[TenThumbs]

Seeing as most of my "playing" is done in front of the computer while using the info at this site plus an online course I subscribe to, how can I play my guitar through the computer and thus through my speaker headphones?

I asked at another site and was given this multi-hundred dollar option -

http://www.native-instruments.com/in...c399&fla sh=9

Nice but outta the question.

I need something very basic (shareware?) or with a few effects like a reverb. That would be nice.

[allthumbs]

Read through some of Tekkers stickies. You will find all you need to know about interfacing your axe with your PC.
http://www.guitarforbeginners.com/fo...splay.php?f=69

[Matty22]

It might cost ya a couple of bucks for a 1/4 to 1/8th adapter, though

[BossaMan]

Hi,

You can get by with a 1/4 to 1/8th adapter on your audio card, don't put into the mike inlet put into the an intlet with this mark ((())) AUX audio in. It will not get you a very loud sound but depending on what audio card you have, there should be a few options to get some reverb and other types of sounds.

My other suggestion is, get yourself a software called Amplitube 2 (google does a nice job finding it) which will give you a variety of options and is less expensive than Guitar Rig.

I am at work alright now, I have a link to some freeware and shareware softies I'll post later.
BossaMan

[fly135]

I do it everyday at work on my lunch hour with this....

http://www.zzounds.com/item--ARTTMPSTU

Or better yet get one of these....

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHXENTX502

You can keep moving up in the Behringer lineup and get additional inputs and/or FX for minimal cost.

[TenThumbs]

Ok chaps, here's where I am with this - I got me a $2.99 1/4-1/8th adaptor and plugged it into my audio card Aux input as Bossaman said. I went into the controls setup and turned up the volume. It's not loud enough even for my tuneless thrashing.

So now I need some form of a pre-amp right?

Am I right in my thinking - I can get a simple piece of hardware like Fly suggests -
http://www.zzounds.com/item--ARTTMPSTU
- or a fancier one with effects? Like this -

http://www.samsontech.com/products/p...=165&brandID=4

Or I can download software freebies like in the advice I got from another site -

Freeamp 2(http://frettedsynth.asseca.com/ampsims.html#FreeAmp2)

Have I got all this info straight? Am I on the right track? I don't wanna blow my computer up.

[fly135]

You could plug into your mic input for more volume but I find that to be very unsatisfactory in terms of noise and crap it picks up. So yes you need something to boost the volume. It looks like the ART amp is gone now. That was a close out price. I'm not familiar with the Zoom box, I can recommend this one....

http://www.zzounds.com/item--KORAX3G

I recorded both of these clips directly to the computer with the Korg...

http://music.panelmagic.com/noobblues_sample.mp3
http://music.panelmagic.com/powerchord.mp3

However you still may want a mixer at some point.

[TenThumbs]

Originally Posted by fly135

You could plug into your mic input for more volume but I find that to be very unsatisfactory in terms of noise and crap it picks up.

I tried that and nothing came through the speakers. Yes I'd cranked the vol in the soundcard setup.

It looks like the ART amp is gone now. That was a close out price.

I saw they only had one left yesterday. I just wasn't ready to order.

I can recommend this one....
http://www.zzounds.com/item--KORAX3G

I'll take a read at it. Thanks!

I recorded both of these clips directly to the computer with the Korg...

Wow will I sound like that?

[Matty22]

If you are using a mic to record, you want the MIC input, not the AUX (im assume aux being a LINE in)

(if nothing came through the speakers, check that you are
A) monitoring the mic chanel
B) that the MIC chanel is selected as the active input chanel)

If you are trying to record an electric, use an effects pedal as a preamp... (MOST pedals will do the trick)

[TenThumbs]

Originally Posted by Matty22

If you are using a mic to record, you want the MIC input, not the AUX (im assume aux being a LINE in)

(if nothing came through the speakers, check that you are
A) monitoring the mic chanel
B) that the MIC chanel is selected as the active input chanel)

If you are trying to record an electric, use an effects pedal as a preamp... (MOST pedals will do the trick)

Hi Matty. I'm years off being good enough to record anything. I just need to play my guit through the computer and listen to it through headphones plugged into my computer speakers (yep I'm that bad) while I'm working on an on-line guitar course.

[fly135]

Hey Tenthumbs, I read your profile and you're a little more honest than me. Ive tried playing the guitar quite a few times. Just like you they were failed attempts. I've been playing now for a little over a year with serious intent to never give it up, just like you said in your profile.

When I started last Jan I already knew a few open chords but I labeled it as my start point. The great encouragement I get here and other internet resources have made a difference this time around. But the single most important thing that I can attribute to my progress this time and getting over the hump has to be Guitar Pro. It is literally a patient teacher. It will show me practically any lick from any song and play it at any speed over and over until I can follow it and get it right. I highly recommend it.

[TenThumbs]

Originally Posted by fly135

Hey Tenthumbs, I read your profile and you're a little more honest than me. Ive tried playing the guitar quite a few times. Just like you they were failed attempts. I've been playing now for a little over a year with serious intent to never give it up, just like you said in your profile.

When I started last Jan I already knew a few open chords but I labeled it as my start point. The great encouragement I get here and other internet resources have made a difference this time around. But the single most important thing that I can attribute to my progress this time and getting over the hump has to be Guitar Pro. It is literally a patient teacher. It will show me practically any lick from any song and play it at any speed over and over until I can follow it and get it right. I highly recommend it.

Thanks for the motivation Fly! I first started before Keith Richards had any lines in his face (mid-'60s) and gave up in disgust. I couldn't even mimic the Stones/Beatles/Hollies and they were growing up all around me. Those year were awesome in the UK.

But at almost 60 it's now or never for me. Heck if Keef can do it why not me too?

I can do all the chords and I'm a whizz at barre chords, 7ths, minors and even some 9ths but I just don't know what to do with them. It's guitar dyslexia I think. I'm serious.

I'm working though Jamorama and e-media Guitar Intermediate is sitting on my shelf waiting unopened. I found this site after buying those methods.

Thanks I'll look into your Guitar Pro. I spotted that one while checking out many others.

Thanks! Let's keep up the support as for me it's now or never. This is my last try.

[BossaMan]

Hey, I found something really nice!! you will like it Tenthumbs here is the link (hitsquad.com/smm/win95/GUITAR/) go to the link GNUitar 0.3.2 try it out, it is awesome it will give you all the preamp you want revercb, chorus etc... and what is nice abou it??? IT IS A FREEEBEE PROGGIE!!!!!
Hope I helped you m8,
Bossaman

[737blues]

What you will probably want, sooner than you think, is a USB connection interface and associated recording software. There are heaps of them on the market now TenThumbs. Ask at a decent music store and I think you will find that you can get something designed for the task for a pretty small investment. It can save you a lot of frustration trying to get mixers and other things to work. Think Line6 Guitar Port, M-Audio USB interface or this recent offering looks pretty cool:

http://www.stealthplug.com/

Download yourself a copy of PowerTAB in the meantime, (a freeby program much like GuitarPro but simpler) to have a play with. You can easily buy GuitarPro later and you will probably want to because once you get started with this stuff, it won't be long before you want to start recording yourself. It's a great way to progress and easily the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

[TenThumbs]

Originally Posted by 737blues

What you will probably want, sooner than you think, is a USB connection interface and associated recording software. There are heaps of them on the market now TenThumbs........M-Audio USB interface

Funny you should mention this 737B as late yesterday I ordered an M-Audio Jam Lab USB interface from a Canadian online shop Axe Music.

Download yourself a copy of PowerTAB in the meantime

I shall check that out & thanks.

easily the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

Clothes? Who wears clothes while practising guitar? Anyone?

By the way, thanks to all for your many suggestions. This is the big benefit of a site like this - lots of Newbs in the same boat and lots of experts willing to help us out. Big thanks to Kirk and Clancy for the "interface".