Hi guys,

As per title, I'll be going down to Singapore for further studies somewhere around next month.

I'll be bringing my electric guitar together with me. But the thing is, I don't feel like bringing my amp there.

So I need some suggestion on how to 'substitute' my amp when I stay there.

Question 1
Should I :

a) Guitar -> multieffect -> headphones

Currently don't have a multieffect yet, so I thought this choice will enable me to mess with several effects yet not disturbing neighbours when I do some late night practice session when used with headphones

b) Guitar -> amplug -> headphones

Or is an amplug more suitable? more portable, but I think only one channel right?

c) Guitar -> new mini/portable amp

Or just get a new amp? Maybe a cute little marshall MS-2 or a microcube?

Question 2
I suppose gears there are generally cheaper than in Malaysia? So definitely should buy there right?

Question 3
As I know, when we pass the custom we need to pay a certain amount of tax.
How does it actually works?
if say I bought a new amp, so everytime i pass the custom to malaysia and back to singapore, i will be taxed again?

finally, thanks alot to all those who give insightful inputs and recommendation! appreciate them alot!

Software effect modelers... ie Guitar Rig, Amplitube

thanks for the comment bro. but i think for the software to function, i need to use some sort of pre-amp and then only connect to my laptop right?

Agreed. Get a software modeller.

Highly recommended would be the Line6 UX1 or UX2 which is an all in one package of a software modeller, soundcard and guitar interface. Even bigger plus, it comes with recording software.

I use the UX2 for recording on my laptop and it's very good.

The UX2 is around RM750, and the UX1 (which has only 1 input, more then enough for bedroom practice actually) will be cheaper then that.

Check CK Music for the prices.

You can actually output to either headphones or just route it to your computer speakers.

But if you have a wah, bring that along, because a good wah is always a good traveling buddy.

You can try using the Line-In input on your soundcard.. I think the impedance for this input is matched to the guitar.. Never use the mic input directly to your guitar as it is unmatched and the high frequencies will be lost, ie. u'll get treble-less tone..

instead of the UX1 or UX2...why not the line6 pocketpod?
its about the same price, plus its more portable in that u can just plug headphones in.
also has usb connection, and if need be can just output thru ur pc speakers.

haha. never considered those before this thanks.
now its in one of my options

so why not I buy a multifeffect unit compared to UX1, UX2 and pocketpod?

i think both are equally the same in function right?
can plug headphones, usb connection (like g2.1u) and recording

the only reason to buy a ux1, apart from the obvious guitar usage, is for the mic input...
so basically, if the mic has no use for u...be better off getting the pocketpod.

Multieffects sometimes don't sound the way you want them to be, and the good ones are definitely more expensive than Toneports.. for example the drive effects from the cheap Zoom G2.1u sounds very sterile and digital..

So if you have a bugdet >1k or consider to use that pedal for the long run, then by all means get a multifx like the Vox Tonelab LE

sorry, forgot to mention my budget is <1000MYR.

cause I thought that a multifx can also use for jamming sessions there
so I might get double worth of my money.

what about my question 2 and question 3 guys?

Tonelab LE doesn't support USB out, so doesn't do him any good.
Something like the Line6 PODXT Live3 would be more suitable, but that's already crossing the RM1500 limit.

Simple, get the PocketPod like ever mentioned (I totally forgot about that) and you're good to go.

just a note, u cant use the usb on the pocketpod to record...its solely for d/l and editing patches.
u'll have to line-in, no big deal anyway.
also the pocketpod in SG, after conversion should only be around RM430.

The convenience of Toneport UX1/UX2 is that it is powered by USB, so you can save one power plug port for other devices...

but of cos to use the UX1/UX2...u have to be slaved to ur PC.

That's why you need to know what you're using it for.

If you're using it to record, get the UX1 or UX2.

If you want to maybe unplug and use the effects for a jam session, Pocket Pod will be better.

Any chance of you gigging?
If so, it would be better to get a multieffect pedal that you can actually bring around and play at shows...

gigging? not very sure, as I'm quite a beginner
but jamming is a higher probability. so therefore i think the pocketpod will suit me better?

anyway, anyone can clarify the tax section @ question 3?

oxalato,

don't worry about crossing the customs. just don't tell them you bought the stuff in singapore. Just say you got since a long time already (don't show them a bill), they can't
tax your personal stuff. And it's so small, they won't even know what it is.

i second the pocket pod solution. Imagine the trouble if you get to start up your computer everytime you wanna play your guitar... that's a mood killer !!



only drawback : no recording option with USB cable. You have to record with the Line-In. But in order to have USB recording you must upgrade to the POD XT, which i believe is too expensive.

Buy yourself the PocketPod + a good pair of closed headphones (which means they are sealed, not "open"). Check also they are comfy.

But practising with headphones for months is going to destroy your ears... that's my case. Be careful not to play to loud or you'll end up loosing high frequency sensibility and earing a little buzz in your ears for the rest of your life

i been using my philips set for practice with my korg pandora PX4...and it is friggin HOT.

now im looking for open ones...

A normal pair of Sony earbuds are good enough for me

open hearphones are quite noisy.. i'd like to buy open ones, but more for hifi use than guitar. however, they are certainly better than closed cans when it comes to mixing a track, since they are more linear.

audio technica brand is the hype nowadays, extremely good sound with good price (i never tried them myself)

earbuds are cheaper, so they're attractive but really they sound too thin and harsh compared to "cans" : a guitar should sound "big" and this is a feeling that's hard to get with earbuds.

thanks guys especially everdying and pix

since a pocketpod is technically a multieffect, may I know why a pocketpod .. and not maybe a korg ax1500g or any other units?

oxalato,
i own a pod XT, so i can tell you about the freaking quality of the simulations. you'll not be disappointed by them. but maybe a korg or a boss will work as good.

pocketpod is to be seen as a virtual amplifier that also offers FX.
Korg is a multiFX that also offers amp modelisations.

In the end, that's the same... so go try'em out. or choose the one that offers functions that are mandatory for you and can't be found in the other ones.

i use a korg pandora px4...been upgrading since PX2...now theres a new PX5 out.
its smaller than the pocketpod.
effects wise, well its used in the vox valvetronix amps.
plus it has a built-in metronome/tuner and drum patterns with preset basslines and able to record up to 32secs of a phrase so u can loop it.

i just had a look at the pandora's, and they sure pack a lot of interesting features ! but they are more expensive than the pocketpod (px4 = 150 euros, while pocketpot = 100 euros). damn.. now i want a pandora px5 for my overseas trips, because the pod XT is too big actually...

In korg range, the pocketpod is comparable to the floorboard ax5g in terms of price, which looks very cheap but offers a control pedal (wah wah style).

I went for the multieffects route and it serves me well since a year ago(Before that I used softwares and have to suffer some lags issues). Pocketpod should be a great choice, but its interesting that Pix mentioned the ax5g, since I've been using it all the while and i think it's frigging good for the price paid. For no more than RM300 you get tonnes of good quality effects with many many tweakable options. Definitely worth a look if you're tight on budget.

wooo, another pandora convert.
the new PX5 actually has a input for a footswitch, that one sure sold seperately.
also the PX4, being now obsolete, is slightly cheaper than pocketpod over here.

if you don't mind me asking,
are you by any chance working in the music industry?
you're knowledge in gears and music stuffs -->

books?

nope.
currently i guess is marketing advertising related.

This post has been edited by Everdying: Jun 19 2008, 01:07 AM

i'd take the first pick. that's what i'm doing anyways.

Option one is the best if you have housemates and etc. If he's not used to the electric guitar it'll definitely be nuisance.

But lucky for me, my housemates are musicians too! So we jam (make noise) together hehe.

thanks. noted down
no, won't be having housemates at least for the first 2 years as i'll be staying in campus.
heard there's a band room at every hostel there.. but probably they only allow the 'official' bands to use the equipments