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Posted by: Boson Nov 14 2008, 02:01 PM

Hi everyone.

After a 20 year gap I am returning to the guitar so in effect I am a beginner. Technology appears to have moved on a lot in the last 20 years!!

I am keen to experiment with different sounds and also to use the pc as a recording tool etc to help with my learning. Software like gearbox and the Pod stuff looks cool.

I own an Ovation and a Strat I have tried plugging them straight into the line in port on my sound card but to be honest the sound is not great!

Do I need some kind of preamp or something between the guitar and pc, or some other device.

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated, I would be keen to hear how other people do this.

Thanks

Posted by: Dejan Farkas Nov 14 2008, 02:30 PM

Hi there

Firstly you need is an audio interface (integrated sound cards are not a good choice indeed), Ivan made nice review of his Toneport here http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=9152

Second, some decent desktop speakers, depending on your budget

If we know how much money you are willing to spend, we can narrow down the choices

Posted by: opeth.db Nov 14 2008, 02:31 PM

Yea man a lot of cool stuff will allow you to connect your PC. Im not sure of some of the cheaper things.
I use one of these..It uses your USB port and you plug into this directly.



Also most effect boards have USB on them as well...I have the Boss GT10


The toneport is also a good tone people use here a lot.


Hope this helps.

Posted by: Boson Nov 14 2008, 03:18 PM

Great replies guys I think I am getting my head around this now.

I hadn't spotted the reviews on here they are excellent thanks for pointing them out.

One last queery Dejan if you could. I would be interested to know which pickup you use on your classical guitar or do you use a mic?

Thanks again, your replies are much appreciated.

Posted by: Praetorian Nov 14 2008, 03:21 PM

Toneport GX is your answer my friend! It is cheap...easy to use...and sounds awesome!!!

http://line6.com/toneportgx/

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Nov 14 2008, 04:52 PM

You can check out reviews of Toneport devices

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/wiki/index.php/Toneport_gx

and

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/wiki/index.php/Toneport_Ux1_Review

hope this helps mate, cheers

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Nov 14 2008, 05:42 PM

Hmm from all the interfaces I would definitly recommend toneports for their price and simplicity of use! I use them for recording lessons and different demos etc..

Posted by: Nemanja Filipovic Nov 14 2008, 05:46 PM

Dont forget DAW(Digital Audio Workstation),Cubase,Nuendo,Reaper,Ableton,Pro Tools,Logic...etc.
You will get some free daw's when you buy your interface.Be shore to ask anything you need a bout them.

This all goes for recording process.

Posted by: ChrisVdS Nov 14 2008, 05:58 PM

Don't you get some version of ableton live along with the software when you buy a toneport? I don't really know much of ableton but i hear it isn't bad

Posted by: skennington Nov 14 2008, 06:01 PM

Another recommendation here for the Toneport. Price point and ease of use sets it apart from other modelers. Has enough tones with Gearbox to keep you busy for quite a while. Also, as Nemanja stated, don't forget you will need a DAW. Reaper is a great one and the Evaluation is free. Good luck!

Posted by: Nemanja Filipovic Nov 14 2008, 06:02 PM

I think you do,I did get Ableton 4 Lite with my midi controller.But I am to use to Nuendo buy know.
Some people told me that Ableton live is actualy great for live performances(that is where the name came out).
But I would recommend some thing like Reaper if you are beginner,and you will haw a lot of support from the GMC,because so many people has good experiences with that DAW.

Posted by: ChrisVdS Nov 14 2008, 06:13 PM

I was planning to buy a toneport UX1 well i would have bought one but since i lack time to go and buy it it is still not here just a question about reaper does it support VST plugins?

Posted by: skennington Nov 14 2008, 06:26 PM

Absolutely!

Posted by: ChrisVdS Nov 14 2008, 07:30 PM

coolios i hope it's not as expensive as all those other programs like cubase etc...

Posted by: Dejan Farkas Nov 14 2008, 09:21 PM

I use the following gear for recording the classical guitar:

- Belcat EGT 202 double transducers (works great on solid top)

- Behringer DI 100, Direct Injection box (to match impedance)

- Behringer Eurorack UB 1002FX mixer (it has a decent pre-amp)

- M-Audio Audiophile 2496 audio interface (absolute minimum for good recording results)


Every part of this chain play important role in getting a good sound


I also have two condenser mics, Shure PG81, but at this moment don't have a good room to record with them.

If you need any further help with this, feel free to ask for

Posted by: Boson Nov 16 2008, 10:02 PM

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I have now bought the Toneport UX2 and am really pleased with it. It sounds great and so far appears to be really easy to use though of course I've only just started to explore its possibilities.

Yes it comes with Ableton which to me appears very powerful but the learning curve is a little steeper and so will take me time to master.

So much to learn!!

Thanks again

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Nov 16 2008, 10:05 PM

No problem Boson mate, we are here to help. If you need any more answers about recording or toneport feel free to ask mate

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Nov 16 2008, 11:42 PM

That's a good choice ! I use UX2 for my lessons!

Have fun with it and ask if you have any questions

Posted by: Marc_Maiden Nov 17 2008, 05:03 AM

www.myspace.com/projfate

all those songs except for "travel through time" was recording using the cheapest toneport


toneport is my hero, great sounds, great for recording, great for home practice...if you have a great speaker set up, and dont mind it lugging it around, it can gig as well...its risky at times, but ive done it!

Posted by: Muris Varajic Nov 17 2008, 12:38 PM

Ableton is great piece of software but it's not for recording actually,
it's more for playing samples,loops etc.
Great for live performance as Nemanja said.

Posted by: Skewlbuzz Nov 18 2008, 04:08 PM

Which Toneport (Which aparently has been renamed to 'POD Studio'?) would you recommend? The UX1 or the UX2? I need something for connecting the guitar to my computer and do a little home-recording, nothing special, so I guess the UX1 would do it? UX2 just looks sooo fancy which makes me want to get that

Sorry to "hijack" the thread!

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Nov 18 2008, 11:03 PM

UX1 will be sufficient..I have UX2 but I never use its advantages (for example recording stereo two Mics with xlr)...

Posted by: skennington Nov 19 2008, 12:09 AM

Also just to add...The UX1 does not support phantom power like UX2. If you ever wanted to buy a condenser mic, you will need to add a phantom supply between the mic and the UX1.

Posted by: Boson Nov 19 2008, 03:04 PM

Great sound and great playing Marc, I pearticularly enjoyed Desert Rose.