Do I need a Mixer or something?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Fredster
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Fredster

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Hi everyone,
I'm trying to record my guitar with my computer for the first time. I've tried plugging my guitar directly into my soundblaster awe64's line in, and the mic-in (using a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter), and to no avail. Do I need something to sit between my guitar and my soundcard? My amp doesn't have a line out, only a speaker out. Do some of the USB soundcards allow me to plug my guitar straight into the soundcard?

Thanks for any help!!!
 
Yes you need something to drive the signal from the guitar. It does not need to be a mixer, but you do need at least a preamp. Something to precondition the signal. In the same vein that you cant plug speakers into a cassette deck without a reciever or an amp. Your guitar needs something that pickup the signal. Perhaps a processor or a preamp. Or possibly the speaker out on oyur amp, but excercise caution with the levels f thats the case.
 
if you can actually get a workable level from a speaker out into a line in, you're a better man than i. i don't recommend trying it. headphone out, at the right levels, however, may be just the ticket. i'd thought that guitars already tended to put out something on the order of 500mv (max), which is more than a line input is set for. if you're running through pedals or anything, you should definately have enough level. NEVER use your mic input-it's garbage, unless your mic input is on an external box and connected to a serious recording card. your best best is definately to get at least a cheap mixer (behringer has some at very low pricepoints, if that's what you need) and plug it up. my thinking is that if you're getting NO signal, there's something not set right. often times, inputs on a soundcard will be set to mute by default. sometimes drivers don't work right. i remember running into a few little things with cubase that i had to do frequently in order to record anything. hope that helps.
 
Thanks for the replies guys.. so if I get a mixer do I just plug my guitar into it, then the mixer into my computer or do I still need to go through my amp? Would I be better off getting an amp with line outs? Are there any soundcards that I could get that I could just plug my guitar straight into the soundcard (preferably USB)?

Thanks for all the help again!
 
First, turn the Master volume on your amp all the way down, zero, zilch, nada. Run the Speaker out to your computer's line in. Keep your guitar's volume lowish at first, too. Now, gradually raise your amp's volume to see if you can get a usable signal that way.

FYI, direct guitar will almost never sound as good as sticking a microphone if front of an amp and recording the mic, though it can blend well or suit the right mix. Just a little food for thought and long term shopping schemes.
-kent
 
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