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Using a Laptop for guitar effects

Well you'd have to hook into the line in / mic on your laptop, then go out the line out / headphone jack. Radio Shack should have the proper convertors for your cables. As far as programs that do real-time effects, I'm not really sure. Maybe Sony Soundforge does, couldn't tell ya.
 
Depending on what type of conection/software you're using there could be a large amount of delay between the guitar and the amp. Why don't you just use a pedal?

You could do it through the line in via a 3.5mm female adapter and back out through the heaphone/speaker output. That's the easiest and cheapest way.
 
There are several programs online that allow for many more effects than simply a pedal can handle.....for the price at least.

Do you need a preamp or any special connectors like midi? I have looked at the Roland GI-20 and Mbox but am not sure if they are necessary.
 
Well you wouldn't have to do any sort of midi interface. Just get a quarter-inch jack > mini-jack converter at the Shack, actually make that 2 of them. Once you're plugged in you'll be able to control the volume through Windows standard volume controls.
 
I've tried a couple of those programs and they work, but the effects sound like crap compared to real hardware. They were just too artificial sounding.
 
To get a "useable" sound, you will spend as much money as buying seperate effects. Stompboxes (individual pedals) will almost always give you a better sound, but will get costly at $50-$200 per effect. If you want an all-in-one type deal, look for a used Johnson J-station (~$100), or a Behringer V-Amp (~$100). These two will allow you to get the signal to your computer as well, but much better than any cheap computer program.
 
Originally posted by: geekender
Any suggestions for interfacing a laptop to a guitar and then back to an amp?
Click to expand...
I wouldn't recommend that setup for live performance. The latency is generally too much(for me, at least). Besides, I wouldn't run the output to a guitar amp, anyway. Maybe you could run it to a PA or something, but not a guitar amp. If you want something to work with your amp, get a Line6 product (and not the GuitarPort, either).

If you're looking to do some direct RECORDING to your laptop's disk, then that's another story. There are myriad plugins that you can get for the more popular recording programs. That'll let you record a dry signal from your guitar, and then process and re-process it with whatever effects you want. It just doesn't really work as well in a live setting.
 
Originally posted by: asm0deus
get a guitarport
Click to expand...

Yep. I use mine every day. Best guitar practice gadget EVER. I can't recommend it enough. Only $99 too, and it will do everything you're asking. You can even use Windows Media Encoder to record yourself.
 
if for some reason you really want to use your laptop, the guitarport is ok. some people have been known to run Pro Tools in standby mode for this purpose, as well. but honestly, this is a Bad Idea for any kind of live work. completely aside from latency, do you really want to trust your guitar signal to Windows and some less-than-top-notch guitar company's software?
 
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
if for some reason you really want to use your laptop, the guitarport is ok. some people have been known to run Pro Tools in standby mode for this purpose, as well. but honestly, this is a Bad Idea for any kind of live work. completely aside from latency, do you really want to trust your guitar signal to Windows and some less-than-top-notch guitar company's software?
Click to expand...

Dude, you're bashing something you've never used. I've been using the Guitarport for well over a year now and it's an outstanding product. Don't take my word for it, check out the reviews:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/482232/
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0%2C1697%2C29952%2C00.asp
http://www.harmony-central.com/Effects/Data/Line_6/GuitarPort-01.html

Also, Line6 is far from "Less than top notch." Their PodXt and XT Live are the #1 effects equipment being used by guitarists today.

Also also, the OP never said anything about playing live. He probably wants something to play at home with and doesn't want to for out major $$$$ for a bunch of equipment.
 
Originally posted by: Special K
What is the difference between the PodXT and the guitar port?
Click to expand...

The PodXT is a stand alone effects station for stage use. The Guitarport requires a computer to plug into, and also allows you to download songs and lessons to play along to (a cool feature is the Guitarport will set up the effects so your guitar will have the same sound as the original artist of the song you're playing along to).
 
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: Special K
What is the difference between the PodXT and the guitar port?
Click to expand...

The PodXT is a stand alone effects station for stage use. The Guitarport requires a computer to plug into, and also allows you to download songs and lessons to play along to (a cool feature is the Guitarport will set up the effects so your guitar will have the same sound as the original artist of the song you're playing along to).
Click to expand...

How do its effects compare to those of standalone pedals? What about amps with integrated effects? That thing looks neat, $99 dollars to have all those effects for practicing sure beats buying pedals at $60+ each...used. I'm just wary of computer generated effects after trying programs like Guitar FX box and such.

 
I use a plugin called Amplitube for effects, but I have to use a low-latency soundcard (M-Audio Audiophile) and outboard pre-amp to get a good sound. I would recommend going with the Guitar Port as mentioned or an external FX box like the POD or V-Amp.
 
Originally posted by: Special K
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: Special K
What is the difference between the PodXT and the guitar port?
Click to expand...

The PodXT is a stand alone effects station for stage use. The Guitarport requires a computer to plug into, and also allows you to download songs and lessons to play along to (a cool feature is the Guitarport will set up the effects so your guitar will have the same sound as the original artist of the song you're playing along to).
Click to expand...

How do its effects compare to those of standalone pedals? What about amps with integrated effects? That thing looks neat, $99 dollars to have all those effects for practicing sure beats buying pedals at $60+ each...used. I'm just wary of computer generated effects after trying programs like Guitar FX box and such.
Click to expand...
The effects in Line6's line are pretty good. They're digitally modelled instead of being generated via analog circuitry. IMO, the overdrive/distortion only sounds good at max line volume, and therefore it is less responsive to changes in volume and pick attack at the instrument. To me, that's crap because I want to exploit the tonal subtlties afforded by a real overdriven tube amp. The modulation effects are pretty good, however, even though I prefer a slightly different phase and flange tones found in the likes of the MXR Phase90 and Ibanez FL9. Basically, the only thing I think they do REALLY WELL is the digital delay. The rest of the stuff is sort of "good enough for most people." For those "most people" the Line6 products are a great value.

 
I've got a custom-made guitar going through a Line6 PodXT Live, which then goes to a very powerful PA amplifier, and a Custom-made cabinet wired in 16ohm stereo with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers... It sounds amazing.

What's so cool is that the POD has 2 sets of stereo outputs, so I can drive my amp and do a direct line-in recording at the same time... the sound is very slightly off from one another (because of the characteristics of using guitar speakers in a PA setup) but can be compensated for in post-production via my Pro Tools setup.
 
Originally posted by: Special K
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: Special K
What is the difference between the PodXT and the guitar port?
Click to expand...

The PodXT is a stand alone effects station for stage use. The Guitarport requires a computer to plug into, and also allows you to download songs and lessons to play along to (a cool feature is the Guitarport will set up the effects so your guitar will have the same sound as the original artist of the song you're playing along to).
Click to expand...

How do its effects compare to those of standalone pedals? What about amps with integrated effects? That thing looks neat, $99 dollars to have all those effects for practicing sure beats buying pedals at $60+ each...used. I'm just wary of computer generated effects after trying programs like Guitar FX box and such.
Click to expand...


The only problem I have with my Guitarport (which I still LOVE btw) is the fact that you can't engage pedals on the fly (clean -> distorted or whatever), so you have to stop playing and click and then resume.

If there is a way to do this I dont know about, let me know. Other than that, I have zero complaints about the guitarport. I recommend getting one anyway.
 
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
if for some reason you really want to use your laptop, the guitarport is ok. some people have been known to run Pro Tools in standby mode for this purpose, as well. but honestly, this is a Bad Idea for any kind of live work. completely aside from latency, do you really want to trust your guitar signal to Windows and some less-than-top-notch guitar company's software?
Click to expand...

Dude, you're bashing something you've never used. I've been using the Guitarport for well over a year now and it's an outstanding product. Don't take my word for it, check out the reviews:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/482232/
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0%2C1697%2C29952%2C00.asp
http://www.harmony-central.com/Effects/Data/Line_6/GuitarPort-01.html

Also, Line6 is far from "Less than top notch." Their PodXt and XT Live are the #1 effects equipment being used by guitarists today.

Also also, the OP never said anything about playing live. He probably wants something to play at home with and doesn't want to for out major $$$$ for a bunch of equipment.
Click to expand...

alright, you asked for it, so here it is, straight up:

i play in a professional rock band, have recorded in world-class facilities, have engineered and produced for other bands, have spoken to engineers and musicians who have been in the buisness in for decades, and they all agree on one thing: Line 6 is fine for playing in your bedroom, but when it comes to the real deal, they just don't cut it. i've also personally tried out Line 6 equipment in a variety of settings, from direct into the computer recording (whether stand-alone or layered with real amps playing the same performance), to ear-melting live rock performances. my opinions are not based on music store try-outs, bedroom practice, "reviews" from amateurs or music stores, but real-world professional applications. i've given the company countless times to prove itself, always hoping "maybe it will sound good this time." but when it's time to lay down real tones, Line 6 is Line Sh!t. if you think it sounds good, that's fine, whatever works for you. but put a POD or one of their heads up against a real amp in a band situation, and it will be no contest. the louder or more accurate your playback setup, the worse Line 6 stuff shows itself to be. by the time you reach the practice volume of a rock band, Line 6 is just painful. and this is just the amp simulations. don't get me started on their "effects."

anyway, to the OP: if you're playing in your bedroom, it doesn't matter what you buy anyway, and running through your comp is just going to be a hassle. if you're going to be playing out, get a real amp.

edit: i will hedge a little and say this: Line 6 makes tools. if your goal is to mess around or practice playing, recording, or songwriting, then Line 6 makes appropriate tools for these goals. if your goal is to do anything the rest of the world will hear, or if you are a good player, Line 6 does not make appropriate tools for these applications. it's just like if you are a beginner, a Fender Squire might be a perfectly good guitar for you. You'd never notice the difference between it and something more expensive, and it did what you wanted it to. but if you've been playing for ten years or are playing out and need something that will stay exactly in tune, a Squire isn't going to be the right guitar anymore.
 
Get an M-Audio Solo box. That's what I use on my Powerbook. There's 3-4ms delay -- which is pretty unnoticable.
 
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