Cakewalk Guitar Tracks 2 help

[StarMan]

hi,

I'm new to all this home recording so please forgive if I'm repeating something that might have already been discussed.
I just bought a pentium 2/400 128 RAM with a yamaha SAx driver and cakewalk Guitar tracks 2 software. Was wondering what advice can you give to utilize my set-up the best way. Also Is it safe to take the line out of my guitar amp and plug it inot the soundcard's line in? I heard this isn't really recommended as it can cook your soundcard?
Also is it really safe to plug your guitar straight into the 'mic in' of the soundcard with the adapter that came with my software. lastly, since guitar tracks has been out for a couple of years is their any things I need to download to add to it.

sorry for the questions but am very keen to learn all i can about this.

look forward to your replies.
thanks.

 

[A1A2]

hello, starman:

I started with almost the exact setup as yours. I don't know what Yamaha SAx driver tho...

Assuming you have a soundcard that came with the PC, without spending much, this is what I did:

1)bought a converter (1/4" to 1/8")
2)plug guitar directly into soundcard
3)check the volume meter in recording program, and turn the volume knob on guitar down until it stays within green (not clipping)
4) record
5)add whatever effects I would have done with amp/pedals in cakewalk

Now, you are not gonna get the best guitar sound out of this, but it will get you going for now. The reason why I didn't mention amp is because amp amplifies your guitar signal, so, if you take amp-out and plug it into mic-in, mic-in will amplify that signal again, and it will be nasty....So, unless you have something called, "Line-In" in your soundcard, you can't really use an amp for recording(if you have a mic, then the chain would be amp>mic>soundcard's mic-in)

Good luck, and welcome to the home recording world

AL

 

[djc]

You should be able to take your amp LINE OUT and plug it in to your card line in. Just make sure it's your line out. Also you can plug your guitar into your cards line in. I wouldn't plug in to mic in at all. Your best bet is to use a small inexpensive mixer plugged in to your card's line in, and then plug your guitars, mics, amp line out,etc. into it. Can't help with guitar tracks. I don't know anything about it.