The ShadowMusic Web Community

Happy New Year all and may 2015 be good to you. In my case, I intend finally to learn about recording guitars, basses and microphones onto computer.

I'm talking entry-level, not top of the range, because while the spirit is willing the talent is limited!

I've got all the software I want, it's just the question of how best to connect my instrument or microphone to my computer. It's a Mac, by the way, so no audio inputs, just USB and some mysterious smaller sockets.

Direct to USB? Via a piece of kit? How little can I get away with spending? ( I am a Scot, after all )

I'd welcome your guidance. I've never done this before

Many thanks! Iain

Hi Iain, i use a little behringer usb audio device, really simple, costs about £50, just plug in to the usb port and plug your guitar, bass or vocal in

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/behringer-usb ... face-n02fw

There are of course more expensive options like the focus scarlett below, this has dedicated xlr input for microphones and more control over volumes etc

http://www.andertons.co.uk/usb-interfac ... erface.asp

And a cheaper, high quality option, the Griffin iMic:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-GC16031 ... B000BVV2IC

I've had the older version for around ten years.

I use the Apogee Duet which allows guitar and microphone together, the cheaper option being the Apogee One which allows one at a time, they are studio quality but are not cheap and cheerful. At the end of the day you get what you pay for and I have found each of these superb for my needs. I just sold the Apogee One for £133 on Ebay, just to give you a guide price-wise second hand.

Hi Iain

The smaller sockets on your Mac are Thunderbolt, these are modern high speed connections.

At the simplest level, if your are able to connect your guitar to something that has a line level output this can be plugged directly into the computers line input socket. One of our members connects his magicStomp this way and gets very good results.

The Mac has core audio support for USB, going up to around the £80.00 mark the Apogee JAM is an excellent small interface that is specifically designed for a Mac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEnahod2nPQ

Its very easy to use, just plug N' play (no drivers required) and a simple input level control. The connections can be either standard USB or Thunderbolt, but I think they come standard now with a Thunderbolt lead, which means you can plug into an iPad as well!

I have both a JAM and an Apogee Duet, although much cheaper I prefer the JAM for input and tend to use the Duet for just headphone and monitor connections.

Best regards

Gary