You can play an electric guitar through a computer by using an audio interface rather than plugging into the computer’s mic/headphone jack, which is usually noisy, mismatched for instrument level, and prone to high latency. Connect the guitar with a 1/4″ TS instrument cable to a Hi‑Z (instrument) input on the interface, connect the interface to the computer via USB/Thunderbolt, and select the interface driver in your recording software (ASIO on Windows; Core Audio on macOS).
Set the interface channel to Instrument/Hi‑Z, then adjust input gain so normal playing stays below clipping (leave headroom; avoid hitting 0 dBFS). For monitoring, use either the interface’s direct/hardware monitoring (lowest latency but no amp simulation) or software monitoring through an amp simulator plugin in a DAW.
The setting that most strongly determines whether it feels responsive is audio buffer size (and the resulting round‑trip latency). Smaller buffers reduce delay but increase CPU load and risk audio dropouts; larger buffers are more stable but can feel delayed. A common starting point is 64–128 samples at 44.1/48 kHz, then adjust until playback is stable while keeping latency low enough to play comfortably.
Connect Guitar to Computer With an Interface
To play an electric guitar through a computer, use an audio interface designed for instrument-level sources. Connect the guitar to the interface with a 1/4″ TS instrument cable and use the interface’s dedicated instrument/Hi‑Z input (or enable the Hi‑Z/Instrument mode on a combo jack). This input presents the correct impedance and gain structure for passive guitar pickups; using a line input can sound dull and may yield improper levels.
Connect the interface to the computer via USB or Thunderbolt and install the manufacturer’s driver when applicable (commonly required on Windows; on macOS many interfaces are class-compliant). In your DAW or standalone amp-sim software, select the interface as the audio device, choose the correct input channel, and set an appropriate sample rate and buffer size. Lower buffer sizes reduce monitoring latency but increase CPU load.
Set the interface input to Instrument (not Line), then adjust the preamp gain so normal playing produces a strong signal without clipping. Use the interface’s input meter or the software meter; avoid hitting 0 dBFS. If the interface has a pad switch, engage it if the guitar output is high and clips even at low gain.
For monitoring, plug headphones or studio monitors into the interface rather than the computer’s audio output. This typically provides lower latency and ensures you hear the processed signal from amp simulators and effects accurately. Use direct monitoring only if you want to hear the unprocessed input; for amp sims, software monitoring is usually required.
A well-shielded cable and proper grounding can reduce noise and hum.
Install Interface Drivers and Select ASIO
Once the interface is connected, install the manufacturer’s driver so the operating system can use the device with stable performance and low latency.
Get the most recent driver from the manufacturer’s official support page, run the installer, and restart the computer if required to complete the installation.
After installation, open your DAW’s audio or device preferences and select the ASIO driver that corresponds to the interface.
On Windows, ASIO is commonly used for real-time monitoring because it typically provides lower latency and more reliable timing than general-purpose Windows audio drivers.
If you encounter clicks, dropouts, or other glitches, adjust the buffer size in the driver or DAW settings (larger buffers improve stability but increase monitoring latency).
Also check periodically for driver and firmware updates from the manufacturer, since updates can address compatibility and performance issues.
If a native ASIO driver isn’t available, an ASIO wrapper may provide basic functionality, but it can add complexity and may not match the stability or performance of a dedicated driver.
Select the Interface for Input and Output
After installing the driver and enabling ASIO, set your audio interface as both the input and output device in your DAW’s audio preferences. This routes the guitar signal into the DAW through the interface and sends DAW playback back out through the interface’s headphone and monitor outputs, avoiding mismatched devices that can cause routing problems and added latency.
In the same settings menu, confirm that the DAW’s sample rate matches the interface’s current sample rate (commonly 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz) and set an appropriate buffer size. Smaller buffers reduce monitoring latency but increase CPU load and the likelihood of audio dropouts; larger buffers are more stable but add delay. A practical approach is to use a smaller buffer while recording (if the system remains stable) and increase it during mixing.
An external interface connected via USB or Thunderbolt typically provides lower latency drivers, better input gain control, and more reliable microphone/instrument preamps than a computer’s built-in sound device.
Built-in audio hardware can work for basic playback, but it often offers limited input options (or no instrument-level input), higher noise, and less robust driver performance for real-time monitoring.
Affordable entry-level options include the Focusrite Scarlett Solo and Behringer U-Phoria UMC22, both of which provide instrument input, headphone output, and line outputs for monitors.
Set Input to Instrument/Hi-Z for Guitar
With your interface selected as the DAW’s input and output, set the guitar’s input channel to Instrument or Hi‑Z.
Passive electric guitar pickups typically have a high source impedance, and a Hi‑Z input presents a suitably high input impedance (often around 500 kΩ to 1 MΩ or higher). This reduces loading on the pickups, helping preserve high‑frequency response and maintaining a more accurate level into the preamp.
Avoid using a Line input for a guitar unless you’re feeding it from a device that already outputs line level (for example, a pedalboard with a line driver, a preamp, or a modeller).
Line inputs are designed for higher signal levels and usually lower input impedance, which can cause a passive guitar to sound dull, lose level, or respond differently than intended. If your interface has a switchable mode, choose Instrument/Hi‑Z; if it has separate jacks, plug into the one labeled Instrument/Hi‑Z.
Set gain while monitoring the interface meter (and/or the DAW input meter): play as hard as you’ll during recording, raise gain until the signal is strong without clipping, and leave headroom.
This gives amp‑sim plugins a clean DI signal and a predictable input level, which improves consistency when dialing in tones and dynamics.
Set Guitar Gain to Avoid Clipping
Even if the tone seems acceptable through an amp or monitors, an overly high input level can clip at the audio interface or inside the DAW, producing hard digital distortion that can’t be removed cleanly later.
Set the interface gain based on the loudest parts you’ll play (for example, strong strums, palm-mutes, and the highest-output pickup position). Use the input meter and aim for peak levels roughly between -12 dBFS and -6 dBFS, leaving headroom so the signal stays below 0 dBFS and never triggers the clip indicator.
Use the interface’s Hi‑Z/instrument input when plugging in a guitar or bass directly; it provides the correct input impedance and gain structure for passive pickups and helps preserve frequency response.
Increase the gain gradually while monitoring the meter, then reduce it slightly once you have consistent peaks in the target range. If clipping still occurs, reduce the interface gain further and/or lower the output level from pedals, boosts, or active pickups.
Because output level can change significantly across pickups and playing dynamics, recheck levels when switching pickup positions or engaging level-increasing effects.
Load an Amp Sim and Lower Latency
Load an amp sim plug-in (for example, Guitar Rig, AmpliTube, or Neural DSP) on the guitar track so you can monitor a processed tone while playing.
To reduce monitoring latency, select your audio interface’s dedicated low-latency driver (ASIO on Windows; Core Audio on macOS) and lower the I/O buffer size—commonly 64–256 samples—until the feel is responsive without clicks, crackles, or dropouts. If artifacts occur or the system becomes unstable, increase the buffer slightly or reduce project load.
If you need the lowest possible “feel” latency, use the interface’s direct (hardware) monitoring and monitor the dry input while listening to DAW playback. Note that direct monitoring bypasses the plug-in path, so you won’t hear the amp sim unless the interface or DAW supports a low-latency monitoring mode that still includes effects.
Managing CPU load can also improve stability at low buffer sizes. Options include disabling oversampling/high-quality modes while tracking, freezing or bouncing heavy virtual instruments, and keeping time-based effects such as convolution reverb and complex delays modest during recording.
Then enabling higher-quality settings and heavier processing during mixing.
Conclusion
Now you can play an electric guitar through your computer with a standard low-latency setup. Connect the guitar to an audio interface, install the manufacturer’s driver, and select an ASIO driver (on Windows) to reduce latency and improve stability. In your DAW or standalone amp-sim application, choose the interface as the input and output device, set the input to Instrument/Hi‑Z so the impedance matches a guitar pickup, and adjust the input gain so peaks remain below 0 dBFS to prevent digital clipping.
To monitor and record tones, insert an amp simulator and any needed effects on the guitar input channel. Lower buffer size and, if available, sample rate to balance responsiveness against CPU load; smaller buffers reduce round-trip latency but can cause clicks or dropouts if the system cannot process audio in time. Once levels and latency are stable, you can record the processed sound or record a clean DI signal for later re-amping, depending on your workflow.