A USB guitar is a guitar that has a built-in USB port so you can hook the guitar up to your computer, allowing you to instantly transmit sound and record as you play. There are way less wires and a USB guitar allows you to play electric guitar without being tied down to an amplifier. If you love playing guitar like I do, then you know that you can’t always get as loud as you want. If you don’t have a garage or basement to play in, then parents, roommates, neighbors are all people you have to worry about bothering. Electric guitar amps can get very loud and aren’t always conducive to playing in your room. If it is two in the morning and you often feel the urge to rock out, then a USB guitar may be a great option for you.
If you don’t know how to play guitar, but are looking to pick it up or have a child that is eager to learn, good news. A USB guitar is a great method of learning to play guitar. I know when I was learning to play guitar, I was always self-conscious of my other family members hearing me. This made it difficult to practice because I would only play when no one was home. If you have a USB guitar, you can simply plug your electric guitar into the computer and have the computer act as your amplifier. Since electric guitars are pretty quiet instruments (until they are plugged in to an amp), a USB guitar is a great way of playing without much noise. You simply can put headphones in, turn up the volume on your computer and play as loud as you want without bothering anyone.
Are you a prolific songwriter who always has new songs and melodies coming into your head? If you are, then I strongly recommend a USB guitar. When I was in college, I would constantly come up with new songs, but wouldn’t have the time to set up my recording system and record all these songs. Once I purchased a USB guitar, it became a breeze. All you have to do is plug the USB cable from the guitar into your computer and open whatever recording system you use (many USB guitars come with recording software) and strum away!
If you happen to be on a tight budget, even more of a reason to invest in a USB guitar. They are usually much cheaper than a standard electric guitar with some of the best models available starting at $119. The iAXE393 by Behringer is a great USB guitar for a musician of any level. Some of the best places to purchase a USB guitar include Guitar Center and Sam Ash.
Maybe you fall into the category of a guitar owner who has recently become convinced that connecting your guitar to your computer is incredibly efficient for recording and songwriting. If this is the case, then you probably don’t want to purchase a new guitar. Not to worry, because you can purchase a guitar to USB interface. The UCG102 by Behringer is the most popular model and is available for $30. The only other additional purchase you would have to make is a guitar cable. Quality guitar cables can be purchased for about $20.