Alan Ratcliffe wrote
Riaan wrote
Laptop, Guitar Rig 3 and an Edirol soundcard, straight into the PA. All the sounds and tone in the world!
That's my personal favourite (as everybody and their dog probably knows by now ?), but is a bit of a "deep end" approach and works out fairly expensive - especially by the time you factor in a laptop.
Dave, I've been playing the pub circuit, corporates, weddings, etc for many years now. Solo, in duos, with bands. So I'm going to come at this not from a purist or tone perspective - but simply from an utilitarian-what-works-to-get-the-job done point of view.
The rig described by Riaan and Alan is where I'm going to. When all the right components (laptop memory, etc) come together, I know that's going to be the easiest way to play these kinds of gigs. At the moment I use a guitar into a Boss GT-6 (includes pre-amp) and line straight into the mixing desk. The different tones, models, etc are sufficient for you (or anyone else) to set up four of five patches, on two banks or so, that will approximate the sound you'll need for most cover songs. You're probably, like me, already fitting a PA into your vehicle. This way, no amp to fit in, look after, etc.
None of the advice above is invalid. There are some really usefull suggestions there from experienced guys who know their stuff. And if you're doing the kind of shows where tone is a major component of what you're trying to project, that approach is compulsory!!! Original bands trying to create a certain sound, big stage tribute shows where you're trying to emulate a legend's tone (and rig) as near as possible. But in pubs (and I don't mean to step on any toes here), most punters could care less if you're tone is exactly Knopfler on
Sultans, etc etc. They just wanna either buy you a Tequila or hurl insults at you if you can't play their favourite song! If you have a couple of nice patches, you'll get the sound you need for the environment you're in.
The GT-6 has been superseded by a GT-8 and GT10. You'll probably pick up a GT-8 on Gumtree or something relatively cheaply. Eliminate the money for a good microphone to mic your amp into the mixer, and you're on a good deal. Rather spend the money on a good mic for your vocals. If you're not already using something in the range of a Shure SM 58 or better, you should be! ? I'd spend my money there, as to be heard in a noisy pub, and to not sound awful, you need the best mic you can afford.
It boils down, as discussed by Bob and Tom, to compromises. Swings and roundabouts. Guys who have to move a PA and all peripherals in and out of a house, into a pub and back again three, four or more times a week have to find a rig that does THAT job well, most cost-effectively, etc. For me, that has so far excluded bringing a standalone amp into the equation. Based on what I've read on this Forum, Guitar Rig (which will then replace the physical GT-unit with a computer software program) will take this to the next level - i.e. even lighter physically and space wise, but more chance to get a better tone than the GT-unit (and of course, more variants of tone). Ultimately, using Guitar Rig as a plug-in, you can store different tones for each song you play!! You'll need a few dozen amps to do that real-time. Sure, there may be a slight quality trade-off, but enough to forego that kind of utility in a travelling rig?
You haven't said what system you use for backtracks (midi, mp3, CD?). That may affect the options too. But these are just a few ideas from someone doing the same thing as you! ?
