JamLab Review

JamLab turns your PC or Mac into a personal guitar system without the need for any other hardware except your favorite guitar. The compact JamLab interface connects easily to your computer via a simple USB connection, and features a 1/4� input for your guitar and 1/8� headphone/line output.

Ease of Use:	7.5
Sound:	6.5
Reliability:	7
Impression:	6.5
Overall rating:	6.9
Users rating:	3.8
Comments:	8

overall: 7.5

Reviewed by: coreyvf, on february 27, 2009

Price paid: C$ 59

Purchased from: eBay

Ease of Use: It took me a while to figure out how to set up the thing. Installation was a breeze, but at first I thought the sound was supposed to come out of your computer. It was a little misleading. But, you simply have to plug in speakers or headphones into the headphone input jack, in the device. So if you're having trouble getting sound to come out of your computer when you use this thing, it's because the sound doesn't actually come out of your computer! But from there on out, it's plug-and-play, pretty simple to use. The software that comes with it is also easy to use. Unfortunately, there were no drivers for Windows Vista until today, they just released beta Vista drivers, which I have yet to test. // 7

Sound: There's some feedback and loud grring sounds as the speakers remain idle when you have specific effects selected. Certain effects are good, and the software is comes packaged with is decent. However, I would recommend buying JamLab just for the input to your computer and actually buying different effect software. I recommend Guitar Rig 3.

But with Guitar Rig 3, the thing sounds great. // 6

Reliability & Durability: It's dependable, small, and durable. Don't expect it to break if I were to drop it. It's a well made piece of equipment, even though it's pretty simple. I'd use it at a gig without a backup. It's a reliable piece of equipment and I've had 0 problems with it and don't expect to. // 9

Impression: Overall, I'd recommend it if you're looking for an input to plug your electric guitar into your computer. But I would not recommend the software it comes packaged with. There are too little effects, and most of them are crap. If you just need an affordable input, get JamLab. But the software and effects that it does come with are decent for beginners. I like that it's easy to use and gets the job done, it works great with Guitar Rig 3 and can output the great effects it uses. // 8

overall: 6.3

Reviewed by: djmay71, on october 30, 2007

Purchased from: Long & McQuades

Ease of Use: I bought the JamLab and went home and installed the software. The book says you can't use it on Windows XP, but you can as long as you have SP2. After setting up your sounds settings your ready to go. Plug in your fave guitar and play. I rated this as an 8 because the manual I got in the package was an out of date one, but you can download a book from online, so it's all good. // 8

Sound: I use my Peavey Raptor EXP Plus on with the JamLab. This little package contains a load of effects, and you can purchase even more online. I was disappointed with the softwares help files, as they didn't explain what dails did what with the effects, but any seasoned guitar player can figure it out. My only complaint with the effects is the distortion effect. I play hard rock and metal mostly, which it was fine to emulate, but when I go to play anything else, I can't seem to get a decent punk distortion. Another cool thing about the JamLab is it's headphone jack so you don't blow your speakers on your computer. I ended up patching the JamLab over to my Peavey Backstage, but it didn't sound very great. // 7

Reliability & Durability: I like the JamLab for recording simple riffs. If I could find a decent amp that could project it's sound right I would use it in a gig. The only downside would be that you'd need a monkey at the computer to change your effects for you if you wanted to change on the fly, but I'd never let a monkey near my computer. // 5

Impression: This recording module is ok, but it's not the best. If I lost this (which is possible cause it's so tiny), I would file an insurance report and get a Line6 POD instead. I've been playing for over 2 years now, and I needed to record stuff for the band, so I came dependent on this. Ok if your starting out, but invest elsewhere if looking for a quality product. // 5

Comments

[Perdition_]

Can I get a good clean or jazz sound whit it? I was going to buy this, but not so sure after reading this review..
Nice job btw..!

[d_byrne23]

i had one then sold it and bought a toneport gx, go with the toneport

[fenderboy20]

i have a mac and i just plug into garage band. is this any different?

[angelrange]

i have a mac and i just plug into garage band. is this any different?

I used to do that, then i got a toneport and it sounds infinately better, but i cant get gearbox (the vst plugin for the toneport) to work. Anyways, i'd say get the toneport.

[djmay71]

yeah, theres a bunch of effects built in like chorus, flanger, so you can get a good clean sound on it. the only thing i didn't like about it was the lack of help files and the fact that by spending like $100 more you can get a Line6 something.

[Brain245]

I have this thing, it sounds pretty good, you just need to mess with it a bit to get a good sound. I will always prefer using an actual amp though.

[withoutsympathy]

don't buy this crap!
it's the worst purchase I ever done.

[Betzefer]

IT KICKS ASS!