Hooking a guitar into a computer.

[JonSimonzi]

I'm not sure what I would need on either the hardware or software side of this. What I want to do, is be able to plug my guitar into my computer, and have the sound come out of my headset. Don't need to be able to record anything, but would want a software to have different effects and distortions. I don't need anything fancy or top quality either. If it's something as simple as getting a 1/4" to 1/8" stereo jack converter and plugging my guitar cable into a line mic/in input on my soundcard (the Creative X-Fi one that comes with the Asus ROG motherboards) and a piece of software, that would work fine. Any advice would be great.

[tweakboy]

You will need a converter, from 1/4 jack to mini jack and put it in your line in , of sound card....and your set.. Radio Shack should have it.

[JonSimonzi]

You know of any software to use in conjunction with that?

[four4875]

I have used a shareware program in the past, I found it by searching for tuner software. The only problem I noticed was there was a noticeable delay between striking a note and the sound, especially noticeable on headphones. this was on an athlon XP system with a creative SB audigy platinum, newer hardware might have lower latency. good luck, and just search for guitar tuner software and you should find a few to fiddle with.

[ddoggma]

My Audigy has effects, yours might too. Run the guitar into the line in.Open up the creative audio console. Then the EAX tab. Play around with that. You should get something going.

[Suds]

I use Line 6's GuitarPort. Unlimited amps and effects possibilities.

http://line6.com/guitarport/

[Massive]

I'm not sure what I would need on either the hardware or software side of this. What I want to do, is be able to plug my guitar into my computer, and have the sound come out of my headset. Don't need to be able to record anything, but would want a software to have different effects and distortions. I don't need anything fancy or top quality either. If it's something as simple as getting a 1/4" to 1/8" stereo jack converter and plugging my guitar cable into a line mic/in input on my soundcard (the Creative X-Fi one that comes with the Asus ROG motherboards) and a piece of software, that would work fine. Any advice would be great.

I used a Creative Audigy Platinum EX before, the breakout box is really come in handy when hookinh external device to computer, I also use the box to plug my guitar.

For creative user you can use the I/O panel which can be bought from creative too, or maybe you can just buy a Creative Elite Pro.

Buy an SC with breakout box if you're trying to plug your guitar to your PC, it will simplify your thing :)

[Sir Barton]

The only problem I noticed was there was a noticeable delay between striking a note and the sound, especially noticeable on headphones.

Thats because most onboard and consumer grade soundcards dont support ASIO. ASIO lets musical instruments interact directly with the hardware DSP on the soundcard, bypassing the Windows kMixer. A decent studio grade card like an EMU 1212M or EMU 0404 will have a latency of nearly 0ms, and will capture the sound almost as fast as you can hit chords. The above cards also have 1/4" TRS jacks so you can plug directly into them. The EMU cards also support plenty of audio software like Pro Tools, Audacity, Ableton, etc.

[Pat is Mad]

Is there any way to adjust the latency on an onboard audio card?I have an Asus P5KPL-CM

[tweakboy]

Good post Sir Barton. I like it when people speak clearly and the truth hehe,