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Quiet Amps VS Loud Headphones – Which one is better the playing at home?
Introduction
This is a fun article and something I have always asked myself! What do I think is better for using at home, a quiet amps or loud headphones? We all know that while you are playing at home you can’t really blast the volume (at least not even on a regular basis). So we all have to compromise for either a small amp or loud headphones. But is there a winner? Is one better than the other? Let me find out!
I spent a bit of time going over each one and trying them both out for various reasons! I used various types of headphones and a few different types of amp (both digital and tube). I wrote my notes down and have come up with the sections below. The way it will work is I have broken it down into two main sections. “Reasons I prefer quiet amps” and “Reasons I prefer loud headphones”. I will go over each section in more detail and give you my thoughts, then at the end I will tell you which one I prefer and why. So why don’t I jump straight into it?
Reason I prefer Quiet Amps
So, what reasons do I prefer to be playing through a quiet amp when practising or playing around at home?
Easy Set Up
There is no easier set up than using a real amp which is next to you! Simply plug your guitar in and switch it on! Done! That is it! So simple and takes all the hassle away from playing! There isn’t an easier way to get set up to play guitar. Of course, when you start to introduce a pedalboard and effects then it might take a little while longer, but still isn’t that long!
I think people always say how portable Modellers are, but when you look at the cables and extra gear you have to bring with you you could argue that an amp and a guitar require less stuff! Simpler to move around and set up! Plus, if you use something like a Boss Katana, you will have all the sounds and pedals you will ever need!
In-Room Feel
I don’t care how great you think your headphones or amp sim is, something about being in a room with an amp changes how you play! The transient and attack of the notes stand out way more! This only gets more obvious the louder the amp gets. The sense of noise you get when you are playing with an amp in the room can’t be replicated or reproduced!
Even at low volumes I think using an amp allows you to experience this feeling and also helps you improve as a player! Learning to control those transients and peaks! Nothing like it!
Digital Amps Sound the Same
A huge reason I love digital and transistor amps is their consistency! Tube amps react and sound differently depending on how loud or how much they are “working”. Digital amps don’t have this issue! You can roll up to a gig and get your transistor amp sounding good and then when you get home all you have to do is turn the master volume down and BOOM! You will have the same sound, just quieter!
Now, you can get this effect from tube amps, a lot of modern tube amps have power soak features allowing you to go from full to half and sometimes even 0.1 watt! Allowing you to get a similar result as a transistor amp!
No Option Paralysis
Find yourself spending too much time adjusting effects, sounds, and trying to create a rig? This is where I think using amps comes into play! There aren’t that many options! You plug in, and you have a few EQ options, reverbs, gain, and maybe the odd effect! Nothing to keep you away from playing and learning!
You may argue that amps like the Boss Katana have lots of options; however, without plugging them in, they are fairly simple and “basic”. This keeps you from getting distracted and doesn’t stop you from playing!
"Pace yourself when learning! It is okay to challenge yourself, but remember you can’t master everything in one go!
Reason I Prefer loud headphones
It isn’t all great for the amp! There are many reasons I would prefer to play using loud headphones!
It’s louder.
It is louder! Quiet amps are just that! They are quiet! If you want volume, then you will need to use headphones, and you will be able to crank the volume a little bit! Please always be careful of your hearing, though!
You will get that full surround sound kind of feel! Engulfed by audio and tone! Certain products have movement control, so as you move your head, the sound will change direction, mimicking an amp in the room! This can help pull you in even further to the sound.
Late night or early morning.
Playing early in the morning or late at night is a big problem for a lot of us! It doesn’t matter how quiet your amp is; you will still make noise! With headphones, the only noise you will be making is the natural acoustic sounds of your guitar! This isn’t loud enough to wake anyone up! However, as we mentioned above, it does make a huge difference with the headphones one!
You can be playing through any kind of rig at any point during the day or night, and no one will be none the wiser! It is such a powerful tool! Mainly for practice! If you are a busy person and find you don’t have time to practice during the day, being able to play early in the morning or late at night is the perfect option!
I use IEMs anyway!
For my band, we use IEMs to monitor sound! This means I am familiar with the sound of IEMs and also comfortable with wearing headphones! My tone and rig that I am used to is a headphone, straight to desk kind of rig! So playing that at home gives me the same feel and sound, making practice and sound creation for songs very easy! I have designed and built my board to allow for this!
I feel that if you are going to use IEMs, then you will find your rig adjusts and being modified to support this! You will adapt so that it is more consistent and easier to use!
Endless options for sounds!
If you are someone who likes to tinker and experiment, then this is great news! If you are going the loud headphone route, then your options are many! You have amps with headphone outs, modellers, guitar amp sim pedals, computer plugins, or even small headphone amps that plug in and allow you to have the sound of your favourite amp!
I think my favourite of all these devices is the Sonicake Pocket Master (Review Here). A super small and easy-to-use device that allows you to get amazing tones without much hassle or gear! Perfect for travel or playing around the house! Fit in a pocket or backpack!
"Guitar is very hard! It is a very rewarding, fun, and enjoyable instrument, but it is hard!"
What do I Prefer?
It is really hard to decide which one I prefer; however, if I had to pick, I would have to say that I prefer playing with a quiet amps! The reason for this has nothing to do with sound or feel, like most amp fans will go on about. The reason I enjoy it is because it is easy to set up (normally just guitar into amp) and also comfy! I don’t have anything extra on my head, nothing pressing against my ears and I can sit in my chair or on my sofa and just play! I find it very freeing!
Now, this may be because my band plays with IEMs and I do a lot of recording for the website and YouTube, so I play with loud headphones very frequently! So it is a nice change to not have to put any on! I also have a few different amps (some digital), so I am able to get some good tones at low volumes! If I didn’t gig with IEMs or have low-wattage amps, then it would be a different story!
Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed this article on which one I prefer! Quiet amps or loud headphones! On a side note to this, I do think everyone should hire a hall or rehearsal room and play using a cranked amp! Not because amps are better or any of those arguments; I think you should do it because I think it makes you a better, more careful player! At those volumes, everything you do is not only audible but you can also feel it! So you have to master it!
What do you prefer using? Quiet amps or loud headphones? I would love to hear all your thoughts about this and if you had to pick one, which one would it be! I understand that they both have their advantages and disadvantages, but if you had to pick one, which one would it be?
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