Appropriate for the software forum, because about the use of no software...
 
Have started to practice with some brainless 3 chord mp3 on one channel, and my guitar on another channel, dry with no nothing applied. Makes me naked to the world and to truth.
 
Found that practice with no effects really really highlights limitations in ability. Easy to acid square wave my signal before a flange and delay into obscurity, but practicing dry really is a painful, objective way to force you to get your act together.
 
Sounds terrible from here, but making progress without hiding behind a chain of vst crutches.
 
John

You're a pioneer John.

Lead us away from temptation.

I sometimes play with no amp for the same reason. Still no real explanation for the Mesh, no pants method, though. 

Yes, revolutionary for sure. Pure genius on my part.
 
Only problem with the approach is that as bad as I sounded yesterday, I still sound as bad today.
 
Maybe a touch of compression and a slight flange. Just a bit of delay and some eq to take down the bass end. Then with a little overdrive, I can practice dry and it will improve the sound. Could use some stereo widening the more I think about it.
 
I forgot about the Valhalla stuff. Got to get some use out of the investment. Should also check to see if S-Gear is still authorized.
 
There...I sound better already.
 
Practice dry.
 
John

BassDaddy
I sometimes play with no amp for the same reason. Still no real explanation for the Mesh, no pants method, though. 

I kinda like that lofty approach. It's the missus that doesn't let me do it when she's in da house.

Playing unamplified without effects to improve technique is as old as the hills, I'm pretty sure the likes of Steve Vai and Yngwie Douchesteen honed their playing skills like this. Distortion gives you a natural compression and softens the attack which helps cover up picking and fretting inconsistencies. Personally I've always played lead with my thumb and 2nd finger which is more difficult to get an even tone out of, so I've always practiced either unamplified or on a steel string acoustic. 
 
But let's not forget that, at the end of the day, it's your fuzz box that brings the girls to the yard 

Sharke,
 
Whada you mean, concept older than the hills. Everyone here will completely agree that I'm the first sentient life form across the star fields to figure this out.
 
However, your point about the fuzz box and the girls over rules everything.
 
John
 
(edit) on more curious note, playing with a thumb and other finger (?). Watched some old Fleetwood Mac YouTubes and saw the guy playing with no pick. Excellent tones and control. Dire Straits guy the same. Read something years ago about some guy going to a guru guitar teacher to learn and the teacher told him the first thing he had to do if he really wanted to learn guitar was to throw the pick away.

This is truly what separates the men from the boys. The ability to sing or play with absolutely no audiological help and still pass muster. While my faves are still Robben Ford and Larry Carlton on guitar, the sheer jaw-dropping virtuosity of Chuck Loeb, Lenny Breau or Tommy Emmanuel puts them on a "whole 'nother level"!!

I regularly make myself record guitar parts dry. It, as was alluded above, is a VERY humbling experience.

The only time I get dry is when I get out of the shower.
 
HTH.