The answers
This is timely, Sam. While there have been all kinds of digital modelling/direct box options for many years – everything from the humble Hughes & Kettner Red Box to the mighty Line 6 Helix – the last couple of years has seen pedal-orientated products aimed more directly at what you’re after.
1. Most modern audio interfaces will be able to take the signal from your pedalboard and get it into your computer at a decent level for recording. However, in the absence of a guitar amp, pedals can sound dull and flat, so some kind of preamp is needed. There many kinds of software/plug-in options, or you can use a dedicated hardware guitar preamp such as those made by Kingsley, Van Weelden, Orange, Laney, Tech 21 or Two Notes. Some of those – notably Two Notes – include direct outputs with analogue speaker simulation.
There are two other crucial elements to a great guitar sound: the power amp and the speaker(s). The power amp bit can again be taken care of by a software plug-in, or you can simply feed your pedals and/or preamp straight to a speaker simulation – and here’s where it starts to get really interesting as there are a number of options.
Firstly, your software plug-in may handle all elements of the virtual guitar amp – for example, IK Multimedia AmpliTube, Waves GTR3, Logic Guitar Amp Designer, Scuffham S-Gear and so on. Alternatively, you can use standalone impulse responses (run within a plug-in) based on specific speakers and cabinets; that technology that has been around for many years now.
What’s starting to become really interesting is the integration of digital IRs into pedal-type enclosure: for example, Two Notes Torpedo CAB and, much more affordably, the latest Neunaber Iconoclast and DigiTech CabDryVR, which require no extra plug-ins, are minimum hassle and are pedalboard friendly, too, which means…
2. …Yes, it will. All of the three products above are designed to work direct to a DAW, or indeed a live mixing desk. By removing the vast majority of the effects and amp modelling and slimming it down to essentially a very posh digital DI box, this technology has become far more compelling for traditional pedal (and amp) users. You can still create your core pedal sounds but plug them direct to the PA with speaker simulation that goes way beyond the simple analogue designs. Does it replace the grunt and visceral nature of a loud valve guitar amp? No, but those days are over in terms of acceptable volume and practicality. For players with great monitoring and/or in-ears, it’s an increasingly viable live solution… and you get to keep all your pedals!