To determine what software is necessary for playing guitar with the Neural Amp Modeler, we need to know the two modes in which Neural Amp Modeler can run.
Mode 1: Standalone Mode
In this mode, Neural Amp Modeler (NAM) functions as an independent application on your computer, much like any other software. It operates autonomously, requiring no support from additional software. This straightforward mode allows you to effortlessly start NAM and engage in guitar jamming without any further complexities.
But this mode cannot release all the potential of NAM. (I will explain why later in this article.)
To run NAM in standalone mode, you need to download the installation package and install NAM on your computer.
The installation package for NAM can be found on its official website www.neuralampmodeler.com.
The following pictures demonstrate how to find the installation package from the homepage of Neural Amp Modeler's official website.
Once the download is complete, double-click the installation file to begin the setup process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. After the installation is finished, you can launch the Neural Amp Modeler Standalone application and start using it to create and model your own unique guitar tones.
Mode 2: DAW Audio Plugin mode
If you're not familiar with what a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and audio plugins are, feel free to continue reading. Otherwise, you can skip the remainder of this article and proceed to the next section of the tutorial.
DAW is software that allows you to make audio recordings or produce songs.
You might be curious about the necessity of using a DAW for guitar jamming.
The reason is that numerous professional guitarists choose to record their performances using a DAW. This choice is driven by the DAW's capability to assist in producing more refined and sophisticated guitar tones.
Here's what the Neural Amp Modeler looks like. It features a noise gate and EQ. However, if you wish to incorporate reverb or delay into your preferred NAM tone, or if you want to enhance your guitar's sound with additional drive or chorus, you'll require a DAW.
Actually, DAW can do so much more for NAM that I can't list them all here. I will tell you more about them later in this tutorial.
If you want to learn more about what DAW is or what DAW can do for you, you can find a good article about it here.
What Is a DAW? Digital Audio Workstation Explained | Steinberg.net
Most mainstream DAWs support NAM as a plugin. If you've never used a DAW before, I recommend Reaper. Reaper is considered a good Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) for several reasons:
1 Beginner Friendly:
The workflow of Reaper is very simple. This means that running NAM as an audio plugin in Reaper is also very easy. I will explain how to do this in a later section of this tutorial.
If you want to learn more about Reaper, check out www.reaper.fm. On the Reaper website you will find many free video tutorials. Some of these video tutorials are for beginners with no DAW experience.
2 Resource Efficiency:
Reaper is known for its efficient use of system resources. It can run on lower-end hardware without sacrificing performance, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
3 Cost-Effective:
Reaper is known for its affordable pricing model. It offers a full-featured DAW at a fraction of the cost of some other professional DAWs. It even provides a fully functional trial version.
Please be aware that Reaper provides a 60-day free trial. Even after the trial concludes, you can continue using it, and Reaper will maintain its full functionality. However, I highly recommend purchasing a license if you intend to use Reaper beyond the trial period.
Reaper's creator is Justin Frankel, the mind behind Winamp. Justin, being a guitar enthusiast himself, likely had guitarists in mind during Reaper's development. To delve deeper into the story of this Internet legend, you can explore a comprehensive article about him in the following link.