Nowadays, technology is becoming easier to obtain at affordable prices. Therefore, recording and editing of original songs and covers independently can be realized. Guitarists of any skill level can create raw recordings or masterpieces at home. You don't need state-of-the-art equipment to record and stream music. You just need to prepare a laptop, guitar, some cables, and a pre-amp (if you can).
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Direct Audio-In Connection
Step 1. Locate the audio-in port on the computer
Your guitar can be connected directly to a laptop via the audio-in port on the device. The location of this port is usually on the side of the laptop, near the headphone port. Maybe this port has a microphone icon or a circle with two triangles.
Step 2. Purchase the right cable or adapter
While standard guitar cables have a 6.35mm jack on each end, the audio-in port requires a 12.7mm stereo jack. You can purchase a guitar cable that has a 6.35mm jack on one end and a 12.7mm jack on the other, OR use a 12.7mm adapter that plugs into a standard guitar cable.
- The laptop's audio-in port may require a stereo jack with a TS (Tip/Sleeve) or TRS (Tip/Ring/Sleeve) connection. Please consult your device's manual if in doubt about the end of the connection to use.
- If your laptop doesn't have an audio-in port, you will need to purchase a special interface or cable to connect to the audio-out port, aka the headphone jack. This product allows you to use the audio-out port as an audio-in port. This product has a variety of prices and quality. You can also use this product for phones and tablets.
- If your laptop doesn't have a headphone jack, buy an adapter that plugs into a USB port.
Step 3. Connect your guitar to the computer
Insert the 6.35mm jack into the guitar. If you're using a 12.7mm stereo adapter, plug it into the other end of the guitar cable, and insert the 12.7mm jack into your computer's audio-in port.
Step 4. Test the guitar signal
You can listen to guitar sounds through computer speakers, external speakers, or headphones. If you are using external speakers or headphones, plug the speaker or headphone cable into the audio-in port on the laptop. Shake (strum) your guitar to test the signal.
- If you use the laptop's internal speakers or headphones, you will notice that the signal is quite weak. This is because the laptop's audio-in port is unable to amplify the signal. Therefore, the external loudspeaker will act as a signal amplifier (amplifier).
- You'll also notice a slight delay, or pause between a shuffle or guitar strum and the resulting sound.
- Before you can listen to guitar sounds, we recommend downloading and/or opening sound recording software.
- If you can't hear the guitar sound, go to your computer's sound settings. Make sure your laptop's sound is not muted. Also make sure the correct port or device is selected (audio-in, audio-out, headphones, microphone, etc.). For more detailed information, please refer to the user manual of your device.
Method 2 of 3: Using an Audio-In Connection with a Pre-Amp
Step 1. Purchase or search for a device with a pre-amp
If you're not satisfied with the signal strength of your guitar, boost it with a pre-amp. Pre-amplification (pre-amplification) is the first stage of signal amplification (amplification). This device boosts your guitar signal. However, if you want to save money, there are several guitar accessories that come with pre-amps, including amp-modelers, pedals, drum machines, and direct boxes.
Best quality pre-amp using tubes
Step 2. Connect your guitar and pre-amp to the laptop
Connect a standard guitar cable to your guitar and insert the other end of the cable into the pre-amp's input port. Connect the 6.35mm stereo jack to the PA Out or Line-Out port on your pre-amp, and insert the other end of the cable into the laptop's audio-in port.
If your laptop doesn't have an audio-in port, you will need to purchase a special interface or cable that can convert the audio-out port, aka the headphone jack, into an audio-in port. You can also use this product for phones and tablets. Or, you can use an adapter that plugs into a USB port
Step 3. Test the guitar signal
You can listen to guitar sound through computer speakers, external speakers, or headphones. If you are using external speakers or headphones, plug the speaker or headphone cable into the audio-in port on the laptop. Shake (strum) your guitar to test the signal.
- While the pre-amp will amplify the signal, it is not capable of reducing sound delay. Sound delay, or audio latency, is the delay between a guitar shuffle or strum and the sound produced.
- In order to be able to listen to guitar sounds, we recommend that you download and/or open sound recording software first.
- If you experience sound interference, go to your computer's sound settings. Make sure the computer sound is not muted and the correct port or device is selected (audio-in, audio-out, headphones, microphone, etc.). For more detailed information, read the user manual for your computer or device.
Method 3 of 3: Using a Digital-In Connection with a Pre-Amp
Step 1. Purchase or look for a pre-amp with a USB or Firewire out port
For best results, completely skip the analog connection and connect the guitar digitally to the computer. You can digitally connect your guitar to a computer via a pre-amp with a USB or Firewire output port. Before you buy a pre-amp, check to see if this function is included in your guitar accessories, including an amp-modeler, pedals, drum machine, and direct box.
Step 2. Connect the guitar and pre-amp to the laptop
Insert a standard guitar cable into your guitar, and insert the other end into the pre-amp's input port. Insert a USB, Firewire, or Optical (optical) cable into the USB or Firewire out port on the pre-amp, and connect the other end of the cable to the USB or Firewire in port on the laptop.
Step 3. Test the guitar signal
When the guitar is properly connected to other devices, you can judge the strength and quality of the signal. Listen to guitar sound through computer speakers, external speakers, or headphones. If you are using external speakers or headphones, plug each cable into the laptop's audio-out port. Play some chords to test your guitar signal.
- This method will produce the clearest and clearest recorded sound.
- We recommend that you download and/or open sound recording software to listen to the sound of your guitar.
- If the sound of your guitar does not come out, make sure the volume of the instrument is at maximum. Open your computer's sound settings and make sure again that the sound is not muted, and that the correct port and device are selected (audio-in, audio-out, headphones, microphone, etc.). For more detailed information, refer to the user manual for your device or computer.
Tips
- Practice diligently before recording a song.
- Make sure your gear is set before recording!
- Instead of using a computer to record guitar sounds, try using an External Digital Recorder.
- There are several sound recording programs you can try. For Mac users, try Garageband, Logic Express, and Logic Studio. For Windows users, try using Cubase Essential 5 or Cubase Studio 5. You will need to download and/or open the software before you can listen to guitar sounds on your computer.
