[olug] Linux as a guitar amp

[Theodore Katseres]

On 6/11/05, A-Wal <A-Wal at cox.net> wrote:
> Hello,
> 
>     This is going to sound like a really odd question, and I'm not even
> sure it can be done.  However, I'll put it out there just in case you
> guys have an idea or two.
> 
>     I've decided to learn how to play the electric guitar, but I'm only
> able to afford a $10 amp from a pawn shop.  However, I have a fancy
> computer sitting here with 5.1 digital audio abilities.  The only
> problem is that I wasn't able to afford a midi guitar, just a standard
> electric.  This means I can't just plug it into my Soundblaster Live
> Drive midi port, and expect it to work.  I've seen in the store some
> kits that allow you to play a guitar on windows using software you have
> to buy, and thought I would try doing it with Linux for free instead.  I
> don't need a recording studio, just the ability to play my electric
> guitar through my PC speakers and possibly tune it using some software I
> can find.  This may be totally impossible without having a midi device,
> but I thought I'd give it a try.  If you know anything about this kind
> of thing then I would be greatly appreciative.
> 
> Thanks!

It's been years for me but I managed to hook up my guitar to the 
old computer.  With some help from good old Radio Shack the chain was:
  Guitar -> cheap amp -> amp head phone Jack -> Mic input on card
At the time OSS was the audio standard for linux so recording was
just about all I could do.  But given the tools out there today ( Jack
+ ardour )
you could bypass the amp all together.  All that is needed is a nice 
adapter cord.
-- 
Ted Katseres