Simple computer/guitar interface.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Waterstick
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Waterstick

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I've spent several hours perusing the threads on this message board over the past couple of days and have learned quite a bit more than I knew before, but have yet to find a thread that addresses what I'm trying to accomplish specifically.

While most of the discussion around here seems to center on multi-track recording on a computer, all I am attempting to do is use my computer as a guitar amp. My wife decided that 15 years after I packed up my guitar for the last time, it was finally time for me to get it back out and start teaching our daughters how to play. Now while my little Marshall practice amp works fine, my reasearch into a couple of programs, Guitar Rig 2 and Amplitube, made me think that maybe they would enjoy practicing a little more if they could fiddle around with the effects and put a little fun into playing.

I've downloaded the Guitar Rig 2 demo, but quickly came to realize that my Soundblaster Live card simply can't deal with an instrument input (hell, it doesn't even have a dedicated line-in). Through these forums, I've learned about the importance on zero-latency, ASIO, the right pre-amp, etc...all things that I don't have.

So my question is this...does anyone have a suggestion for a simple setup to play a single instrument through my computer? I don't really need studio-quality gear, mixers, etc., just an affordable soundcard and pre-amp that will allow my computer to get a good clean signal from my guitar, or better yet a soundcard that wouldn't even need a pre-amp. I've looked at most of the soundcards that have been suggested in other threads, but to be honest am too ingnorant of the technology to know if they would do what I want them to or not.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
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It looks to be an amp modler, USB interface, and rudimentary recording software in one. It will bypass your soundcard entirely on the way in. I don't believe it has any way of listening to it, other than your computer speakers. That may be a weak link in your chain, but you can get pretty decent Cambridge Soundworks stuff for well under $100.

Listen to the clips, and read the reviews.

Personally, since you don't list "recording" as a need in your first post, I'd get a Roland MicroCube or Vox ADV15 and be done with it. I have the 'Cube, and it is remarkable, better sounding than any practice amp prior to it, and better than many full size SS amps. The acoustic simulator is just plain great.
 
but wouldnt it be nice to record your daughters? just keep that in mind. since its now economical to do so.
 
Thanks for the replies, guys. It looks like GuitarPort is exactly what I was looking for. It looks like it will give me a lot of flexibility to play with effects, and I don't have any need to either record or output to anything other than my computer speakers. As an added bonus, it doesn't appear I'll need to replace my sound card.

Thanks again for the help.
 
altiris said:
but wouldnt it be nice to record your daughters?
Click to expand...

You've obviously never heard them play. :D

Yeah, maybe in the near future, but hey...this is only $100 and I think a good place to start.

EDIT: I picked up the GuitarPort at lunch and went home to play with it for a few minutes. This thing is absolutely awesome. I highly recommend it.
 
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