[7stringninja]

Ok, let me give you a run down of what I CURRENTLY use for recording my guitar parts.

**Remember, I only use this for remembering riffs that I write. It's horrible quality, and serves for that purpose only.**

I have my guitar (either my ESP M-207 or my Washburn MG-24) ran through my dbx 226xl compressor/gate into my Marshall 1 12" combo (VS65R). I have a VERY VERY VERY shitty PC-mic sitting infront of the amp. To give you an idea of the quality of this mic, it's the type you would buy for $9.99 at Circuit City to use for Voice-chatting on Yahoo messanger, or maybe for playing Counterstrike or something like that.

I have that mic (1/8") inputted into the mic-input on my factory soundcard (onboard the motherboard). I use Audacity as my recording software. It's a freeware program that I have become very fond of, mainly because it's open source, and because it's very easy to use.

The quality, obviously, is pretty shitty. I use this setup because it is quick and easily ready when I get an idea, and most importantly, it essentially cost me nothing outside of my normal guitar-gear.


My question. Is it possible, using my existing soundcard, to direct-input my guitar into the soundcard using a 1/4"-to-1/8" adapter? Then use a VST plug-in amp-modeler or something similar to try and achieve an amped sound?

I know that plug-ins, especially ones available as freeware will in no-way compare to a real amplified sound. I am just trying to clean up my sound a little bit, and eliminate some of the outside noise I get from using this mic.

Also, the main issue I run into with the microphone is, that when I turn up my amp to any significant volume, the input level is WAY too high and is clipping 100%. Even when I adjust the microphone input level to the VERY lowest setting, it is still clipping. I've tried moving the microphone further away from the amp, but then I run into more outside noise (somethign I am trying to lessen, not get more of).


Any suggestions on what my next step should be? Or is there something I can do with the equipment that I already have?

[Chris]

On the cheap man, the guitar port is fucking untouchable. I'm getting tones out of it that I couldn't get with my rack and $800 MOTU firewire interface.

[Leon]

you'll want to check the level of the output of your amp versus the acceptable limits of your soundcard. though, if you have a headphone-output on your amp, you may be able to get away with it.*

if recording is something that you'd really like to do, i would certainly suggest looking into some start-up gear for it.

* Leon cannot be held responsible for when your soundcard melts

[Chris]

Wait, you're looking to run the preamp out of your combo into your sound card?

Bad idea.

[7stringninja]

Originally Posted by Leon

you'll want to check the level of the output of your amp versus the acceptable limits of your soundcard. though, if you have a headphone-output on your amp, you may be able to get away with it.*

if recording is something that you'd really like to do, i would certainly suggest looking into some start-up gear for it.

* Leon cannot be held responsible for when your soundcard melts

LOL. I pretty much understand the potential hazards of sending a hot signal into my input of the soundcard. I THINK (not 100% sure) I've tried direct-inputting into this particular PC before, but the signal was sooo low that the recording software basically didn't pick up anything.


What things in particular should I be looking at getting if I want to go the mic'd route?

1) Mixer? I've looked at small small little Eurodesk Beringher mixers that seem appropriate for my application.

2) Soundcard? Internal/external/breakoutbox - what do I really need, and what are the pluses/minuses of various styles.

3) Microphone? I've read alot of peopel using the Shure SM line. I've heard nothing but good things about this mic since I started playing guitar. And it reasonably affordable.

4) Is there anything I should do to my recording environment to potentially eliminate outside noise? I am recording in my bedroom, the same room in which my computer is located. It has hardwood floors (which the amp sits directly on). It's actually an attic converted to a bedroom. BUT, I have a HUGE walk-in closet that I've thought about trying to make a soundroom, but I don't know.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Chris

Wait, you're looking to run the preamp out of your combo into your sound card?

Bad idea.

i've done this before, sorta. i used an effects processor with amp models in it. i ran the signal from the headphone-out to the mic-in on my computer.

you're probably right though... doing this with a combo amp could be a fatal move for the soundcard.

[7stringninja]

I remember reading somewhere, a LONG LONG time ago, about using the effects loop to send an unamplified signal to a direct-input on a soundcard. There was a trick to it though. I think you had to plug in another 1/4" cable into the effects return or the effects loop wouldnt actually send anything. Or maybe you only plugged it in part of the way, or something. Not really sure.

Anyone know anything about this, or am I totally making this up?