Using GarageBand as Amp

[charlieparker]

I want to experiment with using GarageBand as my amp when practicing at home.

I am a newb at this kind of stuff, but what do people use for speakers when doing this. I have a focusrite and was thinking of plugging my old studio monitor speakers into it, but I'm wondering what other people do to get a sound like an amp?

[Steve Z]

Everything you mentioned doing is what I do, just different audio interface and guitar sim plugin/DAW. You seem all set.

Guitar -> audio interface -> computer -> monitors (well monitors are connected to the audio interface but a computer is needed).

The one thing I would consider is at some point getting an amp sim app that can be run standalone. Rather than needing to run through Garage Band or other DAW, just open the standalone guitar sim app and play. My personal preferences are the Neural DSP plugins.. Morgan Amps Suite and Tone King Imperial MKII. Perhaps not a bargain at around $100, but they go on sale several times a year at 50% off.
Plugins - Neural DSP

The Universal Audio Paradise Guitar Studio also looks a great deal of sound for a reasonable price.
Paradise Guitar Studio – Universal Audio

All that stated, what you have going already is great and all you need!

[charlieparker]

Everything you mentioned doing is what I do, just different audio interface and guitar sim plugin/DAW. You seem all set.

Guitar -> audio interface -> computer -> monitors (well monitors are connected to the audio interface but a computer is needed).

The one thing I would consider is at some point getting an amp sim app that can be run standalone. Rather than needing to run through Garage Band or other DAW, just open the standalone guitar sim app and play. My personal preferences are the Neural DSP plugins.. Morgan Amps Suite and Tone King Imperial MKII. Perhaps not a bargain at around $100, but they go on sale several times a year at 50% off.
Plugins - Neural DSP

The Universal Audio Paradise Guitar Studio also looks a great deal of sound for a reasonable price.
Paradise Guitar Studio – Universal Audio

All that stated, what you have going already is great and all you need!

Thanks for the pointers. I have heard that latency can be an issue with GarageBand when you add in effects and other stuff into your signal chain.

Is it better with the standalone amp sims?

[John A.]

Thanks for the pointers. I have heard that latency can be an issue with GarageBand when you add in effects and other stuff into your signal chain.

Is it better with the standalone amp sims?

A lot depends on your computer, what other software you're running and the specific interface. With an M1 or later Mac, a recent-ish interface, and running GB without much other stuff running on your computer you shouldn't have an issue with latency. The older the hardware and the more stuff you're running, the greater the chance of latency. When I was running Intel-chip macs I would sometimes have latency (which a re-boot typically solved). With an M1, pretty much never. I've run S-Gear as a GB plug-in and standalone, and I don't notice any difference in performance.

[charlieparker]

A lot depends on your computer, what other software you're running and the specific interface. With an M1 or later Mac, a recent-ish interface, and running GB without much other stuff running on your computer you shouldn't have an issue with latency. The older the hardware and the more stuff you're running, the greater the chance of latency. When I was running Intel-chip macs I would sometimes have latency (which a re-boot typically solved). With an M1, pretty much never. I've run S-Gear as a GB plug-in and standalone, and I don't notice any difference in performance.

I have an M1 MacBook.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

I'm wondering what other people do to get a sound like an amp?

The piece no one discusses is the speaker system. Using a good sim or model, you’ll get the sound of the chosen amp, speaker & cab sent to your monitors. But there’s great variation among computer monitors. Theoretically, they’re all FRFR. But a $50 computer monitor system is not sonically equal to a pair of ProAcs.

The fat bottom end and wide sound spread pattern from a big open back 2x12 will not be recreated perfectly by little computer monitors with 3” woofers. So you have to adjust your expectations accordingly.

[John A.]

I have an M1 MacBook.

Try it and report back. As neverhouldhavesoldit notes below, computer monitors don't usually sound like guitar speakers (even when you're running guitar amp emulation software), but with decent speakers it'll be usable.

[charlieparker]

Try it and report back. As neverhouldhavesoldit notes below, computer monitors don't usually sound like guitar speakers (even when you're running guitar amp emulation software), but with decent speakers it'll be usable.

I have some old Roland MA-12c monitor speakers which are better than the typical computer speakers, but probably don't compare to a typical cabinet. The hardest part probably will be finding the right amp settings and dialing in the sound.

[Steve Z]

When I lived in TN, we had Yamaha HS8 monitors with the HS sub, which was very much overkill for my space and needs. Now on the west coast I have HS7s, which are still overkill for what I need, but I was able to score a deal buying used. I don't notice a difference without the sub for what I do with guitar. Plenty of bass. The person I bought the HS7s from downsized to HS3s and those do the job for him. Then there are the HS5s in between. Plenty of other brand affordable monitors as well if a desire to upgrade exists. Bigger does not mean better for every room and need. I started out with just good ole cheap computer monitors back in the day that today would likely just be tossed out at Good Will if someone donated them. Definitely nothing special, but they worked.

Yes, most monitors are not going to replace full amp cabs or sounds like high end studio monitors, but for the average Joe (or average Steve in my case ) most monitors, even low cost monitors work fine. I do love a sweet Princeton tone when I have the chance.

Use what you have, adjust as needed, and have fun!

[Steve Z]

... The hardest part probably will be finding the right amp settings and dialing in the sound.

Just start with any clean amp. Set everything to noon and adjust as needed. Under the clean amp selections, I think there is a a preset called "Cool Jazz Amp" or something like that. This is a Fender-ish tone that may be a good starting point. A Tweed preset is also there I think. I would start by turning off things on presets that are may be overkill and narrow it down to reverb to taste and perhaps a very slight delay is also fun to mess around with. Of course, this all depends on what is a nice jazz tone to you. You may find one of the other amp types in Garage Band is more to what you are desiring. Experiment and have enjoy the exploration!

After playing archtops for a quite a while, I have settled on a sweet telecaster style guitar so my tone may be different from many other folks.

This is the tone that I seek. This guitarist is amazing! He states in the comments that he use the Neural DSP Morgan Amps plugin for this video. Knowing how to configure the settings in the plugin and of course the playing skills is the magic... both of which I will forever be in search of

[Jim Soloway]

The piece no one discusses is the speaker system. Using a good sim or model, you’ll get the sound of the chosen amp, speaker & cab sent to your monitors. But there’s great variation among computer monitors. Theoretically, they’re all FRFR. But a $50 computer monitor system is not sonically equal to a pair of ProAcs.

The fat bottom end and wide sound spread pattern from a big open back 2x12 will not be recreated perfectly by little computer monitors with 3” woofers. So you have to adjust your expectations accordingly.

True but it can definitely by done with a $200 pair of headphones.

[GuyBoden]

I route the audio interface thru my small mixer and small PA system.

But, I have a dedicated guitar room setup.

(I route everything thru my small mixer. )

[John A.]

I have some old Roland MA-12c monitor speakers which are better than the typical computer speakers, but probably don't compare to a typical cabinet. The hardest part probably will be finding the right amp settings and dialing in the sound.

My go-to GB jazz setting is the "Large Black Panel Amp" paired with the 2x12 speaker cabinet. I started with the "Large Black Panel Combo" (GB's Super Reverb model), deleted all the effects, switched the cabinet, and saved it as a user patch. I play around with different mic models, but I think I mainly use the SM57 model. I've also used the Silverface amp, and assorted others, but this usually gets me closest to what I think of as "my" sound. Most of the GB presets have a lot effects plus a pedalboard turned on by default. Lately, I've been using S-Gear instead and am still in the process of figuring it out. I'd say it sounds more realistic overall, but at the same time the models also all seem more scooped and have trickier gain-staging, so it takes more fiddling around to get it right.

But big picture, none of this is hard. Getting a good mic'ed amp sound in a home studio is way harder. All of this said, though, I really only play through the computer when I record or am playing late at night through headphones with a solidbody in order to be as close to silent as possible. Most of the time, if I want an amp sound I use an amp, or if I want to be quiet play unplugged (my semi-hollow is good for this). It sounds better and is simpler than setting up the interface (which lives in a desk drawer when not in use because I don't have a dedicated "studio" space in my apartment).

[Cunamara]

When using studio monitors, kill most or all the frequencies above 5 kHz in the EQ for the guitar signal. Most guitar speakers don't have response above that. FRFRs can go to 20+ kHz, completely different sound. Acoustically guitars can go well above 5 kHz, of course, in the overtones.