Subject:recording directly into my computer

Posted by: fivestring45

Date:7/15/2008 8:07:55 PM

I've got a question that plagues me every other time I try to record some guitar directly into my computer. I'm only using a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter and sometimes the signal is so week I can hardly hear it. Othertimes it's fine. How do I adjust this and why is it tempermental?

Subject:RE: recording directly into my computer

Reply by: Chienworks

Date:7/15/2008 8:41:13 PM

Just an initial guess, but does your sound card have separate mic and line inputs? Perhaps you're not always plugging the guitar into the same jack. If you plug it into the mic jack the recording will be rather loud, and if you plug it into the line input it will be a lot quieter.

Subject:RE: recording directly into my computer

Reply by: JohnnyRoy

Date:7/16/2008 7:34:18 AM

Computer sound chips supply Mic-level and Line-level input but not Instrument-level input. Your guitar's output does not match any of the inputs you currently have. I'm guessing the guitar ois low because you are using the line-level input. I agree with Chienworks, you probably plugged it into the mic input those times that it was loud.

What you need is a pre-amp that raises the line-level to instrument-level. I would recommend that you purchase an interface that is designed for recording guitar like the M-Audio Fast Track USB. This will give you a better recording than your current motherboard chip and it also allows you to use dynamic XLR mics like the Shure SM57/58. Overall it's a great little unit for the price.

~jr

Subject:RE: recording directly into my computer

Reply by: ttuskey

Date:7/16/2008 1:29:11 PM

I had the same problem when I started, and the only way I got anything I was happy with was to spend some money and got Line6 Toneport UX2 http://line6.com/toneportux2/ and couldn't be happier.
It comes with Gearbox, which has hundreds (thousands?) of effects boxes, settings, amp and stack combinations, etc..

Update to current drivers and its perfect.

Subject:RE: recording directly into my computer

Reply by: fivestring45

Date:7/16/2008 6:59:10 PM

Thanks guys....but I assure you, I'm plugging in to the same jack everytime. I'll ook into that interface and the line6 deedely-bop tho. I also have a guitar amp that has a decent line out. I've gotten decent results with that in the past, just was hopin i could go direct into the PCU.

Subject:RE: recording directly into my computer

Reply by: jumbuk

Date:7/17/2008 5:08:02 PM

If it works sometimes and other times not, chances are the plug is not making good contact.

How are you getting from a guitar lead jack (1/2 inch) down to the soundcard socket (3/8 inch?)? Are you using an adaptor? My experience with these is that the contact is pretty poor, and they put strain on the socket.

Subject:RE: recording directly into my computer

Reply by: jackn2mpu

Date:7/19/2008 9:03:02 AM

jumbuk:
Don't you mean 1/4 inch guitar jack to 1/8 inch jack on the soundcard?
Anyway, one thing I've had a problem with is the jack on my Telecaster. The way the wiring was run inside the guitar it looped a little bit inside the jack and would sometimes interfere with inserting th e 1/4 inch connectored cable all the way in. Took the guitar apart, twisted the wires coming from the jack and re-routed them away from getting in the way of the inserted plug. Works okay now, Surprisingly, at least on a Tele, the wires from the jack to the controls are not shielded wire but individual lengths of traditional single conductor hook-up wire.
Jack

Subject:RE: recording directly into my computer

Reply by: jumbuk

Date:7/20/2008 6:08:25 PM

Sorry Jack, I had my "jack" sizes totally screwed up.

Does your post mean that you have fixed the problem now?