Playing guitar/bass through consumer PC speakers

[fishbulb]

Story: I've been playing drums for over 4 years now and have played nearly every day since i've had them. In September i went to college and obviously had to leave the drums home. After getting back to my dorm room from winter break i've been really bored and i think it's from not playing any music whatsoever and i'm tired of lying around all day doing nothing but play video games.

Question: Is it a good idea to play guitar/bass through PC speakers? I thought the perfect solution would be to buy a bass guitar to keep the musician in me active while I'm away from home. Obviously i want it to take up the least amount of space possible and also cut down on costs so i was thinking of not buying an amp. Can you simply get a 1/4" cable from the instrument and convert it down to 1/8" and plug it into the line in/microphone input of my soundcard or is it more complicated than that?

[Aaron]

I'd suggest buying a super cheap second hand amp. You could pick one up cheap. Computer speakers won't sound very good, tbh.

[Seafroggys]

the guitar doesn't have a hot enough output to go through the line-in. You can do microphone in, but it'll sound nasty. Plus a DI guitar sounds terrible, it needs at least an amp sim or even a tube booster or something.

PC speakers should easily be able to handle that. They're full range speakers, they're designed to play most anything they're put through. Why else don't they blow out when you play three AC/DC songs? Surely that high wattage Marshall sound will be the death of them?

[Moseph]

Question: Is it a good idea to play guitar/bass through PC speakers? I thought the perfect solution would be to buy a bass guitar to keep the musician in me active while I'm away from home. Obviously i want it to take up the least amount of space possible and also cut down on costs so i was thinking of not buying an amp. Can you simply get a 1/4" cable from the instrument and convert it down to 1/8" and plug it into the line in/microphone input of my soundcard or is it more complicated than that?

It's slightly more complicated. In addition to what's already been said, if you're using the onboard soundcard as your interface, you're very liable to run into latency problems.

The fastest solution to this is to pick up a small guitar-oriented interface. The cheapest is probably going to be either the M-Audio Jam Lab (though it looks like it's being phased out of production), or the Line 6 UX1. Note that though both of those devices are less than $100, they're both basically guitar-only devices.

That type of device will provide low-latency drivers so everything works out for you. Then you can probably use freeware VST plugin amp sims to do the rest in a freeware/OEM host software.

[TriggerNYC]

The fastest solution to this is to pick up a small guitar-oriented interface. The cheapest is probably going to be either the M-Audio Jam Lab (though it looks like it's being phased out of production), or the Line 6 UX1. Note that though both of those devices are less than $100, they're both basically guitar-only devices.


LOL at computers.
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Dean-Bass-in-a-Box-Bass-Headphone-Amp?sku=184700

bass in a box. $60 (but im sure u could get it for cheaper) plug your bass in, plug your headphones in, and viola, u can listen to yo'self.

or u can buy a value package and get a bass and amp at a reduced price.

[Aaron]

My response is the same; ebay a second hand amp.

[TriggerNYC]

My response is the same; ebay a second hand amp.

if he doesnt have a bass yet tho and he just wants one to fool around, and beginners packacge (for like, 150) might be the best bet.

[Obelisk]

If you are going to use the PC speakers, instead of running through the computer, simply grab a 1/4M to 1/8F adapter and plug the speakers directly into the guit. or bass.

Eliminates the latency issue and will only cost you around $5.

Prolly sound like garbage, but it should work.

[TriggerNYC]

If you are going to use the PC speakers, instead of running through the computer, simply grab a 1/4M to 1/8F adapter and plug the speakers directly into the guit. or bass.



a) you would need a DI or preamp of some sort, unless the bass has an active preamp in it

b) you wouldnt be able to do anything to your tone but just play. youd be at the mercy of your speakers.

[Obelisk]

^^^

Ahhh, true. I forget that my guit. has a powered eq, giving the line a bit more signal than a completly passive system. None the less, you should get something outta the speakers with no pre, but it will probably be super quiet.

Found this article outlining how to correct this issue by removing a resistor;

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2007/Dec/The_5_Traveling_Practice_Amp.aspx

[fishbulb]

Right now i'm not too worried about my tone but instead i need something to keep my mind active musically while i'm away from home for extended periods of time.

One downside to plugging directly into the speakers is that i couldn't play along to music or to an online metronome.

I'll think about it more but i probably won't make any decisions for a while.

[Seafroggys]

Have you considered writing music?

[Surtr]

I've not got the space to bring my amp from home to my dorm at Uni. so I brought my electric, and my V-AMP II and if I plug my speakers into the V-AMP I can play through them and stuff. Its pretty alright, I mean tone sucks for the most part, but its allowed me to keep playing. Wish I had room for my amp though.

[fishbulb]

Have you considered writing music?

What exactly do you mean? Obviously it means writing music, but wouldn't i need an instrument so i could play it? Or are you more talking about constructing and arranging songs?

I have thought about making electronic music using PC software, but i don't think i'd be very good at it nor would i know what program to use.

[Seafroggys]

I've been scoring music for 8 years using scoring software. No instruments needed.

[Tripp_chaos]

What program? A buddy of mine bought one of those generic volume enhancing hearing aids so he can use his guitar unplugged and it still works he says so he can get like an acoustic sound amped i guess I'm not quite sure what he means I dare try it for my fear of personal space and ear inserting things... but there only like 15-20$ if you want to try it...

[aaronblarin]

put your bass through this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/540601-REG/Waves_IGTR_iGTR_Personal_Guitar_Processor.html

or go for the electronic! my faves are: http://www.d-lusion.com/DownloadRubberduck.html, http://www.d-lusion.com/ProductsDrumstation.html, and http://www.download.com/HammerHead-Rhythm-Station/3000-2170_4-10027874.html