Do I need an amp for my guitar if I have an audio interface?

Question

I've been playing the bass for a few years now and want to start recording some of my songs. I've also just moved cities and am trying to save on space/money/number of belongings, so I'm a bit unsure as how to proceed here.

Do I need an amp if I'm going to be just practicing / recording what I play? I have a set of headphones with quarter inch plugs already, and I most likely won't be trying to play any gigs while I'm in this city. Would the interface give me all the capabilities I need for those two things?

Thanks!

Answer 1

If you are talking bass guitar only, I'd say that would work fine. An audio interface has outputs for both headphones and your computer (USB for example). So you can record and/or hear yourself play.

For guitar (and possibly bass) you'll most likely want some effects (amp simulation, distortion, reverb, ...). In that case you'll either need to put a pedal between the guitar and the interface, or use a pedal unit that has interface capabilities (such as the Line6 HD500X). (Alternatively, you can create these effects digitally in your DAW, but that might give too much delay when listening to the processed signal).