Question about recording straight to computer from guitar

[IronMike778]

So I just had a Fishman Matrix Piezo pickup installed on my guitar and thought I'd be able to just plug into the mic or line-in jack on the back of my computer, but, so far no sound coming through. Hmmm.....this should be possible, right? I know condensor mics need phantom power but do pick-ups need it to? How many of you plug right into your computer? Any and all help/suggestions welcome. Thanks

[jsgksu]

I dont exactly know how to help you but there was a discussion on this a few weeks ago and I think it might be able to clear things up for you. Here's the link: http://www.dmbtabs.com/boards/viewtopic ... 35&start=0

[AdamCU81]

I plug directly into the mic input on my computer and it works great. I have a Fishman system, the standard one that's installed in bottom line Taylors, and it requires a 9V battery in the guitar. I think thats enough energy to power it through the computer....but I'm not sure about the Matrix system you have.

Just in case you may be making a dumb mistake:

Are you sure that your microphone volume is not muted on your computer sound setting? Check the "sounds and audio device" menu in the control panel to make sure your computer is set up right.

[IronMike778]

Thanks for the link to the previous discussion that Cave had......I will go get a mono to mono jack and see if thats it.

I have checked all volume control stuff...thats not the problem.

Thanks again.

[IronMike778]

Success. I finally have sound (thanks Cave for the help) and it sounds great. One more question, though:

The new pic up sounds great - even through computer speakers, but when I record onto Cool Edit pro (v. 1.2a) there seems to be a slight muffled kind of sound, mostly on chords. It sounds like a volume thing, like its recording at a higher volume than I need, therefore creating this slight muffled sound. Anyone else experience this? Is there a setting I need to adjust?

My setup is the following:

Taylor 310 with Fishman Matrix Natural 1 Under The Saddle Pickup powered by a 9-volt battery.

Sound goes directly from guitar into the back of my computer mic jack (for some reason line-in didn't work, but that shouldn't matter for this problem).

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Any and all help greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Brock]

Success. I finally have sound (thanks Cave for the help) and it sounds great. One more question, though:

The new pic up sounds great - even through computer speakers, but when I record onto Cool Edit pro (v. 1.2a) there seems to be a slight muffled kind of sound, mostly on chords. It sounds like a volume thing, like its recording at a higher volume than I need, therefore creating this slight muffled sound. Anyone else experience this? Is there a setting I need to adjust?

My setup is the following:

Taylor 310 with Fishman Matrix Natural 1 Under The Saddle Pickup powered by a 9-volt battery.

Sound goes directly from guitar into the back of my computer mic jack (for some reason line-in didn't work, but that shouldn't matter for this problem).

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Any and all help greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Yes, you're "maxing out" the volume (i know there's a technical word for it but i'm tired and can't remember it)... either just turn your recording volume down or if you wanna spend a few hundred buy a compressor.