Ran across this neato little device by Mac hardware-maker DVForge. On One side it has a male quarter-inch audio plug to connect to an electric guitar and on the otherside has a female USB connection, to connect to the computer. Samples sound really nice, and I would love to be able to use this to make recordings, as one of the big problems I’ve had in the past is distortion, low gain, and generally poor sound quality when I record directly from a soundcard input jack.
They say, however, that it is “Not For Use With MS Windows,” so I’m not entirely sure what that means in terms of the possibility of using it on the PC (under Linux). It also seems a bit pricy, at almost $40, and a review also notes that the device is rather fragile, counter to DVForge’s claim that it is a “ruggedly made device intended for serious use by serious musicians.”
In addition to the GuitarPlug, they offer the MicPlug – an identical device, but with an XLR plug. Another device that caught my attention is the JamPod, a device that plugs in to an iPod and allows connection of a guitar and mixing with music played from the iPod. More appealing to me, however, is the JamPlug, basically a miniature amplifier, with no speaker and an 1/8″ output jack, as well as overdrive distortion. Hell of a lot better than carrying an amp around. If I had something like this, it would actually become feasible to carry my electric around.
A HarmonyCentral review, however, says that the JamPlug is a piece of crap, so I’m sure I can find something better…