How To Connect a Guitar Amp to a Computer

While there are different ways to connect a guitar to a computer, using a guitar amp is one of the best ways. You can strengthen the electrical signal from the pick-up on a bass guitar, electric guitar, or acoustic guitar with a guitar amp. So, how do you connect a guitar amp to a computer? 

Not all of these are possible on every guitar amp, and it also depends on why you are connecting them in the first place. But keep reading to learn more about connecting a guitar amp to your computer. 

Different Ways To Connect a Guitar Amp to a Computer 

There are different reasons people connect their guitar amp to a computer. For most people, it is to record the sound on their guitar amp using a DAW. While for some people, it is to hear the amp through the computer speaker or headphones. Whatever your reason, note that while there are different ways to connect a guitar amp to a computer, they do not all generate the same output. 

So, when choosing what method to use, it’s important to take note of the ups and downs of using that method. It would help if you also considered the ups and downs of the method you want to use against your reason for connecting both devices in the first place. Hence, here are four different ways to connect a guitar amp to a computer. 

Method #1: Using a USB Cable 

Most modern guitar amps come with a USB port. And with the right USB cable, you can connect the amp directly to the USB port on your computer. If your guitar amp has a USB port, it does not require an audio interface to work. You can also output audio over USB, allowing you to record and hear the amp through your computer at the same time. What the USB connection allows you to do varies depending on the model of the guitar amp.  

Here’s how to connect a guitar amp to a computer using a USB cable.

1. Get a male-to-male USB-A to USB-B cable from your local store. 
2. Connect the USB-B end of the cable to your guitar amp. 
3. Connect the USB-A end of the cable to your computer. 
4. Power the guitar amp and launch the DAW you want to use with it. 

Method #2: Using an RCA to 3.5 mm Cable

Another way to connect a guitar amp to a computer is with an RCA to 3.5 mm cable. If your guitar amp is pretty old, you will likely see two RCA ports of different codes on it. However, this method’s main disadvantage is the color code system. 

Here’s how to connect a guitar amp to a computer using RCA to 3.5 mm cable.

1. Get an RCA to 3.5 mm cable from your local store. 
2. Plug the RCA end of the cable into your guitar amp by matching the colors. 
3. Plug the 3.5 mm headphone port into your computer. 
4. Turn on the amplifier, launch the DAW you want to use with the guitar amp, and switch the input mode to aux or line in. 

Method #3: AUX-In Cable

The AUX-In port is one of the most common ports on most computers and guitar amps. If you use this method to connect your guitar amp to a computer, ensure you use a high-quality AUX-In cable. A poor-quality cable can affect the quality of your recording. 

Here’s how to connect a guitar amp to a computer using an Aux-In cable.

1. Get an AUX-In cable from your local store. 
2. Connect one cable end to the 3.5 mm port on your guitar amp. 
3. Connect the other end of the cable to the headphone port on your computer. 
4. Turn on the amplifier and launch the DAW you want to use with the guitar amp, and switch input to “line in” or “aux.” 

Method #4: Wireless Connection 

If you have a more modern guitar amp, it may likely come with a Bluetooth compatibility feature. If the guitar amp has Bluetooth, you can skip the need for long cables trying to connect your guitar amp to a computer. However, when you connect your guitar amp to your computer wirelessly, you may likely experience lags and interference from other wireless devices transmitting simultaneously. 

Here’s how to connect a guitar amp to a computer using a wireless connection.

1. Turn on the guitar amp and switch it to Bluetooth connection mode. 
2. On your computer, navigate to the Bluetooth connectivity feature and search for a new device. 
3. Find the guitar amp and click on it to pair. 
4. Launch the DAW you want to use with the guitar amp when pairing is complete and switch input to Bluetooth. 

Conclusion 

If you ever need to connect your guitar amp to a computer, you can work with any of the methods elaborated on in this article. While choosing any method, remember to take note of what ports you have on your guitar amp and your computer and choose one that will give you the best sound quality.