Does anyone know how to connect Bass or Electronic guitar to Mac so I can play and record it? I saw a lot of people playing bass or electronic guitar connected to a computer to play. Do I need a specific device to do that?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Bass or electronic guitar to Mac?
- Thread starter mavericks7913
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
keysofanxiety
macrumors G3
Yes. If you’re looking to do recording as well, the best thing would be to buy a preamp. Anything like this would do: https://www.gear4music.com/Recordin...MI3vG_-q7O3gIV2uFRCh29OQwPEAQYAiABEgKKFvD_BwE
The preamp means that the signal is boosted from your guitar or vocals for crisp sound. The preamp also acts as a DAC and becomes the main output device on your Mac.
The benefit of a preamp is when you’re recording, the raw signal is really strong and you can later re-amp it without any issues. This way you’re not limited to a single tone at the point of recording.
There are also a number of great digital amps that you can use. The digital amp will allow you to get a perfectly playable and impressive guitar sound when recording. I personally use Reaxis but there are many others: https://mercuriall.com/cms/details_reaxis
Also if you’re looking to record but you’re not 100% sure of the tone, it’s still not a problem. The preamp with a digital amp will be fine, as the raw signal can later be re-amped to anything else. You can even send the stems to a producer who will just hook it up to a Marshall stack and record that.
It opens up the possibilities loads when you’re recording, just like a MIDI plugin would for keyboards.
The preamp means that the signal is boosted from your guitar or vocals for crisp sound. The preamp also acts as a DAC and becomes the main output device on your Mac.
The benefit of a preamp is when you’re recording, the raw signal is really strong and you can later re-amp it without any issues. This way you’re not limited to a single tone at the point of recording.
There are also a number of great digital amps that you can use. The digital amp will allow you to get a perfectly playable and impressive guitar sound when recording. I personally use Reaxis but there are many others: https://mercuriall.com/cms/details_reaxis
Also if you’re looking to record but you’re not 100% sure of the tone, it’s still not a problem. The preamp with a digital amp will be fine, as the raw signal can later be re-amped to anything else. You can even send the stems to a producer who will just hook it up to a Marshall stack and record that.
It opens up the possibilities loads when you’re recording, just like a MIDI plugin would for keyboards.
nathansz
Suspended
an audio interface with a pre-amp is ideal if you are recording or performing
however, if you just want to mess around, and if your mac has an audio input, you can just get an 1/8” to 1/4” adapter and plug right in to the mac and use the free amps in garage band
https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-GMP113-Inch-Female-Adaptor/dp/B000068O47
however, if you just want to mess around, and if your mac has an audio input, you can just get an 1/8” to 1/4” adapter and plug right in to the mac and use the free amps in garage band
https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-GMP113-Inch-Female-Adaptor/dp/B000068O47
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.