what is the cheapest and best way to do a guitar straight into ableton and out into an amp/PA/whatever?
going to buy a midi foot controller and something to control the volume for each of the recorded tracks
what does everyone recommend?
trying to keep it very cheap
guitar into ableton!
I think I'm going to use a usb keyboard as a foot controller, haha, someone on harmony-central showed me a guide for it
So, if I go into a cheap ART preamp and then into computer, can I use my head/cab as an output?
Like, guitar -> pedalboard -> preamp -> computer -> amp
will that work?
the problem of the volume faders still exists though
So, if I go into a cheap ART preamp and then into computer, can I use my head/cab as an output?
Like, guitar -> pedalboard -> preamp -> computer -> amp
will that work?
the problem of the volume faders still exists though
Depends on your pedalboard and soundcard.
Some pedals are loud enough you could just go guitar->pedals->soundcard/computer.
Some soundcards have a built-in pre-amp made specifically for direct guitar inputs... like the Line6 toneport series, you might consider looking into these.
As for going guitar out-> amp
again, this will depend on your soundcard.
if you plan on using a built-in soundcard on your laptop, be ready to not hear the notes you play until a second after you play them. This, obviously, does not work. Again, something like the toneport can help.
Also, pre-recorded drum tracks in Live might sound crappy played back through a guitar amp.
Got a bass amp?
Anyway, before you go spend $$$ on an Art pre-amp, please let us know what your computer/soundcard setup is, because I suspect your money will be better spent on a decent soundcard rather than a decent pre-amp.
Some pedals are loud enough you could just go guitar->pedals->soundcard/computer.
Some soundcards have a built-in pre-amp made specifically for direct guitar inputs... like the Line6 toneport series, you might consider looking into these.
As for going guitar out-> amp
again, this will depend on your soundcard.
if you plan on using a built-in soundcard on your laptop, be ready to not hear the notes you play until a second after you play them. This, obviously, does not work. Again, something like the toneport can help.
Also, pre-recorded drum tracks in Live might sound crappy played back through a guitar amp.
Got a bass amp?
Anyway, before you go spend $$$ on an Art pre-amp, please let us know what your computer/soundcard setup is, because I suspect your money will be better spent on a decent soundcard rather than a decent pre-amp.
I haven't got a laptop yet, that's on the list of things to buy.
My friend told me he uses the PreSonus Firebox?
But basically, I've got nothing yet.
So, I'm going to be buying a laptop. Should I get a good soundcard for that or should I just get the Firebox/something similar?
Can get a bass amp no problem. I'm kinda worried about the guitar tone I'll be getting, but I guess it will be fine!
What I am looking to do is have a set up so I can do looping and have control of the volume of each track I record. Going to be a 2 piece, me guitar and vocals and a drummer. So there will be need for 2 headphone outs as well, but I don't think that's a real problem.
yeahhhhhh
My friend told me he uses the PreSonus Firebox?
But basically, I've got nothing yet.
So, I'm going to be buying a laptop. Should I get a good soundcard for that or should I just get the Firebox/something similar?
Can get a bass amp no problem. I'm kinda worried about the guitar tone I'll be getting, but I guess it will be fine!
What I am looking to do is have a set up so I can do looping and have control of the volume of each track I record. Going to be a 2 piece, me guitar and vocals and a drummer. So there will be need for 2 headphone outs as well, but I don't think that's a real problem.
yeahhhhhh
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ScholarlyGent
- Posts: 299
- Joined: Mon May 07, 2007 12:52 pm
- Location: Detroit
I think you'll need something with more I/O than the Firebox. Look for something of similar quality with greater I/O (MOTU Traveler or Ultralite). RME has the most stable drivers (essential for live).
Hard to control with a keyboard when you are playing guitar.
A Behringer FCB 1010 takes some time to set up right but would be the best value (and free up your hands).
Nothing replaces a guitar amp for tone, but a DI'd guitar is no good at all for sound. You'll need an amp sim if you are just going into the PA. Consider Guitar Rig 3, since it'll give you some bass amp sims also.
Hard to control with a keyboard when you are playing guitar.
A Behringer FCB 1010 takes some time to set up right but would be the best value (and free up your hands).
Nothing replaces a guitar amp for tone, but a DI'd guitar is no good at all for sound. You'll need an amp sim if you are just going into the PA. Consider Guitar Rig 3, since it'll give you some bass amp sims also.
the keyboard would have most of the keys taken off, just enough left on to have room for hitting each button with my foot, hahah
http://createdigitalmusic.com/2007/08/0 ... -required/
I mean, just to start. I'll probably get the FCB1010 in time.
What do you mean by not enough I/O?
I'm only going to start out doing just simple guitar looping for now
Still looking for a cheap fader, like the doepfer pocket fader?
http://createdigitalmusic.com/2007/08/0 ... -required/
I mean, just to start. I'll probably get the FCB1010 in time.
What do you mean by not enough I/O?
I'm only going to start out doing just simple guitar looping for now
Still looking for a cheap fader, like the doepfer pocket fader?
You were talking about headphone cues, for example.
Also, you mentioned vocals. You also want expandability. I use nearly all outputs for external effects (compressors, reverb/delay, etc.) You'll want to use effects on vocals, and sometimes external effects reduce CPU load.
I use a Radial X-Amp for sending from a computer to a guitar amp. It maintains tone and cuts out noise (takes you from line level back to instrument level).
Don't go too cheaply with your soundcard. That will be the most important piece. If you have that, you'll be able to get things working just fine.
Also, you mentioned vocals. You also want expandability. I use nearly all outputs for external effects (compressors, reverb/delay, etc.) You'll want to use effects on vocals, and sometimes external effects reduce CPU load.
I use a Radial X-Amp for sending from a computer to a guitar amp. It maintains tone and cuts out noise (takes you from line level back to instrument level).
Don't go too cheaply with your soundcard. That will be the most important piece. If you have that, you'll be able to get things working just fine.
Both the MOTU Traveler and the Ultralite are very expensive, even on eBay. I don't think I want to go that far yet.
And as far as external effects go, I think I would just run guitar -> pedalboard -> Firebox -> Ableton
Vocals would be separate, just through a PA with some effects in front of it
Firebox still seems like the cheapest alternative at this point, I don't want to get very serious with it unless I really do fall in love with it and think it's worth putting a lot of money into. I'm pretty new to Ableton, but in terms of everything guitar and effects I'm well versed, and am pretty sure I'm going to want to do this, but I've got a lot of other things I want to be buying as well, so I'm going to try to keep this cheap and upgrade with the band fund if it gets going!
And as far as external effects go, I think I would just run guitar -> pedalboard -> Firebox -> Ableton
Vocals would be separate, just through a PA with some effects in front of it
Firebox still seems like the cheapest alternative at this point, I don't want to get very serious with it unless I really do fall in love with it and think it's worth putting a lot of money into. I'm pretty new to Ableton, but in terms of everything guitar and effects I'm well versed, and am pretty sure I'm going to want to do this, but I've got a lot of other things I want to be buying as well, so I'm going to try to keep this cheap and upgrade with the band fund if it gets going!
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Winterpark
- Posts: 1671
- Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2004 2:59 am
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
well... the deal is, you get what you pay for.
Latency will be a big issue for you if you go with a cheap USB interface.
In fact, it's a bit of an issue with any: guitar-into-computer-throughFX-out-of-computer-into-amp type arrangement... even with a fast soundcard, you'll still notice it.
If you do go for something cheap... i'd suggest something even like an m-box, which has an Instrument level input, and the ability to blend direct signal with the computer's outputted signal.
This way you can run the computer fx more like you would with a send channel on a mixing desk... what i mean is... run a direct out signal to your amp, and run the other fx out totally as a wet signal... this then negates any latency issues.
however, the issue for this type of arrangement, is that you can't really run compressors or that sort insert-type-fx... but you know... that's the trade off.
hope that helps.
Latency will be a big issue for you if you go with a cheap USB interface.
In fact, it's a bit of an issue with any: guitar-into-computer-throughFX-out-of-computer-into-amp type arrangement... even with a fast soundcard, you'll still notice it.
If you do go for something cheap... i'd suggest something even like an m-box, which has an Instrument level input, and the ability to blend direct signal with the computer's outputted signal.
This way you can run the computer fx more like you would with a send channel on a mixing desk... what i mean is... run a direct out signal to your amp, and run the other fx out totally as a wet signal... this then negates any latency issues.
however, the issue for this type of arrangement, is that you can't really run compressors or that sort insert-type-fx... but you know... that's the trade off.
hope that helps.
careful running distorted guitar right into your computer without good cab emulations.
I couldn't figure out why my guitars sounded so bad for years till someone pointed this out to me.
good guitar amps sound the way they do because of the dynamics of the speakers. that is, they have heavy cones that don't move as fast as other speakers. it gives you a bigger thicker sound, basically filtering out any high end noise.
I couldn't figure out why my guitars sounded so bad for years till someone pointed this out to me.
good guitar amps sound the way they do because of the dynamics of the speakers. that is, they have heavy cones that don't move as fast as other speakers. it gives you a bigger thicker sound, basically filtering out any high end noise.
Re: guitar into ableton!
I use this: guitar (old Gibson T-Bucker and Dirty Finger Pickup) - stompbox compressor from Boss working as DI-box - Echo audiofire 2 ( 159 Euro ) line input 1 - firewire to macbook - ableton - selfmade guitar amp rack or amplitube 2 - lineout stereo from Audiofire. Latency allover 12.5 ms @ 128 samples. Best sound I ever heard since using real amps in the 80´s. ( I used a Fender dual showman amp that´s truly true reproduced in amplitube jimi hendrix. But the Marshall is still better. Fender Bassman also. )
Guys, what do you reckon to this, my current set up:
Guitar -> Sansamp Tri-Ac (amp emulator) -> Tascam US-122L USB soundcard (basic soundcard) -> Ableton -> Headphones
I am having problems with crackling audio when recording. I'm new to Live so it's giving me a headache. Any ideas? Am I doing anything wrong with my set up like this?
Guitar -> Sansamp Tri-Ac (amp emulator) -> Tascam US-122L USB soundcard (basic soundcard) -> Ableton -> Headphones
I am having problems with crackling audio when recording. I'm new to Live so it's giving me a headache. Any ideas? Am I doing anything wrong with my set up like this?