Guide
Practice amp or audio interface: what should a beginner buy first?
If you'll mostly practice at home on headphones and already have a computer, an audio interface with amp software is usually the most flexible first buy. If you'd rather keep the computer out of it, a small practice amp with a headphone jack is the simplest. Here's how the four common options compare, and how to pick one.
Why an electric guitar needs something to plug into
An electric guitar's pickups put out only a weak electric signal. Unplugged, you hear a quiet, thin sound. To get the guitar sound you know, something has to amplify and shape that signal.
At home there are four common ways to do it. They differ mainly in how loud they are, whether a computer is involved, how many sounds you get, and whether you can record.
The four common options
Practice amp
A small amp with its own speaker. Plug in and play. Many have a headphone jack and a few built-in sounds.
- Good for
- No computer and no setup. Easy to play along with music or with a friend.
- Watch out for
- Even a small amp can be too loud at night unless you use the headphone jack, and you're limited to the sounds built in.
Headphone amp
A tiny battery-powered amp that plugs straight into your guitar's output jack. Your headphones plug into it.
- Good for
- Often the cheapest and most portable way to practice silently.
- Watch out for
- Few sounds and controls, and usually no way to record.
Multi-effects unit
A floor or desktop unit with many amp and effect sounds and a headphone output.
- Good for
- Lots of sounds without a computer. Some also work as an audio interface over USB.
- Watch out for
- Small screens and menus can take a while to learn. If you plan to record, check that it really works as a USB audio interface.
Audio interface with amp software
An audio interface connects your guitar to a computer, and amp software (a plugin or a standalone app) makes the amp sound. You listen on headphones plugged into the interface.
- Good for
- Silent headphone practice, many sounds on a big screen, and recording from day one. To get a different sound, you change software, not hardware.
- Watch out for
- You need a computer, wired headphones, and a few minutes of setup: the input gain (how strongly the guitar comes in) and the buffer size (which sets the delay). Bluetooth headphones add a delay you can hear.
How to decide
You practice late at night or share walls
Anything with a headphone output works. A headphone amp is the cheapest; an interface with amp software gives you the most sounds.
You want to record yourself
Choose an audio interface, or a multi-effects unit that works as a USB audio interface. Listening back to a recording is one of the quickest ways to hear what to fix.
You don't want a computer involved
A practice amp, or a multi-effects unit with a headphone jack. You plug in and play.
You play with others or out loud
A practice amp is the simple choice. An interface can feed speakers too, but an amp is easier to carry and set up.
You have a computer and want to learn about tone
An audio interface with amp software. You can try many amp and effect combinations without buying more hardware.
If you choose an audio interface, look for
- An instrument input labelled INST or Hi-Z. Plugged into other inputs, a guitar tends to sound thin.
- A headphone output with its own volume knob.
- Support for your computer, macOS or Windows. On Windows, install the maker's own driver if there is one; it usually means less delay.
- One input is enough for guitar alone. Get two if you also want to record a microphone.
Then add amp software. Many run as a standalone app, so a DAW (recording software) is optional while you're just practicing. These guides cover the next steps:
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need an amp to play electric guitar?
- You need something that amplifies the signal, but it doesn't have to be a traditional amp. A headphone amp, a multi-effects unit with a headphone jack, or an audio interface with amp software on a computer all work. Unplugged, an electric guitar gives only a quiet, thin sound.
- Is an audio interface better than a practice amp for a beginner?
- Neither is better for everyone. An interface with amp software gives you more sounds, silent headphone practice, and recording, but it needs a computer and a little setup. A practice amp is simpler and works without a computer. Choose by where and how you'll practice.
- Can I plug headphones straight into my electric guitar?
- No. The guitar's output carries a weak signal that headphones can't use directly. Plug the guitar into a headphone amp, an amp or multi-effects unit with a headphone jack, or an audio interface, and plug your headphones into that.
- What else do I need besides an audio interface?
- A guitar cable, wired headphones, a computer, and amp software. A DAW is optional; for practice, a standalone app is enough.
Where EG Tone fits
EG Tone is amp software for the last option: an electric guitar amp and effects plugin for beginners, used on your computer with an audio interface.
- It runs as a standalone app and a VST3 plugin on macOS and Windows, plus AU on macOS.
- 8 amp voices, a built-in cabinet model, 15 effects, and 17 presets to start from.
- Every knob and button has help text, and a guided tour points at the real screen, one part at a time.
- A tuner and a metronome are built into the same window.
You'll need an audio interface with an instrument input. EG Tone is a one-time purchase, not a subscription.
Explore EG ToneThe tuner, metronome, and chord library on this site are free to use, with no signup.