Plug directly from guitar to computer input

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Member Since: Nov 30, 2009

I have Cubase LE and I also have a adapter that allows me to plug from my guitar straight into the plug that I plug my speakers into. I want Cubase LE to recognize it as an input but I'm not sure how to do it. What do I need to do?

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Member
Since: Sep 30, 2009


Dec 01, 2009 02:19 am

What sort of interface do you have? Sorry but we sort of need a little more info here.

Anyway, welcome to HRC :]

Member
Since: Nov 30, 2009


Dec 01, 2009 02:33 am

i actually don't know what an interface is... what is that?

http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


Dec 01, 2009 04:39 am

he's not using an interafce, he wants to hook a guitar up to his computer directly.

you'll need to cubase to recognise your soundcard, that my friend, i have really no idea how to do anymore. you'll have to let us know what operating system yer using tho.

someone will chime in and help you out.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Dec 01, 2009 07:31 pm

What is Page 3, Alex?

www.sweetwater.com/featur.../CubaseLE_1.pdf

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Dec 01, 2009 08:41 pm

Um if your trying to plug a guitar directly into the built in sound card odds are pretty good it isn't going to record at much of a volume if any.

Those little cards are not really set up to do a Hi-Z connection like that.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Dec 02, 2009 11:33 am

Not designed for it, but they do work. A good friend of mine has been recording that way for 5 years or so using Sony Acid 2.0...and he's released 4-5 CD's with really OK quality. Much better than the 4-5 CDs I didn't release because I've been spending all my free time futzing on earning studio investment monies and learning how to use this gear. It's only been a month since I've moved my studio into a functional space and began recording again...so a 2 year hiatus before getting back into the swing of things?

I've been badgering him to upgrade for 2 years now and he just won't, "It's doing all I need for it to do!" he says. I see his point, he wants to be productive RIGHT NOW, not after he learns to use automation, VST's, MIDI, outboard processors other than guitar effects etc.

For him, it's all about recording a $100 Yamaha keyboard through its 1/4" output to 1/8" consumer grade sound card input. He's had great responses to his recorded material and his concerts are always well attended.

As for volume, he uses a Behringer V-amp to get the levels to where they need to be. I used to use a POD LT for the same purpose before I got my PT rig. Worked OK in Acid 6.0.

Member
Since: Sep 30, 2009


Dec 02, 2009 12:27 pm

So i suppose its a question of whats more important at the time for him. Sonic quality, or sonic quantity. Which, though its hard to argue quantity could ever be better, i do see the point. You are spending more time in the creative process, actually perfecting your writing. Whereas a person like me is getting hung up on the details, taking months off writing to learn instruments (and now recording techniques).

I suppose for most people the best solution is let other people handle the details ("producer") while you handle the creativity (musician). But, idk i just can't see it that way. Maybe i'm biting off more than i can chew, but for my personality i think i'll be far more productive being a well rounded musician than a defined one. Not to mention my issues working with others ;] i HATED playing in a band simply because it bugged me that we were all on different pages with our tastes and what we wanted the band to be like. i just needed to break free.

Sorry for the mini rant hehe. But idk, i'm hoping my age and amount of free time will help me out here. If i can really get my technique down now, later in life when i won't really have the time or money to focus on music, it can sink to "hobby" level rather than "life" where it is now, and i'll still be able to write and record some decent tunes.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Dec 02, 2009 06:59 pm

I see songwriting quality as the most important part of recording quality. Songwriting quality and recording quality are two very different things, and both require a lot of attention as far as I can tell.

I don't think there's really an argument. Just individuals with similar paths pursuing different goals. I'm just saying...if Joshua wants to record on his Sound Blaster to become the best songwriter he can be, I'd say he'll be just fine. If Joshua wants to record on his Sound Blaster to learn how to best record...maybe consider the investment required to get some hobby level recording gear.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Dec 02, 2009 07:09 pm

I'm kinda wondering how you get your Git signal into the PC by plugging in where you plug in the speakers. Sounds like a Push-Push situation to me.

Josh, I assume you're thinking to use the built in sound card that's in your PC. If so, then you'll need to know if your plugins have a MIC input or a LINE input. They are different.

But, both may work, just one will be louder than the other, as Noize2U mentioned. If it's MIC, then you may be OK. If it's line, then you will want some sort of 'boosting' device to get the signal up to line level. Preamps are used for this, but you can also use a POD or other pedal type device. These devices have a preamp situation (usually) so your signal is boosted, or can be boosted, up loud enough for a line level device to work OK.

Then in Cubase, tell C that you're using your onboard sound, which may be called Realtek, or AC97 (both are common). It may be something else though, research may be in order.

Sound card is another word for interface. built-in cards are often called soundcards, where music production devices are often called audio interfaces. They technically mean the same thing though (usually).

hth, good luck.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Dec 02, 2009 07:24 pm

Yeah I assumed Joshua meant mic/line-in vs line out.

http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


Dec 02, 2009 07:56 pm

my mate also does this with a direct in from his amp using cool edit.

Member
Since: Nov 30, 2009


Dec 03, 2009 12:44 am

What I have is a device that I can plug into the front of my lap top where I would plug in the wire that hooks up to my sound system. It has a headphone symbol next to it. The device lets me put my chord from my guitar into one end and connects to the input in my computer where I plug in my green wire that hooks up to my sound system.

I was wondering how I should get Cubase LE to recognize that as the input so I can start recording.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Dec 03, 2009 12:12 pm

That won't work, what's the laptop model number?

Member
Since: Nov 30, 2009


Dec 03, 2009 12:43 pm

Its a Compaq Presario CQ50. I know it works for people with a Mac who have a garage band so I just figure how much different could the set up be...

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Dec 03, 2009 01:29 pm

Guitar signal is a 'push' thing. It expects to send signal away from the guitar, to something else.

The headphone jack is also a 'push' thing. It expects to send signal away from the PC.

So you can't plug these two together and expect to hear anything.

You would need to plug your guitar connection into a MIC in, or a LINE in.

Basically, the two (PC & MAC) aren't different at all. Both devices use a Sound card type device, to (optionally) preamp the signal up to line level, convert the analog signal over to digital, then convert it back to analog for you to hear it. Software sits in the middle, between the conversions, and let you twiddle with the stream. So the software could be garage band, sonar, cubase, etc.

I have an older IMAC here, and there's (3) 1/8" jacks. One is input, one is headphone OUTPUT.

Something like this


http://manual.audacityteam.org/images/7/76/ImacSoundPorts.jpg



The first one is output (headphone), the second is input. Line input, I'd think, but i'm not sure.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Dec 03, 2009 02:12 pm

Come to think of it...I think I have seen a few laptop models that have combination headphone/mic jacks (probably for headsets). The CQ50 series doesn't seem to though...take a look at page ten of this HP support document.

h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01572022.pdf

If this picture doesn't look right to you, flip the laptop over and find the full model number, as there are 129 notebooks within the CQ50 series.

Member
Since: Nov 30, 2009


Dec 03, 2009 02:52 pm

Cubase LE is currently using some built in microphone I have on my lap top to record and it sounds pretty awful. I do have a headphone jack and a microphone jack in the front of my computer. Is there anything under the CUBASE LE program that I can select to change the input to one of those because with this little device I have I can plug my guitar straight into it and this fits right into one of the two inputs (either the headphone or microphone jack on the front of my computer).

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Dec 03, 2009 02:59 pm

Yep that's definitely a built in mic you're using, and you should be able to switch inputs. My first post on this thread has a link to the Cubase LE manual where you will find the answer to your question.

It's a good idea to start with the manual when you run into setup issues...better yet, it's a good idea to read the manual when setting up anything...

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Dec 03, 2009 08:05 pm

Do you have a link top a description of the device your trying to use with the laptop? I've seen a few different bits similar to what you are talking about. But they need a line input and not a mic input to work correctly with enough gain to hear the guitar.

Member
Since: Nov 30, 2009


Dec 04, 2009 07:07 pm

No I don't have a description. I used my buddy's mac and it works on garageband. When I go to device multitrack I can't find any input but the built in microphone on my computer and on my webcam. There is no option for the adapter I plugged in for my guitar chord that hooks up for the audio jack in my computer. I tried adding and searching but I'm about to give up because maybe Compaq doesn't allow for anything to go in..just out?

I don't know, it doesn't seem right to say that though because there are two audio jacks on my lap top.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Dec 04, 2009 10:08 pm

It works on the Mac because the Mac actually has a line input jack and the device your using is simply a pre amp of sorts.

It won't show up as anything because it is not a piece of hardware that is recognized by the computer because the audio jacks are already recognized hardware and do now communicate with any hardware plugged into them. So of course it will only recognize the input jack of the computer, not the piece of hardware plugged into that.

To be able to see something other then the built in sound card you will need to add a USB or Firewire audio interface.

Member
Since: Feb 07, 2009


Dec 06, 2009 01:36 am

I ran "direct" for a long time on my 1st gen PPC G5 Imac using the dedicated LINE-IN. The Imac's have a small preamp built-in (not sure about the Intel models as they changed the soundcard specs when they switched) and actually it sounded great. I then went on to using interfaces (I've had 3) and realized how much BETTER it can sound... My Bud has a Macbook and his sounded like crap so apparently there is no preamp in them. When Jobs first demo'd Garageband (with a guitarist) on stage at MacWorld they were going directly into Line In and it amazed everyone. I tried it on my PC laptop and it was horrible sounding - most laptops, if not all, have a cheap sound "chip" so an interface was my only option with it. LINE-IN is best as MIC-IN is a different beast...

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Dec 07, 2009 11:43 pm

MIC in will expect to see a MIC level signal, think around .1 volt.

LINE in will expect to see a LINE level signal, think around 1 volt.

So there can be a 10X difference in what the two inputs want to see. Putting LINE level into a MIC input can greatly overdrive the circuit. And conversely, putting a MIC level signal into a LINE level input will have the signal at a very low level, as there's no 'preamp boosting' being done.


I know there's accurate math and formulas, specs to be had regarding this, and my numbers may be off, but you get the idea. MIC in has a preamp of sorts built into the circuit, whereas the LINE in does not, or at least not much of one. Probably more like a buffer circuit, but I don't know for sure.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Dec 07, 2009 11:48 pm

Oh, and yes, the preamp circuit on a laptop probably is very cheap, as they'll want to put in the cheapest components they can find, that will 'basically' do the job. I ignore MIC inputs on everything except for dedicated audio interfaces. I may use a LINE input, but that's because I'm using a different preamp to boost the MIC signal. Usually something that is somewhat decent, and I can trust.

MACs may have better onboard PREAMP circuitry, I'm not sure about that, but they might. They certainly should for the $$$ you pay =/. Plus if you're using a pedal, or guitar processor of some sort, then you're performing the 'preamp' part in the processor. So you can then plug into the LINE in, as the preamping is being done externally.

That's why I will use LINE in on a cheap card, but not the MIC in.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Dec 10, 2009 09:40 pm

Just noticed the friend I refer to has a lala account

lala.com/zerF

That was all done through a little m-audio buddy, cheap dynamic mic, to a line-in on a consumer grade audio card.

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