Guitar + PC

[VirusType2]

I want to record samples of electric guitar.

I don't see why I can't just plug it into the input on my sound card, so I think at least that is possible.

Then record "what u hear"

I also would like to use some PC software to act as a distortion pedal, distorting the sound like heavy metal, etc.

I don't want to record it using a microphone and amplifier and pedals, because I don't want to buy them.


I haven't found anyone that knows anything, and search engines aren't putting me in the right area.


I don't want to spend hundreds on a guitar setup if I can't use it for what I want. Especially since I don't know how to play guitar yet.

 

[Fliko]

You can do this, but it does take away greatly from the sound quality (Mind you this has been done professionally with a good sound card. Trent Reznor has done this before on his older albums.).
I personally recommend the amps and microphones and analog pedals because it does give a much better sound.
Needless to say this piece of equipment should fit all your needs though (Plug guitar into there then you plug that into Computer VIA USB 2.0 and you can record directly onto your computer. It should be noted that you can't monitor what you're recording. You have to record then listen. THAT IS UNLESS you get a pair of headphones, or have an amp (I don't know what plugin jack the headphones would need.).
This will also produce a much better sound then directly into a soundcard (It emulates the sound of a microphoned amp to some extend)

Here is the official page on this equipment

EDIT: I should add this pedal has quite a few stompbox effects that work quite nicely. No they don't have that little bit of warmth analog pedals would have, but it's much cheaper and it replicates the actual pedals pretty damn well. I currently have the PODXT live and it's quite the piece of equipment.

EDITEDIT: If you really want to go the way of the soundcard you'd most likely be stuck buying a good 300-600$ soundcard, and then getting a microphone and a small tube amp for recording, but that is fairly expensive.

 

[Muffin Man]

Amplitube. Google it, it sounds pretty good. I used it in the past, but with slight latency issues that really made it awkward to play with. But if you're recording, I don't see why you couldn't just turn your speakers off and record. It's not a free program, but... Yeah...

 

[VirusType2]

thanks a lot


(sigh)

$$

oh

Maybe I can borrow my brother's guitar stuff. He should still have it.

 

[Fliko]

I should add on my post that it wasn't "You can do this", but "You can do that".
I have heard many people be totally satisfied with Line 6 POD recordings.

 

[Hazar]

I have this pedal which does all that you want and costs half as much as the one that fliko posted. You can hook it into your computer and record, modify your effects and download new ones that other people have made.

It has a drum machine and built in tuner as well as other stuff. You can find more about it here and I'd recommend listening to the preset demo.

 

[VirusType2]

Thanks guys.

This whole time I was thinking I could just plug it in.

I just have to consider if it's all worth it.

Guitar and strap - $180 (used)
PC module $150-300
Guitar lessons $200

My first hendrix guitar solo - priceless.