Recording with the computer?

Yes , you can record directly from an amplifier but not from the speaker outputs !!! If there is a line out jack or an effect send on your amp you can record to the mic input of your soundcard using the appropriate patch cord . It will be necessary to adjust the input level by opening the volume control of the computer . Right click on the speaker icon and you should see all the various sliders for adjusting audio . Start with your guitar amplifier set very low to begin with and adjust very slowly until you hear a sound come through your computer speakers . This may or may not give you the sound you want . If you have a good microphone , just set it in front of the guitar amp's speaker and plug it directly into the computer and record the actual sound of your amplifier . I assume you like the sound of your amp and that's the best way of capturing that sound .

I have a Rec Out jack. Will that work? On the computer's volume control, there is a line in and a microphone slider. Which would I use if I am connected to the pc's mic jack? I don't have a good mic and usually there are other people here so there tends to be background noise. Thanks for the help!
Yes , you can record directly from an amplifier but not from the speaker outputs !!! If there is a line out jack or an effect send on your amp you can record to the mic input of your soundcard using the appropriate patch cord . It will be necessary to adjust the input level by opening the volume control of the computer . Right click on the speaker icon and you should see all the various sliders for adjusting audio . Start with your guitar amplifier set very low to begin with and adjust very slowly until you hear a sound come through your computer speakers . This may or may not give you the sound you want . If you have a good microphone , just set it in front of the guitar amp's speaker and plug it directly into the computer and record the actual sound of your amplifier . I assume you like the sound of your amp and that's the best way of capturing that sound .

The rec out jack is on your amplifier ? That sounds like another name for line out . That would be the one to use . As far as the inputs on your computer go , the mic slider is the one to use if you have something in the mic jack . It may be that you have another " line in " jack on the back panel of your soundcard besides the mic input on the front . Since you are looking at putting a line level signal into your computer , I would check to see if there is a "line in " on the rear panel first .

Yes, the rec out is on the amp. There is a line in jack on the back of the pc I think, but I can't really get to the back of the pc which is why I wanted to use the mic jack on the front.
The rec out jack is on your amplifier ? That sounds like another name for line out . That would be the one to use . As far as the inputs on your computer go , the mic slider is the one to use if you have something in the mic jack . It may be that you have another " line in " jack on the back panel of your soundcard besides the mic input on the front . Since you are looking at putting a line level signal into your computer , I would check to see if there is a "line in " on the rear panel first .

Unfortunately , if you put a line level signal into the mic input it will distort badly . If you can't use the line in and you're not using a mic another solution would be to get a direct box . These are fairly inexpensive devices that transform signals of one device to match the requirements of the other . Whirlwind , Behringer and ART are just a few companies that make direct boxes . They can be found for around $20 U.S. Check out http://www.musiciansfriend.com for prices .

I've never heard of those. I'll look into it. I do plan to get a mic eventually, but one of these might be handy for when it is noisy around here. Thanks for the help!

Unfortunately , if you put a line level signal into the mic input it will distort badly . If you can't use the line in and you're not using a mic another solution would be to get a direct box . These are fairly inexpensive devices that transform signals of one device to match the requirements of the other . Whirlwind , Behringer and ART are just a few companies that make direct boxes . They can be found for around $20 U.S. Check out http://www.musiciansfriend.com for prices .

One other thing you could do is plug a patch cord into the line input on the back of the computer and leave it plugged in all the time with the other end in some convenient spot . As long as the input level is fully off it shouldn't cause any problems when you aren't using it .

A patch cord? Is that just the cord I would normally use to plug the amp into the pc? I have one that I use to plug my mp3 player into the amp and it seems to have the correct ends.

One other thing you could do is plug a patch cord into the line input on the back of the computer and leave it plugged in all the time with the other end in some convenient spot . As long as the input level is fully off it shouldn't cause any problems when you aren't using it .

All I do is place my mic about a foot in front of the amp.

If you want to do it that way, download this program called "Wavepad". Very easy to use.

You wanna get yerself an audio soundcard cos yer PC's souncard will probably have loads of latency and unwanted noise in your recordings, i recommend the M AUDIO BLACK BOX mate .....