Hello,
I recently bought an iMac and I'm interested in using Garageband as I play guitar.
What cables do I need to connect it to my iMac, and do I connect the guitar through the amp or just connect the Guitar straight into the iMac.
Cheers,
Kevin.
There are several ways to do this. The best is to buy a USB audio interface that has at least one "instrument level" input. This would be a 1/4" jack that you plug your guitar cable into. Most decent USb audio interface have this feature. Also they will have good solid audio outs for headphones and monitor speakers.
Something like this is what you need:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Alpha/
There are others. This is the lowest priced decent quality unit, others go up to about $200.
Thank you for your reply, I'm sorry I didn't specify but I'm not looking to spend alot, It's not for professional use and preety much just want to play around with GarageBand.
I think I saw a connector where you plug your lead into one end, and the other end into the sound port? what are these called and will it work,
cheers,
Kevin
If you don't care much about tone buy a 1/4" to 3.5mm adaptor cable. Hosa makes them for under $5 and any Sam Ash or Guitar Center star will have one. Basically it just makes the 1/4 inch plug on your cable fit into the little hole on the Mac. no need to even buy a cable, just a 1/4" to 3.5mm adaptor.
then you will have to play with the volume control on the guitar. It depends on what kind of pickups you have.
But really as gear goes the $80 interface is cheap and you'll get pro level results.