Q&A for How to Plug a Guitar Into a Laptop

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My laptop has a single input jack for the microphone and headphones. How would I connect my electric guitar to my laptop?

Community Answer

The third method (digital connection) in this article should work the best for you.

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Question

What is the link to the software mentioned in the article?

Community Answer

They are referring to recording software like Audacity. It's pretty simple and easy to understand. Another example of such software is Amplitude, a program that emulates amplifiers and effect boards/ pedals.

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Question

How do I do away with the latency?

Community Answer

By using a low latency kerneled operating systems and audio applications designed for the purpose ie: AVLinux, KXStudio, Ubuntu Studio (much better Stabilty wise now, but not sure about the old VST support whines ) with monothithic kernels and low latency apps like Jack, Ardour, "Guitarix" Virtual Amplifier, Rackarack , Burt's Cybernetic continentally joined Twin and effects processing program :) and many Drum machine.Sampler and other great software all quite professional and to all intents and purposes, free. (Read GNU licening documents). Standard operating systems draw to many resources in the desktops amongst other things so are not suitable, as even their CD players often drop out.

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Question

Will a guitar work with a combo amp instead of a pre-amp?

Community Answer

A combo amp will work just like a pre-amp. Some amps have line-level outputs. If your amp doesn't, the headphone jack performs the same function. Just connect to your PC's input. Remember to keep the volume of the amp down; I've found anything below 3 works just fine.

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Question

Can I plug my guitar directly into my laptop to record if it has a USB output?

Community Answer

Doing so won't hurt anything, but it won't sound nice. Traditional electric guitar pickups generate a very tiny AC signal, less than one volt. This is known as 'instrument level,' and the line level input of your computer or home stereo just isn't designed for that kind of small signal amplification. Guitar pickups have a very high output impedance. Impedance is a complicated subject, so just know that pickups need to run into a device with an even higher impedance input that won't try to draw to much current, sucking out tone. If you put a buffer pedal, or any 'non true bypass' pedal first, it will sound much better.

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Question

Can my guitar work with a mini amp?

Guus Houben

Community Answer

Sure! Any guitar works with any amp as long as the amp has the required inputs. The sound quality will be debatable though. But yes, it does work.

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Question

How do I send audio out of my computer to my guitar amp?

Guitarist

Community Answer

Just connect an audio cable from the headphone jack (audio out) from your computer to the audio in port in your guitar amplifier. Now, you'll be able to hear your computer sounds on your guitar amp.

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Question

I plugged my electric guitar in through the mic port and all I hear is a loud buzzing. Can someone help?

Rudy Toth

Community Answer

That means that you and your guitar are not grounded. Plug your guitar into a amp instead and record from a stereo deck instead.

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