With technology becoming more accessible and cheaper, independent recording and editing of your own songs and covers has become a reality. Today, guitarists of all levels can deliver raw recordings or slick masterpieces from home. You don't need expensive equipment to record and distribute your music, just a laptop, guitar, a few cables and possibly a preamp.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Connected directly to the audio input
Step 1. Locate your computer's audio input
It is possible to connect your guitar directly to your laptop via the audio input of the device. This port is usually located on the side of laptops, near the headphone output. Often one of the following icons is used: a microphone or a circle with two triangles.
Step 2. Purchase the correct cable or adapter
The average guitar cable has a 6.3mm plug on each end, but the audio input requires a 3.5mm stereo plug. You can buy a guitar cable with a 6.3mm plug on one end and a 3.5mm stereo plug on the other, or you can buy a 3.5mm stereo plug adapter for use with a standard guitar cable.
- Your laptop's audio input may require a stereo plug with a TS (Tip/Sleeve) or a TRS (Tip/Ring/Sleeve) connection. If you're not sure which plug your computer needs, check your laptop's manual.
- If your laptop doesn't have an audio input, you'll need an interface or a special cable to connect to your audio output (also known as the headphone jack). This allows you to use the audio output as an audio input. The price and quality of such products varies enormously. You can also use these devices for your phone and tablet.
- If your laptop doesn't have a headphone jack, you can buy an adapter for your USB port.
Step 3. Plug your guitar into your computer
Connect the 6.3mm plug to your guitar. If you are using a 3.5mm stereo adapter, put the 6.3mm plug in there. Plug the 3.5mm stereo plug into your laptop's audio input.
Step 4. Test the signal
You can hear your guitar through your computer's speakers, external speakers, or headphones. If you're using external speakers or headphones, connect them to your laptop's audio output. Strum your guitar to test the signal.
- If you're using your laptop's internal speakers or headphones, the signal will be quite weak. This is due to the fact that the laptop's audio input is not capable of amplifying the signal. However, some external speakers will act as an amplifier.
- There may also be a significant delay, or pause, between playing the guitar and hearing sound through your computer.
- Before you can hear your instrument, you may need to download and/or open recording software.
- If you can't hear your guitar, open your computer's sound settings. Make sure the sound is not muted. Make sure you have selected the correct port or device (audio in, audio out, headphones, microphone, etc.). For specific instructions, refer to your computer or device manual.
Method 2 of 3: Using an amplified audio input
Step 1. Make sure you have a device with a preamp
If you are dissatisfied with the strength of your guitar signal, you can improve its playback quality with a preamplifier. The preamplifier is the first stage of sound amplification. These devices make your guitar's signal stronger. You can use a preamp specifically designed for guitars. However, if you're looking to save money, there are several guitar accessories that come equipped with preamps. Some examples are amp modelers, pedals, drum machines and a DI box.
The best preamps use tubes
Step 2. Connect your guitar and preamp to your laptop
Plug the standard guitar cable into guitar. Connect the other end of the guitar cable to the input of your preamp. Connect a 3.5mm stereo cable to the PA Out or Line-Out of your preamp. Connect the other end of this cable to the audio input of your laptop.
If your laptop doesn't have an audio input, you'll need to purchase an interface or a special cable that transforms your audio output (also known as the headphone jack) into an audio input. These products also work with phones and tablets. There are also adapters that you can plug into a USB port
Step 3. Test the signal
If your guitar is properly connected to your laptop, you will hear the instrument through the computer speakers, external speakers, or the headphones. If you're not using your computer speakers, connect the cable from the external speaker or headphones to the audio output of your laptop. Strum your guitar to test the signal.
- While the preamp will improve the strength of the signal, it doesn't necessarily mean that the delay you experience will decrease as well. Delay, or audio latency, is the pause between sound being input into the computer and when that sound is actually heard.
- To hear your guitar, you may need to download or open recording software first.
- If you are having problems with the sound, open the computer's sound settings. Make sure that the sound is muted and that the correct port of the device is selected (audio input, audio output, headphones, microphone, etc.). For specific instructions, refer to your computer or device manual.
Method 3 of 3: Using an amplified digital input
Step 1. Buy or find a preamp with a USB or Firewire port
For best results, bypass the analog connection completely, and connect the guitar digitally to your computer. You can digitally connect your guitar to your computer via a preamp with a USB port or Firewire port. Before purchasing a preamp with one of these ports, check the capabilities of the guitar accessories you already own. These accessories may include amp modelers, pedals, drum machines, and DI boxes.
Step 2. Connect your guitar and preamp to your laptop
Plug a standard guitar cable into your guitar. Plug the other end of the guitar cable into the input of the preamp. Connect a USB, Firewire or optical cable to the USB or Firewire output of your preamp. Plug the other end of this cable into the USB or Firewire input of your laptop.
Step 3. Test the signal
When your guitar is properly connected, you should be able to judge the strength and quality of your guitar signal. Listen to the instrument through the computer speakers, external speakers, or headphones. If you're using external speakers or headphones, connect their respective cables to your laptop's audio output. Play a few chords on your guitar to test the sound.
- This method will produce the brightest and clearest images.
- Download or open any recording software to hear your instrument.
- If your guitar sound doesn't come through, make sure the volume of the instrument is turned all the way up. Open the sound settings of the computer and double check that the sound is not turned off and that the correct port of the device is selected (audio input, audio output, headphones, microphone, etc.). For specific instructions, refer to your computer or device manual.
Tips
- Practice a lot before shooting.
- Make sure your instrument is tuned before you start recording!
- Instead of connecting your instrument to your computer, you can record your music with an external digital recorder.
- There are several recording programs to choose from. If you're a Mac user, consider Garageband, Logic Express, and Logic Studio; For example, if you are a Windows user, you can choose Cubase Essential 5 or Cubase Studio 5. You may need to download or open recording software in order to hear your instrument through your computer.