Originally Posted by: RickBlacker
Anway, i just want to be able to record and have it sound decent. More than just like a little transistor radio. When i place the mic up by the speaker, am I supposed to play at a substancial volume in order for the mic to pick up the recording?

I was talking about a mic pre-amp. This is something you use to bring the mic volume up loud enough for your recording and sometimes it will add a warmth to your recording, especially if it is a tube mic pre-amp. The pros use expensive models that run into the thousands.

Basically I need to do the same as you and run a mic into my laptop with enough volume to get a decent tone. Most use an "audio interface" and most of those have a built in mic pre-amp. These use USB or firewire to connect to your computer.

The X3 has vocal setting and a mic input and would work as an audio interface, it also has a USB jack. In that case I wouldn't be using the X3 for guitar tone but as a way to run a mic into my computer (audio interface). I would mic a separate guitar amp at this point. You could control the mic input level with the X3.

This way you can play at a lower volume and still get a decent signal to your recording system.

Here is an example of an audio interface:
http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-MobilePre-Mobile-Preamp-Interface/dp/B000L9RNKA

The cheaper versions run from about $80-$300. I can't recommend any because I'm still looking myself.

The Digidesign Mbox 2 Mini - Hard Disc Recording System seems popular and comes with a version of Pro Tools for about $275. -MAC

The X3 sounds pretty good direct into your computer, though!

Check out the demo I made on my myspace page:
http://www.myspace.com/bfdneal

It's a stock X3 tone and it's direct to my PC using Audacity, freeware. Did it in about 1/2 an hour.