Subject:Problem recording

Posted by: ecam1386

Date:10/4/2011 7:27:41 PM

I use v.8.0 on an XP. I plugged my guitar into my computer's Line in using a 1/4 to 1/8 jack adapter and followed the "Show Me" function on how to record. The sound meters on the recording window do not move when I play. I found out that I need to unmute the Line in volume because it is muted by default, but I don't know how. Help???

Subject:RE: Problem recording

Reply by: Steven Myers

Date:10/4/2011 8:33:14 PM

Unless it has active pickups, the guitar will need a preamp to work with the line input.

Subject:RE: Problem recording

Reply by: ecam1386

Date:10/4/2011 9:12:45 PM

You mean connect it to an amp then connect the amp to the computer?

Subject:RE: Problem recording

Reply by: ChristoC

Date:10/4/2011 11:32:34 PM

You need a preamp - the guitar pickup outputs an exceedingly small voltage with a extremely high source impedance, and needs a special pre-amplifier built for the purpose to amplify the signal to the approx 1 volt that the PC input requires.

At it's simplest, you can plug the Line Out, PA Out or Headphone Out of your normal Guitar Amp into the PC via some suitable adaptor.

At it's most complicated there are many speciality boxes with "Hi Impedance" or "Hi-Z" guitar inputs made for such purposes which plug into the Line In or USB interface on your PC
e.g.
Line6 Guitar Pod http://line6.com/products/pod/

No doubt your local guitar/music store will have some advice and suitable devices.