Whats needed for computer?

[Molly]

Hi there what do I need to hook up my guitar to my computer? When I plug it straught into my sound card I get no sound.

[PFDarkside]

Assuming you have a PC)
Double click on the colume/speaker control. It's in the lower right, by the clock. If it's not there, go Start->Programs->Accessories->Entertainment->Volume Control.

First, make sure that no boxes are checked "Mute", then turn the faders up to a moderate (70%) level. Also, make sure your balance control is centered for all channels.

Next, check the back of your computer... the soundcard where you plugged it in. There are usually 3 or 4 plugs. (line in, line out, mic in and sometimes speaker out) You want to plug in to the "line in" Very important. (It may be a symbol with just aqn arrow pointing into the jack, as opposed to out or a mic and arrow)

Your signal chain should be:
Guitar to any effects(optional) to 1/4" cable to 1/4" 1/8" adapter, to the soundcard. If you arenot using a stereo effects processor (Even a Zoom) you will be getting a mono signal though (I believe) the left speaker.

Turn up your volume/speakers and rock out.

If you want to record, go to the volume control, click options-> properties... then select "recording" then click OK. You'll need to check the "line in" on the recording screen that comes up. (Mine pre-selects mic in, my friend's pre-selects line in, so who knows)

Hope this helps you. If not, verify that both wav sounds and CDs are audible. If both are not audible, then the fault lies in your computer.

[Even]

you can not plug your guitar directly into a soundcard and expect any sound. You need a pre-amp or mic or something to boost the actual signal from the guitar.

[TheGuitarMan]

Yeah, all sound cards have pre-amps these days. There's this thingy called phantom power. You have to turn it on.

[PFDarkside]

Phantom power is for condenser mics.

The preamp level expected into the soundcard is just a little higher than the output of a guitar. If all sliders are maxed on the computer and the guitar is at 10, you will hear it.

[TheGuitarMan]

Originally posted by PFDarkside
Phantom power is for condenser mics.

The preamp level expected into the soundcard is just a little higher than the output of a guitar. If all sliders are maxed on the computer and the guitar is at 10, you will hear it.

Barely...you have to turn on phantom power. It's been my experience that you can't get enough volume to record with phantom power off. Just turn down the volume on your guitar to get rid of the distortion. The sound will lack major balls without the phantom power.

[Even]

well reguardless if your soundcard has a phantom boost or not, having a basic preamp for your guitar will be all that much better.

[KaBudokan]

Molly - What type of soundcard do you have? If it's a regular old generic soundcard or a basic soundblaster equivalent, it won't really be equipped to take a guitar input direct.

I've never heard of using phantom power as a tool to boost input signal from a guitar at all. It's definitely not its intended function.

Ideally, you would run into some kind of preamp, and then from that go into the soundcard. It's the only way to really get a decent signal.

[Molly]

Hi there thanks for replying I have tried it with the volume up but all I get is a stupid sound like someone's lying on my giutar and farting.

What is phantom power and how do I turn it on?

Maybe I can't get it because the soundcard is an onboard one

Can't afford a good one :'(

Well actually I can but I was gonna spend the money on an effects processor but I can't afford the Pod modeller so If anyone has any ideas about one that costs $200 or less then tell me. And I don't mind buying second hand. I have Cakewalk software I'm just dieing to make some sounds!!!!

[KaBudokan]

Hi Molly,

To record your guitar, buying a preamp/effects processor like you're planning is the way to go - definitely before buying a better soundcard. (Don't worry about the phantom power stuff - I don't actually think that would help anyway... lol)

Three suggestions for "inexpensive preamps":

If you are near any Guitar Centers, they are blowing out the Yamaha DG Stomp for $139. This is the preamp I use, and I still think that for my sounds (overdrive, traditional amp sounds, not too much ultra high-gain) it is one of the better units out there. I paid $300 for mine, and chose it over the POD and J-Station. $140 makes this a KILLER deal.

Second, J-Stations are going for around $150 new.

Third, Behringer's V-Amp has gotten some decent reviews, and it's definitely in your price range.

Fourth (I said 4, right?), check out some of the Sansamp recording products.

Any of these will work. You may need to do some Radio Shack adapters to get into your 1/8" input on your soundcard (assuming that's what you have), but I did that for a while too with fine results.

Hope this helps, and feel free to keep asking questions, that's why we're here.

[Molly]

Wow thanks for the info! The Yamaha sounds like a good buy. I don't really want to many effects anyway because i think they can become toys unless you really know what you're doing with em.

Do you have any tunes online? I want to Judge you dude!!!!

Lol

[KaBudokan]

Originally posted by Molly
Wow thanks for the info! The Yamaha sounds like a good buy. I don't really want to many effects anyway because i think they can become toys unless you really know what you're doing with em.

Do you have any tunes online? I want to Judge you dude!!!!

Lol

The Yamaha has fewer models than some of the others, but what it does, it does very well. The effects that it has are also very usable IMO.

You can judge me here:

http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?songs=5904&T=1679

or here:

http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/123/..._neighbor.html

The AcidPlanet site has more tunes on it - if you look there, everything from "Shady's Guitar Channel" on is done using the Yamaha. (That tune was done to "demo" the DG Stomp sounds..."

"Addiction" might be my best tune, and it's also a good demo for the range of tones available from the DG Stomp.

[Molly]

Hey KaBudokan I just listened to your three piece bit and it sounds really cool. Lol you play just like me (except you're much better). I like the way you play off key and resolve it. I hate talking technical but I guess that's the only way to describe it.
The Yamaha sounds really good but I find one fault. It seems to sound too compressed? I'm not sure if you made it that way and it's just a taste thing on my behalf but it doesn't seem live to me. I would prefer a bit more static electricity if you know what I mean.

I tried to listen to Addiction but it says the file is not available?

Why's that?

[KaBudokan]

Hey Molly - not sure about "Addiction." I know it works at MP3.com, so maybe try it over there.

As far as the sound - I know that the "Guitar Channel" was the very first thing I recorded using the Stomp, so it may not be the best example. (I wrote and recorded all three pieces in about 1-2 hours... lol)

Definitely audition them on your own before you buy. Some people love the J-Station, which I hated. As always, YMMV!

[Molly]

Yeah it might be my computer because it gets moody on me sometimes. I registered with MP3.com but that was where it said cannot find file

You wrote that in 1-2 hours!!!! Hahahahaha you must be REALLY good!

Who's your favorite musician? (don't have to be guitar. Just anyone)

[ecs113]

Originally posted by TheGuitarMan
Barely...you have to turn on phantom power. It's been my experience that you can't get enough volume to record with phantom power off. Just turn down the volume on your guitar to get rid of the distortion. The sound will lack major balls without the phantom power.

Phantom power from a sound card? into a guitar????