Any guitarists or sound engineers in here? I need advice.

[CaptainKipard]

I'm trying to learn to play guitar, and sometimes I like to play along to youtube videos or mp3s on my computer, but it's a slow comp and the sound card is causing a lot of latency.

I'd like to bypass the computer completely and get audio output from the computer and the amp through a dedicated real-time mixing device of some sort and then listen to that, but I don't know what to look for because I don't know what you call that device and also what features to look for and what brands to look at.

I might want to use it for midi output and input in the future possibly as well. I think I need at least two TRS inputs (one of them should be 6.35mm I think; I don't know if that matters; I have some adapters for those).

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If anyone has advice about learning then I'd appreciate that too.

Edited April 2, 2015 by Cpt. Kipard

[Kurld]

I guess I'm not following what you're trying to do, but it sounds like you want advice about a USB (or firewire) audio interface.

[Red Iron Crown]

I tried to do something similar when I started playing electric guitar, the latency was an issue for me as well. I suspect it would be better to get an external mixer and mix your PC and audio output together there rather than trying to mix it in the PC (a simple analog mixer should be less than $50 or so). Though in my case, I just had the PC play through its speakers while the guitar played through the amp, pretty simple but not suitable for using headphones.

Side note: If you get halfways serious about playing, I cannot recommend Guitar Pro strongly enough. For the price of one AAA game you get an absurdly powerful composition and practice tool.

[pincushionman]

Also a little confused. Are you plugging the instrument into the computer, and trying to play the recording and your instrument through the computer speakers together? My understanding is that's (the input, that is) going to have latency whether you have a good computer or not. I'd say in that case you probably want an external mixer/amp/speaker setup to plug both the instrument and the computer into; that way the computer is only responsible for the "backup" playback.

If, instead, you're trying to record over a track on the computer, look into your recording software's settings and look for "latency." I've had to do that in Audacity before.

If however, you mean "my computer can't play audio without stuttering," that's a whole 'nother issue.

Edited March 24, 2015 by pincushionman

[klgraham1013]

This is the bane of my recording existence. Latency is a [redacted]. Once I'm more awake, I'll post my setup.

[CaptainKipard]

I'm sorry guys. I just realised how vague my post was. My setup right now is this:

                Youtube 
                  |
                  V
Guitar -> Amp -> PC -> Headphones

And I want pretty much what Red and pincushionman suggested, because I'm guessing it'll reduce latency between the guitar and my headphones, but I'm open to any other setups that might work, as long as you use the right names for things so I know what to buy.

So... Kurld said "audio interface". Is that the same as a mixer?

Red said "analogue mixer". I'm googling the difference between analogue and digital now, and my head already hurts.

Edited March 24, 2015 by Cpt. Kipard

[Red Iron Crown]

If you're not recording a simple mixer will work (and they're cheap):

Guitar -> Amp -> Mixer -> Headphones

Computer----------^

[klgraham1013]

Ok. So, I found Asio4All drivers work best for latency with my setup. I run my instruments into a Behringer Xenyx 1202FX mixer which goes into a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 usb interface. As far as engineering, I'm using Ableton Live 9 Suite.

Being as you're a beginner, you probably don't want to spend a grand on your setup. I'd look to see if the software you're using will recognize the Asio drivers. Also, you're going to need to make your usb interface the audio out. You'll still get latency from your PC out.

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Rocksmith is a great learning tool as well.

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I still haven't had my coffee. I need my coffee.

[CaptainKipard]

Gah.. What's a USB interface? Do I really need it?

I have Asio4all already, and I'm going to use Reaper(it recognises Asio4all) for recording, sequencing and MIDI'ing.

[pincushionman]

And I want pretty much what Red and pincushionman suggested, because I'm guessing it'll reduce latency between the guitar and my headphones, but I'm open to any other setups that might work, as long as you use the right names for things so I know what to buy.

It shouldn't produce any latency to speak of unless it's doing sound processing. Which is not what you want it to do.

So... Kurld said "audio interface". Is that the same as a mixer?

Not exactly. It's a fancy, external version of the I/O portion of a sound card. Or, probably more like "a soundcard is a specific type of audio interface." Though, good ones may have decent mixers. But your computer will still introduce latency.

What kind of amp do you have? If you have a second sound input on it, you can do the mixing in the amp, then direct to your headphones. You'd just need an appropriate connection from the computer to that sound input.

Edited March 24, 2015 by pincushionman

[CaptainKipard]

My amp is a simple amp combo. It has one Input, and one Footswitch input, so I don't know whether that counts as a second audio input or not. It has 1 Audio out, 1 Aux out, and one USB I/O. I think.

Edited March 24, 2015 by Cpt. Kipard

[pincushionman]

My amp is a simple amp combo. It has one Input, and one Footswitch input, so I don't know whether that counts as a second audio input or not. It has 1 Audio out, 1 Aux out, and one USB I/O. I think.

Yeah, the footswitch wouldn't act as a second audio input. The USB is probably for an iPod type thing playback, but tough to say.

[klgraham1013]

So, are you going into the PC with the amps usb I/O or through the audio jack (aux out) ?

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A usb interface is just a higher quality / musician-centric way of getting sound into your PC. They typically have common inputs which musicians use like quarter inch jacks and XLR connectors.

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Latency has always been an issue with this sort of thing. I've gone between stand-alone recording units and recording on a PC a few times. I love the flexibility of mixing on a PC, but it can be a pain to get it setup perfectly. Where a stand-alone just works out of the box.

[CaptainKipard]

I'm using the headphones socket and going into the PC microphone input. The USB connection is right now used for controlling the amp from the PC (changing and saving presets). It can be used for audio, but I haven't noticed any change in latency when using it. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.

Correct me if I'm wrong but when you're recording if you just listen to the input and the recording is late, you can always nudge it to the left in the sequencer, right?

[Xorth Tanovar]

I'm a fan of M-Audio's products, dunno if you're looking to shell out much, but this may fit the bill. Take a peek...

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MTrackPlus

[klesh]

If you're trying to learn to play the guitar, the setup you have described is completely futuristic-overkill. You need an audio cassette, a casette player, and your favorite jimi hendrix tape. Don't waste the money and time on some elaborate rig when you'll (probably) just give up after less than a year. Practice for a year or two, start taking lessons, and then look into elaborate setups.

I have 28 years of music playing experience with 22 of them on guitars. Trust moi.

[riocrokite]

Yah, also it's worth looking for (hardly) used stuff. There are many people that bought a rig that they have never used and selling it on ebay. I saved at least 50% on my purchases this way.

[philotical]

kdesh is right..

but in general, if you are seriouse , red iron cross on first page gave you the ONLY valid suggestion..

for 20 bucks you'll get a 3 (or 4) channel mixer - plug your pc and your guitar there and send both to headphones..

You'll need years to get a "no lateny PC setup" working..

To learn guitar, you don't need that - as kdesh said..

RIP Jimi

[klgraham1013]

If you're trying to learn to play the guitar, the setup you have described is completely futuristic-overkill. You need an audio cassette, a casette player, and your favorite jimi hendrix tape. Don't waste the money and time on some elaborate rig when you'll (probably) just give up after less than a year. Practice for a year or two, start taking lessons, and then look into elaborate setups.

I have 28 years of music playing experience with 22 of them on guitars. Trust moi.

I half agree with this. I would never tell someone to use a cassette. If it were me, I'd just play the music through my PC speakers and play the guitar through the amp.

20 years for me. Guitar, bass, piano, violin, ukulele. If it's got strings, I probably play it.

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I've found going straight into the PC mic input will always have latency.

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Yah, also it's worth looking for (hardly) used stuff. There are many people that bought a rig that they have never used and selling it on ebay. I saved at least 50% on my purchases this way.

I've taught so many people who get real excited, buy the stuff, realize that it actually takes effort, sell the stuff.

You can find some great used guitars because of this.

[klesh]

I half agree with this. I would never tell someone to use a cassette.

Lol, okay so perhaps I am dating myself with that. Indeed, the bottom line here for the OP is that until you're really passionate about playing and know for a fact this is something you're going to do for years and years, investing any more than a hundred bucks on a knockoff electric guitar is a waste. I too have had many students fall in love with the idea of being a guitar player, until they realized that it is indeed a lot of work and it takes much practicing. Many folks make that mistake, and barely used gear is easy to come by.

How old are you, OP?

[CaptainKipard]

Lol, okay so perhaps I am dating myself with that. Indeed, the bottom line here for the OP is that until you're really passionate about playing and know for a fact this is something you're going to do for years and years, investing any more than a hundred bucks on a knockoff electric guitar is a waste. I too have had many students fall in love with the idea of being a guitar player, until they realized that it is indeed a lot of work and it takes much practicing. Many folks make that mistake, and barely used gear is easy to come by.

How old are you, OP?

I already have a guitar, and have gotten some practice. I'm not worried about losing interest. It's not exactly like I'm going to be doing this professionally. It's a health maintenance thing more than anything.

[klgraham1013]

I already have a guitar, and have gotten some practice. I'm not worried about losing interest. It's not exactly like I'm going to be doing this professionally. It's a health maintenance thing more than anything.

Keep it up. It can be a very rewarding hobby.

[Kurld]

OP are you still wondering how to do this? I've been away for a few days. Others (I think) already answered the question you asked about audio interfaces.

[CaptainKipard]

I'm still open to information. Do you have something to share?

[Kurld]

If I understand you the problem is the sound from your guitar is late when it gets to your headphones.

If you absolutely must use headphones and there is no aux input on your amp that can accept an audio signal (sounds like there isn't) then the next option is a small mixer. Behringer makes a line called Xenyx. Google that for an example of what I'm talking about. One channel in from the amp, the other channel in from the PC, mix and out to headphones. Most of the Xenyx line are also USB interfaces. Your amp is one too, if you can send audio into the PC over the USB. (Seems like I read you said that it did.)

If your amp can play audio from the PC over it's USB connection (and I'd be a little shocked if it didn't if it can send audio TO the pc) and if it has a headphone out, that would also solve your problem.

There are a couple of things mentioned in the thread that I can back up:

1) you can save a lot of money buying used. stuff shows up on CL, etc. and you can get real bargains if you are patient

2) gear won't help you get better, the exception being a guitar that is properly intonated and will stay in tune. If your guitar fails either of these and you're serious about playing, take it to a professional to see if there is any hope of having it set up correctly. If there is not, get a better guitar.

3) playing guitar takes a lot of patience and discipline, especially at first when you have no calluses and it can be literally painful. Keep it up.

I'll add:

4) even 10 or 15 minutes a day, if focused, will contribute towards success

5) you'll get better a lot faster if you have an instructor who is trained to teach and is fluent in the style of music you want to play. You can learn a lot of stuff on your own, including bad habits. A good instructor can help you avoid those and also tell you where to focus your time and effort during practice.

Good luck and keep it up!

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Actually, there are two other pieces of gear that are also essential: a tuner and a metronome. Use both religiously and it will make you better, faster.