#Gear to play in dorm

64 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

pulsar viper
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I will start to dorm in college this fall. Looking for a budget friendly and neighbor friendly way to play/practice electric guitar

cosmic wagon
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Then I wouldn't get a big amp, either go for a small amp like the Yamaha THR5 (which also has a headphone output and can act as an audio interface), or a multi effects pedal (that's also an interface incidentally, if you need it), or an actual audio interface + your computer

naive nexus
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Headphone amp

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  • Bluetooth speaker with aux
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Either boss katana go or NuX mighty plug would be the best option

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Nux is 80something $ the katana go is 140ish

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The katana has bosses tone studio the nux has something similar

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My personal setup is
Boss katana go > Bose sound link
Takes up like no room in a small dorm and u can still listen to whatever music u want

digital bridge
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Yamaha thr is great, if a little expensive. If you can get it used its a great amp for room volume and quiet jamming. Very much not suited for gigs or bands though.

dense creek
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Blackstar debut

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Amp

high nacelle
# pulsar viper I will start to dorm in college this fall. Looking for a budget friendly and nei...

You should look into Headphone amps.
They're small, so take up no space at all, they offer all the effects and practice tools you'd need:

  • Amp / Cab sims
  • 25+ Effects Pedals
  • Tuner
  • Drum Machine (NUX)
  • Metronome (NUX)
  • Jam Tracks
  • Interface capability, so you can connect to your phone or PC and record directly.

Two great choices are:
NUX Mighty Plug Pro
Or
Boss Katana Go

Although the latter is more expensive and doesn't have a drum machine, I think.
I personally have both and would get the NUX in your situation, though You can't go wrong with either.

You just need a set of wired headphones, and that's pretty much it.

naive nexus
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The headphone amps also act as an interface if u wanted to record something

exotic torrent
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For a minimalistic and cheap setup, if you have a laptop, get a audio interface for about $100 and some studio headphones and use ampsims

pulsar viper
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thanks y’all

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I was thinking about multi fx that can plug into computer , but I guess just headphone amp is cheaper option

exotic torrent
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You could record, play along to backing tracks, make your own music, get any tone you want

cosmic wagon
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I think it's nice to be a bit more mobile, but yeah you probably don't move much in that college dorm

compact plank
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I'd look into amp Sims for sure, cus you can't get much cheaper than free, but if you need an amp, the two suggested are good options

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however, if you're willing to spend the cash, a multifx unit isn't bad. amp modelers gives you pretty much anything you could ever want tone wise, so in the long run it's a pretty good investment. that being said, if you've seen quad cortex prices recently you'll know it's not exactly cheap, so pick what works for your budget

high nacelle
# pulsar viper I was thinking about multi fx that can plug into computer , but I guess just hea...

Yes.. the headphone amps mentioned are multi-effects units essentially.
Also since the headphone amps also act as an interface, you can get all the benefits of an interface (meaning using amp sims if you want) ON TOP of having built in effects you can easily take anywhere with you.
So it's very easy to connect them to your computer. Just need a USB cable - that's it!! No extra wires required!

If you want a floor multi-effects unit, you can check out the NUX MG-300 MKII. You can also use that just with your headphones (no need for an amp), BUT you need a dedicated wall outlet for that. You do gain a footswitch/volume pedal however.

high nacelle
# exotic torrent Why not just use your computer if you plan on using only headphones?

You would have all that for just 77 Euro AND a built-in interface with a headphone amp.
There's:

  • a Tuner
  • a Drum Machine
  • a Metronome
  • an Audio interface
  • Jam Tracks

PLUS
Amp sims
Cab sims
Effects
And the ability to record guitar and voice at the same time through the TRRS input

All built into the NUX Mighty Plug Pro, for instance.

So for very little money (77 Euro at the moent through Thomann), you have a tiny, great-sounding and extremely versatile unit you can just throw into your gig-bag.

And if you want to play for your friends in the dorm, you can even connect regular speakers through the Aux - in port.

So it's the best value for money at that price range.

exotic torrent
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NUX Mighty Plug Pro:

Decent audio quality, especially for headphones.

Good enough for practice, jamming, and rough recording.

Clean signal, but not “studio-grade.” Slightly noisier and less dynamic range than higher-end gear.

Internal components (converters, preamps) are budget-tier, though usable.

🔸 Focusrite Scarlett (e.g., 2i2):

Significantly better A/D and D/A converters.

Cleaner, clearer, and more accurate tone, especially when using VST amp sims.

Better noise floor and headroom, noticeable when recording or layering tracks.

Will sound more “alive” and open, especially if you’re using studio monitors.

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If you are just in your dorm then imo ampsims are the way to go

high nacelle
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He's in a dorm. He won't use Studio Monitors! 😉

But let's run the numbers:

  • Focusrite 2i2 Interface (119 Euro)
  • Guitar Cable (10-20) Euro
  • Amp sims can be free, but there's a lot of time involved in finding good ones
    -- Total: around 135-140 Euro

Disadvantages:

  • Stationary
  • Takes up a little bit of space
  • more expensive
  • a bit heavier and bulkier overall

Mighty Plug Pro

Cost: 77 Euro

  • included Amp Sims, which actually do sound quite decent out of the box
  • Cab Sims (IRs)
  • 48k / 32-bit Sampling rate, which is actually already Studio Quality.
  • built-in interface with dry out option
  • ability to record voice and guitar signal at the same time (for example with headphones with a mic attached). This is great for making videos / streaming for instance.
  • ability to expand the available patches via a plethora of downloadable patches
  • 7 banks you can switch between very easily. So you can go from an acoustic intro to an overdriven solo with a very simple tap of the button.
  • Ability to use 3rd party IRs and store them on the device.

Etc, etc, etc.

AND you can still use the same Amp sims since it has a built-in interface.

It's literally plug and play - no drivers to install.
Plug the unit into the guitar, plug headphones in and that's literally it.

Plus all the extras like metronome, drum machine, tuner, etc. all included already.

It's pretty much a no-brainer to get this for any dorm or quiet practice-type situation.

exotic torrent
high nacelle
exotic torrent
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And not get as good as quality because like I said above

high nacelle
# exotic torrent And not get as good as quality because like I said above

He's in a Dorm, not a professional recording studio. He asked about playing and practicing, not recording.

What do you need for practicing?

  • Metronome
  • Basic Drum machine
  • Tuner
  • Jam Tracks

All that is built in.

Yes, you could get a dedicated interface, but then you'd still have to get all the other thigns (download), which are already included in a tiny unit, which sounds great, for a steal of a price.

exotic torrent
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Exactly hes in a dorm. With possibly a laptop. That is also portable. With headphones and a focusrite you could put all that in a backpack

naive nexus
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A headphone amp is like 2 inch by 1 inch by half inch it can latterly fit in ur pocket what’s ur point

high nacelle
exotic torrent
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Because if reasons I already posted above

high nacelle
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But you can still use AmP Sims with the headphone amp... it's literally the same thing since it has a built-in interface.

And I can guarantee you that you won't be able to tell a difference in sound-quality with your naked ear between the two.

naive nexus
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The soft where I would have to pay extra for is already in headphone amps

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Depending which one u get

high nacelle
exotic torrent
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Sure you could

naive nexus
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U can also use it without ur laptop

exotic torrent
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But sure

cosmic wagon
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I'd buy two 4x12 stacks just to be sure

high nacelle
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You literally have ALL the benefits of a dedicated interface built in. So you have the option of just throwing the unit into your gig-bag... go to a park somewhere, find a nice tree to sit under, plug the unit into your guitar, plug headphones in, and just jam away... in nature... outside ... with fresh air.... without having to carry your laptop.

AND you also then when you get back to your apartment have the option to plug it into your computer and have the same benefits of a dedicated interface. It's like a 2 for 1 deal, really.

That's why no matter how it's sliced, the headphone amp scenario is a lot more versatile in that particular situation.

high nacelle
naive nexus
cosmic wagon
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mmmmh

exotic torrent
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Yeah but not as good sound quality when you plug into your pc. One is like a toy vs something professionals use. If that was the case nobody would buy audio interfaces

high nacelle
reef vigil
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Or just use an interface

pulsar viper
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ill check the nux headphone amp out

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It sounds like a great deal

warm elbow
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If yuo plan to gig too

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get a nux mg300

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its a multi fx pedal

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with amp sims etc

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everything you need to perform

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and everything u need to play in a dorm

high nacelle
# warm elbow get a nux mg300

Little, but important correction here. The MG-300 MKII would be the one to get. The older MG-300 was ok, but not great. They fixed a bunch of flaws in the newer model, and It's still very affordable.

lament quest
high nacelle
# lament quest im also looking to buy the boss katana go or nux, ive seen in vids that the nux ...

Yes, both of them are pretty great choices. I usually recommend the Nux over the Katana - especially for beginners since it has a whole bunch of extra features sich as a drum machine, metronome and TRRS capability baked in, and it's a bit cheaper.

With the "top end" issues you mean the infamous "Hiss"? That's largely in the past afaik. It was related to the headphones or cable being used and was pretty much resolved in the latest batches from what I heard.
I've had mine for over a year now and have never had any irregular noise issues with it. But I will say that NUX in general does run a bit hot in terms of input, so you have to dial the distortion/overdrive back a bit at times. But it's generally not very much and you can get some amazing sounds out of this little machine.

The Boss Katana go is also an amazing unit. Not quite as intuitive in terms of Software UI, but it does sound pretty amazing out of the box. That Stage-feel function is a cool little option and you can get the EV-1 Pedal for it for wah/midi-control, which is pretty awesome. I've not tried it out though.

Overall, I'd say you'll be happy with both. If you're looking for a super-cheap option (in terms of price, not sound!!) go for the Nux. It's on sale at Thomann right now I saw.

It has everything you'd ever need for practice built right in.

If you're looking for a slightly more "sophisticated" package with "better" sound, but with fewer practice options and more expensive, then the Boss is a fantastic piece of gear as well.

You can't go wrong with either, really.

lament quest
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