Vox

november 2017 ToTal GuiTar
the tg test
99
T
echnology has made profound
changes to the way we play
and record the electric guitar.
In the good old pre-digital
days, we’d slow down vinyl
records from 33rpm to 16rpm,
or scrub away the magnetic
oxide on a cassette tape with
repeated pause/rewinds to work out solos.
Today, thanks to the internet and digital
recording there’s an innite range of
products to help any player who wants to
learn and get better at what they do. So where
does the other half of the instrument – the
good old guitar amplier – t into all of this?
While you can choose from hundreds of
software plug-ins that work inside your
digital recording package, there’s no
substitute for a box with speakers that can
simply be plugged into when the mood takes
you. Times change and many modern practice
ampliers have redened themselves with
digital modelling, stereo speakers, USB and
Bluetooth connectivity, and software partner
apps that extend their life and exibility.
They’ve become indispensable tools for
anyone who wants to record, practise or just
play for pleasure at home, taking up very little
space and causing minimal upset to
neighbours and signicant others. Here’s our
pick of four of the best...
Desktop
Amps
Words Nick Guppy / Photography Joby Sessions
Playing at home has never
been so much fun. This quartet
of desktop amps blends high
tech with great tone
TGR299.gear_test.indd 99 10/10/17 4:30 PM