How to Play Guitar On PC & Use Computer As Guitar Amp

Hello guys, in this post we want to share about how to use a computer as a guitar amplifier. Here we will discuss the proper way to play or record guitar on pc/laptop and also find out what tools needed.

If you have a serious plan to become an independent musician (Youtuber etc). This post may be useful for your references. Before I know about home recording stuff, my first question is maybe the same as you;

How to plug an electric guitar into a computer? and use it as a guitar amplifier using guitar amp software?

I learn it in a hard way because of my lack of computer “knowledge” at that time :))

And yeah! that question is the trigger for me to become passionate about DIY home music production and motivated me for learning computers too.

Because I do it just for fun and hobbies. I may not become a professional musician, but I got some “pro” experience since then that I want to share with you here 🙂

Anyway! I guarantee that if you know how to play guitar on pc, then soon you will also be passionate about all home recording stuff. Just the way I am. Below is the video me tracking the guitar and vocal for a song that I write called ‘Redemption’. Please watch 🙂

So in this post, I will try to share my experience on how to do it the right way and find the right gear and tools to start it.

Okay! let start it with what tools you’ll need besides your computers and your guitar …

Tools You Need to Play Guitar On PC

Before you continue to read, you need to know that you’ll need an extra cost to buy stuff. So here, I will recommend some tools with the minimum budget that you can afford to get start it if you are really serious to learn DIY home recording.

The most essential tool you need is an Audio Interface. It’s an external sound card that designed and programmed specially to get the job done. It will be used as guitar input for pc and also as a pre-amp too.

And using Audio Interface is standard for a music production industry. It comes in many different variants and products that you can find out there. But for starter, buy the cheap one is a wise choice to start with.

If you want to use the onboard sound card of your PC/Laptop. Believe me, you will be disappointed with the result, Because it is not designed for that.

You will get a lot of hum and buzz from your guitar sound. And the worst, you’ll often get an extra electric sock. Ya! it can be eliminated by tie a grounding cable on your desktop computer. But still, it cannot remove the hum and buzz noise.

If you believe what I am saying, below is my recommendation for the cheap Audio Interface for you to start with. All the products price below is under $100:

• Pyle Pro
• Behringer U-Phoria UMC22
• Behringer Xenyx 502
• Lexicon Alpha

You Will Need Amp Simulator Software

In order to get the realistic guitar amp sounds, you will need Amp Simulator software. Some come in a standalone application. Others are in the VST plugin version. This means you will need a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) to run it.

Below is the most popular Guitar Amp Simulator Software for Mac and Windows computers out there:

• EZMix 2
• BIAS Amp
• Overloud TH 3
• Amplitube 4
• Guitar Rig 5
• Peavey ReValver 4

All Amp Simulator software above isn’t free, you’ll need to buy the license to use it in full function. However, you can try it in trial mode before you decide which one you like to buy.

Also, these “Premium” amp simulator software come with a bunch of pedal/rack effects, and yeah! beautiful GUI

Other

About Amp sim software. Additionally, you can use the free VST plugins in DAW software. But yep! the DAW isn’t free too. But there is an affordable DAW called REAPER that only cost $60.

Again! you always can try the free trial of the DAW before buy.

Okay, guys! that’s it for now, hope you get some insight on how to use a computer as a guitar amplifier. And plug and play your guitar to pc like a pro 🙂