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Recording with the Fender Cyber-Twin?

G

guitargoddsjm

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 25, 2008
391
0
MA
Hey all, I'm thinking about doing small amounts of guitar recording; I have a tight budget, so I'd like to avoid purchasing anything if possible (although I understand this may not be realistic).

In the past when I recorded with a friend's digital mixer, we mic'd the amps, fed this into the mixer, and the mixer connected to my laptop via USB. Unfortunately, I don't own a digital audio interface.

What I'd really like to do is connect my Fender Cyber-Twin 2x12 (original, not the SE) directly to my computer. Here is a picture of the back of the amp:
http://www.sound1.no/images/fender/forsterkere/cybertwin/fender_cyber_twin_back.jpg

The connections I think may work are:
  • Amp headphones jack (1/4") > 1/4M to 1/8F converter > 1/8" stereo cable > Macbook Pro line-in
  • Amp XLR out (there's a toggle switch for mono) > XLR to 1/8" cable > Macbook Pro line-in
  • Amp SPDIF output > ??? > Macbook Pro line-in

Would any of these work? Would any of these work well? Any other advice/suggestions?

Thanks in advice!
 
Jolly Jimmy

Jolly Jimmy

macrumors 65816
Dec 13, 2007
1,357
3
Last edited:
G

guitargoddsjm

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 25, 2008
391
0
MA
Jolly Jimmy said:
For 15-20$ you you'll achieve a much better sound than if you use the analog line-in on you MBP.
Click to expand...

Do you mean for $15-20 I can get the converter and cables and use the digital line-in of my (15") Macbook Pro (i.e., take the SPDIF route)?
 
zimv20

zimv20

macrumors 601
Jul 18, 2002
4,402
11
toronto
guitargoddsjm said:
Cool. Would I get significantly better quality if I used an audio interface?
Click to expand...

you would get a different sound if you went with a more conventional mic'ing technique. you'd get the sound of the room, the sound of the mic, and the sound of the mic pre.

i like those things, but ymmv.
 
C

ChrisA

macrumors G5
Jan 5, 2006
12,578
1,694
Redondo Beach, California
guitargoddsjm said:
Hey all, I'm thinking about doing small amounts of guitar recording; I have a tight budget, so I'd like to avoid purchasing anything if possible (although I understand this may not be realistic).

In the past when I recorded with a friend's digital mixer, we mic'd the amps, fed this into the mixer, and the mixer connected to my laptop via USB. Unfortunately, I don't own a digital audio interface.

What I'd really like to do is connect my Fender Cyber-Twin 2x12 (original, not the SE) directly to my computer. Here is a picture of the back of the amp:
http://www.sound1.no/images/fender/forsterkere/cybertwin/fender_cyber_twin_back.jpg

The connections I think may work are:
  • Amp headphones jack (1/4") > 1/4M to 1/8F converter > 1/8" stereo cable > Macbook Pro line-in
  • Amp XLR out (there's a toggle switch for mono) > XLR to 1/8" cable > Macbook Pro line-in
  • Amp SPDIF output > ??? > Macbook Pro line-in

Would any of these work? Would any of these work well? Any other advice/suggestions?

Thanks in advice!
Click to expand...

Your amps has spdif output? Use that and get an exact digital copy of the sound.

But if you were to buy a small audio interface for about $100 you can plug a guitar straight into that and then you the guiatar effects in Garage Band. They are not bad at all. The presets are a little bit of stereotypes but you can tweak them
 
G

guitargoddsjm

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 25, 2008
391
0
MA
zimv20 said:
you would get a different sound if you went with a more conventional mic'ing technique. you'd get the sound of the room, the sound of the mic, and the sound of the mic pre.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I totally understand. We used to stick mics in front of the amps, drums, etc. Unfortunately, as I stated, I don't currently have access to a digital audio interface.

ChrisA said:
Your amps has spdif output? Use that and get an exact digital copy of the sound.

But if you were to buy a small audio interface for about $100 you can plug a guitar straight into that and then you the guiatar effects in Garage Band. They are not bad at all. The presets are a little bit of stereotypes but you can tweak them
Click to expand...

My amp is basically a modeling amp, but instead of modeling the amps & effects digitally, the circuitry is rerouted so that it actually matches the circuitry (tubes, capacitors, etc) of actual Fender Amps. More info here: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document?doc_id=82017

Although Garageband & Logic effects are pretty darn good, I'd like to stick to what my amp can produce if possible!
 
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