Getting an inspiring tone without disturbing the family

ian · September 2023

After the effective demise of my Tonelab SE and before the acquisition of an HX Stomp, a signal chain that I sometimes used to obtain an inspiring electric tone at family-friendly volume levels went something like this: guitar into amp (my Orange Rocker 30, I think), setting the master low, micing the speaker, routing the signal through an audio interface (E-MU 1616m, in those days), using the interface's DSP to add stereo effects such as delay and reverb, and onwards into my PC.

Guitar --> Combo --> Mic ----------------------------
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--> Audio Interface (with optional stereo delay, reverb, etc.) --> Headphones
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PC with Youtube, Windows Media Player, etc --

I wanted to share this approach because, given how inspiring I found the resultant tones, I'm surprised not to have seen it discussed previously.

(Goes off to do some silent practice using HX Stomp...!)

Sassafras · September 2023

I just use a Pignose amp.

flying_pie · September 2023

My complex signal chain for home price without disturbing the family is

guitar -> Nux Mighty Air

grungebob · September 2023

Sounds like a faff that set up.

I liked the sounds of my old Vox VT40X sounded great for low volume playing etc.
I currently have a Kustom coupe valve amp that I run the master low on the clean channel but then use boost pedal with the gain low but volume maxed to add some grit and dynamics.

mrkb · September 2023

Guitar -> AxeFx3 -> headphones works well for me at any time of day or night

Seziertisch · September 2023

I find using either an Origin RevivalDrive or an Audio Kitchen Big Trees with the Boss Waza Airs as the speaker sim (with a neutral/flat amp setting) to sound best for home practice. I much preferred it to the headphone out on the Helix (when I had one)

nero1701 · September 2023

Kemper into earphones when they are in, 2x12 when they are not

noisepolluter · September 2023

DSL40 on low power setting works very well for neighbour-friendly evening playing

theatreanchor · September 2023

I just use the Fender Mustang Micro. Amps on when they’re out.

Roland · September 2023

mrkb said:

Guitar -> AxeFx3 -> headphones works well for me at any time of day or night

This, or my Matrix Q12 monitor when I need some noise.

p90fool · September 2023

I'm married to the drummer in my band, the family don't even notice my guitar playing.

munckee · September 2023

My solution is guitar > Princeton or guitar > attenuator Princeton or guitar > Yamaha thr10 or guitar > boss waza headphones dependent on time of day and aggression levels of my family.

andysc · September 2023

If I need to be really quiet I use Boss Waza headphones. I set the 'amp' settings in the Waza app to a completely clean sound with an EQ profile similar to my amp, and I plug it in to my pedalboard instead of my guitar, because I like my pedals and I didn't like all the time I was spending trying to get the inbuilt effects to sound how I wanted them to.

theatreanchor · September 2023

p90fool said:

I'm married to the drummer in my band, the family don't even notice my guitar playing.

That sounds fun!

Neil · September 2023

Just me and the Mrs now.

We're detached so I can do what I want. I like a bit of volume but not too extreme.

I do keep the windows shut though!

HerbieTheRadDorklift · September 2023

Boss Katana Mini user here.

Th4fonz · September 2023

Myne either go out as I play loud for an hour or go up stairs. If I had to result to silly low volume home playing I’d just play acoustic. I know some are fine with headphones and modellers but not for me. Maybe u can get an attenuator and run real low or use like a tube screamer crank the amp and use the tube screamers master vol as an attenuator.

victorludorum · September 2023

Amplitube

mankytom · September 2023

I like my spark… it’s obviously not perfect but being able to control with my smart phone and download patches quickly and simply is good.. sounds good with headphones too

Dsl 40 on low power is a good shout too - the master volume independent of the channel gain/volume is good.. can get quite crunchy at reasonable volumes

or the pod go.. with headphones or into my Frfr

loads of choices

kennedydream1980 · September 2023

Tonex pedal. Sounds fantastic through headphones.

Flanging_Fred · September 2023

I prefer to practice with an uninspiring tone as it matches my uninspiring playing much better.

Voxman · September 2023

No, no, no - you're going about this all wrong @ian. ; The solution is easy - carry on playing at normal loud volume with all your good gear but just stick ear-defenders into the ears of household members and they then won't hear a thing to disturb them.

You can thank me later!

CornwallIoS LEP on X If youre going to GrowthFest

RichAC · September 2023

Another vote for the Waza Air headphones here, if you can live with awful app UI.

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Getting an inspiring tone without disturbing the family

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