Line in from guitar amp not working

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CosmicRustle

CosmicRustle

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Hi sorry if this is in wrong forum.

I've got my guitar plugged into my amp, then a lead coming from the Line Out to the line in on my PC. Realtek recognises it as being plugged in but then when I go on recording devices, all Windows picks up is the static, not the notes I'm playing.

If anybody knows how to fix this that would be great,
thanks
 
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T
Okay, I was partly correct. The amp will try to auto-detect whether the jack should act as an input or output. If your motherboard's line-out isn't centered at 0V, the amp will think it's an input. If you have the computer's line-in jack set as a microphone, it will apply 2V to the line.

See if you can change the line in from microphone to line level.
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the nerd 389

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Do you have a model number for the amp so I could track down the documentation for it?

I suspect that the combined CD IN/LINE OUT jack is the source of the issue. There should be a switch somewhere on the amp to change between the two.
 
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CosmicRustle

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Oh never thought of that thanks! Sounds like it could definitely be an issue.
The model is the Marshall MG15DFX
Just found the manual for the whole MG15 range but it doesnt mention how to switch from CD to Line out
 
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the nerd 389

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Okay, I was partly correct. The amp will try to auto-detect whether the jack should act as an input or output. If your motherboard's line-out isn't centered at 0V, the amp will think it's an input. If you have the computer's line-in jack set as a microphone, it will apply 2V to the line.

See if you can change the line in from microphone to line level.
 
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CosmicRustle

CosmicRustle

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Ok thank you do you think this would be in bios, control panel, or maybe Realtek driver software
 
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the nerd 389

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It's going to be in the Realtek drivers somewhere. I don't have the setting myself, so I'm going out on a limb saying that it'll be there.

It won't be in BIOS, though.

If you can't find it, or it isn't there, then you may be able to pull off the same result by using the headphone jack. If you do that, be aware that if you turn the headphone volume up too high on the amp, it might be too much for the motherboard to handle. Basically, just start with the volume as low as it goes, hook it up. Then, play a few chords while monitoring the levels on the PC. If the levels are too low, increase the amp's volume by a small amount. Repeat that until the level is high enough for the computer to record.
 
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CosmicRustle

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In Realtek audio manager there was a setting activated called Tie up same type of input jacks, ie line-in or mic, as an input device and I switched it to Separate all input jacks as independent input devices but this still does not work.
I have a cable running from my guitar to the amp input, then another cable from that CD/LINE-OUT to an adapter which converts it to regular 3.5mm jack then into my Line In on the back of the pc. Is this correct?

 
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the nerd 389

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That's correct for the first option.

For the second option, you need to turn the headphone volume as low as it goes, and move the cable that's currently in the CD/LINE OUT jack to the headphone jack.

Then, adjust the volume according to my previous post to get usable levels.
 
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CosmicRustle

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Ok just tried this. Wire from the headphone jack on the amp into the line in and there was no sound even as i turned the volume wayy up
 
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the nerd 389

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Does anything happen when you jiggle that adapter? I've had those die on me pretty frequently. The weak link is always on the cable side.

Also, do you have a separate mic input?

Lastly, have you hooked headphones into any of the jacks on the amp? That's the easiest way to verify that it's outputting a signal.
 
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CosmicRustle

CosmicRustle

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Ok i will try moving it about a bit thanks. I do have a mic input jack. There is no mic plugged in at the moment. And yes ill try plugging in headphones thanks

 
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CosmicRustle

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Ok sorry about the delay it was 3am where I live. Thanks so much for helping this far.
I have tried jiggling and moving about the jack it did not work.

I have just tried running the LINE-OUT/CD jack from my amp to the microphone jack on my pc at the back, and then plugging in dummy earphone jack to cut out the noise, then cranked it up to max volume and yes I can hear it through my pc but the quality is pretty poor

 
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CosmicRustle

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Oh dear. Headphones with the amp or through the pc? I have used headphones with my amp before and it works

 
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the nerd 389

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Yes, with the amp.

You can use them with the headphone jack without issue.

For the line out jack, you'll want to minimize the amount of time that they're plugged in. Basically, adjust the volume as low as it goes, plug in the headphones just as you strike a cord, and unplug them quickly. If the volume was too low, adjust and repeat.

This will tell you whether the amp is actually producing a signal at all. If it is, the problem is with the computer. If it isn't, the problem is with the amp.
 
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CosmicRustle

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Ahh i see plug the headphones into the line out. Ok i will try tomorrow thank you

 
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CosmicRustle

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Hey sorry for the delay. I just tried this out. I can hear the chord through earphones plugged into the line-out jack of my amp, but only if it is basically on max volume, and still then it's pretty quiet. Also quite a lot of crackle

 
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CosmicRustle

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Yeah the headphone jack on the amp works great. Much better sound quality. Shall i just line out from the headphones jack? What would be preferable about the LIne out compared to the Headphones
 
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the nerd 389

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If you look through my earlier comments, I suggested running the headphone jack to the computer quite a while ago. You said that you tried it already to no avail. Is that correct?

If not, be sure to reread the precautions I outlined earlier about hooking the headphone jack into the computer before attempting it.
 
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