[JZ]

Hi all

Sorry if this question has been asked before.

I got a electric guitar for my birthday last year so I could finally learn how to play one! Between moving into my first house and renovating I haven't had much time to practice, when I do I use the Garage Band Lessons. I only have a basic guitar and amp but would also like to connect it to my Mac. Which is the best way, I checked out this page:

http://www.apple.com/pro/techniques/connec...itar/index.html


For a learner like me and with fairly cheap/ basic equipment which is the best way to go?


jz

[pmoeser]

You shouldn't need a Monster cable.

You should be able to do it with a plug adaptor from Jaycar or Dick Smith.

Just put it on the end of your guitar cable and plug it in. Just be careful of the weight of the cable pulling too hard on the socket. Pile up some old hardcover books (while you still have them that is. The iPad's a comin'!)

[David Braue]

You shouldn't need a Monster cable.

You should be able to do it with a plug adaptor from Jaycar or Dick Smith.

Just put it on the end of your guitar cable and plug it in. Just be careful of the weight of the cable pulling too hard on the socket. Pile up some old hardcover books (while you still have them that is. The iPad's a comin'!)

You can also use a headphone extender (probably $10 from Dick Smith) to provide a plug into which you can plug the guitar without actually plugging it into the Mac -- plug the extender into your line-in, and the heavy guitar plug can sit on your desk instead. And you'll need a 1/4" female to 1/8" male audio adapter to suit the larger plug of your guitar (the "plug adapter" pmoeser referred to above).

One tip: be aware of the volume you're inputting -- check your levels (at a hard strum) before recording so make sure you aren't maxing out the volume and getting distortion.

Another tip: don't worry about guitar effects: you can record your clean audio in GarageBand and apply loads of guitar effects in GarageBand later.

[David Braue]

But the guitar effects, while placing strain on the processing, define the nature of your playing, no?

How does one play Smoke on the Water without some rock stadium fuzz?

Well, yes. YMMV. YFMV, actually.

[David Holloway]

You realise that under Australian law, any amateur musician who plays Smoke on the Water is able to be stoned to death without penalty. Other songs that fall under the law include Khe Sanh, Eagle Rock and Stairway to Heaven.

[Dave Bullard]

You realise that under Australian law, any amateur musician who plays Smoke on the Water is able to be stoned to death without penalty. Other songs that fall under the law include Khe Sanh, Eagle Rock and Stairway to Heaven.

Does that count playing it with one finger on an E string?

[David Holloway]

Does that count playing it with one finger on an E string?

That's a statute that allows for summary execution on the spot

[JZ]

I was reading the latest issue of Aussie MacWorld today in my lunch break and stumbled across this post in the mag! Seems I've won a very cool bag for my much loved MacBook!!!

Just one question, does the bag get sent out to me or do I have to contact AMW with my details?

Thanks who ever voted this post for best of the month!!!


jz

[pmoeser]

I saw that too! I thought maybe if you cut the bag up we can share the spoils!

[JZ]

i just gotta work out how i get the bag first?

[Ken Gracey]

Jamie, just as a safety margin, contact Liana Pappas <liana.pappas@niche.com.au> to make sure it gets sent





TL

[JZ]

thanks TL

i just sent an email to macworldeditor@niche.com.au, do i still need to send to Liana Pappas?

[Xavier Verhoeven]

I started replying here earlier, but got sidetracked... Sorry for that. Liana is the person to contact, but I'm sure Dave will pass on your email. If you don't hear back, you can also email me (amwonline[at]niche.com.au).

[JZ]

thanks xavier

[johnmac8]

Hi JamieZ I am a guitar teacher from Thornleigh ( http://www.thornleighguitar.com) a lot of my students buy the Behringer Guitar Link for around $80 good value it has a headphone input as well will work straight away on your Mac http://www.troymusic...0087000420.html
good luck with your Garageband lessons they are good cheers Johnmac

[klytia]

Gidday Johnmac08 I am learning from garage band as well, I would be interested in your opinion on Apogee one....

clip link

Rachel Geller can sing to!

Mick

[JZ]

thanks for the info johnmac


a friend of mine is also a music teacher and has even published a guitar lesson book and he has given me a few pointers too.

hey mick i was planning on getting iRig but now i think i'm gonna get Apogee Jam as it works with Mac and iPad and with GarageBand on both. Win Win as far as i can see.


jz

[klytia]

hey JZ, sounds good i really liked the Apogee one (for that reason, it works well with the mac and GB) but will look at the jam, keep an eye out for the reply.....

Mick