How do I connect my electric guitar to my iMac?

Okay, the cable might be good, but I don't like the way they advertise it: "... makes it even easier to plug in, play and record right away — without the need for complicated and far more expensive hardware and software". It's just a cable, and it does not replace an interface.

Yes, the term "truth in advertising" has become something of a joke.

Christoph Drösser wrote:
Okay, the cable might be good, but I don't like the way they advertise it: "... makes it even easier to plug in, play and record right away — without the need for complicated and far more expensive hardware and software". It's just a cable, and it does not replace an interface.

I avoid buying cables from Monster. True, they sell some decent cables and are widely distributed. However, their prices are often unjustifiably high, and - beyond that - I'm not comfortable rewarding their corporate shenanigans (politely put) with my money.

For better quality cables, I prefer Canare or Mogami. Canare is my favorite.

For cheaps, there's always things like house brands at Guitar Center or for really low prices www.monoprice.com

But for me... Monster... no no no! No no! No no no!

MattiMattMatt wrote:
For better quality cables, I prefer Canare or Mogami. Canare is my favorite

Good to know. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks for the advice. I went to Radio Shack and picked up their cheap $4.00 adapter, and it works great. Glad I didn't spend the extra $$$ on the Monster since this baby will do me fine!

This is what I got. You can find it online at this link:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062467

It is Radio Shack Part # 274-366 - 1/8" Stereo Male to 1/4" Stereo Female - $4.39 plus tax

To get it to work, first I plugged my guitar cable into my guitar and the the adapter. I had to push it in kind of hard, until it went all the way inside the adapter and snapped in. It was awkward at first - it seemed like the guitar male end would only go in half way into the female adapter, but like I said, a little force worked good. I then plugged the male 1/8" end in the audio input on the back of my iMac (not the headphone output.)

Then I started a new project in GarageBand and chose Electric Guitar. Then I went to "Track Info" and chose the amp I wanted, then on the top right of the picture of the amp is this little button that says "Edit" - I clicked that and then clicked on the picture of the amp. on the screen below I chose "Source - Mono 1 (Built-in Input)", "Monitor - On with Feedback Protection", and I turned the Level up about halfway. Then I clicked "Done" above the picture of the amp and everything worked peachy. I mention this here because it took me awhile to figure it out, so just in case anyone else is reading this it may help them. My apologies to those of you who already know how to set it up.

I've played all night (haven't played in years) and now my fingers hurt, but I gotta say - this is FUN!!!

Thanks again to all for your helpful comments.

{quote:title=Paul in LA wrote:}{quote I had to push it in kind of hard, until it went all the way inside It was awkward at first - it seemed like the male end would only go in half way into the female, but like I said, a little force worked good. this is FUN!!!

Sounds like it was!

(sorry, couldn't resist, I'm still 12).

So, basically, after 3 pages of interesting exchanges we end up with the same answer that was posted at the beginning (several times).
But the value lies in the journey, does it not?

Rawk on... My cheap adapter into my Imac is all I need too - I have a room full of amps including 3 tube amps, but when I don't wanna disturb "Mama" I play through my Imac and RAWK OUT.

Hi Paul in L.A. I have wasted my money on one of those cables. I guess I fell for the the cheapest option. All my cable does when it is connected is create feedback! My advise for what its worth is look for a better option. Good luck.
P.S. When you do let me know Cheers

SaintBlackers wrote:
All my cable does when it is connected is create feedback!
P.S. When you do let me know Cheers

it's not the cable you choose the wrong input source.

Man, I've read this whole post, went to all the links and still can't get my electric guitar to play make a sound on the MacBook. Actually I'm trying to figure this out for my daughter's boyfriend who is a great guitarist, better than I ever was, but I do understand how the strum the strings. He did go to radio shack and bought an adapter. It seems to plug in good and got it plugged into the mic plug and did the input source in Garage Band. I mean I don't even get feedback. He has 4 different chords and I've tried them all, they work with his amp, so it's not those. Just wondering if there is a answer here that I just can't find. I have searched honest.