A basic soundcard will allow you to record guitar using the Sound Recorder software that comes with windows. If you are using a digital effects set-up then you should be able to get a reasonably decent sound by taking the signal from the output of your effects unit straight into the computer.

If you wish to stretch out a bit in terms of software then I think Cakewalk Guitar Tracks is worth a try as the interface is very like a portastudio and it comes with a handy set of drum kit samples for creating rhythm tracks. it also allows you to process your recorded guitar sound, e.g. add EQ, Amp Simulation.

It is best if your sound card takes a normal jack plug as per your guitar. Then you can buy a stereo jack plug and link it from the effects unit output to the input of your sound card. if you do this you will automaticlly record in stereo which will enhance your finished article.

If you have the small plugs like those on personal stereos then I would suggest by a small stereo lead (small plugs) and one adaptor for jack plugs. Put the adaptor on your box output then link the elad to your PC with the small plug.

Sorted!!

you can do this, but the jack coming out of your guitar is mono, and alot of line in on sound cards is stgereo. i have read that going mono into a stereo line in sound card jack, can blow the input. be wary. i suggest a preamp of some kind, to help match the impedances better. laterz!!

germ

the jack going into your effects unit is mono but the jack coming out of the unit and into your computer is stereo.

First of all, your soundcard might not be powerfull enough to power the pickups on your guitar. So if you plug directly from guitar to soundcard it might not work. Also, soundcard microphones are crappy. You might get lucky and get a decent recording but chances are you wont. You would be best to use a regular mic that plugs into a mixer, then run a cord from the mixers line-outs to your soundcards line-ins. If your amp has a line-out on it then you could plug directly from that to your soundcard.. but be carefull to make sure its not a speaker line out.. because then you will probably fry your soundcard. If you do try something like this make sure the volume is on 0 at first on the amp.
For the best quality, you would be best to plug into a mixer then from that to the soundcard like i mentioned before.

First of all , the soundcard does not provide power to anything. You need a 1/4" to 1/8' inch adapter (about $3.99) to plug into your computer. I personally use the output from my processor into the computer (mic in). Works best for me. You have to use your sound recorder program (with windows) and make sure the "record" properties are clicked on (for mic input). Adjust the input level as necessary to get a good volume with no buzz or noise. You can also go straight in with any pedal - this is the way I record all the lesson wavs and sound samples on my site....works well. http://guitar-pedal.com

If you are plugging into the souncards 'mic input' jack then it is powering something, I see no solar panels on my computer microphone..hmmm.. no battery pack either.

If you plug the guitar directly to the soundcards line-in then im thinking nothing will happen because the guitar requires power for the pickups, if you plug into the mic jack then a little bit of juice that would be to power a mic is being put into your guitars pickups.

And yes you would need a coverter so that your guitar cable would fit into the soundcards jack. I have done this before. It sounds horrible. If you have a professional recording soundcard then you wouldnt need a converter though. My soundcard has 8 1/4 inch plugs in it. 4 inputs and 4 outputs. although I dont recemend plugging a guitar straight to your soundcard anyways.

It's not good to plug a line level output into a mic input. The mic jack is self-powered and may damage something.

Bryan, actually, the only difference between Line In and Mic In is the input impedence. There is, of course, minimal DC current on both of these, but none that travels "out" into your input device with any significance (such as powering your pick-ups - which is obsurd). You're more likely to blow your computer from the 10,000 volts you get scuffing across the carpet in your socks.
My experience has been more "hum" on the recording using the Line In rather than the Mic In, as I've said - I use this method all the time and it works very well. I'm an electronic technician and a qualified studio engineer...but I could be wrong.

Ok dude. The source of my information must have been totally wrong then. Obviously you would know better than I would. I know what you mean by getting more hum in the line-in. I use to do that but was afraid to use the mic jack when plugged from my amp.

Well I've learned something new today :-)

Bryan - just to elaborate - your pickup windings and the microphone diaphram induce a small electric current in the Line in jacks of your amp/ recording device / preamp etc. A "Line-In" jack is meant for a higher powered output - such as a stereo cd player output or other rack mounted guitar units. For this reason the "Line In" jacks have a higher input resistance (impedance) to reduce overdriving the receiving circuitry of the recording device. In a studio atmosphere an amp input would be a "Line-In" and a microphone or direct connection from an instrument (guitar, bass, etc) would be a "Mic-In" - altough most musicians don't go direct. I have gone direct before on bass, wearing headphones for the "feedback" of what I'm playing - difficult, but possible.

I had always read that line in was for a line-level output from a preamp.

%chuck%

Chuck - exactly - "Line In" is from a device that's powered (plugged in) "Mic In" is from a device (guitar, mic) that has no power.