Specifications

2) Another option is to use a Direct (D.I.) box or Preamp. DI stands for Direct Input or Direct Interface. It is an
electrically powered box that can be used to match the input impedance of the sound card and the output
impedance of the Guitar. The simplest DI box could cost around $20, but there are boxes that could easily cost
$200 if you want all the “extras,” too. A DI box has a Hi-Z input (“Z” is the unit of Impedance; High Impedance
input, in other words). To record, you just plug the DI box directly into the computer Line-In jack.
3) The middle road, which probably won’t cost you anything, but could be almost as good as a DI box, is the
use of an ordinary stomp box, which in fact is a sort of DI box. It could be a pedal of any kind: a distortion pedal,
chorus, echo, etc., as long as:
a) It is electrically powered, and you actually use the battery or power source
b) You use it in bypassed mode, i.e “o”
c) It is not a “true bypass” device (In other words, in “o” mode, if the sound disappears when you remove the
battery, then it is a device that you do want to use as a DI box)
A Guitar pedal is obviously a device which is designed to be used with a Guitar. To record, just plug the pedal
directly into the sound card Line-In. Adjust the output levels on the pedal. A Guitar pedal is an example of a
device with a Hi-Z input. If you could nd another device with Hi-Z inputs (“Instrument input“) you should try
that as well.
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