Hello everyone,

I'm currently in search of a new audio interface (Audient ID 14 at the minute), and since my recording needs are focused on bass and guitar, I'm considering a guitar modeler for effective monitoring while playing.
In my current setup, I use an old Line 6 Pod X3 connected via SPDIF to my interface, but dealing with three cables plus a converter from S/PDIF to ADAT is becoming a bit cumbersome (and ugly). I just don't like going straight into my interface without hearing what I'm actually playing and monitoring myself with VSTs creates to much latency.

Do you have recommendations on amp modelers that come equipped with dedicated Windows drivers? Asio4All is not really working for me.
Specifically, I'm looking for options that allow recording both processed and DI signals, along with the capability to create monitor mixes. For recording, it's crucial that I can mute the DI signal while tracking and balance the DAW output against the processed guitar track I'm recording.

I've already looked into models like Helix, Headrush, Quad Cortex, Kemper (no Windows drivers at the minute) and Tonex, but I noticed a lack of a comprehensive Control Panel similar to those found in conventional interfaces like Focusrite, Audient. Or did I miss something?

While considering alternatives such as the UA Apollo (limited amp models, expensive) and Antelope (buggy software, subpar amp models), I have yet to find the perfect fit.

Or should i just get a Tech 21 SansAmp Paradriver? It's phantom powered and i can track my clean signal as well with the parallel output. Not ideal for late night headphone rehearsal sessions.

Any insights, recommendations, or personal experiences you can share would be immensely helpful.

I really regret not buying a Mac

Thank you in advance!

You are saying "monitoring myself with VSTs creates to much latency.". In that case you have a very old PC or a very poor audio interface. Hopefully your upcoming Audient will fix that, because a good AI and good VST amps, like Amplitube, Overloud's TH-U, Neural DSP's Archetype series, TONE-X, Otto Audio etc. are all fit for commercial releases. I have used TH-U with Kemper profiles (Vai) recording our guitarist for many years without issues. Latency has never been a problem (and then the genre is DT/Van Halen oriented stuff with pretty speedy fingerwork).

Thanks for your reply!
My setup is pretty solid I think.
DDR5 32GB RAM, AMD RYZEN 7 7700X OEM, and a Samsung 980 1TB PCIe Gen3 Harddrive. I already use an Audient ID14 interface.

But I'm often recording fast-paced metal/hardcore stuff at around or above 180bpm and I'd like to have basically no perceived latency - which is not possible with my current setup. I always have around 10-13ms. The pre's of the Line 6 unit are a bit outdated I think which I currently use via ADAT to my interface.

I tested the UA Apollo series—good, but limited for heavy music, and a bit pricey at around 850 pounds for only one guitar amp and there are only one or two other models I'm interested in (which cost another 40-50 pounds i think).

That's why i thought a Kemper, Quad Cortex, and Tonex for their basically unlimited amp options and near zero-latency performance would be a good idea. However, I'm unsure about Windows-compatible routing/mixing apps for these. I googled / youtubed of course but could not really find anything.

- The Tonex manual just says: To use TONEX as audio interface on Windows devices, Windows® 10 or later is required.
- The Line 6 is a bit more detailed but no information about a panel to create a mix to for the various outputs (Guitar Processed, DI, DAW): https://helixhelp.com/tips-and-guide...are-monitoring
- The Quad Cortex also does not seem to have this function: https://downloads.neuraldsp.com/file...al%202.1.0.pdf
- The Kemper does not have yet windows drivers but the new Kemper Profiler Player would be my preference.

If anyone has suggestions or if I've overlooked something, I'd be grateful for any insights. Appreciate your ideas!

Long story short, guitar modeling requires low latency, low latency requires RME interface. I got a 2nd hand AIO, and kept my Audient id22 for its excellent i/o, connected via audio cables to RME (not via adad! audient converter latency is too high).

If the Babyface weren't so unattractive and the Fireface not as pricey, I might consider giving them a shot.
However, I'm currently eyeing a more budget-friendly Focusrite interface with an SPDIF coax input, then pairing it with a Kemper to bypass the preamp and AD of the Focusrite - since I know this would give me the result i wanted.
Or i just keep the Audient and live with my 9 cable method
- Guitar to guitar preamp 1
- power for the guitar preamp and interface 2 & 3
- usb for the interface 4
- spdif to adat converter 5
- power for the adat converter 6
- adat to the interface 7
- output to my monitors 8 &9

You have a PC, right? AIO is PCIe and has spdif input. This will give you lowest possible latency if you get the latest AIO Pro, second lowest if you get 2nd hand AIO non-Pro (~400 bucks).

if you need a lot of variety (like a thousand different guitar sounds), amp modelers like Axe FX and Kemper are tough to surpass.

if you simply need great sound with no latency, you can buy a full-on tube amp head and run it into a reactive load.

the 5150 Iconic has a built in cab emulator output, making a reactive loadbox purchase not strictly necessary (unless you want the sound of a particular reactive loadbox). for $1000 you have a real tube amp that you can run straight into the computer or play through a real guitar cabinet.

Thats also something i considered but my girlfriend would kill me if drag a full scale tube amp into our tiny appartment (I know they come in smaller sizes these days as well). And i record a lot of bass as well and rather stick to digital devices at this moment.

All day with rme