cheap amp setup

kaneashiru1 · #1 February 3rd, 2008

is there a way to substitute your amp with something else like a pc, or a radio. Cause I still don't have an amp, and I'm looking for a quick fix in the meantime. any ideas guys? ^_^ Thanks... There're tons of audio equipment here, like 2 sets of altec lansing 5.1 speaker sets, but no amps. I was wondering if I could use those so I don't have to spend much while learning the basics.

P-90 · #2 February 3rd, 2008

If you get a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter, you should be able to plug into almost any sound card.

There are also a lot of cheap headphone or practice amps which could drive a set of powered speakers.

allthumbs · #3 February 3rd, 2008

Go to the Home Recording Forum. All kinds of tips and advice on this subject. You can get a pre amp for about 30 bucks from Musicians Friend to boost your signal before it goes to the sound card.

fly135 · #4 February 3rd, 2008

Get a multiFX unit. They generally have amp and cabinet modeling so they can be plugged into a PA. A stereo is similar to a PA. I've played my GT-8 through my home stereo many times.

stratplayer · #5 February 3rd, 2008

I agree with fly go with a mfx unit. The digitech Rp series and the behringer make some good units for well under $100 bucks.
Guitar Multieffects from DigiTech at zZounds.com
Behringer X V-Amp Guitar Amp Modeling Pedal from zZounds.com!
I had this same behringer and for the money its sweet.

kaneashiru1 · #6 February 4th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-90

If you get a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter, you should be able to plug into almost any sound card.

There are also a lot of cheap headphone or practice amps which could drive a set of powered speakers.

Thanks, this seems to be the cheapest alternative as I'm just a student and I'm just starting out with my guitar. does the sound card provide enough power in case I try to use an electric guitar with it?

Oh and the plug goes into the microphone jack right? ^_^

Please and thank you guys...

allthumbs · #7 February 4th, 2008

Unless your micing the guitar, use line in.

fly135 · #8 February 4th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaneashiru1

Thanks, this seems to be the cheapest alternative as I'm just a student and I'm just starting out with my guitar. does the sound card provide enough power in case I try to use an electric guitar with it?

Oh and the plug goes into the microphone jack right? ^_^

Please and thank you guys...

If you have passive pups then you will most likely need to use the mic-in. A preamp will allow you to use the line-in.

kaneashiru1 · #9 February 5th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by fly135

If you have passive pups then you will most likely need to use the mic-in. A preamp will allow you to use the line-in.

what do you mean passive? Sorry I don't really have a pre-amp either.. ^_^ I'm confused simpler terms please.. thank you...

Tekker · #10 February 5th, 2008

You should be able to use the line in whether the pickups are passive or active. My guitar has passive pickups and I've used it with the line in on my onboard sound with plenty of volume.

Active means that the pickups provide amplification (in other words, they can "boost" the volume). This type of pickup requires a 9V battery.
Passive means the pickups just pickup the signal from the strings and send it down the wire with no amplification. If your guitar doesn't require a 9V battery, then you have passive pickups.

I don't have an amp either, so I use my computer for all of my guitar sounds. If you're interested, I have a tutorial demonstrating how to do this using nothing but free effects plugins.
Guitar Multi-Effects Processors and VST Plugins

Hope that helps.

-tkr

rwjones3 · #11 February 5th, 2008

I have plugged my guitar directly to line-in's on various home stereo's. You will probably need a 1/4" mono -> 2 RCA or stereo 1/8" adaptor cord. You won't get much of a "guitar amp" sound out it but it will amplify the guitar.

+1 to Fly's multi-effects suggestion. I have an Digtech RP-50 that will drive headphones when they are plugged into the output jack. You might be able to find a used one for $20.

For $10 you might also be able to find a used pratice amp. Loads of these get shipped with those bundle guitar/amp kits and people usually upgrade the amp first. They don't sound very good IMO, but beats nothing. I picked up a new one at a local electronics store for $20.

kaneashiru1 · #12 February 6th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwjones3

I have plugged my guitar directly to line-in's on various home stereo's. You will probably need a 1/4" mono -> 2 RCA or stereo 1/8" adaptor cord. You won't get much of a "guitar amp" sound out it but it will amplify the guitar.

+1 to Fly's multi-effects suggestion. I have an Digtech RP-50 that will drive headphones when they are plugged into the output jack. You might be able to find a used one for $20.

For $10 you might also be able to find a used pratice amp. Loads of these get shipped with those bundle guitar/amp kits and people usually upgrade the amp first. They don't sound very good IMO, but beats nothing. I picked up a new one at a local electronics store for $20.

Ummm what do you mean guitar amp sound?

But I guess you mean it'll sound fine without distortion or anything, just plain sound right?

fly135 · #13 February 6th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaneashiru1

Ummm what do you mean guitar amp sound?

But I guess you mean it'll sound fine without distortion or anything, just plain sound right?

An electric guitar sounds pretty bland if you just take a straight waveform of the output and amplify it with a low distortion flat response amplifier like you would find in a stereo. That's why I suggested that you get a multifx box and run that into your stereo. Not all distortion is apparent as a gritty or fuzzy sound. Even a clean amp has some distortion.

kaneashiru1 · #14 February 7th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by fly135

An electric guitar sounds pretty bland if you just take a straight waveform of the output and amplify it with a low distortion flat resp

onse amplifier like you would find in a stereo. That's why I suggested that you get a multifx box and run that into your stereo. Not all distortion is apparent as a gritty or fuzzy sound. Even a clean amp has some distortion.

bland in what manner? acoustic bland?

eXperiment63 · #15 February 7th, 2008

As in dull, not lively. You need to amplify it to some extent to get a decent sound out of it. It doesn't push enough electricity to generate a good sound by itself.