Here are a few of the ways you can make your guitar talk to your
computer:
Record
a .wav or .aiff file using a sound editing program and a microphone or
direct cable connection.
Via an
external device like an MBox
or a 1/4 inch jack on your
soundcard. Your
computer creates .wav file
which can then be inserted
into your audio project and
then edited. You are
now inputting and editing
your audio on the computer instead of
with a mixing board and
tape. Now, your only
limitation is the size of
your hard drive. Some
audio programs have
"amp modeling
effects" that allow you
to take your input and then
make it sound like a
Marshall Stack, or a Roland
Cube, etc... Use
Midi. You can also
"record" the sound
of your guitar (or any
analog instrument for that
matter...)
via
a midi
pickup. If
you have ever seen a coiled
pickup on an electric guitar
you can imagine what a midi
pickup would look
like. The only
difference is that instead
of converting the vibration
to an analog signal it is
converted to a midi
event. While
it sounds exotic it's quite
handy for creating ringtones,
for example. Some
one-man-band types use midi
triggers on their guitar to
play audio samples (think
laugh tracks or Boiiinngggg!!!)
during performances. One
Man Band. While
you sing and play guitar the
midi "backs you
up". You download
a complete midi file then
mute the tracks and parts
you want. With the
right sound module and midi
files it truly is a band in
a box. Most
professional lounge
musicians would make
extensive use of this
technology. Drum
Tracks As a
guitarist you may encounter
midi files when recording
drums. This is normal,
since midi gives a better
sound than audio for drum
loops. |
