Guitar wiring / recording question

[instink]

Hi folks,

I record my guitar DI into the computer via a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 external interface, and use amp sims on it to make it sound sweet. The problem is that I can't hear the guitar while I'm playing because it's not amplified. I can use the Direct Monitor switch but I record death metal so hearing the undistorted guitar isn't really helpful.

So I got a Y adaptor for the guitar cable so I can output the signal to my guitar amp and the audio interface at the same time. It works great, I can crank up the distortion and add other effects that go to the amp, while the computer gets a completely clean signal. The only problem is this seems to introduce a lot of noise into the recorded signal. When I apply heavy distortion to the DI'd signal, there is a difference in noise level when splitting the output to the amp as opposed to only going into the computer.

Are there any ways I can get around this issue? I mean my first thought is to use balanced 6.5mm cables for everything but if my guitars jack doesn't have the wiring to support balanced, and the amp (and effects) don't either, I'm thinking this won't help, right?

Also, the audio interface doesn't have a separate output for the DM so I can't output from the interface to the guitar amp without getting the entire audio output of the computer

Suggestions? Thanks!

 

[mjbphotos]

What software are you using? Just click ON the track monitor and set the interface monitoring to listen to it - note that you may have a slight delay/lag depending on how you have your system set up for latency.

 

[instink]

This is music that requires speed, precision and accuracy. Any amount of latency is unacceptable and I have tried - the output of the guitar is sometimes 2 or more pick strokes behind the music when monitoring via software. Silence out of the guitar is preferable to this - which is why I'm after more of an electrically based solution rather than software. Using Realer btw. Thanks

 

[sinan810]

Just go straight to the root of the problem, that being the Y adapter. You know anyone with a mini (or even a full size) mixer you can borrow? Most of them have multiple outputs so you can try that and see if you get less noise. Just leave the EQ flat on it.

 

[aaronmcoleman]

With Reaper and the interface you have, you shouldn't have significant latency (i.e. you won't even notice it).

Make sure you have the most current drivers for the interface. With direct monitoring you just get the clean guitar tone with not amp sim right? If so, does the interface have any software...for example I have a saffire pro 40 and it uses "mixcontrol" software and I can set the latency there.