Connecting Amp out to computer
Hi all,
I've just received a Honeytone mini amp and I am having a great time with it. Now, I would like to record it's output on my computer.
The only inputs my desktop has is a headset mic input, and USB inputs. I have no Line-In input.
I believe the best way would be to use the USB input, and I would need some kind of 1/8inch or 1/4inch Jack / USB converter, into which I plug in the output of my amp, and that I connect to the computer with the USB port.
Goal is torecord tracks on Audacity software.
Does that sound good ? Do you recommend any particular converter Input/USB converter ?
Many thanks!
If you miked it you would capture the speaker sound, if you ran a line out of the amp you would have a different sound.
I am wondering if running the amp directly to the computer (or PA) is commonly done or not ?
Yes it's done quite a lot with PA for sure. I'd say that's the most common use of the line out. But also, last time I recorded we ran the mic directly to computer, then ran the signal out to the amp and miked it, and ran that mic also to computer. This allowed the engineer to capture both the dry sound from the mic, and the amp's sound simultaneously. MeaIing that if he wanted, he could apply modelling to my dry signal.
I don't know how commonly the line out from amp to computer is used, but I expect it is not uncommon.
ok, thanks for the nice info!
so when connecting the PA to the computer, which input do you use ? the line in ?
Sorry, I didn't actually do the hands- on part; I just let the engineer deal with his equipment. And maybe I misunderstood your question slightly. I was talking about plugging line out from amp to PA, like at a gig, not PA to Computer. Not saying that doesn't happen, just I don't know. I think it's common to use some sort of interface to plug amps and mics into, but I'm sure there are as many different solutions as you can think of. I asked Frank at Dirty South forum about his approach to recording because he gets results I like. You can search on his thread "off the cuff Linda Lou" I think you'll probably find it. I dunno about the line in. I guess just try it and see what happens?
Cheers, dave
Thanks Dave.
Yeah, I'll look at the thread you are talking about. I also asked the same question om that forum too and go a few answers. One was this small mixer that get the audio input and plugs into the computer with USB. My current idea is to get a cheap external usb sound card with a Line In.
I'll say how it goes! Probably not before another month tho.
Eventually, I got a TASCAM US-100 audio interface. It connects to the computer via USB and can receive mic, guitar (Hi-Z) and line input, so this is exactly what I needed. Now I can record directly the ear-phone output of my small amp into the computer - recording in this condition does sound a little better than when I mic the amp, not sure why yet. The software I used is audacity, works pristinely.
Check it out here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=648495&Q=&is=REG&...
After a little research, it seems the following equipment, or equivalent, may do the job.
These are external sound card, with a "Line-In" input The amp should be connected to this line-in input.
http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-External-Xtreme-7-1-Channel-Device/dp/B004...
http://sewelldirect.com/USB-SoundBox-71-and-51-Sound-Card.asp
I wonder if people actually do this: plug the amp directly into the computer, or rather mic the amp and send the miced signal into the computer. What would be the prefered way ?