Orange Music puts PC into guitar amp -- ours is not to reason why

Now this is an interesting one. Classic British amp maker Orange Music had a bit of a surprise behind its booth at the 2010 Musikmesse show. The O PC is, well, a guitar amp and a PC rolled into one convenient package. We didn't catch the processor, but there will be an option to use either the NVIDIA GeForce 9300 or ramp up to the 512MB ATI Radeon 5670. Standard fare is there, USB ports and WiFi, but no clue as to processor / memory. On the aural side of things, there's a stereo option for plugging in an extension speaker, a 1/4-inch guitar jack, basic EQ knobs, and yet-to-be-finalized modeling software -- nothing trial, everything full version, assures the Orange rep. Once that's sorted, the estimated ship time is two to four months, with price unmentioned. Video presentation after the break.

[Thanks, Hessel]

[Nitesh Posted Apr 7th 2010 7:29PM]

Vibration + PC = bad.

Putting a PC into a guitar amp = just plain moronic.

[Karate Tortoise Posted Apr 7th 2010 7:32PM]

@Nitesh it no longer functions as a guitar amp. it was simply built into the case of one

[shoxite Posted Apr 7th 2010 7:32PM]

@Nitesh Actually putting a PC into anything is AWESOME!

[rudiger Posted Apr 7th 2010 7:35PM]

@Nitesh
I hope the hard drive is an SSD...

[Nitesh Posted Apr 7th 2010 7:36PM]

@shoxite
PC in a dildo?

[shoxite Posted Apr 7th 2010 7:38PM]

@Nitesh I'm sure a few pornstars wouldn't mind that.

[guaxinim Posted Apr 7th 2010 7:52PM]

@Karate Tortoise
Yes it works as a guitar amp. It have the 8" speaker as he says on video. If you put a SSD it shouldnt be a problem. Even at low volumes you can get a normal disc. We cant be talking about a long term durable pc. But for a itinerant guitar player/musician it is a great product.

Computers are strong. Vibration is just issue to the hd.

[tklr08 Posted Apr 7th 2010 7:56PM]

@Nitesh
I would buy one of these...not for me...maybe.

[Beatnik Posted Apr 7th 2010 7:56PM]

@Nitesh
I want it now, I was thinking about buying an Electric Guitar to PC interface and now this, I am fan of the Beatles so a Vox AC-30 amps skin version would be excellent. Does it have a tube preamp?
Wow, I need to have it.

[pomokey Posted Apr 7th 2010 8:27PM]

@Beatnik I think a guitar to PC interface makes a lot more sense. look at some line 6 products, like the UX1. they have a huge library of amps and effects, and they have been perfecting their software for years.

[Beatnik Posted Apr 7th 2010 10:56PM]

@pomokey
Well, yes, thats the best option, but I dont know why, I still want it.

[staticjethro Posted Apr 7th 2010 7:34PM]

Guitar amp + PC = Guitar Hero

[killplay Posted Apr 7th 2010 7:37PM]

"ours is not to reason why" ...What? Why doesn't thank make sense to me? o.O I need to lay off the sauce

[kaeljae Posted Apr 7th 2010 7:40PM]

@killplay http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Charge_of_the_Light_Brigade_(poem)

[killplay Posted Apr 7th 2010 7:41PM]

@kaeljae woa, poetry reference. I've hardly read any

[TheSunman89 Posted Apr 7th 2010 7:39PM]

Guitar + PC = Destroyed PC

[Realityism Posted Apr 7th 2010 8:01PM]

This is one of the stupidest things I've ever seen...

I want it.

[djbentley Posted Apr 7th 2010 8:06PM]

Err so like basically we wanted to like put a like guitar amp like basically and like PC and like like basically like make them together like.


Argh!

[windywoo Posted Apr 8th 2010 8:09AM]

@djbentley I would rather have a geek mumbling about something he really loves than some PR guy parroting stuff he wants to sell to afford a new car.

[LAY Posted Apr 7th 2010 8:08PM]

Can I overclock it to go to 11?

[Nitesh Posted Apr 7th 2010 8:28PM]

@LAY
For 5000 bucks I'll make you one that goes to 12.

[weirdo557 Posted Apr 7th 2010 8:32PM]

@Nitesh
but 11 doesnt have any units. Its an arbitrary scale mapping outputs-

[Wolfticket Posted Apr 7th 2010 9:07PM]

@weirdo557
Yeah, but, 12 is one faster, see.

[freakdiablo Posted Apr 7th 2010 11:08PM]

@Nitesh

I can say Nitesh OCed components are overpriced. I can OC it to 13 for half that price.

(yes, I read the comic)

[slipdisc Posted Apr 7th 2010 8:17PM]

I have an Ultra dual HD enclosure with 2 500gb drives that is mounted to the top of a Velodyne sub enclosure. The sub doesn't play constantly but, on weekends it gets a pretty workout Fri, Sat and Sun. The drives as well as the subs perform perfectly. As it has for the almost the last 5 years.

[GET Posted Apr 7th 2010 8:30PM]

hold on .... why is the wifi antenna on top ?

[XChrisX Posted Apr 7th 2010 10:14PM]

@GET Watch the video, they explain it.

[GET Posted Apr 8th 2010 5:35AM]

@XChrisX that was very dry even for me at that time in the morning...

[SOOPERGOOMAN Posted Apr 7th 2010 9:30PM]

Seems like a Neat way to get visuals on a screen from just Your Instrument of divine inspiration. I approve.

[zerosozha Posted Apr 7th 2010 9:36PM]

This is actually something I can get behind. I've done some recordings by plugging my instruments directly into the soundcard, but if this amp/PC hybrid is as low latency as they claim, that would greatly improve my recording situation. Not to mention access to whatever effects & filters I can load on there.

[CubeGuy Posted Apr 7th 2010 10:20PM]

I actually started to do this a few years back. I got bored halfway through and now I have a broken amp.

[grgcombs Posted Apr 7th 2010 10:47PM]

I think this would look just smashing sitting right next to my AD5. I think they're even the same size cabinet. Suffice it to say the neighbors *really* get annoyed as it is ...

[bolezhinkov Posted Apr 8th 2010 12:50AM]

unfortunately you're going to be paying the Orange price for this computer.

[Marmite Turkey Posted Apr 8th 2010 1:06AM]

@bolezhinkov Orange amps are not overpriced - they're premium-priced, but good value for the high quality components (okay, not the preamp tubes, they need to be upgraded) and gorgeous sound they make.

[bolezhinkov Posted Apr 8th 2010 1:24AM]

@Marmite Turkey

they're of reasonable value. the last orange amp head I had was likely my second favorite I've ever played through. you're right not only about the quality of the components but also the hand wiring that they do putting that stuff together is just excellent.. but all the same, I doubt that this amp will be an economically sound purchase if you're looking to do the same stuff on a budget.

[sirthought Posted Apr 8th 2010 3:34AM]

Now when you practice your face melting techniques you can melt your hard drive at the same time!

I know this tech blog focuses more on the computer aspect, but they don't discuss anything about what makes the amp sound like you'd want it to sound. Speaker type. Circuitry. Is it all software driven? If they are touting the low latency because you're plugging right into the sound card, they obviously haven't recorded straight from some consumer grade sound cards. What card is it?

[Gonzie Posted Apr 8th 2010 5:03AM]

even though I'm not a musician, that's is still a fantastic idea even just for a case mod