Guitar Through iBook

[Graeme43]

Hi, at the macworld keynote 2004 there was a guitar played through Garageband

Is there any way to do this through USB2 [iBook] with standard electric guitars? It would make my switch complete

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its the last thing i keep my pc for

 

[Graeme43]

Apple Store Online

would one of them do? i also do not have line in for it

 

[Chamorro]

Like you said, you'd need an input port for it. There was a thread a few weeks back along similar lines. Digidesign and Edirol make products that let you connect instruments via USB or FireWire. Some also offer MIDI interfaces, and other additional features.

 

[Graeme43]

If I had a G5, all i would need is the Monster Istrument Adaptor, right?

Thanks

 

[Chamorro]

Probably. I'm pretty sure G5's have those types of inputs. Could be a good reason to upgrade

 

[Graeme43]

I have reasons to upgrade as well as that (superdrive, hard disk space) maybe a G5 iMac if they look sweet

G5's do have the input, but i don't know if its all i need

 

[Chamorro]

I have reasons to upgrade as well as that (superdrive, hard disk space) maybe a G5 iMac if they look sweet

G5's do have the input, but i don't know if its all i need

You'll also need GarageBand (free w/ new Mac's, I think) or something like AmpliTube on the software side.

 

[Graeme43]

I got it free with my iBook

the instrument adator and line + GarageBand - is all i need? or will it not work because i heard it may overload the line in

 

[pedXing]

Hey Graeme get an iMic ... im getting an iBook, and i have the same problem, get the iMic, its only like $30 and it has line-in ports that connect to usb, then buy a Monster Instrument adapter for $19.99 and ure set buddy!

 

[beret9987]

well if it was just you, yes. If it was more people, i would buy a mixer so you could record multiple at the same time. Thats what i do. Just buy a cheap 4 line one. You might consider buying a refurbished eMac. They do the job nicely and they pretty cheap at the apple store. What kind of guitar do you have?

 

[Graeme43]

I am going to see if the new iMac is worth buying if it comes out of course

I have a Telecaster and would like 2 inputs (would be awesome), but 1 would do

 

[klumick]

if your guitar has active pickups, the signal will be strong enought through the imic, if you have passive pickups, it wil be a very faint sound. keep that in mind

 

[Graeme43]

I have no idea what it is

 

[Chamorro]

If your Tele is stock, they're passive pickups.

Easiest way to tell is that active pickups require batteries. They also generally have a "closed" look to them, as if they're entirely covered by a single piece of plastic, whereas you can usually see the poles on passive pickups.

 

[Avalon]

Passive pickups can have covered poles too.
As far as I know there's no Telecaster with active pickups (if it's an original Fender).
To come back to the initial question,I don't know about the iBook's Audio, but I have a last generation PM G4, and an Ibanez guitar (passive pickups). I plugged it directly into the regular Audio Line in, with GarageBand, and to my surprise it worked fine, even without Preamp. As klumick said, a passive guitar normally doesn't give enough output to connect it to a usual Line in port, without Preamp.
Nevertheless, I was looking for an Audio interface, as I also wanted to connect a MIDI keyboard. I bought the Tascam US-122, and it's really good for the price. it has 2 guitar/microphone inputs(1/4" jack and XLR), 1 MIDI in and 1 MIDI out, 1 headphone and Stereo Line out.
It's connected through USB and also gets it's power from there.
i don't know the price in the US, but I've paid 220,- Euro here in Europe for it.