Margaret - Audacity

I have the amp plugged into the AC socket, guitar connected into amp input, amp Rec Out connected to the line in on the computer.

I can't hear anything through the headphones with them plugged into either the computer speakers or the back of the computer "tower". I can't hear the guitar through the computer speakers, or the amp, (with headphones unplugged) either.

Is Sound Recorder the Windows Accessory I should try? I don't think the guitar's signal is making it into the computer because the what I think should be the waveline doesn't show any activity when I click the record button and strum.

I'm stumped. Maybe I can't do this without the v-Amp2 or similar? help???

I have to go take daughter to dance class, so will try more with this later tonight......

Margaret

Margaret.

The very first thing you need to do before reading this is make sure all volume knobs that you know about are turned down and the family cat and/or dog have had their tranquilizer pills or shots. :wink:

If you have the little speaker next to the clock in your system tray ( the little box at the far right bottom corner of your screen on the Windows Task bar.) double click it. If not, you'll need to open Control Panel and find Sounds and Audio Devices. Open that up and Click Advanced. Make sure that your line in isn't muted. (checkbox at the bottom) Also a good time to see that the playback volume isn't all the way down.

Next, in the upper left hand corner of the volume settings select Options and properties. Click the Recording button and then OK. This takes you to the sound settings for recording. Make sure that you have a check mark in the Select box for Line-In. This will enable the Line-In as the favored input selection. Now you should be able to turn up the volume on your PC speakers as well as guitar and any other device you may be using. Perhaps the amp?

If you are using the amp...try this first. Plug the headphones into the amp, with guitar plugged in and see if the headphone out is working. You should hear the guitar through that to know that the headphone jack is alive. Next connect the amp output to your sound card input. Test your volume again.

Let us know what happens after this test.

Plug the headphones into the amp, with guitar plugged in and see if the headphone out is working. You should hear the guitar through that to know that the headphone jack is alive.

I confirmed all steps up to and through, that the headphone jack is alive and working.

Next connect the amp output to your sound card input. Test your volume again.

On the amp, the Rec Out/Phones(amp output, right?) is all the same jack. So I have to unplug the headphones to connect the cord between the amp's Rec Out jack and the sound card (computer line in). When I do that, I can't hear the guitar through anything, not the computer speakers, not the amp, and not the (disconnected) headphones. Can I test the (internal) volume some other way?

BTW, thanks for sticking with me! I know this is a pain. God just didn't design some of us to interface well with technology. :?

Margaret

Hey margaret, here is a good web site that has lots of good articals about home recording, its a bit dated but still has tons of basic info to get you started.--the dog
http://www.homerecording.com/

On the amp, the Rec Out/Phones(amp output, right?) is all the same jack. So I have to unplug the headphones to connect the cord between the amp's Rec Out jack and the sound card (computer line in). When I do that, I can't hear the guitar through anything, not the computer speakers, not the amp, and not the (disconnected) headphones. Can I test the (internal) volume some other way?

You should be able to hear the guitar through the computer's speakers, unless something is inadvertently muted. I've put together a brief little PDF for you to troubleshoot your PC settings with:
CLICK

slej,

Thank you for the tutorial. One small thing to note in case you share it with others...in Audacity, Properties was located under Edit rather than under File.

Unfortunately, it still ain't working for me. In Audacity, when I hit record and strum, shouldn't I see the horizontal wave line make waves if the guitar signal is making it into the computer? And I can't hear the guitar through the computer speakers or the headphones or the amp, so I can't confirm if there is a signal there at all.

I've tried hooking it all up through both of our amps (separately), so I'm thinking the problem lies in the connection to the computer.

We play music and hear computer error tones, etc through the speakers, so I know they work.

Any more ideas?

Thx!
( I did go through all the steps and confirmed the settings as you said)
Margaret

Are we certain that the REC OUT/PHONES jack is the OUTPUT from the amp? Not that I see any other option on either of our two amps.......

Here is my sorry diagram, with dashes representing cords:

AC outlet------------------amp (amp power on)

guitar-------------------amp INPUT jack

amp REC OUT/PHONES jack ------------------------computer LINE IN jack (using a 1/4 to 1/8 mono adapter--tried the stereo adapter, too)

computer LINE OUT jack-------------------------computer speakers

computer speakers -----------------------------headphones

What am I missing here? Maybe the 1/4 to 1/8 jack I purchased today is faulty??
[edit--just found a second adapter but it didn't work either. I'm down to thinking it's the LINE IN jack in the computer that's faulty]
[even if I eliminate the headphones, I can't hear the guitar through the speakers]

Margaret

One more post...

When I plug/unplug the cable into/out of the computer's LINE IN jack, it (the speakers) "pop" like it's hot, so I would think that means the jack is functioning, right?

So that brings me to the question Why is the signal from the guitar (through the amp) not getting into the computer? The cords are both new and work fine to play guitar directly through the amp, so I don't think its the cords.

Margaret

Margaret,

I'd suggest going to Wal-Mart or Staples & picking up a cheap computer mic. Plug that in & see if that works. That's how I currently record with Audacity. Might save you alot of headaches. :wink:
Just a thought.
Dan

Margaret,

Looks like your connections are correct. Sometimes the level coming out of the amp is not that "hot". You won't always see the horizontal line change shape. Try normalizing the track. To do that, highlight the track you just recorded, go to the effects menu and click "normalize" This should boost any sound considerably.

Also, I'm sure someone mentioned these and I apologize if I'm repeating, but be sure you've selected the right source under Edit - Preferences - Audio I/O. You should also double check your Windows sound settings: Control Panel - Sounds and Audio Devices. Be sure your default devices under the Audio tab are correct.

Good luck,

Steve

Thank you for the tutorial. One small thing to note in case you share it with others...in Audacity, Properties was located under Edit rather than under File.

Oops - I haven't upgraded to the latest version. It's definitely under File in v1.2.3
:)
Unfortunately, it still ain't working for me. In Audacity, when I hit record and strum, shouldn't I see the horizontal wave line make waves if the guitar signal is making it into the computer? And I can't hear the guitar through the computer speakers or the headphones or the amp, so I can't confirm if there is a signal there at all.

Are you sure your guitar and amp volume are turned up?

Hi Margaret

"amp REC OUT/PHONES jack ------------------------computer LINE IN jack (using a 1/4 to 1/8 mono adapter--tried the stereo adapter, too)"

Have you tested to connect headphones to your amps REC OUT/PHONES jack and be able to hear the guitar sound in the headphones both ears ?
That means that the REC OUT/PHONES jack is a stereo output jack.

If you then connect a cable with 1/4" mono jacks too that stereo output jack you will shortcircuit the output to ground and don´t hear anything ( you will not destroy anything).

In this case you should use a 1/4"->1/8" stereo converter in the amps REC OUT/PHONES jack and a 1/8"--1/8" jack stereo cable between the amp and the computer's LINE IN jack.

Kalle wrote: In this case you should use a 1/4"->1/8" stereo converter in the amps REC OUT/PHONES jack and a 1/8"--1/8" jack stereo cable between the amp and the computer's LINE IN jack.
Kalle in Sweden has identified the trouble spot! Thank you!!! When I switched from the mono adapter to the stereo adapter, BINGO! 8)

I mistakenly thought that the guitar cable was a mono output and used the mono adapter. I had tried the stereo adapter a long time ago in the process, to no avail, but it was before some of the other corrections had been made.

Thank you all for sticking by me! I would have given up long ago "If Not for You". :D

Margaret

Hurray!

Cool!

It actually sounds like I was the cause of this mono thing. My amp has mono out, not stereo.

Glad it's working! Now to get us some recording :twisted: