Reference Guide

1559

Audio

Beginner’s guide to Cakewalk software

Figure 459. Electric guitar through effects rack

This diagram assumes that the output of the rack is at line level (consult your rack’s documentation).

If it is at pro level instead (+4 dB), and your sound card does not accept a +4 db input, you will need

to attenuate (lower) the F/X rack’s signal. To do this, use a mixer between the rack’s output and the

Y-adapter. If the rack has only a mono output, a 1/4 inch mono to 1/8 inch stereo adapter should be

used instead of a Y-adapter.

If you want to connect a guitar amplifier’s direct output to the sound card, you should base your

setup on this example.

Microphone direct-in

Microphones can be plugged into the sound card’s Mic input. Some inexpensive microphones are

made especially for use with sound cards and come equipped with 1/8 inch plugs. However, better

quality microphones take better quality cables, which do not terminate in 1/8 inch plugs. The

following figure illustrates how to connect a microphone that terminates in a 1/4 inch plug to a 1/8

inch input:

Figure 460. Microphone direct in

1/4 inch instrument cable

Rack effects units

1/4 inch to RCA adapter (x2)

To sound card line input (stereo)

RCA to 1/8 inch adapter (stereo)

Rack FX

Microphone

To sound card microphone input (mono)

XLR to 1/4 inch microphone cable

1/4 inch to 1/8 inch adapter