How can I record bass guitar at home? I have only: bass guitar, amp (bass combo) and laptop. I don’t have audio interface and buying it is not an option right now. On my amp I have headphones output. On my laptop I have 2 separate ports (mic and headphones). I want to use Audacity.
And now, how to connect everything with each other and what settings should be used in Audacity?
Please explain it in very simple way, I am completly new to this.
This thread seems a bit similar to your question:
If I were you I would just buy a super cheap audio interface and avoid all alternative hassle, the Behringer U-Phoria UM2 is like 25 euros new. They basically go for free second hand.
Thanks for your answer, but it’s not solution in my case. I already read that thread, but it wasn’t helpful for me. I have a DAW - Audacity, I just don’t really know hot to connect everything properly. And as I wrote before buying audio interface is not an option right now.
The audio interface is the piece that converts the analog signal coming out of your bass into a digital signal and sending it to your DAW. It’s kind of a necessary piece. If it truly is not an option, your best bet imo is recording with the microphone on your mobile phone into a DAW also on your phone.
I would always advise to use an audio interface, BUT possibly you could use the headphone out of your amp to feed the input of you PC.
IMPORTANT:
Also: get Reaper, it’s much better than Audacity and free-ish…
Thanks for your answer. But can I use my amp (bass combo) instead of audio interface? I want to try to connect my bass with my combo and then with second cable (3,5mm) connect my amp (headphones output) to my computer. But I am not sure if this will work and will be safe for my bass, amp and computer.
Thank You so much for your advice.
No worries!
What PC do you have? I can check if the mic-in can be used as line-in!
But: be careful, no matter what input you have!!!
I have computer Lenovo AiO C40-30 (F0B4007SPB)
i will never try to guess how much people can afford these days. but as an FYI, you can get an interface for around $30 and i would not be shocked if you could find something on temu for lower. edit: put in digital audio interface for guitar in amazon’s search box for a bunch of DAIs and sort them cheapest to most expensive. there’s a bunch that are even lower then this. people are reporting the joyo momix cab works well with garageband, and AI says it works with audacity and it’s $17. you could get one and if it doesn’t work in your setup, just return it.
Looks like it can only do mic in.
Don’t take your chances!
If you plan on doing any serious recording I would grab Reaper and use a DAW. Reaper is inexpensive and you can actually use it for free indefinitely as they don’t prevent it (though really it’s a super bargain at $60).
Audacity is not a DAW (despite the fact that they call it one); it’s more of an audio file editor and multitrack recorder. There are important differences between it and how DAW (in general) work but the tl;dr is that Audacity’s edits are destructive (i.e. they overwrite the source material) which is not how most DAW work (which is kind of like photoshop and layering nondestructively, keeping the source audio intact). The deeper you get in to recording and music production the more important this is (and it gets more important fast - basically the moment you start playing with software effects.)
from some things i have seen lately i think audacity might be trying to become more daw-like.
ahh..
Thanks for your help.
They have been calling it one for years. We’ll see. If they want to be a DAW they need real MIDI and plugin support (for both instruments and effects) and nondestructive editing. And even then it will be way behind the pack for features.
On the other hand, it’s a great raw audio editor and quick recorder.
yep, i use it all the time. because what you say is certainly true, but as a beginner tool for learning simple things like recording, and basic cut/paste editing it’s great. and also like i use it for, ripping off audio from youtube 
My city library has a recording studio that can be used freely by everyone with the library card. Probably something similar exists at your place too?
hah that could get ugly reeaaalllyyyyy fast 
Yeah it’s a useful tool to have around. Just not a DAW 
Ahh definitely not… I am in Poland.