Connecting a guitar to a laptop

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jameswales
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2006/05/06 17:38:48 (permalink)

Connecting a guitar to a laptop

Hey

I am new to the world of computer based recording and want to know a way i can connect my guitar to my laptop..but without using a microphone to simply record the sound from my amp.

Is there something that would allow me to connect the guitar directly to the laptop, and then use the guitar models in the software to replicate the sound of an amp?

Any help is much appriciated!

Thanks,
James
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12 Replies Related Threads

    Jamz0r
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    RE: Connecting a guitar to a laptop 2006/05/06 18:26:12 (permalink)
    You should be able to plug the guitar direct to the mic/line input on the laptop...using a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

    #2
    mewsician2
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    RE: Connecting a guitar to a laptop 2006/05/07 12:04:31 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: Jamz0r

    You should be able to plug the guitar direct to the mic/line input on the laptop...using a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.


    This is true.
    The results though, can be dissapointing due to signal strength, or in this case lack of.
    Plugging directly into the soundcards line input will work. You may have to click on your little speaker icon in your System Tray, at the bottom right of the desktop, and make sure, when the mixer window pops up, that your levels are set, and you have the LINE, and MIC, inputs enabled, you can use the mic input, but it doesn't match well with the guitar signal sometimes, so LINE is better, but try both, and use whatever works best.
    Adding Audio Effects, can help the signal also, and if you have Amplitube, or something similar try using that.
    Experiment! You'll have fun, and learn, at the same time.
    HTH
    Regards,
    #3
    zungle
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    RE: Connecting a guitar to a laptop 2006/05/07 16:20:04 (permalink)
    Mewsician2,

    Could I add?

    I would check out a Behringer V-amp2 amp modeler . They are very inexpensive and are great for both startup and serious recording.

    Couple basic positives.... Need no mic, excellent sounds, monitor w/headphones, Easy software interface for advanced editing, small compact unit, no cpu usage.

    Perfect for beginning guitar recording. For someone new to recording it is 100 times easier to get decent guitar sound recording direct using modeler than it is to try and mic a rig. You'll also do a lot more playing and less tech work.

    Simply plug guitar into V-amp then V-Amp into soudcard. Monitor thru V-amp or Sound card.

    You may need 1/8 - 1/4 adapter which is no big deal.
    post edited by zungle - 2006/05/07 16:33:47
    #4
    Zakk
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    RE: Connecting a guitar to a laptop 2006/05/11 08:14:18 (permalink)
    I agree with zungle

    i´ve a v-amp 2 myself and it´s a great tool for recording (and cheap too).

    nothing professional, but if you learn to tweek the right things.. then your done

    now for jameswales...

    my setup it´s this:

    laptop -> audigy 2 zs pcmcia soundcard -> v-amp2 -> guitar -> my fingers

    altought the soundcard isn´t the best, i never had a problem.. and has a good quality. check my soundclick site and check my sounds

    http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pageartist.cfm?bandID=489717

    welcome to the recording world

    Sonar HS 4
    Acer 1694 - 2Ghz Centrino - 1 GB RAM
    Audigy 2 ZS Pcmcia
    V-Amp 2
    #5
    mannex
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    RE: Connecting a guitar to a laptop 2006/06/04 11:58:12 (permalink)
    hi!

    im new here.V - amp 2 is a nice tool for recording.it has also many effects that you can use.im looking forward to buy this thing.

    today when i record my guitar i just direct line in to my computer but the best way is to buy v -amp 2.
    #6
    gng
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    RE: Connecting a guitar to a laptop 2006/06/04 12:18:59 (permalink)
    A suggestion - get a cheap Beringher mixer for around $60 so you can have better control over levels. I plug everything into the mixer, then the mixer gots to the soundcard. It allows me to keep a mic plugged in for vocals, and bass and other guitars ready to go.


    gary
    gng music
    www.soundclick.com/gng
    60's POP!
    #7
    frank_knox911
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    RE: Connecting a guitar to a laptop 2006/06/14 02:34:56 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: Jamz0r

    You should be able to plug the guitar direct to the mic/line input on the laptop...using a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

    Cool nice too know what is the laptop computer requirement needed for this mem,hd size,pentium123,any hardware or software needed


    Frank knock
    Each new day is a gift from god , How you live it, Is your gift to him. God Bless & Take Care of yourself & eachother.

    Check out me site at Myspace.com
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    #8
    sonofbaldr@yahoo.com
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    Re:Connecting a guitar to a laptop 2010/07/06 23:43:18 (permalink)
    Why is no one here telling the poor dude about delay issues with latency?
    #9
    gray36
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    Re:Connecting a guitar to a laptop 2010/07/07 02:38:30 (permalink)
    Not sure, what youre using, but like post above, you will hit a chord, and hear a second later! Almost have to have some sort of interface. Believe me, I'm new as well, but if you are just getting started, and want to go cheap, like I did, but still be surprised by quality, is Check out Cakewalks Guitar Tracks Pro 4, with the USB. Plug guitar into UA-1G, the USB part, and no latency(lag, or hesitation), from guitar to actually hearing it.
     It comes with Studio Instruments, and a few other plugins, and goodies, easy to use multitrack recorder. These days, that I know of, plugging straight in, just doesn't cut it. I promise, Im not trying to sell anything, just trying to help you avoid, lots, and lots of headaches. Good luck, in whatever direction you go, but hard to get any 'real" sound, direct! Plus ya can add bass, drums, piano, strings, and much too more to list. As you can see by my signature at the bottom, I have Windows 7, Home Premium, and I might just be lucky, but never had any install problems, a little learning curve, but you'll have plenty to keep yourself busy for awhile!


    HP Pavilion dv6 Intel Duo Core 2 2.20GHz T6600, Windows 7 x 64, Guitar tracks Pro 4, SonarX1dEXP,SonarX2Prod. 8.5.3, Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, JBL monitors, Alesis SR-16, Guitar Rig 4 Pro, PRS SE, Epiphone Les Paul Custom, Cort SJ-10 ,Steven Slate 3.5, Akai MPK25, Glyph GT 050Q (500GB)RP1000http://soundcloud.com/mar...ayin-around-mix1 
    #10
    Noob1969
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    Re:Connecting a guitar to a laptop 2010/09/25 16:38:58 (permalink)
    im pretty dumb but i just want to know if i can record with just guitar and amplifier direct to my laptop? i dont have any gear like the v-amp im noob and new thanks
    #11
    gray36
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    Re:Connecting a guitar to a laptop 2010/09/25 18:28:28 (permalink)
    You can run it into your mic. input, but there will be so much latency(delay), between the time you hit the strings and you actually hear your guitar. Really need an audio interface, which converts the signal, and lets you play normal. Then you are probably gonna want to record this right? You can check out the UA-1g, or Guitar Tracks Pro 4, which can come bundled with said interface, and comes with cool amp simulator(Guitar Rig 3 LE), and Studio Instruments, which has Drums, Bass, Elec. Piano, and Strings, along with a lot of other goodies! But going straight in will give you more headaches than its worth trust me. Just go to Cakewalk store, or Guitar Center, or Musicians Friend, and check out what they have. Good luck!


    HP Pavilion dv6 Intel Duo Core 2 2.20GHz T6600, Windows 7 x 64, Guitar tracks Pro 4, SonarX1dEXP,SonarX2Prod. 8.5.3, Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, JBL monitors, Alesis SR-16, Guitar Rig 4 Pro, PRS SE, Epiphone Les Paul Custom, Cort SJ-10 ,Steven Slate 3.5, Akai MPK25, Glyph GT 050Q (500GB)RP1000http://soundcloud.com/mar...ayin-around-mix1 
    #12
    Noob1969
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    Re:Connecting a guitar to a laptop 2010/09/25 22:41:07 (permalink)
    where will i plug the cables? cos i really dont know should i plug it in the preamp/output plug then to the laptop? thanks sorry noob question
    #13
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