[matt31]

The GUITAR LINK UCG102 interface is an amazing practice tool that lets you hook up your guitar to your computer in a flash, giving you the best of both worlds. The UCG102 guitar-to-USB interface lets you jam and record using modeling amps and effects without the need for any other gear but your guitar. The compact interface links your electric guitar to a PC or Mac computer via a typical USB cable, allowing you to rock with sophisticated software such as the included Guitar Combos BEHRINGER Edition from Native Instruments, Kristal Audio Engine multi-track sequencer and Audacity audio editor. It also features a Headphone output for silent practicing.




I found this on Amazon and was hoping someone here that knows a lot more about this stuff can give me some help finding a good product to get. Im not really wanting anything too fancy. Just something to be able to run my guitar through my PC and do some recording etc. What are my best options in doing this? Any and all help and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[krissovo]

Looks ok but the reviews are mixed, it seems that you will either love it, hate it or get no sound out of it. I dont know this device but if the tones are anything like the Vamp they sell then it should sound fine as that has some great tone. It only comes with 3 amp combo's so it fairly limited. I suppose the the unit that is the most popular is the Line 6 Toneport, that is more expensive but the possibilities are endless as that comes with some amazing software.

With these USB devices if you have a PC make sure you use ASIO drivers at that should remove a lot of the latency that you can have with these.

Audacity and Kristal recording software is freely available to download and are both good so you could download these and hook up your guitar to the line in port on your sound card and use without an interface. Kristal has some good VST amp's that you can "Plug in" to the software. This would be most simple way and the cheapest!

The direction I went first with was the Zoom G2.1, that has a USB sound card built in so I was recording using that but I could also plug it into a AMP and gig / jam with. That was followed by the G7 and a Alesis USB mixer. I now have the Alesis firewire mixer so I can multi track record.

[matt31]

Another question...Does this require my PC to have anything special on it also (ie soundcard and such)?

[Stratrat]

Depends on which way you go. Some of the devices basically function as their own soundcard, while others will go through the existing soundcard on your computer (and quickly expose its' shortcomings if there are any.) I use the Alesis MultiMix 8 USB mixer (the same one Krissovo was using before he went to Firewire), and it works as an external soundcard device. Simple hookup and easy to use. That and Audacity (freeware) make a great starter setup IMO.

[matt31]

That does look like a great setup there. Although a bit more involved and expensive than I was looking for right now.

[matt31]

Another thought/question....Can I and how would it work and how well would it work if I were to get a 1/4 to usb cable and run my guitar to my microcube and then my cube to my PC then use something like audacity etc to record?

[Stratrat]

I don't think the Micro Cube is USB capable. However, you could run the Micro Cube into your sound card using a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter. I've run mine guitar > Micro Cube > mixer > computer and it worked fine.

[matt31]

Thanks Stratrat. Thats what I ended up doin'. I tried to edit my post and say that but it wouldn't let me...dunno why I didn't just put it as a reply instead of a new thread But anyways it seems to be workin good at the moment and I also downloaded audacity and been toying around with it a little.