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The Ultimate Guide to Connecting Your Guitar to a Computer

A direct connection to your computer, whether desktop or laptop, Windows or Mac OSx, offers a whole new world of opportunities for experimenting with your guitar playing. Computer applications offer easy access to virtual versions of famous amplifiers, pedals, plugins, and they even provide a way for you to develop custom sound profiles.





Getting started is a lot easier than many would think. Hooking up your electric or acoustic guitar directly to your computer only requires a couple of items of simple hardware that are widely available.





In this Killer Guitar Rigs guide we will:





  • Learn about guitar – computer interfaces
  • Learn all about the various software and programs available
  • Teach you how to rig your computer up as an amplifier








Guitar – Computer Interfaces





Unfortunately, even electric guitars don’t have a way to directly plug into a computer. In order to convert the analog electrical signal that comes from the pickups into a digital one, you will need a device known as an audio interface.





There are a few different types of audio interface on the market. Keep reading to find out more about them.





Purpose Built Interfaces





The is a great starting point. Without a doubt, this is one of the most widely owned USB interfaces, and for good reason. Operation is nice and simple, and once the included software is installed, it is literally a case of plug and play. You can plug in a standard ¼” jack, or an XLR cable, making it a suitable choice for both guitar and vocals.





Another great feature of this interface is the headphones out option, which will allow you to practice playing your electric guitar using all of the effects and amp profiles from your software, and plug straight into headphones to play in complete silence.





The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2is a great option, but, if you’re looking for a similar interface and your budget is tighter, the might be perfect for you. It offers dedicated instrument and mic inputs, allowing you to record both simultaneously. This is a solid value for money option, and even at such a low price it still includes Tracktion DAW (digital audio workstation) software, and 150 downloadable instrument/effect plug-ins.





If you happen to be in the market for something even simpler, consider investing in an interface from the IK Multimedia iRig series. Their products are well made and their Amplitude software is excellent, with tons of amp and pedal simulations available. They offer compatibility with Mac OSx, and even iPad and iPhone.





For simple bedroom noodling, the is a great option, it’s very affordable, and it’s amongst the smallest and most portable of all guitar – computer interfaces. Despite the low price, this is no toy – it’s simple to use, and there is zero latency, so what you play is what you hear in real time, whether using a computer or mobile device.





Anybody looking to record for public consumption should consider the. It’s an upgraded version of the basic iRig, and provides a much clearer sound than the basic model, with no detectable hiss, giving the impression that you are plugged directly into an amp, and not a portable interface kit.





Purpose built interfaces are not the only way to connect your guitar to a computer. Here are some more methods that will provide a means of direct connection – some of which you may already own.





Modeling Amplifiers





Boss Katana Mk2



Not only are modeling amps a great way to get thousands of different tones out of one amplifier, but some of them also feature a USB output, effectively turning them into guitar audio interfaces, too.





The Marshall Code series are an excellent choice for both live performance, bedroom practice, and even direct to computer recording, particularly the.





If you’re not into the Marshall sound for your live performances, the range also offers USB out computer recording capabilities. Katana amps are widely regarded for their clean tones, without undesirable breakup at high volumes.





When shopping for a modeling amp with the intent of playing directly into your computer, be sure to check that it has USB output, not just input. Many modeling amps have a USB port to allow the installation of new amp profiles, but not all have the capability to process outbound signals via USB.





Effects Pedals and Stomp Boxes





Another effective way to connect your guitar to a computer is via an appropriately equipped FX pedal. Many modern pedals and stomp boxes have built in processing to convert analog signals to computer readable digital sound.





Line 6 have been pioneers of all things digital in the guitar realm, and their HX Stomp multi effects pedal is proof of this. This compact box offers hundreds, if not thousands of FX and modeling profiles, and in addition has USB out, allowing you to hook up your guitar to your computer and play or record through your DAW.





A benefit of connecting via an FX pedal is that you can make recordings sound more like a live performance by playing using the effects that you normally would use on stage. On the other hand, if you want to send a dry signal to the computer for processing in the DAW, the Line 6 HX allows for this, too.





Modeling Guitars





Connecting your guitar to your computer isn’t always about practice and recording. Line 6 also offer their, which take the concept of a modeling amp, and apply it to the actual guitar. These guitars feature a dial that allows you to digitally alter the sound profile of the guitar depending on the style you want to play. You can connect your Variax guitar to your computer via the adapter box provided and an ethernet cable, and by using the Line 6 Workbench software you are able to download new profiles and create custom ones.





USB Guitar Cables





There are guitar cables on the market that offer direct ¼” jack to USB, like. Results can be mixed with these cables, and the biggest problem is latency. Latency is the number one issue to avoid when connecting a guitar to a computer. If you’re not familiar with the term, latency is the delay experienced between playing a note, and that note registering with the software – it is extremely distracting, and can make it impossible to play along with drums or a metronome. Fortunately, they are extremely inexpensive, and if you want to try one for experimentation purposes the risk is low – your mileage may vary!










How to Choose an Interface





Interface - how to connect a guitar to a computer



The products discussed above are all great options, but the question is, how do you begin to choose one? There are some questions you should ask yourself before making a decision:





  • Will you be recording several instruments simultaneously?
  • Are you planning to record vocals?
  • Do you plan to record an acoustic guitar?
    • If so, will you be recording line in, or with a mic?
  • Do you already have DAW software?
  • Would you like the option to play/record through a cell phone or tablet?




Your use case is the biggest deciding factor. If you are recording and intend to sell your music, send it to record labels, stream, or generally make it available to the public, you should be looking for the highest quality possible. In almost every circumstance this will require a purpose built USB interface, and the Focusrite Scarlett Solo is our number one recommendation here.





For recording multiple instruments/microphones at the same time, you’ll need a USB interface with multiple channels. offers 2 inputs for simultaneous guitar and mic or dual guitar input.





If your only intention is practice and you are looking for an option that would let you play electric guitar and experience the sound of different amps without bothering your neighbors, the IK Multimedia iRig 2 is a great option. It offers a huge number of amp profiles and effects and their mobile app is super simple to use, even for beginners.





As for dual purpose devices like modeling amps, these are solid options if you’re already in the market for a new amplifier and you’re also thinking of ways to connect to your computer. Similarly, if you don’t want to build a pedal board, and a multi effects pedal is more appealing, looking for one with computer interface capabilities can add real flexibility to your rig.





No matter which interface you choose, you should be looking for something with low, or zero detectable latency. For more on this, read our review of the .










How to Connect an Acoustic Guitar to Your Computer





Because both electric guitars and electro-acoustic guitars have an output jack built in, the process for connecting them to a computer is exactly the same, as described above. If you are looking to connect a standard acoustic guitar to your computer, you have 2 options.





  1. Install a soundhole pickup
  2. Use a microphone as an input




Using a Soundhole Pickup





If you decide to use a soundhole pickup, like this excellent , you will be able to plug straight into your USB interface, mutieffects pedal, or modeling amp. The advantage of doing it this way is the reduction of background noise, and therefore a reduction in any editing required if you’re recording. The downside is that you’ll lose much of the woody warmth that comes with an acoustic guitar.





Using a Microphone as an Input





Your other option is to rig up a mic, and run the mic through a USB interface. While a modeling amp or FX pedal might work, the way they are profiled will definitely not yield the best sound quality. 





If you plan on recording using a mic, to truly capture the acoustic sound profile, it is recommended to use a standard XLR mic through a USB digital interface as this is the best way to get a clean recording.





If you’re not too worried about getting the perfect recording, a good quality USB mic is possibly the most direct way to connect an acoustic guitar to a computer. The is an excellent choice for this application. It’s a cardioid condenser USB mic that should be plug and play with most computers, allowing direct access to your DAW for recording.





How to Use Your Computer as an Amplifier





Amplitube - how to use your computer as a guitar amp




Whether it is for space saving reasons, cost, or courtesy to your roommates, family, or neighbors, it has never been easier to ditch the traditional amplifier in favor of a virtual rig hosted in your cell phone, tablet, or computer.





In order to do so, you’ll need to find software that functions as a standalone, not just as a plugin. Garageband, Ableton Live 11, Amplitube 4, and Bias Elite are all great options for this.





When it comes to dialing in the perfect tone, having a virtual rig puts the world at your fingertips. Physical versions of the amps and FX you can set up on your computer can run into thousands of dollars, and while purists may say there is no replacement for the real thing, it takes a serious audiophile to be able to notice the difference in a blind test.





Not only will you have access to cheaper versions of the world’s best gear, but you’ll also be able to play with the settings for each, sometimes in ways you couldn’t with the actual equipment. Another benefit is the fact that you can save multiple versions of the same amps and FX. For example, you’ve set up 3 profiles for your virtual Marshall Silver Jubilee, you can pick and choose between them at the touch of a button, unlike with the real equipment, where you’d need to buy 3 amplifiers to be able to do the same!





Controlling Effects While Using Your Computer as an Amplifier





Of course, using a computer as an amplifier does have its drawbacks. Adjusting controls is typically more fiddly than using a physical version with a pedal board, and of course switching between FX also requires that you take your hands off the guitar and click on the virtual controls.





We can fix this by using a midi controller. This is a device that looks just like a stomp box or multi FX pedal, but it is programmed to control your predefined virtual FX. The is a great option if this is an avenue you’d like to pursue. It has 10 banks of presets and an expression pedal, making it incredibly versatile.





You can use your midi controller to switch between amps, to control your virtual effects, to change volume or tone, to control wah-wah and other expression pedal based FX, and even to control any virtual looper pedals you may have set up.





While not essential to using your computer as an amplifier, having the kind of control that a midi foot switch offers makes it a much more natural playing experience, and it is highly recommended.










Digital Audio Workstations









The software and hardware are important in equal measure when connecting a guitar to a computer. Now that you know more about the various devices that can be used as interfaces, it is time to learn more about the software that powers them.





Garageband





Given that Garageband is a free app that comes with every Mac, it is a surprisingly powerful piece of software. It is a digital audio workstation that is compatible with all of the mainstream interfaces, amps, and pedals discussed in this guide, and offers a lot of its own free amp models, stomp box effects and plugins .





Garageband also features an amp designer that allows you to select an emulation of a famous amplifier and modify it to your preferences. You can also choose from different virtual speaker cabinets and even microphones. With the pedalboard plugins you can apply numerous effects and customize their settings and routing.





Ableton Live 11





Live 11 is the latest version of Ableton’s world class DAW. For those just getting started, is an affordable way to get access to the world of music recording and production. It features over 1500 sounds, multitrack recording, basic amp effects like chorus and delay, and best of all, it allows you to connect third party plugins like amp profiles and effects pedals.










Plugins





Most devices that are capable of connecting to a computer come with a free software download. Some allow for standalone use, while others require a separate DAW. Read on to learn more about these inclusive applications.





Amplitube 4 Plugin





Amplitube 4 is the software that comes with the IK Multimedia iRig series devices. It offers a wide range of amp and pedal simulations, and can be used on both mobile devices and desktop/laptop computers.





One of the nicest features of Amplitube 4 is that it can be used on its own, or as a plugin within a DAW like Garageband or Ableton Live. The virtual interface looks like a real amp, and so, it offers a familiar view, making it very user friendly.





The likes of Fender, have created licensed models of their most famous amps to be used within Amplitube 4, too, giving you access to that Princeton Reverb sound without the large price tag.





The pedalboard function within Amplitube 4 also looks like a real rig. By simply dragging and dropping, you can rearrange the pedals however you like to create the perfect sound profile.





Anybody with a Mac, iPhone or iPad can download Amplitube from the App Store as a paid app, but if you purchase an iRig HD 2 device you will get the full version included. There are different packages available with different amp and pedal add ons, too.





Helix Native Plugin





is Line 6’s interface program. It comes stacked with dozens of amp models and virtual FX.





Line 6 software like Helix Native is heavily branded, and designed to look just like the display you’d see on the Helix hardware. This makes it familiar in appearance, but a little more intimidating to newcomers as you’ll be adjusting sliders rather than turning knobs.





On the negative side, Helix Native is one of the few companion plugins that can’t run as a standalone, and requires a separate DAW, even if you don’t need to record. Additionally, it’s very expensive given its limitations. Although if you do buy the HX Stomp Box and register your purchase you can purchase Helix Native at a 75% discount.





Bias Elite Combo Amp and FX Modeling Plugin





is a great piece of software from Positive Grid. It can be used on its own, or as a plugin within your chosen DAW, making a versatile option. It’s feature rich, and has incredibly accurate simulations of the world’s most famous amplifiers and pedals, and to make them easy to recognize, the virtual representations look just like the real things.





This is a bundle package that includes everything from Positive Grid’s Combo Amp and FX Modeling programs. Buying this bundle provides better value than standalone purchases. The download includes 100 amplifiers, 100 effects, 18 rack processors, 18 modeled guitars, and much more.










Additional Gear









There is little point in spending time setting up the perfect tone from your modeling amps and FX rig if you are unable to hear the sonic differences clearly. If you’re connecting to your computer in order to record, you should consider investing in a couple of additional items to get the best possible quality.





Studio Monitors





Your computer’s speakers, and the majority of regular speakers will not do a good job of accurately representing the true sound profile of your recordings, and this can lead to a loss of clarity in the mix. There is no need to spend a fortune here – these studio monitors take up very little space, offer full range response with no breakup, and feature a headphone out jack for occasions where you need to keep the noise down.





Studio Headphones





Much like the difference between studio monitors and regular speakers, there is a noticeable difference between regular headphones and studio headphones.





The biggest difference is the sound isolation. If you’re using regular headphones, you will most likely experience sound bleeding into the space you’re recording in. This isn’t a big deal if you’re recording with a direct line in, but if you’re using a microphone for recording, it has the potential to be noticed in the mix.





Regular headphones are set up to provide a pleasing audio experience across a wide range of genres, whether its bass boost, treble boost or some kind of volume enhancer, whereas studio headphones are set up to be sonically neutral. The way they are designed means there is no additional coloration in the sound, which helps to reveal any tonal flaws and give the most accurate representation of your actual recording. Again, they don’t need to cost a lot. represent phenomenal value. If you don’t have the desktop space or you’re looking for something a little more portable, these are a great option.










Final Thoughts On Connecting Your Guitar To Your Computer





Connecting a guitar to your computer isn’t all about recording. Modern amplifier modeling technology means that you can now simulate many famous amplifier models without the expense associated, not to mention the space required to have multiple amps. USB technology has also made the process so much easier in recent years, and in many cases it’s a completely plug and play affair, with little to no setup required. Whether it’s for recording a song you’ve just written, or for simple experiments with your sound, I thoroughly recommend hooking up your guitar to your computer.


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