how do i hook up instruments to sound card ?

[ghostdog85]

i have a crative labs emulator sound card on my pc and i have trid to hook up my guitar via the mic and the line in plugs. here is my problem... the mic line is to distorted and the line in does not work i guess it is the high impedance of the guitar. so..

what is the best way to get the best sound out of this situation?

get a DI box for the gutar and insert to the mic port or line in?
or get a mic pre am and a DI box?

or something else ? i realize my aproach could be off base here so i am open to any suggestions... just need good advice on how to interface the guitar with the pc before i go out and spend money on the wrong stuff....

thanks in advance

 

[christiaan]

What is considered the proper way to record guitar is to use a killer guitar amp, stick a killer microphone in front of the speaker and use a killer mic preamp to bring it all to line level.

If your budget is limited you'd probably be best of using an amp modeler like the Johnson J-station, Line6 POD, Behringer V-Amp, Digitech Genesis..
(Use the search option on this board to find out more about those amp modelers, or just use google)
Jack the guitar in the amp modeler and the modeler's outs into the soundcard.

 

[L'espion Noir]

sorry no solution but suggestion

or you can get a q10 and you wouldn't need a guitar amp because you can plug right in and start tracking

it's a bit up there in price but think how you won't need any preamp as you have 8 ready to go , nor a guitar amp


Damn and to think i might have to get rid of mine (might)

 

[digitcallous]

The previous advice is right on. Another thing to know is that there is a setting to control your line in and mic in level. This is usually the little speaker symbol on the lower right of you Windows task bar. The volume control has two options, one for playback and one for record. Check your record level for line in and mic in, they may need to be lowered if you get distortion in recording.

DC

 

[christiaan]

Re: sorry no solution but suggestion

it's a bit up there in price but think how you won't need any preamp as you have 8 ready to go , nor a guitar amp

So you're suggesting to DI a guitar directly into the Q10's pre? What's that good for? You got good results with that??

 

[ghostdog85]

well i actually have the korg 1500ax multifx/amp mododulater.
its very like much the pod an the vamp. so i think that i will just mic my amp and use a killer mic pre amp.

any sugestions for a good mic pre amp or mic ?

i was thinking about the art tube mp pro or the bheringer ts1953

and how would i eventually balance the final line out? through the computers control pannel or do i need a mixer?

again thanks to all for the help (i m just a beginner on a budget).

 

[L'espion Noir]

So you're suggesting to DI a guitar directly into the Q10's pre?
What's that good for? You got good results with that??

yes Christiaan on the q10 , Channels 7 and 8 feature an optional E.F.R. (Enhanced Frequency Response) circuit designed to improve the sound of direct-recorded guitar and bass. The E.F.R. can be switched on or off independently for either channel


as far as result goes i don't know how it works because i haven't tried as i don't own an electric guitar

 

[69ShadesofRed]

Re: Re: sorry no solution but suggestion

So you're suggesting to DI a guitar directly into the Q10's pre? What's that good for? You got good results with that??

That "DI" thing might be misread. Just to clarify: if you're using inputs 7 or 8 on the Q10 you don't need a DI box, you plug the instrument directly into these ports and turn on the EFR. Hmmmm, this gives me an idea... Just got a couple of guitar distortion pedals to use with my synth. I was using inputs 1 and 2 as that's what I normally use for the synth, but I think I am gonna try inputs 7 and 8 and see how that sounds...