Cannot get audio in through line in, but can using Mic

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I could use some assistance with my x-fi xtreme gamer sound card. It's got 3 jacks, 1 for input the other two for speakers. I use it to record my guitar through Audacity, it sounds barely ok, if I put the input as 'mic', but if I choose 'line-in' I get no sound at all.
From what I've read and talked with people about, 'line-in' is the prefered method. Am I missing something in Creative's software suite.
The software suite for recording is kinda nice, but kinda cheesy. I don't need it, I think, I use a POD2.0 for effects.
guitar--->POD--->computer
Any help with this would be really appreciated.
Latest drivers are installed, etc, etc.
Thanks.

 

[The Bakery]

Line in means that the audio source is assumed to be at LINE level.

Your guitar and a microphone outputs analog signals below line level. This is why mic works, but it's likely very quiet.

To get line in recording, you will need an interface to amplify your guitar.

Check zzsounds.com for an interface or preamp. A clean preamp that is nice and cheap is the M Audio DMP3. It will work wonders on your recording.

Edit - any cheap preamp will *work* but ultimately you would want to get a clean preamp with 1/4 inputs and 1/4 outputs - optimally with a soundcard having 1/4 inputs as well.

I use the DMP3 ($250) and a Echo MIAMIDI

Sound card isn't crucial, but every 1/4 to 1/8 connector you add will potentially degrade the signal.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

So the POD2.0 won't cut it for a pre-amp?

 

[The Bakery]

Oh snap I can't believe I looked over that part of your post.

The POD specs list 1/4 "to amp" outputs.

Reading up on their site - it mentions that you must switch the A.I.R. setting to DIRECT when plugging straight to recording equipment.

Have you done that as well?

Edit - Sorry trying to work and post I shouldn't do that.

If the setting for LINE IN is on the POD itself, then it's expecting an amplified LINE LEVEL signal going INTO the POD. In this case, yes, you will need a pre amp.

If the AIR switch is set to direct and you're using the mic setting and it's still too quiet, then no, the POD won't cut it as a preamp =)

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

LOL. No problem. I have tried the 'air' to DIRECT, but still no love from Line In. Again, I may be doing something wrong in the software. Just to double check, Line in SHOULD be the input I am using for my guitar, correct?

Guitar ----> POD2.0----> Computer (line in)

 

[The Bakery]

The issue here is that the analog (non line level) signals from your guitar pickups are too weak for the POD to manipulate and kick back out to your sound card. When they are amplified first, the POD will be able to have plenty of signal to pass on to your recording input.

In short - yes, you should be amplifying your guitar to line level before you manipulate it with effects or record it (unless your recording hardware or effects box HAS a preamp built into it)

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Hmmm Ok. I think I understand. This is a POD2.0, it's several generations old, there are 2 outputs on the back (L and R channel, but can be used independently), and headphones out. The POD can play back all on it's own, with effects, modelling, etc. So it's not considered a pre-amp? Thanks again for the help here.

 

[The Bakery]

So you can play the guitar through the POD and out to the headphones fine?

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Very much so. Are you familiar with the Line6 POD products? (I'm just learning about them myself)

 

[The Bakery]

Not really. I'm more of a percussion programmer.
I may have misdiagnosed your issue here, and without knowing the device might be of little help at this point 😉

In reviewing the knowledge base article on their website, you should be set to go as you are... 2 mono outputs (POD) plugged into 1 stereo input (your computer)

I'd check the settings in audacity. It's been a while since I've used it but I don't remember having to modify anything

Edit - regardless though, the line-in on the POD won't work unless you amplify the guitar signal first. You might just be experiencing the weak ass amplification that comes from not having a proper preamp through "mic" mode =)

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Gotcha. Thanks anyway. I'll see what I can do. I'm very new to the whole recording thing and it's pretty damn daunting, especially some of the more powerful apps like Cakewalk or Ableton.