Best way to record electric guitar

Hi all,
after months of playing with GarageBand, a fantastic tool, I decided to try to record something with my electric guitar, just to see if I could be able to compose a song
Well, I recently got a Dual G5 PowerMac, I saw it has a line in and a digital audio connector. I even got an iMic, a leftover from the "old" Dual G4 I had.
So far, which is the best way to record my electric guitar? I already have the 1/4" -> 1/8" adaptor, should I just plug it in the iMic or the line in port on the rear of the Mac?
Or , should I use a pre-processor before sending the signal to the Mac (I have an effect simulator from yamaha)?
And, in case neither of the 2 scenarios are really worth it, what do you suggest?
I already tried using the search feature, but I really couldn't find 1 clear topic that summed up my questions... sorry 'bout that.
Thanks in advance,
Regards

You can certainly try the Line-In, you won't hurt anything. Most people find that it doesn't work very well because guitar is not "Line-Level".
Others question the quality of the A/D converts built in to the Mac. Personally, I doubt the iMic's are any better, but the level problem usually forces one away from the direct Line In without some form of pre-amp.
I've used the iMic (though with a mixing console) and found it acceptable. A higher quality interface (read much more money) yields much better results ... it's always a trade off.

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Message was edited by: xSlamx

I have a total now of 4 interfaces - I recently purchased a FOCUSRITE SAPPHIRE 6 USB - it's amazing quality and I only paid $149 for it at my local Guitar Center. I use it with my Guitar and everything sounds fantastic - they say the preamps are really high-quality for Mics too... I recommend it. I have a firewire interface too but the Sapphire is my man baby now - don't let the USB 1.1 fool you - it works flawlessly with my Mac and my Windows 7 machine too. It also comes with a selection of software including Ableton Live Lite and 4 really nice Focusrite plug-ins too.

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Ummmm, so in a few words....
what is the best way to record Just an Electic guitar over a beat I made? I
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As has been said really, the less you pay the less quality, and flexibility you'll have on your sound.
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Hello,
I'm new to the Apple forums. I have come seeking some knowledge about how I can make my guitar sound really good like a metal/rock sound while at the same time not sounding unnaturally distorted but clean.
I have a Macbook Air with a Griffin iMic. I have tried some of built in presets for metal/rock but they are either too noisy (background hiss) or they arn't rock like enough. I like the metal ones but they have too much hiss and it ruins my recordings (sounds like a jumbled mess in the end...)
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Linkandzelda wrote:
I have a 1/8 to 1/4 adapter which i plug directly into the iMic. So theres no preamp involved, yet.
You can by pass the iMic by using the same adaptor and plugging straight into the Line in on your mac. Try it and see if there is a difference in your sound.
Regarding settings, I was able to develop one which has minimal noise levels but also some distortion. I will defiantly experiment more...
Yeah, the key is to start with as clean a sound as possible and then add in little bits. Start adding with a Chorus effect first, then maybe a slight delay. Try all of your setting with both strumming and picking, both fast and slow, as you often have to match your playing technique with how the effects are set up. Then add Fuzz/Distortion etc. Once you have done that then reverse the set up sequence by starting with the major signal modifiers like Distortion etc and add the chorus, flanger, phasers after. These sorts of strategies can change the way things sound. Don't forget a bit of reverb.
The key is to start simple with mild alterations. Also, find a few guitar sounds you like from your favorite songs where you can hear good clear guitar sounds. Maybe create a playlist in iTunes and use these as a reference to compare between what you like and what you are creating. This A-B'ing will go along way to helping you develop your 'taste'. Its great to hear things side by side.
Goggle each of the guitar effects and learn what they do, make a few simple notes as a reference. Basically educate yourself.
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http://www.apple.com/pro/techniques/connectingguitar/

Best way to record electric guitar

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