recording directly from guitar to sound card

[bauer172uw]

Hello everyone. I recently bought an electric acoustic guitar and I am hoping to connect it to my computer so that I can begin recording myself. Here is my situation. My computer has an onboard sound card which has three connections: line in, mic in, and speaker out. I read on the FAQs that you should not plug a musical instrument into the line in of your sound card. What equiptment do I require to connect my guitar to my computer for recording? I am hoping to minimize the cost since I am really just interested in recording to hear myself, possibly to burn to a cdr.

Thanks
Mike

PS If its not possible to connect directly to a sound card without expensive equiptment is there a way to build some device that would do what I want?

 

[Bulls Hit]

You need something to boost the signal going into the line-in on your soundcard, like a pre amp or an effects pedal.

For a better sound you will want to mic your guitar, either directly or through an amp, or both if you have 2 mics. Each mic will also need a preamp

 

[Jotosuds]

i was in the same situation a while ago.

if you have 80 dollars, buy an audio buddy from zzounds.com or someting. that plugged into your "line in" via a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter will be sufficient for a preamp. then you can buy a mic of whatever quality is necessary and record the acoustic with a mic.

if you have 160 dollars you can buy a DMP3 which is also a preamp. but you probably want a nicer soundcard first, like a m-audio audiophile