i-bands.net [READ ONLY MODE] :: View topic - Play guitar with effects without amps

kirovdust · Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 2:10 am Post subject:

Hello all..Today I would like to share one of my digital guitar rig tips Smile

Software Used: Amplitube & Guitar Rig 4 (Google them yourself ya!)

Oh ya, If you do not support piracy, then you need to pay for the real thing, or just stick with the free demo (which expires after some time).

As for me, well, I have the full installer of both software - used on a learning basis (haha..thats just an excuse).

Well, that is just about the software. Generally, when you want to use this kind software, you need something to connect your guitar to the PC. You need either; sound card with multiple inputs(1/4" input, etc.) OR you can use a USB device that can do the trick. The USB device looks like this:

Last time I checked these stuff, they costs you more than RM100. Well, I get everything works with just RM5. How, you ask?

All PCs and laptops come with a 'Line In' 3.5mm jack (There are all 3 together - mic input, speaker output and Line in input). Line In input allows the PC to take any sound input and play it through the speakers. Well, this is where the RM5 is needed. Get yourself a 1/4" jack to 3.5mm jack adapter that looks like this :

Plug your guitar to your PC through this. When you play the guitar, you should hear it through the PC's speakers. (If it doesnt, well, don't panic. Try several setting in the PC's audio manager. If no sound also, again, dont panic.We'll save that for later.)

Next, install the software. When the installation has finished, open the program. Well, don't be too excited now because you cannot use the program yet. Why? Because this kind of software does not recognize Line-In as an input. Why? because the software cannot process the routing of audio signal received through Line-In input (I think so la..because that's the only logical explanation).

So how the hell could you use this software? This is when another free thing comes in. You need a special software that can re-route the Line-In jack, modulating it as if you are using a sound card. The software is known widely in digital audio world as 'ASIO'. The software is actually not free, but there are some bad-ass folks developed a free version of it. Get it from here:

http://www.asio4all.com

Close all program, and install ASIO. Next time when you open guitar rig or amplitube, go to setting, then set the input from ASIO. not from sound card. By doing so, when you start the software, you will notice that ASIO will also open, which can be accessed at the bottom right of your screen (it will be in the form of an icon, green color).

You will get a noisy sound of no sound at all. Why? Because you haven't change the setting of ASIO of course. So, double click the ASIO icon, then make sure, only ONE output source and ONE input source is turned on. the others should be switched off. Now restart the Guitar software, then you should get the best digital guitar effect and amps modelling. The best in the world! Please make sure:

- You have a decent speaker with subwoofer.
- The sound output only works on the left channel, so make sure that both channel of your speaker are working.
- When you are using the software, make sure that the are NO other program that uses audio. because ASIO doesnt allow multiple audio simultaneously. No youtube, no winamp, etc2.
- Let your friend know about it, but don't tell them how. Time to get cocky man! (and get their ass kicked for begging too hard to know)

Lastly, some PC and laptop has a poor sound driver, which will cause latency issue. Latency issue happens when you hear a slight delay of your guitar sound comes out from the speaker. You pick the string and after some miliseconds it will come out. This could get very2 annoying. try updating the sound driver if you happen to come across this. (One of the reason why the software rejects Line-in jack is because of this latency issue. Well, ASIO will fix that).

I think that should conclude my instruction. Any further hands on experience, you can drop by at my house at Shah Alam. For the sake of love towards music, I'm willing to teach all this if you are willing to belanja me minum petang.

Thats all. Cheers! Happy rocking!

P/S: This instruction was made by me. Please ask for permission if you want to post it somewhere. Smile

P/SS: Siapa2 nak translation sila bagitau ye...
_________________

What constitutes a guitar? an Ibanez of course.
[GRX70DX] - RIP
[SAS36FM] - Traded
[RG450LTD] - Sold
[RG2570E] - Sold
[S 320] - Sold
[S670FM] - In service
[Jackson Charvel] - In service