How to Use USB Guitar Cables

Use USB guitar cables to plug an electric guitar into a computer to interface with software. Music software can add effects and blend your guitar playing with electronic metronome beats, programmable rhythm elements or prerecorded music. Some applications will write the notes played from musical instruments on bar graphs for filing or printing. Some guitars are made with ports for USB cables. Other USB interface components can be used any guitar or bass guitar with an adapter connections.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electric guitar
• Computer with USB port
• Music software

1. Connect the guitar to a computer. Use the USB output port on the guitar to connect a cable from the instrument to a computer. Use an interface adapter if the guitar is not USB ready. Plug the 1/4 inch jack from your guitar cable into the adapter and plug the USB cable output from the unit into a computer.

2. Choose a music software. In many cases USB ready guitars come with a software package on disk or available download. Some USB interface modules include software as well. If you desire more features, several music software packages are sold for playing, recording and mixing music.

3. Play guitar with computer enhancements discretely. Guitars with USB ports and USB interface units include headphone jacks that allow musicians to hear their playing along with the software instrumentation. The sound can play through the computer speaker system, or it can for your ears only.