Connecting amplifier

Darkfoo · 08-25-2009, 05:08 PM

I apologise in advance because I know Im coming off as a complete noob but I recently bought a Line 6 Spider III amplifier and Im trying to figure out how to connect it directly into my Sony Vaio Laptop so I can record directly into Adobe Audition. Now I dont know much about sound cards at all so Is there an adequate card already installed or do I have to buy one? And If so are there any specific compatibilities or technicalities Ill need to watch for?

Sorry Again any help would be very much appreciated!

Phædrus2401 · 08-25-2009, 05:47 PM

You probably have a standard 3.5mm audio jack somewhere on the side of the laptop. All you need is a music jack to 3.5mm converter, you can get them at Radioshack.

Darkfoo · 08-26-2009, 01:26 PM

Yeh I have a connection from 3.5mm to 1/4" jack so it plug directly into my amp and the mic slot but theres no sound coming out of my pc speakers and no recognition that Ive plugged it in or anything. Do I maybe have to install a driver or something like that do you think? Thanks for getting back to me!

Darkfoo · 08-26-2009, 01:58 PM

I just read there someone had a similar problem and used a 1/4" wire and a connection to a 3.5mm jack to plug into their pc but no posts after that so Im thinking they may have been successful and as Im using a 1/4" connector from my amp to a 3.5mm size cable to my pc and its not working maybe thats what Im doing wrong Ill buy the connection tomorrow and try it out and post up if it works

Phædrus2401 · 08-26-2009, 04:10 PM

You need to have a sound capture program, like Audacity. You can download it for free, google it. Then go into Edit >> Preferences >> Audio I/O >> Recording >> Device and choose whatever the amp is connected to, probably Mic or Line In.

Darkfoo · 08-27-2009, 11:14 AM

I did what you said and I must nearly have it right cuz I have Audacity now and Ive tried using the input as "microphone" and also "sound mapper" but Im getting a god awful noise and fuzz etc and I can just about hear a minute sound of a guitar in the background! :( Any ideas?

08-25-2009, 05:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Darkfoo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 6 OS: Vista	Connecting amplifier I apologise in advance because I know Im coming off as a complete noob but I recently bought a Line 6 Spider III amplifier and Im trying to figure out how to connect it directly into my Sony Vaio Laptop so I can record directly into Adobe Audition. Now I dont know much about sound cards at all so Is there an adequate card already installed or do I have to buy one? And If so are there any specific compatibilities or technicalities Ill need to watch for? Sorry Again any help would be very much appreciated!

08-25-2009, 05:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,832 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Connecting amplifier You probably have a standard 3.5mm audio jack somewhere on the side of the laptop. All you need is a music jack to 3.5mm converter, you can get them at Radioshack. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

08-26-2009, 01:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
Darkfoo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 6 OS: Vista	Re: Connecting amplifier Yeh I have a connection from 3.5mm to 1/4" jack so it plug directly into my amp and the mic slot but theres no sound coming out of my pc speakers and no recognition that Ive plugged it in or anything. Do I maybe have to install a driver or something like that do you think? Thanks for getting back to me!

08-26-2009, 01:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
Darkfoo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 6 OS: Vista	Re: Connecting amplifier I just read there someone had a similar problem and used a 1/4" wire and a connection to a 3.5mm jack to plug into their pc but no posts after that so Im thinking they may have been successful and as Im using a 1/4" connector from my amp to a 3.5mm size cable to my pc and its not working maybe thats what Im doing wrong Ill buy the connection tomorrow and try it out and post up if it works

08-26-2009, 04:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,832 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Connecting amplifier You need to have a sound capture program, like Audacity. You can download it for free, google it. Then go into Edit >> Preferences >> Audio I/O >> Recording >> Device and choose whatever the amp is connected to, probably Mic or Line In. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

08-27-2009, 11:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
Darkfoo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 6 OS: Vista	Re: Connecting amplifier I did what you said and I must nearly have it right cuz I have Audacity now and Ive tried using the input as "microphone" and also "sound mapper" but Im getting a god awful noise and fuzz etc and I can just about hear a minute sound of a guitar in the background! :( Any ideas?