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Guitar Tools

Guide

How to play electric guitar without an amp

You can practice electric guitar with just headphones. Connect your guitar to a computer through an audio interface, and let software make the amp sound. This guide covers what you need, how to connect everything, and what to do when the sound feels late.

What you need

  • Electric guitar and guitar cable

    The same cable you would plug into an amp works fine.

  • Audio interface with an instrument (Hi-Z) input

    It turns your guitar's weak signal into digital audio your computer can process. Look for an input labeled INST or Hi-Z. If you only plug in a guitar, a single-input model is enough.

  • Computer

    A macOS or Windows computer. Check that your audio interface and amp software support your system.

  • Headphones

    Plug them into the audio interface's headphone jack. Use wired headphones; wireless ones add a delay you can hear while playing.

  • DAW (optional)

    A music production app for recording and making songs. You don't need one just to practice.

How to connect your guitar to a computer

  1. 1

    Connect the cables

    Plug the guitar cable into the interface's instrument input (INST or Hi-Z). Connect the interface to your computer, usually with a USB cable, and plug your headphones into the interface. If the maker offers a dedicated driver, install it first.

  2. 2

    Set the input gain

    Turn the interface's input gain down, then strum as hard as you ever play and raise it slowly. Stop before the level meter reaches red (clipping). A clipped signal sounds harsh, and software can't undo it.

  3. 3

    Choose the interface in audio settings

    Open the audio settings in your standalone app or DAW and pick the audio interface as both the input and the output device. Make sure the input channel your guitar is plugged into is turned on. If you hear nothing, check this setting first.

  4. 4

    Set the buffer size

    The buffer size is how much audio your computer processes at once. A lower buffer means less delay between picking a note and hearing it, but too low causes crackles. Lower it step by step until you hear crackles, then go one step back up.

  5. 5

    Turn on the amp sound and play

    Open the standalone app, or load an amp and effects plugin on a guitar track in your DAW and turn on input monitoring. If your interface has a direct monitor feature, turn it off, or you will hear your dry guitar on top of the amp sound. Start with the headphone volume low and raise it slowly.

Software that makes the amp sound

Software on your computer creates the amp sound. There are two common ways to run it.

An amp and effects plugin in a DAW

You load the plugin on a guitar track in your DAW, so you can record right away. Plugins come in formats such as VST3 and AU, so check that your DAW supports the one you pick.

A standalone app

You open one app and play, with no DAW. There is less to set up, which keeps practice simple.

Starting with EG Tone

EG Tone is an electric guitar amp and effects plugin for beginners. It is designed around people who are new to shaping guitar tone.

  • Every knob has help text. Hover over a knob to see what happens when you turn it down or up.
  • A guided tour walks you through the real screen, one part at a time.
  • Easy mode gives each effect one or two knobs. Switch to Pro mode when you want every control.
  • A tuner, a metronome, and backing tracks are built into the same program.
  • It runs as a VST3 plugin and a standalone app on macOS and Windows, and as an AU plugin on macOS.

EG Tone is a one-time purchase, not a subscription.

Explore EG Tone

For practice, the tuner and metronome on this site are free to use, with no signup.

Guitar TunerMetronome

Frequently asked questions

Can I play electric guitar without an amp?
Yes. Connect your guitar to a computer through an audio interface, create the amp sound with an amp and effects plugin or a standalone app, and listen on headphones. That way you can practice even when playing out loud isn't an option.
Do I need a DAW?
No. For practice, a standalone app is enough. Use a plugin in a DAW when you want to record or make songs.
Why is there a delay between picking and hearing the sound?
Your computer processes audio in chunks called buffers. Lowering the buffer size in your audio settings reduces the delay. If you hear crackles after lowering it, go one step back up. Wireless headphones, or a generic Windows driver instead of your interface's own driver, can also add delay.
Can I plug my guitar straight into my computer's headphone or mic jack?
It's not recommended. A computer's headphone and mic jacks aren't made for a guitar signal, so the sound tends to be quiet or thin, with extra noise. Plug your guitar into the instrument (Hi-Z) input of an audio interface instead.