Effects - Pedals, Multi-Effects, and Floor Boxes

[onyxrhino]

I know we've probably covered this before, but I wasn't paying attention.

If I want to use software on my Macbook for effects (like delay, reverb) and go Guitar>Macbook>Amp, how do I do it?

I am asking for a friend (but I don't really know how to do it either), so I don't have specifics, but assume the computer is your regular old, non-retina Macbook and the amp is just your basic, no frills amp, no speaker in, no effects loop, just the regular old input. How would you do it? 

[cobalt-60]

I think the simplest method would be a USB recording module, like the Line 6 models, or anything else. It connects to computer thru USB, and has a standard 1/4 in and out. Guitar goes to the input, output to amp. Download Guitar Rig. Boom.

[Faldoe]

a good sound/recording interface that will allow for low latencies. I use a Motu interface with my MBP

[onyxrhino]

To cobalt 60 - So you mean use the Tonecore to connect to the computer and then go out via the Tonecore unit's analog outs to the amp? Does that actually work? Does it sound any good? 

I thought the tonecore device (and I have one I use) were mainly for connecting your guitar to the computer for recording? Does it work equally well for going through the computer and to an amp?

I should also mention my friend already has effects software he uses, i think. He mainly just wants to get it out of the computer and to his amp.

[Faldoe]

you're also gonna want a sound interface with good preamps. The E-MU 0404 is an awesome interface with great preamps.

[onyxrhino]

Faldoe - Thanks, but also should mention we're looking for an inexpensive solution. 

In terms of my friend, this is a guy with a very basic set-up and no gearhead tendencies. He'll give up on effects before he goes for $400 interfaces and special pre-amps and such.

Anyone just try going headphone out, with adapters or something?

Where's seif?

[onyxrhino]

But I am giving kudos to everyone who replies, however.

[Faldoe]

what size MBP do you have? the 13'' doesn't have a MIC IN. Not that you'd want to use the built in sound drivers anyways. Probably couldn't get low enough latency.

Theres basically no way around this. My mentioning of good preamps wasn't that I was suggesting getting seperate preamps AND an interface, but rather an interface with good preamps in it.

Like I said, the E-MU 0404 is a basic audio interface with good preamps. 1/4'' I/O.

Unless you or your friend already has a DAW, you're gonna have to buy that too ( or download if that floats your boat).

You're gonna have to buy something... Might as well get something decent or good. Don't want to cheap out otherwise it won't really work/sound good/ and you'll have high latency.

The 0404s can be had for $100 used.

[onyxrhino]

Thing is, I'm still not sure that we're talking about the same thing. It looks like the emu 0404 is for connecting to the computer. As the question was posed to me, it sounds like he's already got an input he's using to connect the guitar to the computer. I don't know what that is, but for the sake of argument, let's say everything is good going in. And let's say he's got a software program he likes (once again, I have no idea what it is). What does he need to go from computer to amp? 

[GREC]

Not sure if your Mac has inputs & outputs (new ones only have one shared in/out -f#in' stupid design for the price of them)

If it has seperate ins/outs -a simple solution is going to Radio Shack & getting two mini plug to phono (instrument 1/4") adapters. Macs have good sound cards.

CAUTION: be careful to monitor INPUT levels -too much input can blow your soundcard.

[macadood]

i'd go old school with a couple of male to male headphone cables and a pair of 1/4" to headphone adapters. thats what i do for my lo tech stuff, mind you if this was for something important like a live gig you'd probably want something a bit better. but works more than fine for me. can use wahtever program, guitar rig/logic/garageband...even different amp sims and crap. have the out from your board go through a 1/4" adapter into a headphone wire into the mic in of your macbook, then throuhg your software, and have plug a second male to male headphone cable into the output of the computer. stick the second 1/4" adapter onto the end of that and into the amp. BOOM

[Faldoe]

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onyxrhino wrote:

Thing is, I'm still not sure that we're talking about the same thing. It looks like the emu 0404 is for connecting to the computer. As the question was posed to me, it sounds like he's already got an input he's using to connect the guitar to the computer. I don't know what that is, but for the sake of argument, let's say everything is good going in. And let's say he's got a software program he likes (once again, I have no idea what it is). What does he need to go from computer to amp? 

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The 0404 has Ins and Outs. The INs - for the guitar, Outs - to the Amp.

I mean you could use one device as input and then the MBP's sound card as the output, and get an 1/8'' to 1/4'' adapter so you can hook up the headphone output to an amplifier. 

Having a dedicated interface that has I/O ability and using that device for both purposes may be the better approach. 

[Ancient Mariner]

Your cheapest solution will be a USB-based soundcard with full duplex (i.e. in and out at the same time). The audio out doesn't sound particularly good on a Macbook, and you could do a lot better. Consider a used Zoom G/B2.1U, and simply run it in bipass mode so it works like a soundcard. It does 24bit a/d and d/a encoding and will normally play with whatever DAW (garageband??) you're using, but also included a lite DAW in the box.

I've used a B2.1u with my macbook and it worked fine.