Recording guitar -- the right way

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4ever

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I'm a sonar user and I try to record my bass sound via a sound card. Now I could hear what I just recorded. But the audio signal (or what is it called?) simply isn't there. It shows as a straight line so I cannot edit like I'm use to with vocal signals. I use art-tube to record vocals that gives me enough audio signals so I can take out noises or make the audio louder by 3db, etc.

I heard that if you're recording guitars you don't need a pre-amp. Or do I need one?
 
You most certainly do need a preamp for electric guitars and basses. Why not try plugging into the ART Tube MP?
 
Definitely need a preamp, even if you can hear the instrument, the signal will be crap. If you have an amplifier that you usually play through you could just output from there (if it has an out). You can also put your mic in from of an amp too and treat it like your vocals. Most mixers have some sort of mic preamp built in, but some are crappy. Or just go through your art tube like AlChuck suggested. :D
 
I appreciate your quick reply. The guys who sold me the sound card told me to simply plug the guitar right in to the line input. I thought that's what he told me. :o So if I want to record a band wouldn't I need a bunch of MPs then? (I have only one)

I think my problem stem from the fact that I never really understood what line level signal means... I don't know what instrument has what level of signal and why. So it seems like mics and guitars need preamp and keyboard doesn't need one because it is powered?
 
Right, if you intend to record a whole band at once multitracked you will definitely need to get a mixer, preferrably with mic pres built in, then you will out from that mixer to your soundcard. Powered keys can be plugged in direct, but can also route through the mixer with the other lines. If you want to keep each track separate as it enters the soundcard you will need a mixer with enough outs to handle all the lines and a soundcard with enough ins to accomodate each track. Hope this is right? :p
 
Thank a lot Barometer, and Chuck.

Now that brings me to another question.

I also have AW2816 which I use as a mixer for now. (I enjoy computer recording because sonar 2.0XL is so nice with bells and whistle and all)

I think I can use the preamps off AW2816 but I wonder how I would be able to transport the vocal to the computer in real time since I'm using the stereo outs for playback.

Thank you guys.
 
Hi.

Speaking about your guitar, you really should put a mic to pick the sound of it instead of trying to record it thru line in. It is a whole world difference in sound.

And so it brings me to another question. Whats a AW2816? A mixer? What brand? How many Inputs/Outputs?

What kind and brand is your soundcard, too?
 
Thanks, flapo1.

I guess I can use POD to record guitar but I don't have Bass POD yet for my bass guitar.

AW2816 is a standalone recorder made by Yamaha. It's not a mixer really but I'm using as one for play back. It has 8 inputs and one stereo out. and a bunch of others such as 4 Aux. Someone has mentioned that I might be able to use Aux output for my purpose but I don't yet know how.

My sound card is LynxOne and it has two audio I/O and two digital I/O. The sound quality is excellent. (lynxone.com if you care). I may need more I/O down the line though.
 
OK I see

Yes you could use the AUX sends, but you would have to mix via the send buttons instead of faders. Check if it has something called "inserts".

BTW What would happend if you use your guitar POD to record bass? Maybe it would sound cool (in the clean or crunch sounds, that is).
 
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