Tonefiend Forum

So somewhat inspired by Joe's "Analog Shmanalog" and other digital postings lately I have been playing through Apple's MainStage using Logic's Amp Designer and other plug-ins. I'm using a Focusrite interface into my mac and mainly using headphones for monitoring. However for the times when I'm able to play louder I'm wondering whether my money would be better spent on a pair of powered studio monitors or using a reamp device to get the line level monitor signal from the Focusrite back to my amps. I'd mostly be using the amps as monitors as I'll do all signal processing through MainStage (though I wouldn't necessarily mind the tone coloration that would come from the amps). The other option of course would be a small PA of some sort.

I do like the flexibility and features of this mac based "amp" system but need to come up with a solution that will allow me to jam with others.

Appreciate the clues! Dave

I use a couple of small powered Fender monitors with a compact but heavy duty sub woofer designed and built by my pal who is a speaker design guru (it was a present from him for past help and favors). The system is compact and sounds great for synth and iOs instruments. I still need a small tube amp for guitar tho' regardless of how I process it. I just need the tubes to feel the guitar and I have never really been happy playing live guitar any other way. Well except for a big monster system we built back in the early 80's with a modded Carver M1.5 and a pair of 3 way 18" EVM thiele design spkrs but it was ridiculous. It was a great sounding system it probably would have been killer for drop tuned metal stuff.