Recording Guitar & MIDI Issues.?

Question

Hi, i know this has been answered a million times but how do you record guitar to pc?

I have a few recording programs, but after installing them it never picks up my guitar.

I know i can go via the mic input but my effects board [GNX4] has a usb port, which i would prefer to use, i followed all the steps the programs told me to do, but i always get an error or no sound.

Do i need something else that i would plug my fx board into, then plug whatever that is into my pc?

I've seen people have these little boxes that they connect there gear into, which then goes direct into the pc.

Also can someone explain MIDI?? Do computers have MIDI? Do i need MIDI? Would no MIDI be a reason my GNX4 is not working properly?

I'm no pro, but just want to record guitar clear.

Answer 1

MIDI is just for sending note information to control synthesizers, drum machines, and other digital or software ('virtual') instruments. It has basically nothing to do with your recording issues.



To record through your pedal, the USB port is a much better idea than trying to go through line-in. Go to Control Panel and uninstall all the Digitech drivers there. Then install the GNX4 drivers from the CD, and THEN connect your pedal to the USB port. Now start up your sound program of choice (I recommend Reaper). Go to the options/preferences/audio setup dialog and select the GNX as your preferred audio device. Make sure its inputs are activated. Now create a track and record-arm it. With the pedal and guitar's volume up, you should now be able to hear sound. If not, some apps (Reaper and Cubase included) require you to activate monitoring before you can hear anything; this is usually done by clicking a small speaker icon on the track.



If you're still struggling, start by loading an mp3 into your sound program and just try to get it playing through your pedal's headphone jack. Once you've done that, you can isolate the problem to recording.

Answer 2

You can record to the PC without MIDI. MIDI is a serial digital data standard written back in the early 80s for sending note and program information between devices. It's a very primitive and much slower version of USB.



I checked the online owners manual for the GNX4 and it looks like this is workable. The GNX is actually far above what most PC sound cards are for audio applications but it can work. You need to go from the balanced 1/4 jacks to a single 1/8 stereo jack to feed the PC sound card's line in input. Radio Shack has the cable and a 2 pack of RCA to 1/4 mono adaptors that will do it. You may need to buy some other RCA audio extender cables depending on your distances. You lose the balanced signal features by plugging in a mono jack but if you're using fairly short cables (like 15 ft or less) you shouldn't notice any issue.

In the PCs sound card mixer turn on the line in input and set it to about 1/3 level. Set the GNX 1/4 balanced output on the back at off initially, then play something and slowly bring up the 1/4 balanced output level control on the back of the GNX until the PC starts to put out guitar audio. Experimentation will show you where the PC in and GNX out should be to get the best level without clipping at the sound card.



[edit] I'd go with Henre's answer on this. If that doesn't work then drop back to analog. I'm an old fart used to thinking analog first. Considering I have a Guitar Port and a Webcam that use USB digital audio I should know it has audio applications. My first thought was the USB was for patch tuning and sharing.

Answer 3

Adobe Audition Garage Band Pro Tools All these programs require a USB interface, and an amp with a good microphone to mic the amp. Or, you can buy a Line 6 POD, or something similar, and plug directly into the computer. The POD serves as the amp and USB interface. All you'll need is that, a guitar and a program like one of the ones listed above.