Technology is becoming more accessible and cheaper every day, so independently recording and editing your songs has become a reality. Today, guitarists of all skill levels can produce recordings or create stylized masterpieces in the comfort of their own home. You don't need sophisticated equipment to record and distribute your music: all you need is a laptop, a guitar, cables and maybe a preamp.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use a Direct Audio Connection
Step 1. Find your computer's audio input port
You can connect your guitar directly to a laptop, through the device's audio input port. You'll generally find it on the side of the computer, near the headphone port. Next to it, you should see one of the following icons: a microphone or a circle with two triangles.
Step 2. Purchase the necessary cable or adapter
Guitar cables usually have two 6.3mm jack connectors, while the computer port requires a 3.5mm stereo jack connector. You can buy a cable with two jacks (6, 3 and 3.5mm) OR you can buy a stereo 3.5mm jack adapter, to use with your regular guitar cable.
- Computer audio input may require a TS or TRS model stereo connector. If you're not sure which connector you need, consult your laptop manual.
- If your laptop doesn't have an audio-in port, you'll need to purchase a special interface or cable, which you plug into the audio-out port, also known as the headphone jack. These products allow you to use the audio output as an audio input. You will find items in different price ranges and of various qualities. You can also use them with phones and tablets.
- If your laptop doesn't have a headphone jack, you can purchase an adapter for your USB port.
Step 3. Connect your guitar to the computer
Insert the 6.3mm jack into the guitar. If you are using a 3.5mm jack adapter, apply it to the connector you plug into the computer. Insert the 3.5mm stereo jack plug into the laptop's audio input port.
Step 4. Test the signal
You can listen to your guitar through computer speakers, external speakers or a pair of headphones. If you're using external speakers or headphones, plug the cable into your laptop's audio-out port. Touch the strings to test the signal.
- If you are using the built-in speakers of your laptop or headphones, you may notice that the signal is relatively weak. This is because the laptop's audio input port is unable to amplify the signal. A couple of external speakers, on the other hand, will act as an amplifier.
- You may also notice a noticeable delay between the playing of the notes and their playing.
- To be able to hear your instrument, you may need to download and open a recording program.
- If you can't hear your guitar, open your computer's audio settings. Make sure the audio is not muted and the correct port or device is selected (audio-in, audio-out, headphone, microphone, etc.). For more specific instructions, consult your computer or device manual.
Method 2 of 3: Using an Amplified Audio Connection
Step 1. Purchase or find a device with a preamp
If you are not satisfied with the signal strength of the guitar, improve it with a preamp. This is a device that boosts your guitar signal, the first amplification stage. You can purchase one designed specifically for guitars. But if you want to save money, several guitar accessories come with preamps. Some examples are digital interface amplifiers, pedals, drum machines and D. I. box.
The best preamps are the tube ones
Step 2. Connect your guitar and preamp to the laptop
Insert the guitar cable into the instrument. Connect the other end to the preamp input port. Insert a 3.5mm stereo jack into the output port of the unit. The second end of this cable must be connected to the laptop's audio input port.
If your laptop doesn't have an audio-in port, you'll need to purchase a special interface or cable, which you plug into the audio-out port, also known as the headphone jack. These products also work with phones and tablets. There are also adapters to connect to the USB ports
Step 3. Test the signal
If you have properly connected the guitar to the laptop, you can play the instrument through the speakers of the computer, external speakers or headphones. If you are not using the system's built-in speakers, plug the external speaker or headphone cable into the audio-out port on the laptop. Play the guitar to test the signal.
- The preamp will improve the signal strength, but will not reduce the delay in playback. Delay - or audio latency - is the distance, in seconds, between entering a sound into your computer and playing that sound.
- To hear your guitar, you may need to download and open a recording program.
- If you are having trouble playing sound, open your computer's audio settings. Check that the audio is not muted and that the correct port or device is selected (audio-in, audio-out, headphone, microphone, etc.). For more specific instructions, consult your computer or device manual.
Method 3 of 3: Using an Amplified Digital Link
Step 1. Purchase or get a USB or firewire preamplifier
For best results, avoid the analog connection altogether and connect your guitar to your computer digitally. You can do this thanks to a preamp with USB or firewire output. Before buying a device with these output ports, check if you can use the guitar accessories you already own. Some examples are digital interface amplifiers, pedals, drum machines and D. I. box.
Step 2. Connect your guitar and preamp to the laptop
Plug the guitar cable into the instrument, and plug the other end of the cable into the preamp input port. Plug a USB, Firewire, or optical cable into the output port of the device. Plug the other end of this cable into your laptop's USB or Firewire input port.
Step 3. Test the signal
After connecting the guitar correctly, you can evaluate the strength and quality of the signal. Listen to the instrument through computer speakers, external speakers or a pair of headphones. If you are using external speakers or headphones, plug the respective cables into the audio-out port on the laptop. Play the guitar to test the signal.
- This method produces clearer and sharper recordings.
- You may need to download and open a recording program to play the instrument's audio.
- If you can't hear the guitar sound, make sure the instrument's volume is at maximum. Open your computer's audio settings and check that the volume is not muted. Also make sure the correct port or device is selected (audio-in, audio-out, headphone, microphone, etc.). For more specific instructions, consult your computer or device manual.
Advice
- Practice a lot before recording.
- Make sure the instrument is in tune before recording!
- Instead of connecting the guitar to your computer to record its sound, you can use an external digital recorder.
- There are many recording programs to choose from. If you have a Mac, you can use Garage Band, Logic Express and Logic Studio; if you are using Windows, consider Cubase Essential 5 or Cubase Studio 5. You may need to download and open a recording program to play the instrument through your computer.
