1. Recording with a Computer

THE GUITAR IS A WONDERFUL INSTRUMENT, with the versatility to move effortlessly from classical Bach pieces to heavy metal—and anything in between. So perhaps it’s not surprising that combining computers and guitars is a match made in heaven, as computers can perform so many different types of tasks.

Whether you want to tune up your guitar, record it, create a virtual pedalboard for live performance, extend an existing amplifier setup, or create entirely new tones, the computer is the gateway to all of these options. What’s more, thanks to advances in technology, today’s computers can handle the data-intensive, timing-critical tasks demanded by the music-making process.