guitar to soundcard

[monstertruck]

can a guitar be plugged directly into a soundcard port with a regular patch cord and then be recorded and still get good sound. if so what sound cards can do this and what software programs support this sort of guitar recording.

thanx again

 

[TamirE]

not a very good idea... the sound would be bad usually, especially if it's overdriven. try using a simple dynamic mic in front of your amp or an amp modeler - they'll give you much better results.
I sometimes record my electric guitar direct if I want a totally clean sound to work with on the computer (with effect plugins..).
Someone i know said he really liked the "amplitube" plugin, but i haven't tried it yet.

 

[BluesMeister]

It Can Be Done

I plug my electric guitar direct into my soundcard.

My soundcard is a Terratec EWX 24/96. The built-in software mixer allows me to boost the analogue signal to recordable levels. I plug into the stereo analogue inputs (2 x RCA phonos).

I use a 1/4" mono plug from the guitar that divides into two RCA phono sockets. I then plug a couple of RCA phono leads into that and then into the soundcard.

Of course, like TamirE, I can only get clean recorded sounds this way, but it is perfectly acceptable for laying down ideas and such.

My amp has a recording output 1/4" jack, but the level is unsuitable for DI into the soundcard. That has to be boosted by a mixer before I can record it.

I use CakeWalk Pro-Audio 7 for recording. I can convert MP3s into WAV files using MusicMatch Juke box, then import the WAV file into CW and happily jam away and record. Good fun, but it really shows up just how poor my timing is!

Recording yourself is good because it forces you to tighten up your rhythm and timing.

--
BluesMeister