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You want to record your guitar, make your own riffs, music, etc. You want to plug my guitar into my computer? How to connect the guitar to the computer the right and best way? What software? Which audio interface? What about my favorites guitar effects? What computer? Where to start? It can be overwhelming.
The recording guitarist's computer setup should be something like this:
* Guitar (*GTR with 13 pin connection recommended) * Microphone for recording Acoustic guitar, vocals etc. * Quality guitar cable * Audio Interface-Firewire (recommended) or USB * Guitar/midi interface * USB/Firewire cables * Computer (Mac recommended or PC) * Extra external/internal Hard Drive (recommended) * Audio recording/sequencer software * Plug-ins: effects- reverb, compressor, delay, chorus, etc o Dedicated guitar effects/amp simulation o Sampler/synths (for 13 pin guitarists or guitarist who can play keyboards) * Quality cables to speakers * Powered Speakers * Headphones (so you do not disturb the wife an kids at those late weekend sessions).
Some recording setups:
- Setting up your whole live rig and putting a microphone in front of the your cabinet, playing at loud volumes so you get the amp to sound right, push the speaker enough, putting your speaker in a closet, using a blanket to damping volume, etc. -You could use a load on you speaker and record direct.
- Use a preamp that is compensated for direct recording as the front end. You can plug this into outboard effects or add plug-ins
- You could record from your pedal board or any outboard multi-effects you might own. You probably end up with a direct type sound. Some multi-effects have amp simulation that might take the edge off the direct sound.
With any of these scenarios you are committing yourself to the recorded track. If you record with effects, you can't change it later. You would have to re-record! And if you do not re-record on the same day or you have to come back and have to set up the rig again, hopefully the knobs setting were written down, place the speaker in the same place etc, etc.... If you get into the recording other instruments or mixing the song and you want to change the guitar sound, tone, effects, etc, -- you have to re-record!
With a guitar with a 13 pin connection, either internally or a pickup installed on the body, you get 100% use of your software. You can record your guitar sound and get access to any software synths or samplers that come with the software or as a plug-in add-on.
With a software computer base system, you can change almost everything after you have recorded--amps, effects, mics, mic placement and more. You do this with plug-ins. You can save all your presets, sounds, etc. You could have multi-guitar tracks with different settings all from recording one track. The flexibility is there! Yes, there are purists out there- "software can't sound like tubes". Well, the software is getting pretty close!!!!
There is a lot of software out there. You do not have to spend a lot of money AND it is always improving. You buy a box. (i.e.hard disk recorders, and others mentioned above), you have bought a box. You usually can't upgrade without buying a new box.
People use computers every day at work or home- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel Power Point, etc) Email, Internet. Use it to record your guitar and music!!
Hopefully, this helps and you can check out more at http://www.guitarhelper.net
Well, there are a few different ways. One is to create some sort of isolation box and place your amp inside it. The other method is to move your amplifier to another room or closet and deaden the sound with blankets. But, why not have the best of both world, and place your amplifier in an isolation box, in another room.
What's so great about isolation boxes?
- They allow you to really crank up the volume without annoying the neighbours
- Roommates and housemates will hear the amplifier at only a moderately loud level
- Simple and easy to build
- Cheap
- Fits any room, such as a closet
- Control your environment - most professional studios are acoustically and scientifically design and treated which costs enormous amounts of money. You can acoustically treat an isolation box for a fraction of the cost, giving you the perfect environment to record in.
An isolation box is basically a simple 4-sided wooden box, big enough to fit your amplifier inside. The walls of the isolation box should all be coated with acoustic foam, have a hinged lid and small hole for cables. If you find the type of flooring you have (carpeted, tiled etc) is adding or taking away from the sound you can always stand the amp on a blanket or some more foam.
Construction Tips
Use 1.5" thick particleboard (as thick and as many layers of wood as you can afford). Some stores do not have 1.5" particleboard or MDF. However you should be able to 1" particleboard at a common store, call around to your local hardware store or wood yard - you'll find many will cut the wood to your desired dimensions.
Make it around 6ft long, 3.75' tall, 3' deep - check what size is required for a 4x12 cabinet. Bigger is generally better as it allows you to use different or more than one amp, and also allows a lot of space your micing should you choose to use more than one microphone.
With any amplifier or cabinet you put in the isolation box you're going to want to mount it off the ground. The reason for this is, some frequencies can be amplified through the ground causing the microphone to pick up the sound again. If you lift it off the ground a little you'll hear a truer representation of what your amplifier is doing.
Both Musicansfriend and Markertek have a great selection of acoustic foams. The brand Auralex have some great offer's offer at Musicians Friend.
Remember to drill a hole big enough to fit your cables through. As an added layer of sound proofing you may want to place a thick blanket over the entire box or place the isolation box inside a closet.