Run guitar through home audio??

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

I've been trying to find a way to run my guitar through my home audio system....without success. I tried running from the 'balanced line out' on my 'Session 400' amp to my home audio amp but that didn't work. I also tried running directly from the guitar to my audio amp...no good. I'm sure one of you electronics folks must know how to do this? I'd like to be able to use headphones to practice guitar privately...so as not to disturb other household members. Ideally I'd like to be able to combine the signal from my guitar with the output of my CD player and tape deck in order to play along through headphones. It's not a problem to silence the speaker in my Session 400...just need to unplug it. Has anyone got a solution?

George Wixon · From: Waterbury, CT USA

Bill,
I know this isn't the answer your looking for but the Peavey Blazer 158 has the ability to plug in a cd/tape player, your guitar, and has a headphone output as well.
They are also very inexpensive.
George

Vernon Hester · From: Cayce,SC USA, R.I.P.

I Use a Behringer MX 802 mixer into a Onkyo 810 amp with a set of floor JVC and Bookshelf Jenson speakers. Guitar goes into Stereo steel pre-amp with 2 lexicon's effect units.
Wish I could haul the system with me when I play out.
Vern

Bill Crook · From: Goodlettsville, TN , Spending my kid's inheritance

Bill........

All you need is a small pre-amp unit that has the RCA type output jacks on it. As for effects,etc,etc,you may not want to use them.

Just plug the pre-amp into your VCR,Home entertainment equipment,CD player,whatever.

At times,I simply plug my "Profex II" into my CD player. Works great !!

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

Well I was thinking of, or rather hoping for an inexpensive solution that wouldn't involve buying any new equipment other than wire, plugs and adapters. Those little Peavey amps are interesting alright but I've spent enough on amps already. I have no idea what sort of preamp to look for or even who makes them. I had a look at the RadioShack site but I don't see anything there. I don't require anything fancy...I'm not looking to set up a home recording studio. There's got to be a simple way to do this. Does anyone know of a cheap little preamp that would serve?

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

Bill, this may not be what you want, but I have one of those Blazer amps, brand new, I'll let you have for 85.00+shipping. I bought the amp to do the same thing you're trying to do, but since I live alone now, I don't need headphones! TURN IT UP!!

[This message was edited by Stephen Gambrell on 20 March 2004 at 12:50 PM.]

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

Well thanks Stephen but the shipping way up here to eastern Canada would drive the cost up too much. Also, $85 U.S. would cost me about $115 Cdn.

Paul Osbty · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

Bill,

To combine the 400, CD, and tape you will need a mixer. No way around that. Most any mixer will have a recording/RCA output that can then go into the AUX input of your home stereo.

Is the balanced out of the 400 a XLR connector? With a few simple things this can be amde to work.

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

Bill,

If I am understanding you, here is the problem; and what I feel is the solution. In order to feed the signal from your preamp "out" (line out on your amp) into the stereo input of your stereo, you have to connect it to the "Aux" input of your stereo, lets say. This means none of your other devices like tape decks, or CD players, etc. will be heard. And vice versa.

So what you need to do is to get BOTH of these signals into the stereo power amp's input at the same time. Here is a suggestion. Most Stereo receivers are setup for 2 separate tape input and output jacks. These are referred to as "tape loops" on some stereos.

If you are not using one of these; OR if your stereo receiever has an "adaptor" jack (some hi end ones do), you can use one of these to get both your CD player (or tape player #1 signal) "MIXED" with your "line out" of your guitar amp. This will achieve what you are trying to do.

Now you have one caveat. Your CD player, phono player and Tape deck are all stereo outputs; meaning Left and right cables. Your guitar output is a single mono cable. This can be worked around, but you will lose your stereo from these devices. IE, you will end up with mono on everything. But for practicing this should not present a problem for you.

So follow along:

1. Run a cable from your amp's "Preamp out" (or "LINE OUT") jack to the input of an RCA phono type Y cable. Note: you may need an adaptor to do this. This will put your guitar output signal on both halves of the Y cable.

2. Take 2 additional Y cables and connect the first one from the Tape #2 LEFT output to Tape #2 LEFT input. Use each leg of the "Y part for this.

3. Take the second Y cable and connect it from the Tape #2 RIGHT output to Tape #2 RIGHT input. Again use the Y cable for this as in step 2.

4. Now take the Y cable in step #1 you have connected to your "preamp out" (or LINE out) from your amp; and connect each leg to each of the Y cable's input connectors in steps 2 and 3.

That is all there is to it. So you need to purchase 3 RCA type phono Y cables from Radio shack. You may need one adaptor cable to go from 1/4" phone plug to phono connector IF you cannot find a Y cable with a built in adaptor.

The ONLY problem is whether you need males of females in all of the above connections. SO here is what you do. Draw it all out looking at the back of your stereo. And mark M or F accordingly at every connector. Show the Y cables. Then take this to Radio shack and purchase the appropriate Y's (and adaptor if neccessary).

To use your stereo normally, leave everything connected BUT the Y connector coming from your amp. Note: The Tape #2 switch on the front of your stereo will be in the OFF position.

When you want to play your guitar thru your stereo AND use your CD player, or tape deck, etc, (at the same time), connect the Y cable coming from your amp. Turn the tape #2 switch ON. You will be able to play records (or CD's or Tapes) and you will hear those records, CD's or tapes ALONG with your guitar through your stereo speakers (OR headphones as the case may be).

If you have any problems, call me @ 770-448-8455

I will be happy to help you in any way I can,

carl

[This message was edited by C Dixon on 20 March 2004 at 02:23 PM.]

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

Yes Paul, the balanced line is an XLR connector.
Maybe I'll have a look on eBay and try and pick up a used mixer...I guess I wouldn't need anything elaborate?

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

Thanks very much for the detailed instructions Carl. I have at least 2 RCA 'Y's around here already and I must do some rummaging to see if there isn't a third one. I will definitely give this a try. If it works it will be much cheaper than buying a new amp or mixer. Your help is appreciated

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

Well Carl, I don't have enough 'Y's yet to complete the setup you suggested but there seems to be a problem of some kind anyways. I do have enough 'Y' connectors and adaptors to run from my guitar amp to my home stereo amp and I can't get it to work. I first ran a cable from the XLR type 'balanced line out' on my Peavey to the 'Tape 2 In' connector on the stereo. As far as I can see this should at the very least get the signal from my guitar to play through the stereo speakers, but no matter what setting I try on the stereo amp it does not work. (I know that the 'Balanced Line Out' on my Peavey is functional because I use it to run through the mixing console when our band performs.)I also tried running from the 'preamp out' jack on the back of my Peavey but that doesn't work either. It seems to me that whether or not I can have a solution that will facilitate having both the guitar signal AND the CD player or tape deck to play similtaneously through my stereo, connecting in the manner I described should, at least, allow my guitar to go through. Am I wrong in that assumption? Could it be that the type of signal coming from my Peavey is just not compatible with the input on my home stereo? ...because that's what it seems like.

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

Bill,

Not sure. But you do NOT need, NOR would I recommend the "balanced out" since that would need a matching circuit to get the signal into your stereo. Also, normally XLR signals are much lower in level than line out signals. NOT sure on a peavey amp though.

BUT the unbalanced "line out" SHOULD work. Try the following before you do anything else. Connect a cable to the unbalanced line out jack on your amp. Then using an adaptor, connect it to either channel on your tape # 2 INPUT terminal.

Set your your stereo for Tape 2 ON. You SHOULD hear your steel loud and clear. If you do not, try the same thing on tape 1, then try it on the CD or aux inputs.

All of these inputs, PLUS the line out on your amp use what we call standard unbalanced 1V RMS signals. So your amp should work just like your CD player or tape player does now.

Try it and if it does not work, PLEASE call me. I believe I can get it to work for you on the phone,

carl

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

One word of caution, here. Be EXTREMELY careful if you're gonna run a musical instrument straight through your home stereo speakers! You'll blow 'em up before you know it! I learned this the hard way, back in the 70's.

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

I had already tried that Carl, but I decided to give it another shot. It just doesn't work. When I connect from the line out on the back of my Peavey to my Yamaha audio amp all I get is an intimidating hum and no guitar signal. I appreciate the effort you've put into helping with this problem but I've decided to abandon the whole thing before I do some damage to my stereo system. I figure it will be cheaper to buy one of those small practice amps with a headphone jack than to risk that.

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