Hey, guys.  Have had a question for years that I've been embarrassed to ask because it's something I should probably know, but I'm damned if I can figure it out on my own... For those of you who record electric guitar directly into SONAR, how do you hook it up?  I have a Fender Tele and have always had a problem getting enough signal to the system. If I plug it straight into my sound card (Audiophile USB) I get signal, but even with all knobs set to "11" the input is barely registering. I mean, I get signal and I'm able to record, but the level is very low.  I ask this now because with TH2, there is a button that says "Input level" and when I clicked it, it shows a VU Meter and gives instructions about raising my "Pot" to maximum and playing the guitar as hard as I can... so forth.  But If it registers any level at all, it's barely 4 bars from nothing.

I know I can route my guitar through a mixer, which I've done, but I then have to raise the output of the mixer and I start getting a lot of noise, so that's really not helping.

What do you guys do? Is there such a thing as a pre-amp for guitar? Is it my sound card that sucks?

Any ideas?

As always any and all comments/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Best,
Rob

I'll tell you what I do and maybe it will help. I plug into my hd500, come out the 1/4 mono out direct to my presonus 44vsl. I have the input gain knob on the presonus at 10 o'clock and have plenty of level -10 to -20 usually works fine for me. If i use something like TH2 or guitar rig I will use a blank patch in the pod...so I don't know how much help it is in getting level. I play a strat so I would assume your guitar is as hot as mine.

The audiophile only has line level inputs. You need a direct box or some other device to take your instrument input and deliver a line level output to your interface. Many interfaces come with a hi-Z (or instrument) input which would allow you to directly connect your guitar to the interface.

I'm not familiar with your interface but here are a couple of basic things to look at in regards to plugging directly into your interface. First find your interface's manual and find out if it has a "High Z" or "Instrument" setting. If so enable it. This is something you have to do with the interface software. Not Sonar or any other programs. It will have it's own interface. Second if your device has an Input Trim or Line Level knob on the actual interface THAT is where you adjust your input level. Read up on how to tell when your interface is clipping (some devices have LEDs on the actual unit). If your interface does not have these option then you should probably find a different interface. Also you can also use other input devices meant for guitars and the like between the guitar and you interface to control your input level. Sorry, I'm in the middle of something otherwise I'd look up your device to see what options are available but I want to play with my toys. I hope this helped and good luck.

Looks like I got beat to the punch but if your interface is line level in only without a trim knob you need to either use some kind of instrument input device as has been mention or get another interface that does have those options.

rcrees

What do you guys do? Is there such a thing as a pre-amp for guitar? Is it my sound card that sucks? 

A decent quality pre-amp is what  would suggest. They can range from $100 to $600 for fairly good to pretty good. Of course you can spend thousands on a pre-amp too, but the difference is marginal (and there are way too many threads already covering that debate).


If you want an above average and serviceable pre-amp that will also be good for vocals too, try this one http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/true-systems-p-solo-ribbon-mic-preamp


I only suggest the ribbon version as one day when you have a ribbon mic in your presence you'll say "why did I not get the ribbon version". This is nearly all the pre-amp you may ever need. JMO.

Mic level<guitar level<line level.  As the others have said, you need to raise the level coming out of your guitar to something your line level interface can see.  That is why it is called a pre-amp.

@

+1 on the Line6
I come out stereo on XLRs
I also mic at the same time with a I5 and D112

Can never have to many to mess with, why not?  

+1 on a good preamp as well

+1

Electric guitars require a pre-amp or a stomp box/effects unit/amplifier with a line out to deliver the appropriate level signal to the computer.

I agree with Bapu, A preamp is what you need to boost the signal. This one is actually pretty good for electric guitar and it is run through a tube. The good news is it has a built in compressor and you can go out low Z to your audio interface. The really good news is this it only 29 bucks!

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/art-tube-mp-studio-mic-preamp