Connecting Electric Guitar to Computer?

ra_in · #1 August 20th, 2006

Hi,

I recently got an electric guitar but I don't have an amplifier and I won't be able to get one for some time. I am planning to connect the guitar to my soundcard but have some doubts:

1) Can the guitar be directly connected to the Soundcard? I have a Creative Audigy 4 Pro soundcard which has one input/Line_in (on the I/O drive) that has a gain control and is supposed to be used for dynamic microphones (as against another input meant for condensor mics). Can I directly connect the guitar to this input?

2) I read in another thread that I'd need a Fx/preamp box of some sort between the guitar and soundcard. Somebody also suggested a Behringer Eurorack mixer also (amazon.com/gp/product/B0002JF5CM/). Will it server as a preamp for the guitar? Can I connect the guitar directly to the mixer and then connect the mixer to the soundcard? If so, which input of the mixer should I connect the guitar to?

It'd great if somebody can help resolve my doubts.

TIA,
RA_IN

EFinFLA · #2 August 20th, 2006

I can't be much help, other than to say I've seen JamLab mentioned quite a few times and it looks pretty cool. It comes with a box that connects to a USB port with a guitar jack and a headphone jack on the other end. Do a search for it.

OldG · #3 August 20th, 2006

You can but try and see, I'd have a go - making sure you turn the gain down then ease up to the required level. If you need a standalone software amp to play through, grab yourself a free download of Amplitube Uno.
Looking at the spec of your card I can't see any reason why you shouldn't get an excellent sound.

fly135 · #4 August 20th, 2006

You'll need a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter to plug your guitar directly into the computer. I would try the microphone input, it should work fine if you get the settings correct (use +20 boost option in recording panel). I use a Behringer mixer (UB1002FX) and it's great. Usually the Behringers have 2 or more low level inputs (The ones with the DIN plugs). Use one of those although use the 1/4" jack associated with same connector.

Matty22 · #5 August 20th, 2006

Since my super good behringer mixer blew up (dont start me on their crap), any recording ive done, has been guitar - effects - line in of sound card...

the effects acts as a preamp/DI box (sort of), so it works quite fine for me, if you dont have effects, i would run it into the mic in, but be careful with levels.... start of "Low and Slow" as they say.... bring your volume up slowly, trying to balance between guitar and sound card volumes

Attached is a sample of the way i record with it.... this is a rough cut (and rough playing too lol), but gives an idea of what you could expect out of it....
Im using my ESP ex50, korg ax1500g fx, and the std Ac/97 or whatever its called on board soundcard in my computer....

allthumbs · #6 August 20th, 2006

Sounds good. I always tell people to pick up a Bad Monkey tube overdrive pedal. Besides the line out to an amp, it has a seperate line out for recording that has a basic cab model for going directly into a mixer or a p.c.. Not bad for 40 bucks and is a pretty good pedal in it's own right.

ra_in · #7 August 20th, 2006

Thanks for the input. Shall give the direct connection to the sound card a try and will report the results here

Also and planning to buy a Behringer mixer in case that doesn't work out. I was looking for the UB802 unit but apprarently the local guitar center doesn't stock it anymore and says "it is no longer in production". They recommend the Behringer Xenyx 802 (for $60) instead. How good is this one?

I can get UB802 online (for $40) and with shipping etc it would come to about $50.

Which one should I buy? Is Xenyx 802 really better? I assume none of these two have any effects?

Regards
RA_IN