Stupid question for DU musicians

[Beware the Beast Man]

Right now I record loop-based music, but I am thinking of adding live instrumentation (guitar namely) to my stuff. My question is, if you are using a music editor like Pro Pools or Acid, do need to use an amplifier if you are using a MIDI input device? The reason why I ask is because I live in an apartment building at the moment. I know it's a silly question but I figured you could use the editor to add volume & distortion...hmm...

[Gothic Sponge]

1. How good is your soundcard?

I've been recording without amps for a while. I use:

http://www.amplitube.com/

[Beware the Beast Man]

3. It's pretty old

I think it's a Soundblaster SBlive. My machine's about 4 years old.

[truthspeaker]

5. WARNING: I fried the on-board sound card in my Mac running audio thu it

I suggest buying a sound card intended for recording. Prepare to spend at least $150.

[Gothic Sponge]

8. No good

The latency would probably be too much with a Soundblaster.

[Howardx]

2. you might try this

http://www.guitarport.com/features.html

from line6

[bullimiami]

7. i was going to suggest the line6 thing as well

my brother has one and does the loop thing too.

[Blue-Jay]

11. If not the Line 6 POD, I've heard that the Behringer

amp simulator is pretty good for recording. Not as pricey as the Line 6 either.

[ProfessorGAC]

12. You're Correct, Blue-Jay

My friend has that processor. It's pretty solid. It's not that good for using as an FX unit with an amp (i don't think the impedences match right on an amp input), but as a looped device or an input to a recorder it's pretty darned good. Lots of flexibility in tone! Pretty quiet too.

Even cheaper is the Korg AX-100. I use that for running the tone up through the stereo if i'm using my amp and one of my other friends is playing too. I've seen the price down to about $129. I've had mine for over 6 years, and it's bulletproof. Pretty quiet, and lots of cool time based and pitch effects that can be used for other instruments and sounds. Has a sample section that can allow a section to be looped and then speed controlled without changing pitch, or pitch altered without changing speed.

The Behringer does that too.

But, i'll second your recommendation on that. It's a very good unit for the money.
The Professor

[truthspeaker]

4. No exp. with MIDI. If you're doing straight audio it has to be amplified.

I use an inexpensive sound board/mixer I picked up at Guitar Center. It amplifies a microphone enough for the computer's sound card to pick it up. I've plugged my bass right into the board and it works. For guitar I mike my amp. Do you have a small, 12 or 15 watt guitar amp? That should be loud enough to record without disturbing the neighbors.

If you're using a MIDI controller to play synth sounds already on your computer you shouldn't need to amplify. In fact you would plug into a MIDI input instead of audio. Some sound cards have MIDI input, and some newer MIDI controllers have a USB port.

[Beware the Beast Man]

6. I have nothing yet, but that's what I'm trying for

Thanks for the tip! I'm a little slow on computer recording.

[Papa]

9. Check out this program for multitrack recording

IT's called NTRACK http://www.ntrack.com/ and it's powerfull easy and intuitive to use (and inexpensive)

As far as recording onto the PC, you CAN use you soundcard but you will need to plug the guitar into something 1st before it goes to the soundcard, like a mixing board or a POD unit, etc..

[Rick Myers]

10. An SB Audigy is a good entry-level card

I run a small 6-channel Beringher mixer ($60) into an Audigy. The mixer give me 2 XLR inputs and 4 mono line inputs.

You can run MIDI in and out of a PC thru the gameport.

BTW: I'm currently writing a new book on Acid Pro!

[XNASA]

13. No Amp?!?!? But...how do you make it go to 11?

I've used both methods, a mic'ed amp and direct (ampless).

Personally, I prefer a mic'ed amp. I know that sometimes the neighbors don't dig it but....

Also, there's a feedback interplay when you use an amp that you can't take advantage of if you go direct. This may be too subtle a point to matter, but I just think it sounds better to use an amp. A small amp cranked up works best.

I've used an ART Tube Pre-amp, which will take both a mic or line level input..out to a compressor...out to the soundcard. Worked pretty well for me.

[Gothic Sponge]

14. I sometimes use my ART SGX 2000 to record.

It's 12 years old, but still kicks butt!

[Beware the Beast Man]

15. Good to know, because I'll need the occasional feedback.

Mind you I have no live equipment as of yet (just Acid 4.0 and a couple synth generators on my PC), so I'm trying to get a shopping list ready. It's been a lean couple of years financially. There's a Squier Strat starter kit that comes with a 15w amp that I am thinking about getting. I know Squiers aren't exactly professional quality, but hey, I'm poor and I'm going for a low-fi sound anyway. :)

[emulatorloo]

16. get a cheap mixer, like Behringer UB802 or UB1002

You can plug your midi source into that, then into your sound card.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=040624111741012217202199543185/g=home/search/detail/base_id/88620

For your guitar, Behringer V-amp is nice:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=040624111741012217202199543185/g=live/search/detail/base_pid/480674/