid drummer with all his heavy sh*t!
Oh, and for those who think it's "all in the hands dude", don't know a thing about speakers and how they affect your sound more than any amp.. 'buys ultra expensive German head and shops for cheapest 4x12 cab on reverb.com '
So using the diff amp sims is great, but the IR's is where its at. I use the Two Notes Torpedo Wall of Sound plugin and it sounds amazing, getting me the most realistic tones without that "fizziness" of sims.

 

Last edited: Jul 26, 2021

Get any amp you want, and then pick up either a Universal Audio Ox Box or a Two Notes Captor X.
You can crank the amp to the sweet spot but play whisper quiet or headphones, if you want.

 

Sometimes I just used a Zoom G3X instead of an amp and it usually was good. Nice backwards delay..

 

Updated the post. Ola just put up another video about this today! Ola, are you an AudioSex member too?