Pc recording...Is an amp needed?

[riff_ryderz]

As of right now i'm saving up to buy an amp. Until then i'd like to start recording using my comp. Are there any programs/software/devices available that let you record on you pc, without hooking up to an amp?

thnaks

[Kirk Gilmour]

Here's a question that I've wondered about that's related to yours.

I've got an attatchment that lets me plug a lead into a headphone jack. My Monitor has the same jack for the Microphone. Could I plug my guitar into that jack and record using that? Or would that not work?

Also: How much would I have to worry about blowing the mic out?

[jaytee]

this is such a common question.....

i know there are several people here who know a fair amount about recording...i am not one of them....i have been wanting an answer to this q for ages!

i am going to make a suggestion tho to anyone who answers this question....

i think this would be a great topic for someone in the know to write an article on for the "users lessons" section of the forum. i do not remember ever seeing one before....
it could answer the questions you guys asked, give some alternative ways to setup for recording, and suggest types of software, tell us what each does...

as for my contribution...i have been told in the past that you can indeed hook up through your soundcard...just like it were a microphone...but you need software...i cant swear its true cuz ive never had the adapter to try it out....all i can tell you is that usually people seem to like a free program called "audacity"...you can dl it and try it out...for kicks...

but i think the real questions are about HARDWARE SETUP....

[jaytee]

http://www.guitarlodge.com/forums/guitar-bass/showthread.php?t=23493&highlight=record




if you do a site search for the word "record," you may find some older threads like this one that may help you sooner rather than later...

[jaytee]

ok well...since no one seems to want to give up what they know......some of us over at ratbit.com (off topic cyberfret forum) have decided we should write a nice lesson on this topic for shawn to put in the user lessons. there are several people chipping in and so i dont know how long of a process it will be, but hopefully soon everyone here will have a nice resource to use....

if anyone else wants to contribute to the project....we invite you to do so. everyone involved will get credit for their work (as lump i think)...we only ask that no one gets offended by any editting or critiquing of their work....

we think this is a worthwhile project because recording is a good way to share yourself with other members and to review your own self....blackstar has recently been putting in some time with his "jam" threads..and i think it would be nice if everyone felt it was possible to contribute...i think everyone agrees those jam threads are pretty cool.....

[Trey]

As of right now i'm saving up to buy an amp. Until then i'd like to start recording using my comp. Are there any programs/software/devices available that let you record on you pc, without hooking up to an amp?

thnaks

No amp is needed at all, and you can be recording your music for less than $10.

All you need is a simple 1/4' to 1/8' adapter jack or cord (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=274-366), you normal guitar cable and any free recording software program. I've had good luck using Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/), it's free, simple to use and has some decent effects built in.

So you would plug your guitar straight into the soundcard(use the Line In input) on your computer using the adatper, and then use Audacity to record and edit your music. All for less than $10.

I think a adapter cord works better, than just the plug adapter, because you don't have to be bothered with reaching around the back of the computer every time you want to record. Once you do get your amp, you can use the same setup to take the signal from your amp straight into your computer and get a better tone, and a step up from that is miking the amp.

Good luck and have fun.

Here's a question that I've wondered about that's related to yours.

I've got an attatchment that lets me plug a lead into a headphone jack. My Monitor has the same jack for the Microphone. Could I plug my guitar into that jack and record using that? Or would that not work?

Also: How much would I have to worry about blowing the mic out?

That sounds like it should work, but it would probably be better to just plug into the mic input(or even better the Line In input) on the soundcard instead.

You don't have to worry about blowing the mic because your not using the mic, you just using the mic input to send the signal from your guitar into the computer.

if the signal from the guitar is too hot for the soundcard to handle, you just get nasty clipping, which will sound very very bad, but is easy to fix. As long as you watch the signal meter, you should be fine though.

[jaytee]

this would be some good stuff to include in the user lesson trey!

[bjurman]

i would recommend going thorgh an amp or something like a pod though so it sounds better.

[Trey]

i would recommend going thorgh an amp or something like a pod though so it sounds better.

That's true, but it will work for im fine while he's saving up to get an amp or pod.

[Pied]

Yeah, I use one of my pc's as a practice amp when its too late to play loud!