As a guitarist, it can be tough to part with your beloved stompboxes and switch to a multi-effects processor for a whole amp-less setup. However, going amp-less doesn't necessarily mean that you have to compromise on your tone. There are a variety of options available that allow you to achieve great sounds without having to worry about what amps or cabinets are going to be available at the performing venue or in the studio.

In this article, we'll explore some of the best tools and techniques for guitarists who prefer physical and hands-on gears such as analog pedals and tube amps over multi-effect pedals. So, if you're looking for a way to simplify your rig without sacrificing your tone, read on!

Guitar amplification dates back to the early days of acoustic guitars, but it wasn’t until the discovery of electricity and the ability to control current and voltage that the technology really took off. In the 1920s, engineers discovered that sound vibrations could be converted into electrical energy through electromagnetic induction. This led to the development of technologies such as the radio, telephone, and microphone, which in turn paved the way for the creation of electric guitars and amplifiers.

Using the principles mentioned above, a guitar amplifier is a device that converts your guitar signals into an electric current, which it then strengthens and amplifies (or makes it louder) through its sets of speakers.

The anatomy of a guitar amplifier can be divided into 3 sections:

• The preamp section: amplifies the audio signal to a level that can drive the power stage. The preamplifier also changes the tone of the signal of your guitar sound

• The Power section: takes the signal from the preamp signal and drives it high enough to power the speaker system

• Loudspeakers (or cabinets): The speaker system converts the electrical signal from the power amp into mechanical energy in the form of a moving cone which recreates the original sound and any modifications to it added by the various amp sections

In order to perform live or record in the studio, guitarists have traditionally relied on a setup consisting of an electric guitar, effect pedals or stomp boxes, and one or more guitar amps if they so choose. Typically, when playing in a larger venue, a larger amplifier is required. A bigger amp produces a louder guitar sound, but transporting the rig becomes more challenging due to the added weight.

This setup has been essential for guitarists for many years, until the invention that changed the electric guitar landscape forever….

In 1996, Line 6 introduced their first-ever guitar amplifier, the AxSys 212. This amp was a game-changer as it offered a wide range of tones that were modeled after famous amplifiers, which gave guitarists unlimited options to explore and experiment with. This innovation defied the conventional amplifiers of the time and set a new standard in the industry.

The invention of DSP (Digital Signal Processing) technology led a lot of amp and effect makers to create and emulate digital models of real-life amps and effects and introduced, along with it, portability and the ability to perform or record with a single device without the need to have physical guitar amplifiers.

Well…no! And it's unlikely that multi-effects processors will replace stompboxes and amps anytime soon!

While multi-effects processors have their own benefits, they often lack the warmth, character, and dynamic response of traditional analog gear, which can be problematic for recording and live performances.

Virtual amps and effects have their own limitations, despite offering a wide range of sounds and presets. They can be overwhelming to navigate, especially for guitarists who are used to the simplicity and immediacy of stompboxes and tube amps. This can be a problem in live settings, where quick changes and adjustments are often necessary.

Stompboxes and tube amps produce an unparalleled sound that cannot be replicated by a multi-effects processor, especially in terms of depth, nuance, and the perceived "feel" of guitar playing. Effect pedals and amps provide a hands-on and tactile experience that many guitarists find appealing. With this approach, you have more control over your sound and can create a truly personalized tone. If you want to change your sound, all you need to do is physically swap out pedals or amps, which is much easier and quicker than fiddling with digital settings.

If you're looking to create a setup without using an amplifier but still want to use your analog equipment, there are a few methods you can try:

In Malaysia, one of the challenges that musicians face is the use of underwhelming amps provided by the venue or backline service. This is especially true in smaller venues or local gig houses. Fortunately, a preamp pedal can fix this issue.

A preamp pedal, as the name implies, bypasses the preamp section of the amplifier on stage, resulting in a distinct sound that greatly enhances your guitar tones. It’s like having a portable amp that accurately replicates your favorite amp tones and can be fixed permanently to your pedalboard.

The best part? Preamp pedals are completely analog! Some of the top preamp pedals on the market feature preamp circuitry and even 12AX7 preamp tubes, just like their real amp counterparts. This ensures that you get the best depth and nuances of a tube amp.

Some guitarists would also choose to completely bypass, or not use any amps on stage at all and instead choose to route their guitar signal straight into the FOH’s (front-of-house) mixer.

Some guitarists, particularly those who are new to intermediate players, may not realize that the loudspeakers inside amp cabinets can also affect the tone of their guitar. With so many variations in makers, components, sizes, and configurations of speakers, not to mention the microphone use and placements on the guitar cab, a specific sound that a guitarist likes can be completely altered, which can lead to arising problems during performance.

So to ensure that you have a constant sound for every show at anywhere around the world, an IR loader is the way to go!

An Impulse Response (IR) is a snapshot of a real amplifier setup that captures the sonic characteristics of a guitar amp cabinet. It’s like a photograph that shows the exact configuration of the cabinet, the microphone used, and its placement in the room, but in a sonic form. IRs are typically recorded in acoustically treated spaces, such as studios, to reproduce the cleanest and most accurate sound. They are recorded in multiple settings to provide a variety of options to choose from or blend based on your preference.

While you can get all sorts of high-quality IRs on the market, such as from Ownhammer, York Audio, ML Sound, and many more, to use them, you need IR loader pedals, which you can load into your IRs or use the ready-made presets inside them. The main advantage is that, with an IR loader, you can cycle through presets and change them as you want!

What about Cab Sims?

If an IR is a sonic snapshot of a real amplifier setup and impulse, a cab sim, on the other hand, is a digital recreation of a cab where you can tweak the microphone placement, models, EQs, and many more.

Although there are many preamp pedals and multi-effect processors available nowadays, most guitarists still prefer the sound and power of real amplifiers, especially tube amps loaded with 6L6s, EL34s, and other components that give the amps their unique character and tone. This is why many guitarists are hesitant to switch to other options during shows.

However, new, smaller head amps, such as the 20-watt Friedman JJ-Junior and Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister Deluxe 40, have made it easier to bring an amp to gigs. Despite the authentic tones these amps provide, there is still a challenge posed by the cabinet itself.

As before, the guitar cab can significantly alter your guitar tone, and pairing your amp head with different cabs can introduce a whole new sound that you may prefer. When using an amp head, it is essential to connect it to a speaker cabinet before powering it on with a matching impedance (measured in Ω ohms), or otherwise you can risk damaging your tube amps.

Fortunately, there is a solution to this problem in the form of a load box that can save the day, and some even with built-in IR loader and cab sim capabilities!

When playing the guitar through an amplifier, the signal is converted and amplified in the power section of the amp. This results in high currents being transferred to the speakers to create the sound. However, if you wish to send the sound directly to a mixer or an audio interface, you can replace the speaker cabinet with a load box. A load box will dissipate the “load” or the current through its heat vents while at the same time converting the signal to a lower current, making it the same as the line-level signal that can be sent directly to a mixer or an audio interface.