I have the 1/8 to 1/4 cable. But it looks like my laptop needs to be in something for the sound to develop. My computer skills date back to 2000.
Little help please.
Little help please.
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What do I do to use my laptop as an amp?
- Thread starter MalcolmAmos
- Start date
Are you hoping to go bass > laptop >headphones?
Does your laptop have a 1/8 input jack (usually has a microphone icon)?
Windows or MAC? Os version?
Does your laptop have a 1/8 input jack (usually has a microphone icon)?
Windows or MAC? Os version?
Mic inputs on laptops are not the preferred signal chain.
You may want an audio interface and a DAW of some capability to get the full benefit of computer based signal processing.
You may want an audio interface and a DAW of some capability to get the full benefit of computer based signal processing.
While this is 100% correct
you can still just jack into a pc directly and get a result
It won't be a preferred signal quality
but you should be able to at least hear it through the headphone out
Typically the best method is to buy a decent-quality hi-z ( guitar out ) to USB interface.
Many available from Focusrite, Berringher, etc. Not too expensive, and usually comes with
some software like Ableton Lite etc. that can also be very useful. Plug your bass into the
interface, and the interface into your PC via USB. Many interfaces have a built-in headphones jack too.
Once a good Analog>Digital signal is delivered to your PC, you can output that to anything you like
( via speaker-out signals on a sound card, the same USB interface if it supports that, etc. )
All of the above assumes there is a REASON why you want to feed your bass into your PC.
Many available from Focusrite, Berringher, etc. Not too expensive, and usually comes with
some software like Ableton Lite etc. that can also be very useful. Plug your bass into the
interface, and the interface into your PC via USB. Many interfaces have a built-in headphones jack too.
Once a good Analog>Digital signal is delivered to your PC, you can output that to anything you like
( via speaker-out signals on a sound card, the same USB interface if it supports that, etc. )
All of the above assumes there is a REASON why you want to feed your bass into your PC.
All my amps (3) have been left at the churches I play. I elected to not haul them back and forth. I know I can pick up a second hand 15 watt amp for under $100, but, wanted to explore using my PC at home. Been on fixed income for 18 years so my hobby budget is limited.
Thanks for the replies.
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If you aren't getting any sound from the laptop, you probably don't have any software running that lets the computer know that it should pass the mic input signal to the speaker outs.
Knowing what machine you are running would be helpful. There is likely free to use programs available that would suit.
It sounds like all you want to do is practice? Not record and mix down tracks?
Knowing what machine you are running would be helpful. There is likely free to use programs available that would suit.
It sounds like all you want to do is practice? Not record and mix down tracks?
Tell us what you're working with.
Apple or Microsoft operating system? (And which version)
How old is the computer?
Likely a cheap Behringer interface will get you done easy.
It's a PC, windows 10. Yes all I want is sound so I can practice at home. I have a vox head phone amp - that seems like the way to go.
Last edited by a moderator:
